The newest and most eagerly awaited Serenity comic is coming November 24, and you can preorder it now for 20% off.

"The Shepherd's Tale" finally opens up the life of Derrial Book. Written by Zack Whedon based on Joss' outline and drawn by Chris Samnee, it'll be 56 pages and published in hardcover.

One of Serenity's greatest mysteries is finally revealed in Shepherd's Tale, filling in the life of one of the show's most beloved characters–Shepherd Book!

Who was Book before meeting Mal and the rest of the Serenity crew, how did he become one of their most trusted allies, and how did he find God in a bowl of soup? Answers to these and more questions about Book's past are uncovered in this original graphic novel by rising stars Zack Whedon (Dr. Horrible, Terminator, Fringe) and Chris Samnee (Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Daredevil). A pivotal chapter in the ongoing Serenity saga, Shepherd's Tale is also a rollicking, action-packed epic in its own right!

$14.99 in stores, but TFAW is offering preorders for $11.99. You definitely don't want to miss this one. He don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not. So where does that put you?

Been waiting to see this hit the stores for a long time, now.

QMx has just released the Serenity Architectural Cutaway Poster Set, a set of four extra-large, 32" x 24” full-color lithographs depicting our lady in all her glory. Lovingly hand-painted by sci-fi technical illustrator John Mullaney, it's packed with more goodies than you can imagine.

As one of the QMx Brain Trust that helped answer John's questions about layout and details from the show and movie, I've been fortunate enough to see the different incarnations of this over the last three years as it developed and I've been in awe every step of the way. (My critiques consisted mostly of "Oh my God," and "Wow, just wow," along with some vague mumblings about Early's airlock.) He put his heart into this, and it shows. The diagrams include Serenity coming and going, the shuttles and the Mule. It's a wonderful match for the Serenty Blueprints and should just about take care of that last little bit of blank space on your wall.

In addition to all the technical detail exposed in these 3-D cutaways, every inch of Serenity is decorated with the possessions of her crew. You'll find hundreds of personal effects throughout the ship – from Jayne’s Vera to Inara's favorite incense holder – it's all here, in meticulously hand-painted detail.

The set runs $39.95 plus shipping from QMx or $35.95 plus shipping from TFAW.com. Wherever you buy it from, stop by QMx, watch the making-of video, and download John's sketchbook so you can see what I've been drooling over since 2007.

Posted a new entry — I know! — over at my 24/7 blog on collecting autographs through the mail, with examples.

I was inspired after receiving a Stephen Colbert autograph, a mere 23 months after I sent in my request. Never give up, autograph hunters! Never surrender!

Which is kinda ironic because I had given up sending out autograph requests, but now I kinda want to start again. Also a post office within range finally started carrying International Reply Coupons again after months of postal workers assuring me (despite what their website says) that they weren't carrying them any more, which means I can start haranguing Doctor Who people now. Geronimo!

Sad I missed requesting Dollhouse autographs while they were all in one place, and I suspect after the Emmy win Jim Parsons is going to be tougher to get now. Ah, what the hell, Sheldon would try it.

Along with all the other wondrous things to see at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, this weekend — an amazing collection of stars, writers, artists, musicians, and a few zillion people just as passionate as you are about the same things you love — Marian Call is putting on a concert and wants you there!

Marian performs an intimate show at a private warehouse space in Atlanta the weekend of Dragon*Con, at 236 Marray Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, seniors, military, disabled, or starving artist (honor system). Please purchase the appropriate ticket. In order to increase capacity, some strapping able-bodied fans may be asked to enjoy standing room; be kind and plan to take turns or leave seats for those who need them.

The concert is at 8 p.m., Friday night, Sept. 3, at The Warehouse Therapy Band Space, and tickets are available at her website (at the top).

Marian also will be making other appearances in the area this weekend, check her site for details.

Quantum Mechanix doesn't seem to be slowing down much when it comes to shiny new Serenity stuff, and I'm glad to see it. Two new items just hit the pre-order lists: a scary-accurate scale replica of the Mule, and a River maquette.

The Mule is just gorgeous.

QMx has produced the first ever exact scale model replica of the Flying Mule as seen in the movie Serenity. Measuring 14.5" x 10.75" x 4.5," the Mule replica is a highly detailed model, hand-painted to match the movie vehicle exactly, right down to the emblems and decals. Using the studio-supplied blueprints and AutoCAD model, plus extensive photographic reference, this Mule replica is the last word in accuracy.

Included with the Mule replica is a cast-resin diorama measuring 15.5" x 10.75" x 1." This hand-painted base simulates the sandy surface of some Border moon perfectly.

The QMx Mule can be displayed in one of two modes: CGI mode, where two heavy-duty acrylic posts are used to hold up the Mule, simulating the hover effect. And Backstage mode, with a replica of the dolly used to store the Mule between shots that you can set your Mule on.

Mules don't come cheap; retail is $349.95. But pre-order from TFAW.com and you can get it for $314.95 instead. Limited to 1,000 made, due October 27th.

Then there's the River maquette:

QMx has dedicated our first Big Damn Heroes animated maquette to the awesome that is River Tam. The Big Damn Heroes line of maquettes feature more mature anime-style designs, including realistic wardrobe, props and settings. Significantly larger than our best-selling Little Damn Heroes, the new line adds a serious edge to it's subject matter, offering a sexier, more heroic take on Big Damn Heroes.

River is captured in the midst of battle with the Reavers, her pose showing a dancer's grace while her expression (and a copious spattering of her enemy's blood) shows she means business. Great pains were taken to study both River's prop sword and axe as well as her dress and boots, all of which are recreated in precise detail. Even the detailed, hand-painted base invokes the lived-in quality of Whedon's Firefly and Serenity Verse.

Each River Tam maquette is cast in polystone resin and hand-painted, reflecting the high standards you've come to expect from a QMx maquette. River measures 6" tall by 6" wide without the base. The separately sculpted and painted base measures 5"x7"x1". River Tam is being offered in a limited edition of only 1,500.

River runs a bit more reasonable like, just $69.95 (or $62.95 if you preorder). Hits the streets running August 25.

I have to admit I'm not as excited about the River maquette as I should be, largely because I already have a statue of her from that scene. Granted, the pose, anime-ish style and (I'm certain) quality will be far superior to Diamond Select's doomed series, but I would have preferred to start this new line of maquettes with Mal or, hey, maybe one of the 4 characters who haven't gotten a single toy or statue yet. Just sayin'. Most likely when I see the others in the set I'll be more excited about this one.  Looks awfully good, though…

New at the Prop Store of London: a freaking engine from Serenity.

Well, from a Serenity model, anyway.

Well, the model they modeled the CG Firefly from, anyway. But still.

This is a master pattern of an engine for the model of the ship “Serenity” used in the 2005 Joss Whedon film of the same name. Engines such as this can be seen throughout the film as this piece was used as the pattern for the engines on the models used for the ship’s exterior shots. The engine features a domed top, and has a very futuristic mechanical design, reflecting the time in which the film is set: 510 years in the future. This unique piece is made of resin, hardened foam, is painted silver, and is in very good condition, offering collectors a rare chance to own a piece that was instrumental in creating the beloved ship!

Just $495, cheap to keep her in the sky.

Because it's been a while since I wrote anything. 94 words.

Good Dog

Groaning, Harkness stood up from the pile of paperwork on his desk and collapsed on his couch, where his dog, predictably and promptly, leaped on him.

“You’re lucky, Billy,” he told the dog fondly. “No bills, free food, nothing to do but play. You haven’t a care in the world.” He patted and stroked his wriggly pet and felt his headache began to slip away.

And Billy, fighting back the encroaching madness borne of his lifelong imprisonment to a whimsical overlord, wagged his tail in terror and dutifully, doggedly, romped and romped and romped.

A shot from last week, looking out over the Atlantic from the deck of the Grand Seas Motel in Daytona Beach.

Yeah, there are times I don't mind living here at all.

So Titan Books came out with the Serenity Companion, which included the screenplay and interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff and tons of pictures and was exceedingly good.

Then they produced two Firefly Companions, which contained scripts from all the episodes as well as even more interviews and pictures and insider stuff, and they were also exceedingly good. So that was it, right?

Nope. On sale next Tuesday (May 25) is "Firefly: Still Flying," which has even more behind-the-scenes material, quotes from and about the actors, closeup views and histories of some of the most iconic props (and where they ended up), interviews with the stunt coordinator and the location manager and copies of the Serenity Valley battle storyboards and candid photos and a look at the wardrobes and, oh, I don't know what else.

Oh, right. Four new, original Firefly stories by some of the Firefly writers.

Some of you reading this have just left to go pre-order it, but for the benefit of those who have not (or, more likely, have already pre-ordered it), here's some pics.

Read the rest of this entry »

A few months ago QMx announced their first official Firefly item (as opposed to their Serenity items, you see; they acquired the Firefly license from FOX). What could they do to make something cool, affordable, and personal?

A pocket-sized Firefly for your very own, of course!

About 2" long, made of solid metal with a pewter finish, it's solid and just a joy to look at.

Here's a pic of mine:

It's heavier and less fragile than I expected; you could drop this and not worry. I'm not sure I'd actually use it as a keychain, though, the reactor manifold strut things under the engine tends to catch on things in my pocket.At the moment it's dangling from my rear view mirror.

But it looks perfect. Made from the original digital files from the show, it captures the feel of our good girl nicely.

$9.99 plus shipping. QMx has them back in stock or if you'd rather you can buy it through Amazon .