Firefly Encyclopedia Book Review

Titan Books has published a hardback book titled Firefly Encyclopedia available from numerous online retailers and high street book stores. Firefly Encyclopedia is based upon the hugely successful Firefly TV series starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau and the late great Ron Glass. Despite only spanning one season of 14 episodes from 2002 until 2003; Firefly lives long in the memory as one of the greatest TV series in history and deservedly continued with a blockbuster film named Serenity in 2005 that starred every core cast member from Firefly and Chiwetel Ejiofor portraying the role of the Operative, although Firefly has not been continued in TV or film form since. Does Firefly Encyclopedia deliver what it sets out to by producing a detailed official companion to the Firefly TV series?

Firefly Encyclopedia is in extremely well prepared hands as it is written by Monica Valentinelli as she has previously written The Gorramn Shiniest Dictionary and Phrasebook in The ‘Verse that was also published by Titan Books in 2016, while having been the lead writer and developer for the award-winning roleplaying game line based on Firefly in 2012.

Firefly Encyclopedia immediately sets the tone and pacing of the book by producing a thorough timeline of events all the way through until page 99 by covering the backstory from the death of Earth-That-Was leading into the main story of the TV series. Between Earth-That-Was and the story of the TV series; every battle, alliance, planet and solar system is showcased in stunning detail, while also looking at what Malcolm and his crew aboard the Serenity would do to keep themselves flying with food on the table.

Character biographies also exceed expectations from page 100 to 151; not just covering the characters but also separately providing an emphasis on the actor or actress that portrays their respective roles. The character is described over a page and a half, while their costume, weapon of choice or sentimental items such as Malcolm Reynold’s pistol or Inara’s ceremonial teapot are analysed and captioned, alongside artwork showing how their character and costume were designed to look. Meanwhile, some quotes from the actor or actress that sheds some light on their thoughts about Firefly or what they learned in their approach towards preparing for scenes during filming in addition to mentioning some of the productions each cast member has been involved with since Firefly totalling to four pages per character and cast member. Ron Glass who brilliantly portrayed Shepherd Book has a wonderful heartfelt tribute; were Ron’s kindness and appreciation of fans and his acting legacy with such roles as Detective Ron Harris in Barney Miller and a guest starring role in an episode of All in the Family are discussed by the author of Firefly Encyclopedia (Monica Valentinelli) and Maurice Broaddus, an author, community organiser and teacher.

Character biographies include the core crew of the Serenity including Malcolm J. Reynolds, Zoe Alleyne Washburne, Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne, Jayne Cobb, Kaywinnet Lee ‘Kaylee’ Frye, Inara Serra, Shepherd Derrial Book, Simon Tam and River Tam. However, character biographies is extended even further by including smaller biographies for each character that are half a page to one page per friend or ally featuring friends and allies, Nandi, Mr. Universe, Stitch Hessian, veterans that fought with Malcolm Reynolds and Zoe Washburne, Monty and Tracey Smith. Meanwhile, varmints and villains showcases Firefly’s villains such as Badger, Adelai Niska and his henchmen, Saffron, Jubal Early, Reavers and more besides through to the Operative in the Serenity film that each get a page or so.

Wide Known ‘Verse is the third giant chapter of Firefly Encyclopedia ranging from pages 152 through 229; providing extremely detailed coverage of environments such as planets throughout the Core, Border and rim of the solar system, alongside facts, imagery and a chart of the locations of every planet and their neighbouring planets, suns and moons. However, the Wide Known ‘Verse does not end there as there are even more stunning features such as a step-by-step flight path showing every destination on each planet or moon in each solar system and region. Michael Brotherton delivers an incredible essay titled The Science of Firefly involving everything that makes Firefly’s futuristic ‘verse, spaceships, cryonics, medicine and weaponry believable; spanning seven pages from page 160. There is also an interesting interview with artist Ben Mund that designed many official props for Firefly related projects over the years and having also written Serenity: Atlas of the ‘Verse – Volume 1; accompanied by his artwork of a detailed schematic of Serenity’s engine on pages 174 and 175. Shuttles, Ships and Space Stations provides coverage of each major ship including the Serenity, Alliance cruisers and Reaver ships; complimented by original artwork and design concepts followed by constructed sets for those areas of the ship. The detail of the Wide Known ‘Verse expands with a glossary of technological references and how the spacesuits were created for space exploration, while health and medicine; culture; music, food and entertainment; clothing; language translations; and much more are also substantially covered. Meanwhile, a further interview on pages 220 and 221 sheds light on Keith R.A. DeCandido’s life as a writer and how he wrote the novelization of the Serenity film and the story of the Firefly RPG.

The fourth chapter titled Script Excerpts and Analysis spans from page 230 through 254 were the overarching inspirations of the story such as the American Old West are discussed, alongside the structure and technique of Firefly’s story, while looking at the story of the No Power in the ‘Verse comic book and unravelling the character of Malcolm Reynolds. Rather intriguingly, there are script excerpts from important scenes, alongside locations, facial expressions, movements and where camera angles are positioned to frame each scene for the Battle of Serenity Valley from episode 1 with a script excerpt written by Joss Whedon; when Inara sneaks out to meet Malcolm in episode 4 titled Shindig with a script excerpt written by Jane Espenson; multiple script excerpts written by Drew Greenberg that depicts some of the events that occur during episode 5 titled Safe; a script excerpt written by Tim Minear from episode 8 titled Out of Gas were Wash argues with Malcolm Reynolds; a script excerpt written by Jose Molina situated in the cargo bay between Jayne Cobb and Malcolm Reynolds from episode 9 titled Ariel; multiple script excerpts from episode 10 titled War Stories written by Cheryl Cain; a script excerpt from episode 14 titled Objects in Space written by Joss Whedon; and more besides. Meanwhile, there is knowledgeable analysis of what exactly those episodes reveal about the characters such as Malcolm’s relationship with Inara, Inara’s strength, Zoe and Wash’s relationship and the dangers of Malcolm Reynolds transporting River and Simon, despite being wanted by the Alliance.

The quality of writing is incredible with fascinating insights into the universe, story and characters that Firefly is set within, while featuring so much more besides. Monica Valentinelli writes with such knowledge and passion on the subject matter of everything Firefly, while contributors also provide their perspectives on Firefly including Maurice Broaddus with a wonderful tribute to Ron Glass, Michael Brotherton’s amazing essay titled The Science of Firefly, an interview with artist Ben Mund, an interview with Keith R.A. DeCandido and further contributions by Tony Lee and Jenny Lynn.

Firefly Encyclopedia is amazingly presented with an excellent hardback front and back cover design featuring the Serenity ship on the top third of the front cover, while the majority of the characters are on the bottom third of the front cover, alongside the book title displayed with an inlay on a suede stylised material. Meanwhile, the back cover quotes one of Malcolm Reynolds’ most iconic passages of dialogue, while featuring a picture of River, the Serenity ship and Malcolm Reynolds, alongside a synopsis mentioning some areas that are ventured through within Firefly Encyclopedia. However, every page within Firefly Encyclopedia is as awesome to look at in comparison to the front and back covers as there are excellently positioned pictures that are of superb quality that depicts an important part of the story or a confident look from each character. Every chapter is referred to as a book in a tribute to Shepherd Book’s character that also reflects the quality and quantity of advice he provided to Malcolm Reynolds and his friends, while character quotes in certain areas of the book such as character biographies and script excerpts give a real sense of each character’s personality.

Firefly Encyclopedia’s value is reflected in the quantity of quality from the first page until the last of the exceptional 256 pages worth of features that every Firefly fan would want to read over and over again.

Firefly and Serenity fans should also look at other Firefly books from Titan Books including a novel titled Firefly: Big Damn Hero with Joss Whedon involved as consulting editor that released on November 20th 2018 in America and the UK.

Analysis
– Title: Firefly Encyclopedia
– Writer: Monica Valentinelli
– Contributors: Maurice Broaddus (Ron Glass Tribute), Michael Brotherton (The Science of Firefly Essay), Ben Mund (A Conversation with Artist Ben Mund Interview), Keith R.A. DeCandido (Interview), Tony Lee and Jenny Lynn
– Art: Ben Mund (Contributing Artist)
– Publisher: Titan Books
– Length: 256 pages
– Cover: Hardback

Firefly Encyclopedia can be purchased in the UK from Amazon and Forbidden Planet, while Firefly Encyclopedia can be purchased in America and Canada from Amazon. You can also find Titan Books‘ official website including a back catalogue of captivating books at and product details regarding Firefly Encyclopedia.