OneMetal.com book REVIEW:
Firefly: Still Flying

Browncoats, gather ’round for more of your favorite Big Damn Heroes. Titan Books celebrates the legacy of Joss Whedon’s sci-fi runaway hit Firefly, revisiting every corner of the Black and charting new territories that the series’ dedicated, active fanbase helped build. Still Flying records the most influential moments in the beloved television show’s history, which extends far beyond its Fox shelf-life.

There’s a lot of shiny treasure to discover within this collection’s pages. Spilling with storyboards, production art, rare exclusives, and previously unreleased photographs, Still Flying takes apart the acclaimed show and reconstructs it piece by piece for the reader. Key members of Firefly family remember the short-lived drama by infusing otherwise humdrum explanations of the writing process, costuming, location scouting, prop and “boat” designing, and stunt coordinating with personality and anecdotes. The book spotlights the actors, meshing together fragments of interviews, and recollects the crew’s behind-the-scenes, episode-to-episode efforts. The vibrant web that results sleekly embodies Firefly’s overall spirit and intelligence.

Still Flying steps away from conventional expectations, instead jumping into the source of the show’s true success: fan, cast, and crew enthusiasm, an energy that breaks free of viewer numbers and studio life support. Whole sections move away from technical television jargon, treating readers to memorable on-set practical jokes and scrapbook memories, and finish by highlighting ongoing tributes. With conventions and fan-fiction films (Browncoats: Redemption is set to premiere this fall at Dragon Con 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia) raising money for charity, the book’s most graceful aspect is its respect for the people who have kept Serenity flying smoothly. Even industry writers Jane Espenson, Bed Edlund, Brett Matthews, and Jose Molina praise the space western, contributing short stories to the book’s contents. Of these, “Take the Sky” (Molina, writer of the episode “Ariel”) earns the most accolades for how well it plays with the characters and their world. “What Holds Us Down” and “Crystal” retread old storylines, however, though “Fun with Dick and Jayne” outlets frivolous affection for Cobb in a colorful style.

Still Flying headlines its relevance and purpose as a companion book published eight years after the series pilot: The heart of Firefly continues to beat within its fans and advocates.

Bottom Line

Fans new and old can appreciate Still Flying, a companion book that does more than dish insider secrets. It plays host to all the creativity, inspiration, and love in the 'verse.