Tradio #31 - Serenity: The Shepard's Tale

This week we wrap up my series celebrating Black History Month with a review of a trade that spotlights one of the most underused characters on the television series Firefly, Shepard Book.  This week we talk about Serenity: The Shepard's Tale by Joss and Zack Whedon with art by Chris Samnee and published by Dark Horse Comics.

The Shepard's Tale relates the origins of Shepard Derrial Book as he lies dying after defending the planet Haven against an Alliance attack. As his life flashes before his eyes, we get insight into Book's life and his origins.  Considering very little was explored as far as the life of Book in the Firefly television show, it is nice to see the origins of this very interesting character.  Through a series of flashbacks that go further and further back into the past, we see that Book was not always the pacifist that we saw in the television series and that from a very young age he was destined to be a very bad person and that only through a spiritual awakening did he become the redeemed man that he ended up being.  I don't want to saw too much else because it is better if you see it for yourself.

Overall, I really enjoyed the work.  It is short, but full of information that sheds light on an extremely interesting character.  The writing is tight and the art is amazing.  Chris Samnee is a great artist and he breathes a lot of life into the character and setting of the work.  You just can't go wrong with this work and it is a must read for any Firefly fan.