What is Firefly?




You want to collect. You know you do. To have every piece of Star Wars paraphernalia ever created, to be able to gaze upon a room full of action figures, posters, and life-size Chewbacca suits... a dream not uncommon among fans of any cloth. If you have a love for a particular universe, odds are you want to collect from it, even if you don't think you do. If I offered you half of Maul's lightsaber from Menace, you would accept it and cherish it, and then you would want the other half. You are now a collector.

What's this? You say that thirty-odd years of merchandise is too hard to collect? You wish that there was another science-fiction premise worth collecting from, with only four years to catch up on? You do? You want to know what it is, right? That's right, gentle reader, it's Firefly.

I like to think that my particular Firefly collection is somewhat complete, as far as anything Firefly that is available right now. Of course, a collection can never be truly complete, that's the fun in collecting, the thrill of the hunt. For my ancestors, it was wooly mammoth and honey, for me it's the Nathan Fillion Autograph card. Slightly less dangerous, but harder to find, certainly. I have most of the officially licensed stuff out there, all organized into shelves on what I like to call my 'Wall O' Serenifly' (Sorry jk), plus a few extra goodies, not available in stores. Sadly, I cannot provide a photograph, as I don't own a camera, trust me, it's damn pretty, I tells ya.

The collection includes (but is not limited to): all five Serenity action figures, as in, Mal, Jayne, and Reaver, and the extra-special comicon Jayne, all unpainted and special-like. I said five plus one, being that two of the figures are of the same character, only differently accessorized. There's normal Mal, and Final Battle Mal, the 'Preview Exclusive', who is a little more roughed up. Jayne Cobb, and Mercenary Jayne, which means Jayne with a different shirt and a cigar-like protrusion in his mouth, the Reaver, and then special Jayne. The figures aren't exactly top quality, but I like 'em anyway. Even if Mal looks nothing like Mal, like my Obi-Wan figure that looks like James Mason.

Next to the figures on the top shelf is my Firefly Trading card binder, complete with two basic sets of the cards and an almost completed foil puzzle, as well as all of the promos, box and case loaders, and my much-cherished Gina Torres and Michael Fairman autograph cards. Not a complete set, but near enough that it makes me proud to show it off. Further to the left is my Serenity prop, a wicker-type suitcase that can be seen in the film, when Mal is viewing the capture of Inara before she leaves. It can be seen lying open on the bed, filled with clothes and the like. Atop the case is my very own hand-knitted Jayne Hat. Pretty cunning, don't 'cha think?

Moving a shelf down, starting on the left, I have four Serenifly tomes, the Serenity novelization (see: how to #### up continuity, by R.A. Dicandido), Finding Serenity, the Official Serenity Visual Companion, and the Serenity RPG book, all are extremely good reads. I am eagerly awaiting the Firefly Visual Companion, coming out later this year. Positioned in front of said books is my very own pair of blue latex gloves. Two-by-two, indeed. Continuing on I have both the Firefly and Serenity soundtracks, and of course, my copies of Firefly and Serenity on DVD.

Following that, I have the Serenity graphic novel, Those Left behind, which is a compilation of the three comics created to bridge the gap between the series and the film, and four of the comics themselves, autographed by their appropriate cover-personality. There were three sets of each comic made, each with a different cover, for nine total. I have four, autographed by Ron Glass, Summer Glau, Jewel Staite, and Adam Baldwin, respectively. I'm working on completing the set with the five I'm missing, but locating first printings is quite difficult.

Lastly, sandwiched between the comics and graphic novel, I have the official Serenity Zippo Lighter, literally quite shiny. I've managed not to touch it since I got it, so it remains fingerprint free, despite a strong urge to light 'er up.

It's not a large collection, yet it encompasses most of the collectable things in existence, and it can grow with the times. There is an ornament of Serenity herself coming out this August, which I plan to hang from the shelf, in mid-flight.

Frustrated with Star Wars? Can't find that elusive Scorch figure? Collect Firefly, and have a gorram good time doing it.

I would like to let everyone know that this Friday, June 23rd, is Serenity Day, on which many Browncoats are planning to buy a copy of the Serenity DVD, in order to help support a sequel to Serenity. Star Wars was fantastic, Empire was better. Serenity was amazing, what will Serenity 2 be like? The only way to find out is to buy Serenity on the 23rd, and in doing so show the world that people do care. Serenity is worth fighting for.