Tales of the Shepherd - Comic Book! Ron Glass spills a secret about Shepherd Book! by Succatash

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Tales of the Shepherd - Comic Book! Ron Glass spills a secret about Shepherd Book!

POSTED BY: SUCCATASH
UPDATED: Saturday, December 22, 2007 19:04
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VIEWED: 14428
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 5:44 PM

During the recent Browncoat Cruise, Ron Glass reportedly announced a secret about Shepherd Book. Apparently, Joss gave him permission to do so.

Also, it appears we're going to get a "Tales of the Shepherd" comic book!

http://meoinya.livejournal.com/10697.html#cutid1

"The Browncoat opening ceremony took place after our scheduled sit down dinner (more amazingly tasteful food that we could order as much of as we wanted). The guests were introduced and everyone was so excited and the atmosphere was charged with enough energy that the room could barely contain. I think this is where Ron Glass shared a bit of information with the group – that there would be a comic called ‘The Shepherd’s Tale’ which would reveal a bit about Book’s past. If it didn’t happen here, it happened at the guest talks. I can’t exactly remember!"

And further down in the blog, a secret about Book is revealed!

"But the rest of the Closing Ceremonies were so enjoyable that I can almost forget the Buffy thing. Ron provided the last bit of information on Book’s past that Joss had given him permission to reveal; Derrial was the name of a man that he’d killed, and not his real name."

UPDATE: Other tidbits have come out, such as:

A part of Book is artificial.
Book is best known for his greatest failure.

http://whedonesque.com/comments/14980#201839

Damn, kind of gives a whole new meaning to the line in Safe: "Get this man to the infirmary."

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 6:04 PM

ZEEK

Sweeeeeeet!

Can't wait.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 6:43 PM

ORPHEUS

Wow, finally, some backstory for Book! At least, I hope.

____________________

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 6:43 PM

ANONYMOUS1

Quote:
kind of gives a whole new meaning to the line in Safe: "Get this man to the infirmary."

I'd read this bit of news elsewhere, but had not thought of that at all. It is like you think you've figured everything out...and then Joss amazes you again! Whoo-hoo!

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:13 PM

FREEBROWNCOAT

Sounds like one more frustrating hint, like National Treasure, one leading to another ad infinitum.
On the other claw ....

"No, I don't."

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:23 PM

DERANGEDMILK

In other words, you guys are theorizing that it wasn't Book the Alliance Officer was concerned with saving but this Derrial fella that Book killed and took his Ident card? Damn, I love that show.
-e

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

Vote for Firefly at http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 11:05 PM

MUGGI

I hope that was the case, that they thought Book was this Derrial guy..because the instant "get this man to the infirmary" just never sat well with me after hearing the "Book was a dirty cop" thing.

It would fit SO well into the theme of the show if Book really WAS just a dirty mid-level Fed cop, using a stolen ident card. MUCH better than "Book was some super-high clearance spy-guy who had a change of heart".

In the end though..just gotta wait and read :P YAY!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:36 AM

PHYRELIGHT

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
Ron provided the last bit of information on Book’s past that Joss had given him permission to reveal; Derrial was the name of a man that he’d killed, and not his real name."

HA! Figured as much!

"I've got a theory: it could be bunnies."
-Anya, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Once More with Feeling"

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:56 AM

SHINYSEVEN2

In the first cut of the BDM, wasn't the Shepherd's first name "Meria"? You can still see that name on the tombstone in one of the features on the CE.

I figured that they changed it because they thought it sounded too feminine, but if they were both named Book it opens up interesting patricidal and fratricidal possibilities.

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:07 AM

WYTCHCROFT

well this could be tasty!:)

and for the name thing - i've always been surprised that it doesn't get mentioned more... it does open possiblities...

then again - it could just be a James R Kirk (from Where no man has gone before) grave error!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:13 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Interesting. I always figured his name was fake or an assumed name, but never would have guessed it was the name of someone he had killed.

As to the comic, it will be great, but I ain't holding my breath. The comics have been terribly slow in coming. Not that I'm not appreciative, but the wait seems unnecessarily long.

__________________________________________
Holding the line since December '02!

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

Color Officer / X.O. Echo Company

http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:16 PM

QUIETUDE

I understand that Joss Whedon is a comic book man at heart, but what I really want is a book in the Firefly universe written by him. In both the comic book and movie medium, it is always about stripping out the unnecesary information to get to the core of a story. But I want the unnecessary or should I say superfluous stuff because

1. More to read
2. More room to put in those extra details we all want.
3. Subplots a plenty
4. Have the book in audio form with one of the crew reading it, if not all reading their particular role (pipe dream I know).
5. Less production time, just need a picture for the cover and not pictures for the whole story. Art is art after all and cannot be rushed.

Still looking forward to this comic!!!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:08 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

It's about time we got some more Book news. I can't wait! heeheeheee

-------------------------------------------
Inara: Who's winning?
Simon: I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
-------------------------------------------

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:58 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Quote:
Originally posted by Quietude:
I understand that Joss Whedon is a comic book man at heart, but what I really want is a book in the Firefly universe written by him. In both the comic book and movie medium, it is always about stripping out the unnecesary information to get to the core of a story. But I want the unnecessary or should I say superfluous stuff because

1. More to read
2. More room to put in those extra details we all want.
3. Subplots a plenty
4. Have the book in audio form with one of the crew reading it, if not all reading their particular role (pipe dream I know).
5. Less production time, just need a picture for the cover and not pictures for the whole story. Art is art after all and cannot be rushed.

Still looking forward to this comic!!!

I am so excited about this news, but I'm in this camp too. If we're not going to get more stories with the actors anytime soon then I want books, lovely books I can immerse myself in and enjoy.

I love the comics, don't get me wrong. But I want something meatier. I want that beautiful detailed lovingly layered thing that Joss does better than anyone else.

*I don't want much do I?* I'll shush now.

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:41 PM

ANONYMOUS1

Quote:
Originally posted by FollowMal:
Quote:
*I don't want much do I?* I'll shush now.

Serenity sequel, sequel, Serenity set we can tour/have weddings/have shindigs at Universal Studios and where Firefly like episodes could be filmed for Straight to DVD and SciFi or USA Channel. Got my QMX Official Serenity Blueprints and lottery tickets.

And books and comic books and conventions and...

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:58 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Ahhh, a Browncoat after my own heart!

*waves to Anony*

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 6:37 PM

NCBROWNCOAT

I'm with you too Anomy.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:43 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by FollowMal:
I am so excited about this news, but I'm in this camp too. If we're not going to get more stories with the actors anytime soon then I want books, lovely books I can immerse myself in and enjoy.

I love the comics, don't get me wrong. But I want something meatier. I want that beautiful detailed lovingly layered thing that Joss does better than anyone else.

*I don't want much do I?* I'll shush now.

Amen to that FM. Great minds, right?

I've been saying all along that comics are okay, but they just don't have the depth of a novel. I appreciate the comics and collect them, but why can we not get books? Why did not Joss not approve the Pocket Books submissions?

And if you're wantin' too much FM, I'm standing right there by you.

__________________________________________
Holding the line since December '02!

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

Color Officer / X.O. Echo Company

http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:54 AM

LEIASKY

heh, that's my LJ you're quoting. I haven't checked these threads since before I left for the cruise!

I'm surprised Ron's revelations about Book's past didn't get more press with the fans. I'm definitely looking forward to the Comic's, but I, too, think they're taking far too long in coming and would just prefer a book penned by Joss himself!

"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:33 AM

GRAYFURY

Hrmm... So when Early says "that ain't no shepard" ...maybe he knows because he knows book...on a professional level. Maybe he too was a bounty hunter...in OiS when River "senses" Books "feelings" he doesnt really care if shes guilty or innocent. ...This is a whole new kettle of worms you opened up for us. And here I thought that he knew all about sniper rifles, raiding parties, and "the net" because he was on the right side of the law. (but weve seen enough from Firefly to know that the law is fuzzy) ...but why then was he so insistant on helping Dobson? urmm...my brain!

"Smellin' alot of IF comin' offa' this plan!"

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 4:44 PM

ASARIAN

Quote:
Originally posted by Muggi:

I hope that was the case, that they thought Book was this Derrial guy..because the instant "get this man to the infirmary" just never sat well with me after hearing the "Book was a dirty cop" thing.

It would fit SO well into the theme of the show if Book really WAS just a dirty mid-level Fed cop, using a stolen ident card. MUCH better than "Book was some super-high clearance spy-guy who had a change of heart".

The dirty-cop has always fit better, IMHO. In The Message he simply knows way too much about cops and their jurisdiction (knowledge a high-ranking Alliance officer wouldn't necessarily care about).

Having said that, Derrial was allegedly his first name, right? So, maybe he just took that name to honor the person he killed. There's nothing yet that says he actually used his ident-card too.

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:25 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't this a bad thing? Don't I remember hearing that when the beans were spilled on Book, it meant no more movies?

Am I the only one crying?

I am selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes. I am out of control. And sometimes I'm a little hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:20 PM

SUCCATASH

On whedonesque, the other things Ron Glass said have been posted.

A part of Book is artificial.
Book is best known for his greatest failure.

http://whedonesque.com/comments/14980#201839

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:26 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Thanks Tash.
You are our source for all things Book.

-------------------------------------------
Inara: Who's winning?
Simon: I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
-------------------------------------------

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Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:34 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
Amen to that FM. Great minds, right?

Right!

Quote:

I've been saying all along that comics are okay, but they just don't have the depth of a novel. I appreciate the comics and collect them, but why can we not get books? Why did not Joss not approve the Pocket Books submissions?

I've seen posts and read that it's because he wants to tell the rest of the story himself. In light of the new revelations about Book and the ramifications I suspect this means about the future of the franchise, maybe now he will allow it? I truly hope so, because my heart might be semi-satisfied with books, whereas I'm with you guys, the comics are not satisfying to me. They will do in a pinch. But I need more.

Quote:

And if you're wantin' too much FM, I'm standing right there by you.

Thank you kind sir, for standin' right beside me.

Quote:
Originally posted by Leiasky:
I'm surprised Ron's revelations about Book's past didn't get more press with the fans.

I think in my case it took me a bit for it to dawn on me what exactly it might mean to the future and when it did, I decided to be real quiet and hope I'm wrong. I like getting the info about Book and it does open up a whole new can of worms, but if we're going to start getting the longed for secrets like this, what does that mean? I told my friend Hera on the phone today the news of this and the first thing out of her mouth was..."Oh wait, that's not good!"

Quote:
Originally posted by Asarian:
So, maybe he just took that name to honor the person he killed. There's nothing yet that says he actually used his ident-card too.

If Book was a bad cop, then I can't see him taking the name to "honor" the guy he killed. More like he took the name to utilize what he could from it. You're right, there's nothing yet that says he used the guy's ident card too... but you have to admit, it's logical and sounds Jossy.

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't this a bad thing? Don't I remember hearing that when the beans were spilled on Book, it meant no more movies?

Am I the only one crying?

I believe it's a bad thing. You've heard the same thing I have. And no, I did my fair share of crying too...and so have a couple of my friends who I've told this.

On the other hand though...in the Firefly Visual Companion Volume Two, when asked about Inara, it's Joss who says he still wants to hold that secret close to his vest and tell it, preferably with the actors, with film. So maybe we're jumping the gun on this a bit.
The "vial of Inara" story has leaked, but the why of Inara's leaving Sihnon and staying far away hasn't hit the light of day yet...so I'm hanging on to that slender thread.
*hugs PR*

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Saturday, December 15, 2007 12:57 AM

CLJOHNSTON108

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
A part of Book is artificial.

Gives new meaning to Book's line in OiS, "No, I'm more or less intact."

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Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:33 PM

FORTINM

Quote:
Ron provided the last bit of information on Book’s past that Joss had given him permission to reveal; Derrial was the name of a man that he’d killed, and not his real name.
[...]
Book is best known for his greatest failure.

Could it be that the guys at Virtual Firefly ( http://www.stillflying.net/) were right from the start? They sure got these two facts right on the nose.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:18 PM

VERSEEXPLORER

Quote:
Originally posted by FollowMal:

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't this a bad thing? Don't I remember hearing that when the beans were spilled on Book, it meant no more movies?

Am I the only one crying?
I believe it's a bad thing. You've heard the same thing I have. And no, I did my fair share of crying too...and so have a couple of my friends who I've told this.

On the other hand though...in the Firefly Visual Companion Volume Two, when asked about Inara, it's Joss who says he still wants to hold that secret close to his vest and tell it, preferably with the actors, with film. So maybe we're jumping the gun on this a bit.
The "vial of Inara" story has leaked, but the why of Inara's leaving Sihnon and staying far away hasn't hit the light of day yet...so I'm hanging on to that slender thread.
*hugs PR*

When I was at Starfury, they (Morena, Jewel, and Nathan) said Joss OK'd the sharing of Book as a dirty cop and what Inara's vial would do, but they were NOT allowed to share Inara's back story. Jewel commented that it was optimistic because if there was no hope of a sequel then Joss would have let them share her story. Don't cry too hard yet, PR.

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Thursday, December 20, 2007 9:01 AM

ZACHANDFAN

Hi, All. I was just wondering if anyone had considered that Book Shepherd was part of neither the Alliance nor a monastary but something else.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were an underground movement to overthrow the Alliance, conspirators at the highest levels of government, communicating with each other through Shepherd (a fellow conspirator and former Alliance) and other pseudo-religious colleagues? His mission in coming to Firefly was to assess the readiness of and possibly recruit Mal.

It would make great fuel for a movie sequel at least. Book would have his dark past, with complications into the present.

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Saturday, December 22, 2007 5:04 PM

COWMAN

I just recently got into Firefly/Serenity, so I still have a ton of questions. What has been revealed about Inara's past/vial? In Joss's and Tim's commentary on Serenity the episode, Tim jokes that the vial is drugs. Is that true?

Also, if Book really is a dirty cop, do you think he did some recent or particularly bad stuff on Ariel and that's why he didn't go there with the rest of the crew.

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Saturday, December 22, 2007 6:00 PM

SOLAFIDE

I had always wondered too, why Book left Serenity before the crew went to Arial.

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Saturday, December 22, 2007 7:04 PM

BLINDOUTLAW

Quote:

Could it be that the guys at Virtual Firefly ( http://www.stillflying.net/) were right from the start? They sure got these two facts right on the nose.

I was thinking the same thing

----------------
That was when i found out my pants were on fire, and that's my Courageous story.

http://www.myspace.com/blindoutlaw

- Jimmy the Blindoutlaw

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