Anyone who watched the show Firefly, the rather tragically cut short space western created by Joss Whedon, is familiar with the character of Shepherd Book. Book very clearly had a back story that involved somehow being deeply involved with the Republic, which was naturally never explored when the show wasn’t allowed past a first season. This graphic novel is the answer to that mystery.
I won’t say anything about the plot, because any true fan is going to want to read this to see it, and anyone that’s not a fan won’t care, or won’t understand. But it’s a lovely little story, told in a series of backwards vignettes, all the way to Book’s childhood. You understand the man by the end of the book, and I’m glad that Joss put this story out for us to see.