Need to know where you go, out there in the black? Ben Mund and QMx have got you covered, at least as long as you stick to the New Canaan run.

The New Canaan run is favored by captains flying light- and mid-bulk transports for its diverse markets and exports. And for those who must occasionally live on the raggedy edge, its varied levels of law enforcement are a plus, as well. The route described in the 26 full-color pages of the Atlas spans 11 planetary systems, crossing from The Core through The Border to The Rim and back.

Using the same format as the successful Serenity Blueprints Reference Pack, the Atlas of the Verse includes maps and info about Londinium, Persephone, Beaumonde, Silverhold, Harvest (and Higgins’ Moon), New Canaan (and Lilac), Hera, Shadow, Ariel, Osiris and Sihnon, plus lots of "local color" for each. Learn about the ceramics available from Higgins Industrial, check out satellite maps of Eavesdown Docks, get a copy of the tactical map from the Battle of Serenity Valley and a lot more.

I've been privileged to see this developing over the last 2 years and I can tell you the attention to detail borders on the psychotic (but in a good way). Tons of insider easter eggs hidden among insanely detailed renderings and artwork. Ben has done an awesome job.

Available now for $39.95. 26 pages on 100-pound 12"x16" stock, spiral-bound.

You can get Browncoat money for free, though. As a nice little promotion for the Atlas, QMx is offering a PDF of the scrip paid to Independents during the war. Print all you like!

The Firefly Replica Keychain was created using the TV series' special effects files and carefully scaling them down to just over two inches. The keychain is cast in solid metal with a pewter finish and contains an incredible amount of detail – leaving no doubt that when you travel, you do it in Firefly style.

This is the first item QMx has prioduced with their new Firefly license (as opposed to their Serenity license) and it's seriously cool and very affordable.  You're gonna order one anyway, you know it. Might as well get in on a chance for an even shinier one.

But for now you can get sneak peeks by following Ben Mund on Twitter. He's posting tiny factoids and changing his avatar every day to a new slice of art. So far:

@Qmxinsider Serenity Atlas sneak peek 3: Look closely: you'll see a Tall Card game in the Companion House. Think they play for garbage duty?

@Qmxinsider Serenity Atlas sneak tidbit 2: Eavesdown Docks shot (p7) includes an "Ariel" ship & two darkly dressed men you may recognize …

@Qmxinsider Serenity Atlas sneak tidbit 1: The actual prop peach can River hits Jayne with shows up on p15. Surprisingly, it's undented.

Please note that since he's starting these with @QMxInsider, the QMx Twitter feed, you'll need to follow both Ben and QMxInsider in order to see these tweets in your own feed. Or you can just go to Ben's Twitter page every day.

When the Atlas does get announced, you're gonna want it. I've seen it already and I want it.

Jane's story will be a short one, around 2,000 words. In an interview while promoting her new series Caprica, she said, "Oh, I just came up with a very clever little short story that involves Kaylee and Wash, two characters that we haven't seen together that much."

Jose Molina had mentioned his several times on his own Twitter feed: 'Working on my Firefly short story. Assuming Jane has finished and Edlund will write his 6 hours before it’s due."

While Titan Books is still not quite ready to announce it formerly despite Jane's leak ("to be fair, we did not ask her not to!"), they have verified to me that original stories will form part of "Still Flyin: A Celebration of Joss Whedon's Acclaimed TV Series," the third Firefly Companion book coming this spring.

"Still Flyin'" will include 'unseen photos, costume designs, behind the scenes secrets and much more," and if "much more" means new stories by these guys I want it even more now. Titan's previous Firefly Companions (reviews here and here) have been amazing collections of photos and articles with stuff I had never seen before, and it looks like this one will be even cooler.

"Still Flyin: A Celebration of Joss Whedon's Acclaimed TV Series" is scheduled to hit shelves April 27 and you can preorder it from Amazon for $13.46.

Cast is solid metal, the keychain has real heft to it. We used the studio CG effects files, shrunk down to a ridiculous extent, to capture the design, but obviously had to make many tweaks along the way. But our designers love a challenge, and we just couldn’t resist the idea of a Serenity that fits in your pocket and that you can carry around with you, where ever you go.

No word yet on when this will hit your pocket, but I'm ready to buy one now. Check out the post for more pics.

Today's your last chance to win some amazing Can't Stop the Serenity auctions and benefit Equality Now. Up for grabs: a Serenity mini-poster signed by Joss Whedon, a Dr. Horrible poster print signed by Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day, a copy of The Guild DVD signed by the cast, assorted fan packs of merchandise, more autographs, and even an amazing one-hour tour behind the scenes of the Dollhouse set with costume designer Shawna Trpcic. Check out the whole list here. It's down to the final hours so you'd best get over there.

Money raised from the auctions will be included in the CSTS 2009 Global Donation Total, which currently stands at US $128,000. Your bids will help CSTS to reach this year’s goal of US $150,000 raised for charity!

Also included: the set of chopsticks used (almost) in the movie that I won from serenitymovie.com back in the day.

Me, I'd suggest for replica catalyzers, blinking van-top bombs with magnetic bottoms for personal use, Vera, the big red button, letters from Bad Horse, a variety of pistols, and maquettes including the Dr. Horrible crew, a bathing Inara and a naked Mal on a rock. Let's go, people!

A purple cap with a triangular patch on the front made for the sci-fi action film Serenity. The cap is similar to the version worn by the Alliance soldiers onboard the Operatives ship when it is attacked by the Reavers. One size fits most.

"Similar to"? Is it an actual costume prop or a replica? The price ($59) suggests it's a real costume prop — too pricey for a home-made or licensed replica, I would think — but maybe one that never saw screen time, which would cost much more.  And it's listed under Props, instead of Replicas. The Prop Store is usually better about such distinctions. Maybe they couldn't conclusively identify where it was used, so declined to say either way?

Whichever it is, it's a nice looking cap for your purple-belly friends.

More to the point, you almost certainly already have a copy if you're reading my site but now it's cheap enough for you to buy another copy or two to give out as presents or just loan to friends and coworkers.

Or if you're like me, it's time to buy a replacement copy for the one you've already been loaning out that's getting a little ragged.

Don't know yet if the prices are the same in the regional stores — anyone? — but this is one of the best deals ever for this set. And I understand some minor gift-giving holiday is coming up soon…

This is a model of Inara's (Morena Baccarin) shuttle from the 2005 science fiction movie Serenity. [...] This model has been scratch built from resin and styrene, and crafted with incredible detail: painted silver with small, colored accents; doors, windows, and valves etched into the model; and the words "Firefly Class Shuttle" written on the side. There were three of these shuttle models created for the production, but this one was not used. The model measures about 19" x 8.5" (48cm x 21.5cm) and is in excellent condition. This item is presented in a custom-fabricated acrylic display case, with a laser-cut mat featuring the film title and movie images.

Granted, it is a bit more expensive than the ornament — by about $4,470 — but it's a beautiful piece of the show and I hope if you buy it, you'll let me look at it and sigh wistfully.