‘Joss Whedon: Geek King of the Universe’ Book Review
Written by Amy Pascale | Published by Aurum Press Ltd | Format: Hardcover, 448pp
There are certain people who are happy to take the mantle “King of the Geeks” and I normally cringe that the very thought of them accepting it, but for me there is one man who would. Joss Whedon is arguably one of the most important people in this generation to provide the so-called “geeks” with their life blood, he created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and he even helped make Toy Story the movie we all love. In Joss Whedon: Geek King of the Universe by Amy Pascale we find out just how he became the idol he is today.
When the book starts off with an introduction by Nathan Fillion that it’s going to be good. Readers will know Fillion worked with Whedon on not only Buffy but mostly on Firefly which he is more famous for. The introduction works well because it shows the admiration and love the people who work with him have and it also catches the readers interest well to get them stuck into the book.
Amy Pascale writes in a style that is easy to read and keeps the read turning the page. Using interviews she presents a lot of facts about Whedon’s life and career that make you understand who the man is, how he got his flair for strong women characters, his understanding of Britishness and of course his talent with comedy. To think that Whedon started off as a writer on Rosanne and has risen to the ranks of the director of Marvel’s Avenger movies is not just luck, but all about Joss Whedon’s skill. Not only does he fully understand the topic he works on but also the people he is aiming his work at. To have the mantle of “Geek King of the Universe” and be a success it’s arguable that you have to have a connection with your fans and if anybody has that Joss Whedon does.
It’s interesting that Amy Pascale looks into the connection between Whedon and his fans a lot in Joss Whedon: Geek King of the Universe and this was born from Buffy and the rise of the internet community that formed around it. We tend to take it for granted that shows and movies tend to have their communities online now, but at the time of Buffy this was a new thing as was social media. With Whedon’s successful career though the internet has allowed him to have contact with his fans and keep them in the loop with his shows, films and anything else he’s working on (when he could reveal details of course) and this is part of why he has such devoted fans, instead of ignoring them and just giving them what he thinks they want, he connects with them and makes them feel part of the process, showing them he actually cares what they think and that they are supporting him. Pascale does well in communicating this connection and shows the importance of the “geeks” to the so-called king.
I am a huge Whedon fan, I have been since I first discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film and show). I’ve stuck with him through everything that he’s done, if anything Whedon’s connection to projects as a seal of approval for his fans. He is the man who made my favourite Shakespeare movie (Much Ado About Nothing) and the man who actually got The Avengers right. For Whedon fans this book is a must read, Amy Pascale writes the book showing an admiration that we all share for Joss Whedon and shows that she fully understands why Whedon can be called the Geek King of the Universe.
***** 5/5
Joss Whedon: Geek King of the Universe by Amy Pascale is available now.
