Star Trek: Holo-ween II #1

In 2023, Star Trek debuted it's Halloween spirit with the 4-issue miniseries Star Trek: Holo-ween. Set on the holodeck of the Enterprise-D, the Next Generation tale tapped into the original series with having the murderous entity Redjac involved. While I enjoyed the sentiment, 'The Wolf in the Fold' is perhaps my least favorite original Trek episode. If a sequel was to be forthcoming, I just hoped that it would leave Redjac in the past. 

Well 2 years passed. I figured that the franchise's Halloween experiment was over. But then by absolute surprise, I learned that IDW was coming out with another Holo-ween mini. This one set aboard Deep Space Nine! I was thrilled. As much as I love The Next Generation, DS9 is my favorite Star Trek series. Just, please... PLEASE, no Redjac.

Here's the setup, which is rather complex. 1) The Federation has sent Sisko and the USS Defiant into the gamma quadrant in search of a mythical Bajorian weapon that could end the current hostilities with both the Dominion and the Klingon Empire. 2) Worf has been made acting Captain of DS9 in Sisko's absence. With a major peace summit bringing dozens of dignitaries from across the galaxy, it's up to the Klingon to maintain peace and diplomacy. 3) With one of the Holosuites on the fritz, Chief O'Brien goes to repair it and ends up being attacked by an unseen adversary. 4) Another crew member is attacked outside of the Holosuites. He appears to be killed. 5) All communication from DS9 to the outside universe has been cut off. 6) A Federation starship supposedly light years away on a mission suddenly appears at the space station with a damning accusation against one of the space station's crew

So this Holo-ween story isn't set during Halloween. But it's creepy as all get out. It's like a Victorian era murder mystery. The surprise cliffhanger ending was so shocking. I just had to read issue #2 immediately even though sequential art seems to tire me out more these days. Fingers crossed that Redjac isn't going to be revealed as the baddie.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.