Star Trek: The Next Generation Special #1

This 1993 special wasn't meant to be a supplemental piece to the already established TNG series from DC Comics. In fact, this deluxe sized issue was meant to give a myriad of writers and artists a chance to craft their very own Star Trek tale. It was like the ultimate fan fiction comic. Only it was crafted by professionals. 

There are 3 stories in this book. First up is a Guinan led story by Tony Isabella, who now identifies as Jenny Blake, and Bob Ingersoll. On special assessment from the Enterprise, Guinan is helping an old friend establish a saloon on a Federation colony. An outbreak of psychosis has plagued the new colony; threatening to shut the entire operation down. With the latest attack, Guinan summons the Enterprise, that provides an away team led by Commander Riker. As members of the Enterprise crew begin to experience episodes of terror, it's identified that each victim is facing their deepest, darkest personal fears. But who or what is invading the minds of the crew and colony? Hopefully, a member of the Enterprise security team with limited psychic ability will be able to uncover the culprit!

Ken Penders pens a story where Worf requests some leave in hopes of training his son Alexander in the ways of the Klingon warrior. Unfortunately, the planet Worf choose for his father/son bonding is about to experience a massive electromagnetic storm. Can the Enterprise make it to the planet in time to make a rescue?

Lastly, Star Trek novel legend Diane Duane provides a glimpse at a day in the life of Data's beloved cat Spot. Having accidentally escaped from his master's quarters, the curious kitty takes an epic trek through the bowels of the Enterprise D.

This special was originally supposed to usher forth a new anthology of quarterly releases, as per the article from editor Alan Gold at the back of the book. But as with many ambitious plans in the comic book industry, it wasn't meant to be. At best, DC managed 6 total specials over the span of 3 years. 3 were devoted to the Original Series and a trio starred the Next Generation. I've got all 3 of the specials starring Kirk and Spock. But I only have the first 2 books starring Data and Picard. In fact, I didn't even know that their was a 3rd book! So I have something to look forward to! 

Actually, I have 2 things as I haven't read the second special yet!

Lots of fun and it felt very authentic to the crew of the world Enterprise D! I just wish that the mystery behind that plague of insanity wasn't given away from the very beginning!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek: Holo-Ween #2

Redjac is back! The ancient evil entity that was once the dreaded Jack the Ripper in Victorian England, has taken control of the Enterprise-D. Using Borg nano-technology, Redjac possessed a crew member and then began taking users of the Enterprise's holodecks captive. Redjac has also reprogrammed Commander Data and turned the android into a perverse version of the Frankenstein monster.

In attempt to free the hostages, Picard, Worf, Riker and Troi undergo plastic surgery to appear as the monsters Redjac has used to entrap and torment those stuck in the holodecks. The high ranking officers have also allowed Dr. Crusher to alter their brain waves to not just act but to think as the horrors they represent. This should prevent Redjac from detecting their presence. The caveat: Picard and the others only have 30 minutes to save their fellow shipmates or their brain patterns will be forever altered, resulting in permanent brain damage!

Issue #2 was much better than the opening salvo. The writing was better. The plot made a lot more sense. And the art improved. The likenesses of Riker as the wolfman and Worf as a sort of Klingon Gill Man were fantastic. Franken-Data was pretty cool too. 

I remember Redjac from one of my least favorite TOS episodes. However, in this story, Redjac refers to a past history with the Enterprise-D crew. I know that Redjac never appeared on Next Gen, as I've seen every episode. So what was the villain talking about. It turns out that this IDW story is continuing from a Wildstorm comic that pitted Redjac against Data previously on the holodecks in the middle of a Sherlock Holmes program. This also explains why Redjac has a major beef with Data.

Unfortunately, I have never read that story. Maybe I have it in my collection and don't realize it. I'll have to check.

A much better second act with improvements all around. You don't have to know of Redjac's history with the Federation. But it helps.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek 400th issue

This oversized special marks the 400th total issue based on the Star Trek Universe to be produced by IDW Publishing. In a year that will mark the end of several big name franchises being published by IDW, it doesn't look like Star Trek is going anywhere.

This issue features stories and artwork from just about every sector on the Star Trek Universe. The original series is represented as is the Kelvin timeline. There's a story starring Miles O'Brien that dives into the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and a brief period of time when the Enterprise C was still functioning. We visit Jean-Luc in his after years with a special appearance by a character that I thought was in one place but has returned to another role. (Look, I don't wanna spoil it, okay?) Even the crew of the Lower Decks are represented. Yet once again- NO Star Trek Enterprise! 

Is it too much to ask for a series, let alone just a single 8-page story starring Captain Archer and his crew? I've looked around and around and I just can't find proof that there's ever been a series featuring the Enterprise NX-01. And why is that? Will Scott Bakula not give permission to use his image in a comic? I think that is unlikely as he didn't seem to have any issue with a Quantum Leap comic in the early 90s. Plus, I don't think any of the other characters are big enough stars to merit derailing such a book from getting the greenlight. So why is this series considered to be the crazy uncle nobody thinks about except at Thanksgiving?

Star Trek: Discovery is also covered in this book. But the story is a mystery to me. It stars a character named Kayla Detmer. So far, so good. She's crashed landed on a planet with a Klingon. Again, I'm good. But both Kayla and the Klingon are flying miniature versions of the Discovery and something called a Cleave ship. And why is that? Is it like a shuttle craft? I've seen variant covers of other Discovery characters flying tiny versions of the experimental starship and I don't understand why. If anyone could solve this mystery for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. 

This issue wraps up with a sneak peak at a new series that promises to look ahead to the future. Simply titled Star Trek, this new series explores 2 things I've greatly been looking forward to- the resurrection of Mr. Data and the return of Benjamin Sisko! I'll have to wait just a little bit longer. With a $4.99 per issue price tag, I will wait for the trade. But I will read this! PROMISE!

A good representation of the Star Trek Universe. Not great as it's not a complete representation of the franchise. Plus, there's not a single blurb of thanks or gratitude to creator Gene Roddenberry. Though the late Nichelle Nicols, who passed earlier last year, is given a single page tribute. And there's the fact that I didn't understand all the aspects of the stories based on the newer properties. But that's okay. I'm looking forward to the continuing voyages that IDW has in store for the future.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Enemy Unseen

This Wildstorm Comics collection is devoted to the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series as well as the theme of unknown adversaries. This volume contains 2 mini-series and a special. They range from the last season of the series up to right around Star Trek: Insurrection.

In Perchance to Dream, the Enterprise-D is called to perform security duties for a newly elected governor of a distant planet. When the official’s sexual orientation is called into question, it’s up to Worf and his security team to fend off scores of would be assassins. But it’s up to Capt. Picard and some blasts from his past to save the day when the Enterprise is attacked by a virus that causes violent delusions.

In Embrace the Wolf, the original series (and even the DC Comics from the 80s) are paid tribute with the return of Redjac (or is it Redjack? I’ve seen it both ways.) The spirit of Jack the Ripper has its sights on destroying this new Enterprise if then inhabitants of the planet below don’t nuke it first. Only an adventure with Data resuming the role of Sherlock Holmes in the holodeck will save the Enterprise from sure destruction.

Lastly, in the Killing Shadows, Picard, Data, and the half-Romulan Sela are trapped on a planet of intergalactic ninjas. With ninja infiltrating the Enterprise-E, can Commander Riker and Troi unlock the secrets of this deadly clan before the away team’s time is up?

All three stories were very good. But what surprised me was that I liked the Redjac story best! Wolf in the Fold is my all-time least favorite Original Star Trek episode. The DC story was a stinker as well. But this tale was awesome! I’d read it again.

Perchance to Dream wasn’t half bad. It’s a thriller with a moral and it’s classic Gene Roddenberry. It starts a little slow but left me wishing it wouldn’t end for at least another 50 pages.

Killing Shadows started really good and then just got weird. There’s something called “The Void” that motivates these ninjas who look human one minute and alien the next. I couldn’t tell what the void was any more than could I tell if the art was inconsistent or supposed to look that way.

Overall, this is a really good collection of tales that are a must for fans of Trek.

Worth Consuming

Rating:
Perchance to Dream: 9 out of 10 stars
Embrace the Wolf : 10 out of 10 stars
The Killing Shadows: 7 out of 10 stars

Overall rating: 8.667