Marvel Mayhem
by Simon Plumbe
After a lengthy wait, Marvel released a number of ongoing Star Trek comic titles onto an unsuspecting audience, along with a number of one-shot titles. There were regular runs for DS9 and Voyager, a new series based on the adventures of Nog at Starfleet Academy, Classic Trek and TNG are combined to form Star Trek Unlimited, and we have the adventures of Christopher Pike with Star Trek: The Early Voyages, with more promised. However, remembering Marvel's past fling with Star Trek which commenced with their adaptation of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and lasted only 18 issues, I wondered whether or not these new comics would be any good and how they would compare with their predecessors from DC and Malibu?
In this guide, I'll be bringing you comprehensive reviews of all of the titles over the next few months as I can.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #1 - "Judgment Day"
Writer: Howard Weinstein
Pencils: Tom Grindberg
Inks: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Colourist: Matt Webb
At the time of it's release, this was the only title in the series produced with anyone with a Star Trek background involved in the creative side of the comic in the form of writer, Howard Weinstein.
While awaiting the return of the Defiant, sent on a rescue mission to a Federation observatory, a number of alien vessels come unexpectedly through the wormhole, chased by Jem 'Hadar fighters. They request assistance from DS9, who oblige defending the small craft. However, a strange energy field begins to emanate from the wormhole and begins to drag the station towards it... and towards certain destruction. The station is pulled through and Sisko finds that the station has disappeared upon his return to Bajoran space. He has to find what has happened to DS9, deal with the alien visitors from the Gamma Quadrant and cope with growing unrest from the people of Bajor...
A very well-written and exciting story and as you would expect from a writer of Weinstein's calibre, the characterisation is flawless. Everything that goes on seems to happen for a logical reason (even if it hasn't been explained yet!) and it makes for a wonderful read. My only gripe is the damage suffered by DS9 as it travels through the wormhole, losing a docking pylon in the process. Surely such a loss would all but destroy the station?
As I feared from Marvel, the artwork is abysmal. None of the characters look anything like the actors on the show, and the only saving grace is the ships, the station and the vibrant colouring. I only hope that Marvel bring in some of the Star Trek artists who used to work on DS9 at Malibu, to give this comic a much-needed lick of new paint.
Finally, aside from the imagery, my only real gripe is that the comic is rather patronising in parts. Someone at Marvel seemed to feel that it was important to fill the book with footnotes referring to the action. When the Jem 'Hadar first appear, there is a footnote saying who the Jem 'Hadar are (as if DS9 fans wouldn't know that!), and I feel that this tone is unnecessary at the best of times, but is even worse when applied to something as popular as Star Trek.
Overall this is a very good story (but then, what would you expect from Howard Weinstein) and is a comic that I would recommend to DS9 fans everywhere. Pity about the artwork, though!
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #2 - "Judgment Day: The Conclusion"
Writer: Howard Weinstein
Pencils: Tom Grindberg
Inks: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colourist: Matt Webb
Concluding DS9's first story arc, DS9 is undergoing dramatic emergency repairs while stranded in the Gamma Quadrant. While this is going on, Sisko is back in the Alpha Quadrant and is trying to persuade the visiting aliens that DS9 is not a weapon that has been sent to invade the Gamma Quadrant. DS9 is then approached by natives of the Gamma Quadrant who make the same accusations, and Odo tries to prove to them that the station means no harm... and is subsequently abducted.
This is a very satisfying conclusion to the story, tying up all of the loose ends from Issue 1, without seeming as if the story was rushed or giving the impression that it was a one-part story that had been padded out. It was good to see that all of the characters were given something to do, and none seemed to be wasted in any way. A nice touch was at the beginning during the repairs that were being done to the station when we saw all of the Starfleet crew wearing the new style spacesuits as worn in Star Trek: First Contact.
A good ending and despite the artwork being up to the same "standard" of the first issue, this is a worthy purchase.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #3 - "The Cancer Within, Part 1"
Writer: Mariano
Pencils: Tom Grindberg
Inks: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colourist: Matt Webb
A mysterious Starfleet shuttle approaches DS9 which went missing several months earlier. On bringing the shuttle on board, they find the crew suffering from a viral infection that is slowly killing them. Meanwhile, repairs are continuing to the station and an engineering crew led by Rom find themselves stranded in space with no oxygen after a power failure. While this is going on, Worf and Odo learn that the Maquis are behind the virus and the Maquis are having difficulty in controlling their genetically engineered creation. As a result, they have asked for help from a Starfleet medic in the form of Doctor Katherine Pulaski...
This issue keeps up the standards set by the first story arc and never lets the pace slip for a moment. There is plenty of action, drama and adventure to keep the most ardent fan hooked on the storyline. The Pulaski plot, using her daughter (who just happens to be in the Maquis) to get her involved in trying to find a cure seems a little cliched and it is something that we have seen all to often in Star Trek, but at least it is handled relatively well. My only problem is that of the repairs sub-plot. When we see the station, it is once more intact and shows little sign of damage, and the lost pylon has been restored to its rightful place. I can only assume that the original pylon was retrieved and re-fitted as I think it would have cause more than a few headaches in trying to combine Starfleet and Cardassian design in one station!
Another good issue, but I really do wish they would sort out their artists - I'm starting to get a little tired of having to try and guess who is who on the station! You know you've got problems when you can't tell the difference between Worf and Dax!!
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy #1 - "Prime Directives"
Writer: Chris Cooper
Pencils: Chris Renaud
Inks: Andy Lanning
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colourist: Kevin Somers
As Marvel rightly take pride in, this is the first ever Star Trek comic to centre on brand new characters and scenarios not featured on screen, and it follows a group of cadets at Starfleet Academy - Nog, Matt Decker (yes, from THE Decker family), Kamilah Goldstein (a young human woman), Pava Ek'Noor Aquabaa (an Andorian female), and T'Priell (a female Vulcan).
This first story focuses on the cadets meeting for the first time, and being assigned a training mission in one of the Academy's holodecks. Things soon turn sour as the holodeck's safety program fails and the cadets are left fighting for survival... Also, the beginnings of a sub-plot featuring T'Priell and her Vulcan heritage is started off, but you'll discover more of this for yourself when you read the comic.
As a comic, I found the story relatively enjoyable, and the artwork itself was quite good - something that was surprising for a Marvel Star Trek title - even if Nog beared no resemblance whatsoever to Aron Eisenberg!! I think the series could show great promise as long as a few minor problems are sorted out.
First, I don't think there is a need for the comic to rely on characters who are descendants of familiar Star Trek characters. It was understandable not only to feature Nog, but to have him as the lead character, but Cadet Matt Decker is more than a little unbelievable.
Also, this title falls into the same trap as DS9 with Marvel being more than a little patronising towards the fans. Although this title doesn't have the annoying footnotes at the end of every page, it does have a glossary of terms at the back informing the readers exactly what phasers, tricorders, com badges, transporters, Klingons and even what Starfleet and the Federation are!! Even if people reading the comic aren't avid Star Trek fans, they would at least know what the above were. Star Trek is so ingrained into American culture that most Star Trek terms are common knowledge. Less of this please, Marvel.
Overall this isn't bad, but it needs some fine tuning, and I have to say that it is far better than I expected.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy #2 - "Liberty"
Writer: Chris Cooper
Pencils: Chris Renaud
Inks: Andy Lanning
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colourist: Kevin Somers
The second issue in the series sees the characters spending some recreation time. The female cadets end up in a bar, and before too long a bar brawl breaks out, while Matt Decker finds himself the target of a group of Starfleet cadets who want him to join their elite squad. Meanwhile Nog is exploring Decker's quarters (with his permission, I might add!) and comes across some valuable items from a collection that Decker has, and almost creates a rift between the two when Decker thinks that his priceless collectibles have become devalued...
An interesting character-driven issue this time. More is covered with T'Priell's background and there are some nice touches as the female cadets begin to bond after going through their fight. The big problem is Matt Decker's hobby - he collects comics. Nog is seen reading through Matt's collection and - you guessed it - every one of them is an old Marvel title. It was just such a blatant plug for Marvel products, I found it to be quite distasteful. The end sequence as well where Matt and Nog resolve their differences was also rather "forced" and allowed Marvel to sneak in yet another little plug for another comic.
Again, the glossary of terms rears it's ugly head and this time goes into great detail trying to explain what Vulcans are, and covers some of the more common Vulcan rituals and telepathic abilities. There are one or two of the more obscure references covered here - with a nod to the much-maligned animated series - that make this a little better than the previous issue.
Had the advertising not been present, then this would have been another fairly good issue, but I was left with the feeling that each turn of the page was going to lead to Marvel trying to sell me something. I am surprised to think that Paramount actually let this through their approval process.
Star Trek: The Early Voyages #1 - "Flesh Of My Flesh"
Writers: Dan Abnett, Ian Edginton
Pencils: Patrick Zircher
Inks: Greg Adams
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colourist: Marie Javins
We have seen very little of the adventures of the USS Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike other than in "The Cage", "The Menagerie" and in one or two novels, so this series was welcomed by Star Trek fans everywhere.
The Enterprise is exploring a region of space where a number of disappearances have been reported. They soon encounter the source of those disappearances in the form of a large alien lifeform that dwarfs the ship. A battle ensues and the Enterprise is damaged, and Captain Pike goes missing in the process. His crew are left to try to battle the creature, soon discovering that the lifeform is in fact a living ship, and must rescue Pike from his captivity on board. While in captivity, Pike is subjected to all manner of experiments where he subsequently starts reliving old memories, including the day he took command of the Enterprise from Captain April (nice touch) and during this flashback April mentions that he served as Captain aboard another Starfleet vessel - the USS Tiberius!
As well as all of the characters from "The Cage", we are introduced to a number of new crewmembers from a variety of races. All of the characters have extensive backgrounds and it is good to see them being fleshed out so early in the series. Another nice touch is that we finally get to learn the name of Number One. Now this is something that Paramount normally wouldn't allow in comics, but the Paramount Comics label does hint that information in the books could be accepted as canon. I hope so as it would fill in so many gaps in Star Trek history.
Finally, special mention must go to the artwork which is absolutely superb. While the main characters seen in "The Cage" don't resemble the actors with the exception of Spock (When Paramount made the original series, they didn't obtain the licences to actors likenesses for other purposes. This didn't happen until part way through the movie series.). However, the rest of the artwork is stunning and the characters, backgrounds and everything else on the page springs into life and I only hope that the combination of Patrick Zircher and Greg Adams are allowed to work on other Star Trek titles as well as this one.
Overall, while the conclusion to the story may seem a little out of place with the rest of the book, the final page is so well written that I am sure that Gene Roddenberry would have been proud of the comic. A great story, superb artwork, and I can't recommend this book enough to Star Trek fans everywhere.
Star Trek Unlimited #1
Although Marvel have decided only to produce ongoing titles of the shows currently in production, to cater to TNG and Classic Trek fans they have put together Star Trek: Unlimited - a regular series that features stories from both the original series and from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Star Trek - "Dying Of The Light"
Writers: Dan Abnett, Ian Edginton
Pencils: Mark Buckingham
Inks: Kev F. Sutherland
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colourist: Kevin Somers
Set during Kirk's original five-year mission, the Enterprise is responding to a distress call from a Federation ship. Upon investigation they discover that it is from a vessel that has crashed on the planet Lotora III, where they find a lone survivor from an archaeological expedition. However, it turns out that the planet is in Gorn space, and a fleet of Gorn ships arrive and promptly attack the Enterprise...
A reasonable start for the series. The story is well written, is paced brilliantly and the characterisation is superb. The writers obviously know their Classic Trek very well. The story reaches a very satisfying conclusion that fits well within the Star Trek universe and doesn't appear rushed or illogical!
However, the artwork is absolutely awful with none of the characters resembling the actors in question. Some of the background illustrations aren't too bad, but it does spoil what is an enjoyable story. Sadly, it is also not without faults and these lie both with the artist, and Paramount themselves for not checking things properly. First, there is a scene where we see the Enterprise's shuttle bay and in there are several shuttles, at least three of which bear the serial number NCC 1701/7 - that of the destroyed Galileo!!
One of these is later destroyed but there is also another visual gaff regarding the shuttles. There is another scene where we see a view of the bridge of one of the Gorn vessels, looking at a shuttle on their viewscreen. However, the shuttle seen is one of the smaller new-style shuttles as seen on Star Trek: The Next Generation, specifically shuttle 5, the El-Baz!!
Still, it's a good story and is only let down by the artwork. If you can overlook this, then all Classic Trek fans will be in for a treat.
Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Directives"
Writers: Dan Abnett, Ian Edginton
Pencils: Ron Randall, Carlos Garzon, Jerome Moore
Inks: Al Williamson, Derek Fisher
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colourist: Team Bucce
The Enterprise has been assigned to observe the planet Endrella, where they are approaching a technological level that will enable the planet to achieve interstellar travel, and as such meet the requirements for first contact. However, the planet is experiencing environmental disaster on a global scale and is facing seismic activity that could destroy the entire world. An Away Team, led by Commander Riker discovers the cause of the disturbances... an alien race known as the Lom...
A nice twist on the Prime Directive stories we are used to from Star Trek. We now find that the Federation aren't the only ones with such a directive, but in this case the Prime Directive and the one held in reveration by the Lom are in direct conflict with each other and the story opens up a refreshing area of debate for the Prime Directive concept.
The story is well written and manages to handle a difficult subject with ease and makes for good reading. The artwork suffers somewhat by being done by so many artists, and does appear inconsistent in terms of its quality. It was good to see the return of my favourite Star Trek artist, Jerome Moore to the fold, and I only hope that he gets to do some more work for Marvel, preferably working on a book on his own.
Overall, this is a good first issue and offers something for everyone. For fans of either show there is a good story, and if you aren't too keen on one of the series being presented here, there is an opportunity for you to try something new that may change your mind.
Star Trek: Voyager #1 - "The Storm"
Writer: Laurie S Sutton
Pencils: Jesus Redondo
Inks: Jesus Redondo
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Colourist: John Kalisz
While on their journey home, the USS Voyager receives a distress call from a Talaxian vessel trapped is some kind of energy storm. Changing course, they go to offer whatever assistance they can. In order to rescue the Talaxians, the Voyager has to enter the storm and try to beam the survivors aboard. After struggling through the storm, which is hiding an asteroid field, the Voyager uses its landing struts to lock onto the Talaxian craft long enough to beam the crew over to the Voyager, but as they are transported something goes wrong and the Talaxians disappear without a trace...
I really have to be honest but again I was pleasantly surprised by this title. Despite the unappealing cover artwork, I found the story both compelling and exciting and I eagerly read through from cover to cover after I bought this before even getting home. there aren't many comics that grip me in this way, but Marvel have managed to be pretty consistent in the quality of their storytelling.
Artistically, this is probably the worst title to date. While the images of the ships are pretty good, and the artwork of the Voyager itself is pretty remarkable, the crew are unbelievable poor. None of the characters are immediately recognisable with the exception of Chakotay (well, who else has a tattoo on the ship?) and B'Elanna (show me another Klingon on board and I might change that assessment too!). All too often the faces are angular and lack definition.
Another good comic (just once I'd like them to screw up, just to prove that they are fallible!) and one that I have no qualms about recommending. The only way I can see Marvel slipping up is that of character names - if they are not too careful, they could end up creating too many characters for the ship's crew!
Star Trek: Voyager #2 - "Under Ion Skies"
Writer: Laurie S Sutton
Pencils: Jesus Redondo
Inks: Jesus Redondo
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Colourist: John Kalisz
Part two of the story sees the crew of the Voyager attempting to rescue the missing Talaxians. They soon discover that the transport was interrupted by a burst of ionic lightning which dragged them into a quantum fissure... and Chakotay and Neelix volunteer to go after them. They discover a barren planetoid, the surface of which is subjected to heavy electrical storms. In trying to search for the Talaxians, the storms force the Voyager crewmembers into a deserted building where they find the missing people. They soon leave the planetoid and return to Voyager, where the Talaxians draw weapons on Chakotay and Neelix and take them hostage...
This part of the story takes a major twist from the first issue, and for the first time we see that not all Talaxians are generally nice people to be around! there are some very nice lines of dialogue, especially between Chakotay and Neelix when they are on the planetoid, and there are a few scenes that hold true to the Star Trek ideals. Also, as with all of the other comics from Marvel, I can't find anything wrong with the characterisation.
A good issue again, and this story is certainly building up to what I can only expect to be a thrilling climax.
Star Trek: Voyager #3 - "Repercussions"
Writer: Laurie S Sutton
Pencils: Jesus Redondo
Inks: Sergio Melia
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Colourist: John Kalisz
The final part in the first story arc for Voyager sees the crew of the Voyager trying to stop the invading Talaxians from taking control of the ship. Chakotay and Torres are taken hostage and are taken to engineering but unbeknownst to the Talaxians, Tuvok is waiting for them with a security detail. Then a number of electrical faults hit the ship's systems and put the holographic doctor in extreme danger...
There are some very nice touches in this final chapter of the story. When the Doctor starts to experience difficulties, his program disappears from sickbay and he ends up on the holodeck, playing out the Beowulf program again, intermixed with Janeway's holonovel. There are some nice touches here, and throughout the comic referring back to various episodes in the series, and Laurie Sutton certainly seems to have a good grasp of the series.
The action doesn't slow down for a moment, and it makes for a well-crafted and gratifying conclusion to what is a very good story. Even the artwork has improved, no doubt thanks to the inks of Sergio Melia (I said it had improved, it still isn't THAT good!). An essential purchase for all Voyager fans.
Star Trek / X-Men
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Anthony Winn, David Finch
Inks: Batt, D-Tron, Billy Tan, Aaron Sowd, Joe Weems
Letterer: Dennis Heisler
Colourist: Tyson Wengler, Steve Firchow, Jonathan D Smith, Richard Isanove
I have to be honest and say that when I first heard about this one-shot title, and that it was being used to launch the range, my heart sank. It seemed to indicate that Marvel had no respect for the Star Trek universe and were going to be using it to just make as much money as possible. The very notion of a team-up between Star Trek and the X-Men was so ludicrous that it bore no credibility whatsoever amongst fans.
However, when the title finally hit the shelves I decided to try and give it a fair shot and see if the story could stand-up on its own as a good Star Trek comic.
The Enterprise is investigating a spacial anomaly (how many times have we heard that one before?!) when a signal is received from a ship at the heart of the anomaly. On closer inspection, a projection is seen in space of a large alien warning the Enterprise to stay away from the area of space that they have entered. They are attacked and when their shields are down, a group of humans are transported to the Enterprise without the knowledge of the Starfleet crew - Wolverine, Bishop, Phoenix, Cyclops, The Beast, Gambit, and Storm - better known collectively as the X-Men.
Spock's telepathic abilities means that he soon becomes aware of their presence and goes to investigate. Kirk subsequently meets with the X-Men and learns that they have been dragged through time and space in pursuit of some of their old adversaries. Kirk pursues the craft belonging to the unknown assailants and finds in in orbit around the planet Delta Vega... the planet where he had stranded his friend Gary Mitchell over a year earlier. Now, both crews must work together to stop Gary and the X-Men's foes to protect the galaxy as we know it.
I have to say that overall I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The artwork was pretty remarkable throughout and the colouring was equally vibrant and stunning. The story held together pretty well and there was a good, balanced mix of action, adventure and humour There is a brilliant scene in sickbay where McCoy and the X-Men's medic the Beast, aka Matt McCoy (!) are talking and Nurse Chapel walks in and says to Bones, "Doctor McCoy?" And both McCoy's turn around and say, "What?" and then look at each other in surprise! The characterisation was superb (or at least the Star Trek characters were - I'm no X-Men fan, so I can't really speak for that side of things), and there some nice touches that you would normally only expect to find in the series such as the Spock/McCoy banter.
It all adds up to make for a very good sequel to "Where No Man Has Gone Before", and shows that the writer, Scott Lobdell, has a superb talent for working in the Star Trek universe. I only hope that he is given the chance to do so again. my only gripe is that the X-Men characters have very little background detail covered in the book. I know that in America the X-Men are far more popular than they are over here, and the X-Men range are the most popular comics on the market, but for casual comic buyers who are attracted to this title because of the Star Trek link, it can be a touch confusing at times.
As well as the story, the remaining pages in the book are taken up with an art gallery of Star Trek and Star Trek/X-Men images from selected Marvel artists, and a section at the rear previewing many of the other Star Trek titles from Marvel including Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Star Trek Unlimited, Star Trek: The Early Voyages, and the one-shot title Star Trek: Mirror, Mirror.
This is the first to be published in the deluxe format on glossy art paper and has absolutely no advertising inside (hence the $5 price tag) and I for one would not be unwilling to pay this price for every comic if these are the production standards we could see.
A good issue, which is spoiled only by the fact that the reader is expected to be fully conversant with the X-Men mythos.
* * * * *
Overall Marvel made a promising start with the comics although the artwork is generally below par and that is their main weakness. In a market that is so dependent on visual material, I find it surprising that they haven't spent more time on the artwork. At the same time however, the writing is generally fast-paced, exciting and gripping. On the whole, I find myself eagerly looking forward to the release of each issue, something I never thought I would be doing with Marvel.
The only other weakness is that I feel that Marvel are targeting the wrong audience with the series. It seems as if Marvel are trying to sell the Star Trek titles to die-hard comic enthusiasts who just happen to like Star Trek (who would also be more tolerant of the artwork). In fact, the majority of the readers of Star Trek comics are Star Trek fans who just happen to like comics - it's a big difference and if Marvel realised this, the whole tone of the series would change dramatically. There would be no patronising comments, better artwork, and as a result, higher sales.
In addition, the paper stock and print quality could be better. DC changed over to the deluxe format for their latter issues, and the paper and print quality used by Malibu was simply stunning. At the time of starting their releases, Marvel owned Malibu, so was it really so difficult to use Malibu's presses to produce the comics?
Still, if after the episodes, movies and novels you're still in need of a new fix of Star Trek, you generally can't go wrong with these so pop down to your local comic store now and take a look. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.