Star Trek comics have been floating around for more than 30 years, and it is only occasionally that they are done to the satisfaction of Trek fans. The most consistant run was done by DC in the 80’s. Wildstorm has the license now, and their results, while occasionally mixed, has generally been good. Here, however, we have a $30 hardcover, so the expectations are higher. Writer Kevin J. Anderson is familiar to science fiction fans. He has written a number of Star Wars, X-Files (including one called Ground Zero) and Dune novels. Here he is joined by Igor Kordey. While he is a name that may not be as familiar, he has turned in some excellent work on Tarzan and Star Wars comics. His illustrations here are fully painted, befitting the $30 price tag.
The Star Trek universe is rich with characters and villains that have yet to be over exploited (No, we’re not talking about Romulans and Klingons here. They’ve been exploited plenty). The Gorn were first seen in a classic Star Trek episode called “Arena”. Based on a story by Fredric Brown, “Arena” pitted a shirtless Captain Kirk against the reptillian Gorn. The Gorn pretty much faded into Trek obscuraty after than, as they were really nothing more than your basic alian lizard men. In this book, the Federation are attempting to form an aliance with the Gorn to aid them in the Dominian War. Unfortunately the warlike Gorn are in the midst of a coup and the new leaders are intent of vengence for their defeat by the Federation decades ago. The story takes place on two fronts, the Gorn homeworld and a Federation outpost on the edge of Gorn territory. Picard does the negotiating and Riker works with the Klingons to defend the outpost.
Plotwise, the story would never hold up as a novel, but would make a decent episode. It’s pretty basic, but with enough subplots thown in to keep it from being totally shallow. The Klingons that work with Riker are a disenfranchised group whose commander led them to shame. The writing, while not the best I’ve seen, holds up well enough, leaving the book to live or die by its art. As I’ve said, Kordey has turned in some outstanding work. His art style is ornate and beautifully detailed. Here, however, he is possible hampered by the fully painted approach. It is certainly not from lack of effort. Unlike many painted comics which look thown together with minimul detail, Kordey obiously spent time on each page. Many of them pay off well and look striking. The problem is the same one that plagues Star Trek comics continually- Characters. Riker, Crusher and most of the supporting crew look fine, but Picard sometimes looks dead on and sometimes looks…well, like someone else. Data fares worse and is hardly recognizable. In many panels he even appears to be sweating- pretty out of character for and android. While these may sound like major complaints, they actually do not interfere to much with the story. It is still an enjoyable book. Occasionally it is superior. Any true Trekie will have to have it. The rest of the world might want too wait for the paperback.
Originally Reviewed November 10th, 2000