There are a number of challanges in putting the exploits of the various Star Trek crews into comic book form. Special effects that look terrific on television are not the least bit impressive on the comic book page. You also must broach the problem of drawing characters whose faces are extremely familier to its fans. Gold Key, Marvel and Malibu each had a turn with the Star Trek line of comics, but it was DC that had the most success with them. So finally Star Trek returns to DC (sort of) care of the Wildstorm imprint. Writen by Keith DeCandido and pencilled by Pachoumis and Benefiel, "Perchance To Dream" is Wildstorms first story arc involving the crew of the Enterprise D.
Sent to the Federation planet Damiano, the Enterprise must maintain security for a ruler who is targeted for assassination because of her preference for only one sexual partner (on this world, it normally takes three to tango). It is a rather blatant anology to our own countrys facination and repulsion with various lifestyles. As the Enterprise crew foils the various assissanation attempts, they are targeted with a weapon called the Chova, which attacks them through their dreams (hence the title). Plotwise, this could have served as an episode of Star Trek:TNG, although not one of its' best. The resolution is obvious after the first issue. The art is inconsistant in its' portrayals of the key cast members-espesially Picard, who only occasionally looks like Patrick Stewart.
There are a number of things right about this series, most importantly, its' attention to Trek trivia. Each issue list the various references to ST:TNG episodes. The writer is obviously a big fan of the series. In fact, that is probably his downfall, as this is identical in format to most any ST:TNG episode. I couldn't help but long for the humor and richer characterization that Peter David brought to the Star Trek comics almost ten years ago. Still, there have been much worse things done with Star Trek in the comics, and most of its fans will be overjoyed at a story that feels this much like Star Trek.
