STAR TREK - THE ASHES OF EDEN

DC Comics

Co-writers - Judy & Gar Reeves-Stevens
                   - William Shatner

Penciller - Steve Erwin

Inker - Jimmy Palmiotti

Colorist - Gloria Vasquez

Letter - Willie Schubert

Copyright 1995 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

In this graphic novel, based on the book The Ashes of Eden  by William Shatner with Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Captain James T. Kirk - after a long career of service - elects to leave Starfleet to retire but is then recruited by Romulan/Klingon woman Teilani to save her world from her parent's people. Meanwhile, Kirk's old Starfleet rival Admiral Drake is determined to do away with Kirk as Drake persues a secret agenda about Teilani's world.

Teilani's world has a dark secret in space being the experimental colony of both the Romulans and Klingons. Kirk becomes seduced by Teilani as he seems to have found the secret to the fountain of youth in his new home and a purpose in life again. While on a classified intelligence mission, Checkov gets upset at his old friend Captain Sulu of the U.S.S. Excelsior that Sulu did not tell him he was secretly Chekov's backup. Sulu and Checkov reluctantly join forces as Admiral Drake recruits them and the rest of the Enterprise crew to go after the rogue Kirk, unbeknownst to them that there was secretly a link to their intelligence mission and Admiral Drake. The artwork by penciller Steve Erwin, inker Jimmy Palmiotti, letter Willie Schubert, and colorist Gloria Vasquez captures the images that were described in the book.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR TREK - COUNTDOWN

IDW PUBLISHING

Story by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman

Writers Mike Johnson & Tom Jones

Artist David Messina

Copyright 2009 by Paramount Pictures Corporation
Copyright 2009 by CBS Studios Inc.

In Countdown, the graphic novel collection of the four issue comic books, is the prequel to the movie Star Trek. The graphic novel shows the origin of Nero and why he was so determined to destroy Spock and Vulcan as an unstable star becomes a supernova that threatens Romulan space and soon Federation space.

It is great to see The Next Generation crew after Star Trek: Nemesis try and stop Nero. The crew has grown as characters and is basically the last you will see of them as Star Trek moves onto a different direction in the reimagining of the franchise. The developement of Red Matter to stop the supernova turns the nova into a singularity as Nero gets pulled into the singularity by it's gravitational field and winds up in the updated Star Trek movie universe. The art by David Messina captures the likenesses of the actors. There is also a gallery of several of the characters that were depicted at the end of the graphic novel.

See movie review:

Star Trek

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR TREK - DOCTOR'S ORDERS

An Original Publication of POCKET BOOKS

Written by Diane Duane

Copyright 1990 by Paramount Pictures.

In Doctor's Orders, during a planetary survey, Doctor McCoy complains about work once too often that Captain Kirk gives him the conn of the U.S.S. Enterprise so that McCoy can relax and Kirk can go down on the planet and build some diplomatic relationships with the native species. During this time, Captain Kirk disappears - and the Klingons show up!

I always wondered if Kirk could give the conn to Dr. McCoy. Knowing author Diane Duane, this is probably something that could happen in real life. The planetary life is so unique for the crew to categorize, you do not know if you will be talking to a talking rock or not, or maybe even a talking tree - and even then you may not be communicating properly. Meanwhile, with communications from back home, McCoy's command status is threaten to be revoked by Starfleet Command. The desperate search for Kirk is not helped with the Klingon situation.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - DARK TIDE I - ONSLAUGHT

A Del Rey Book

Written by Michael A. Stackpole

Copyright 2000 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

In Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole, Rogue Squadron and the New Jedi Order learn about the Yuuzhan Vong and must learn how to fight off their invasion of New Republic space. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sends off his nephew Anakin Solo and Corran Horn on various missions in their quest to defend against the Yuuzhan Vong, while Leia Organa Solo must deal with the New Republic Senate's political disbelief that there really is a new enemy from beyond the galaxy.

Having Republic Chief of State Borsk Fey'lya refuse to believe the existence of the Yuuzhan Vong and accusing Leia of using this as a political ploy for power when she brings in this news is very frustrating. It makes you think that he is the one really using this news to maintain his power, especially when he refuses the military their desire to make a reconnaissance of the suspected area of contact. Mara Jade's illness from the Yuuzhan Vong is very sad, but her teachings of the Force to Anakin and how not to use the Force is very loving and motherly. Anakin's sister Jaina Solo joining Rogue Squadron continues the tradition of the Skywalker line being a part of Rogue Squadron and furthers her character development.

The fact that a Yuuzhan Vong scout has been in New Republic space on a planet at the edge of the galaxy 50 years before adds to the history of the Vong society being just beyond the galaxy in preparation for their invasion. This history is enhanced as one of the Vong leaders searches for his lost grandfather's remains and is horrified at the desecration of his grandfather's remains by the educational expedition that found him. Because of their alienness - with the Yuuzhan Vong's abhorrence of technology and their use of biological weapons, embrace and glorification of pain, and lack of presence in the Force - the Jedi are hard pressed to fight off the Vong as the Vong are determined to cleanse the galaxy of all forms of technology.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR TREK - DEEP SPACE NINE - WARPATH

An Original Publication of Pocket Books

Written by David Mack

Copyright 2006 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

In Warpath, Jem'Hadar Taran'atar has attacked Captain Kira Nerys and Lieutenant Ro Laren - and has fled into deep space, taking Ensign Prynn Tenmei hostage. Commander Elias Vaughn goes after Taran'atar and his daughter Prynn while the fate of Kira and Ro hangs in the balance.

It is sad to see Taran'atar return to his Jem'Hadar roots. He was a character I thought was becoming a solid member of the Deep Space Nine new series. David Mack seems to write all the stories that turn Star Trek on it's ear. As the crew of Deep Space Nine deal with Taran'atar's treachery, they do not seem surprised or disappointed as I do that he has gone and done this. Even though Vaughn is doing his duty to get Taran'atar, you could feel the love and agony he has as he searches for his kidnapped daughter and his wanting to free her. I was rather surprised that Taran'atar had kept her alive as long as he had as I suspected he would have used his Jem'Hadar logic and kill her once he got a ship to escape in. Taran'atar's conflicted torment was quite interesting as I think this is the most characterization I have seen of him in the new series.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - THE CLONE WARS - NO PRISONERS

A Del Rey Trade Paperback Original

Written by Karen Traviss

Copyright 2009 by Lucasfulm Ltd.

All Rights Reserved.

In No Prisoners by Karen Traviss, Padawan learner Ashoka goes on a routine three day space shakedown cruise on a newly refitted assault ship with brand new untested clone troopers - when they suddenly go on a rescue mission for a Republic undercover agent who was investigating a planetary rebellion.

It is interesting to see Ashoka relate to a different type of Jedi order who assists in the rescue of Republic agent Hallena Devis. Anakin's reaction to this Jedi order is sad as well, since this order allows marriages amongst their Jedi. With his secret marriage to Padme, and his taking time off to see her when Ashoka's routine mission becomes a rescue mission, this Jedi order makes Anakin feel very guilty and fills him full of regret when he meets them and measures his life against them. Anakin also feel betrayed that Master Yoda did not tell him about this order of Jedi.

Captain Gilad Pellaeon's secret relationship to agent Hallena Devis fills him full of regret as well, since he is using his authority as the ship's captain to go to his lover's rescue. Devis regrets that everyone is risking their lives to rescue her, especially when one of the new inexperienced clone troopers gets killed during the rescue. I feel so sad for her as I know I would feel the same way if I were under the same circumstances. You also feel how powerful Jedi can be when one of the Jedi uses the Force to become one with the assault ship during a space battle.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR TREK - DESTINY - BOOK II: MERE MORTALS

Pocket Books

Written by David Mack

Based upon STAR TREK and

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
created by Gene Roddenberry

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE created by Rick Berman & Michael Piller

STAR TREK: VOYAGER
created by Rick Berman * Michael Piller & Jeri Taylor

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE
created by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga

Copyright 2008 by CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In Mere Mortals, the Borg are coming to Federation space and Federation President Nan Bacco gathers allies to stop the Borg invasion. Meanwhile, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Ezri Dax are determined to try to close off the Borg's route of subspace tunnels. On the other side of the galaxy, Captain William Riker in his explorations has made contact with the Caeliar who has held captive Earth starship Captain Erika Hernandez for 200 years.

You feel for President Bacco as she realizes that the Federation's only hope against Borg assimilation and annihilation is an alliance with governments and people that were hostile to the Federation and  also her realization that she will be the last President as the Federation gets destroyed. She is just a person in charge that everything has fallen onto her. Bacco's strategic negotiations are a desperate action for the preservation of the Alpha Quadrant. My respect for Captain Hernandez has fallen considerably from her being the captain of one of Earth's first starships to being the sole survivor of her crew, despite the fact that she has evolved into part Caeliar and has been able to live so long. In fact you feel that she deserves the pergatory that she has been placed into, especially when Riker and the crew of the U.S.S Titan are captured by the Caeliar with her. The Titan's crew plan an escape strategy, but can not trust Hernandez as a result. With Counselor Deanna Troi pregnant, you also feel her peranoia against the reptillian Titan's ship's doctor - Dr. Ree as her pregnancy endangers her health.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.