Customer Reviews

Star Trek Comics Classics: The Trial of James T. Kirk (Star Trek (Titan Books))

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The adventure continues. Building on the previous volume's stories, Star Trek Comics Classics: Death Before Dishonor Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk has infuriated the heads of TWO alien races -- the Klingons and the previously unknown Nasgul -- to the point that they both are offering a huge bounty to whomever brings him in. If that weren't enough, Kirk's "bending" of regulations including the Prime Directive, has engendered resentment among some of his fellow Starfleet officers, one of whom states, "We MAY have to cut him in two" (to make both sides happy) -- and he doesn't appear to be joking !

Nor is that the end of Kirk's problems. In the previous volume, he has been assigned a protocol officer, a kind of censor, to oversee his decisions. Kirk's evolving relationship with her causes him to reflect that "either I'm going to like her or knock her on her butt." Additionally, the prefect of a planet undergoing a plague Doctor McCoy is trying to cure, announces that he plans to exterminate all of the citizens suffering the disease -- unless Kirk surrenders himself so that the prefect can collect his bounty. Unbeknownst to Kirk, one of his junior officers has come up with his own (illegal) solution to this "no-win scenario."

In this volume, Kirk finds he can no longer perform his duties. The citizens of a dying planet refuse rescue by the Enterprise since they would rather risk the possibility of death as opposed to the certainty of oblivion if they get inbetween Kirk and the bounty hunters seeking him. And, sure enough, one of the most infamous bounty hunters in the galaxy finds and captures him. (And you thought YOUR job was hard!)

Once the bounty hunter situation is handled, Kirk determines that, rather than continue to endanger others, his only possible course is to journey to Earth and turn himself over for trial. The three-part Trial is a gem, and brings back several characters from the original series, including Sam Cogsley who defended Kirk in the episode "Court Martial" and Bela Oxmyx, one of the gangsters from "A Piece of the Action," who arrives to "help" Kirk and also to deliver Kirk's own "piece of the action." Writer Peter David ably balances the seriousness of the situation with superb comedic skills. (When Bela Oxmyx reaches into his pocket, Starfleet security assumes he's going to shoot Kirk. Kirk thinks, "No, no. That would be too merciful.")

Meanwhile, Kirk and RJ Blaise's relationship takes an interesting turn, there is a nice "girls' day out" scene between Uhuru and RJ Blaise, and Kirk's subordinate's earlier solution to a "no-win scenario" comes to light.

In addition to Peter David's excellent grasp of Star Trek characters, credit must also be given to artists James Fry and Gordon Purcell, aided by inker Arne Starr.

This book features previously printed interviews by Nichelle Nichols ("Uhuru") and Walter Koenig ("Chekov").

I honestly believe that even if you're not a fan of Star Trek or science fiction, you will enjoy the characterization and storytelling in these two volumes.

Originally from DC Comics' Star Trek Vol 2, issues 7 through 12, comes a great arc by Peter David. The art was not really all that great and at times the repetitive panels were somewhat annoying.

The storyline was great, referring mostly to the past in Kirk's adventures from the Sixties Star Trek to the movies.

A few plot points worth mentioning: The introspective look of the Captain and his dealings with women. A remark to McCoy "Do you think I like women, Bones?" was hilarious and a good lead-in to his attitudes towards women and how this century still has a ways to go in terms of male chauvinism.

There is also racial chauvinism reflected in the Klingons, the "Salla" and one bounty hunter named Sweeney. I don't get why all the fear of Sweeney. He is a human with a bloodthirsty, yet mannered demeanor. His phaser on his eyeglasses is set to evaporate any who give him a hard time.

Another character is Janice and though she's part of a failed colony on a planet breaking up, she'd rather stay and wait for another ship than the Enterprise, which in her words has a target on it!

The trial itself was a menagerie of characters from the old series, including the guys from the Chicago gangster planet and his lawyer from the episode "Court Martial."

Bottom Line: Lots of action, yet some panels are quite wordy yet easy to read. I did not like some of the repetitive panels which were clearly reprinted several times. Lazy artistry. The back & forth with "Ms. Blaise" (same name as the female "James Bond"-like detective from several decades ago) was cool. Plus, interviews with Walter Koenig (Chekov) and Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) were great additions that would surely please any Star Trek fan.

Recommended.