Mr. Oracle
Stardate: not given
Comic: Star Trek #46
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: August 1977
Synopsis:
Writer: Unknown / Artist: Alden McWilliams
The Enterprise discovers a planet where the sensor readings suggest an advanced civilization, yet the landing party are met by primitive beings and locked in a cell. Spock discovers that the cell is a test and figures out the puzzle that unlocks the cell and leads to the hidden underground civilization (yes, another one!). It appears that the civilization is managed by a supercomputer, and that the people have forgotten how to do even the most basic tasks. They are aware they need to leave their planet, whose sun is about to go nova, but they don’t have any spacecraft. They agree to go onboard the Enterprise only if the entire knowledge of their civilization stored in the computer can be transferred into Spock’s brain. Amazingly, Spock agrees to the procedure and emerges with a giant head! The super-brained Spock uses his new knowledge to trick the people’s leader into exposing his treacherous plans. With the leader disgraced, Spock uses an advanced version of the Vulcan mind-meld to share the knowledge from the computer between three other leaders. His head reverts to normal size, and the leaders use their newly imbued knowledge to start to build the spaceships they need.
The Planet of No Life
Stardate: not given
Comic: Star Trek #50
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: January 1978
Synopsis:
Writer: George Kashdan / Artist: Alden McWilliams
Sequel to Star Trek #41 (Gold Key)
While investigating a radioactive planet, the crew of the Enterprise is shocked to find that it is inhabited by "The Evictors" (from issue #41). The Evictors themselves have split into two factions: The Builders who want to stay and build on this new planet, and The Returners who still wish to resettle on their ancient home world. The Returners blame Kirk for their current plight and are determined to kill him. The Returners try to influence a young Starfleet officer to do their dirty work, but he turns on them, killing their leader and saving Kirk. The Enterprise starts the process of cleaning up the radiation-soaked soil and planting new vegetation, leaving The Builders with the knowledge and tools to make themselves a new home.
A World Against Itself
Stardate: 7235.3
Comic: Star Trek #55
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: September 1978
Synopsis:
Writer: Arnold Drake / Artist: Alden McWilliams
Spock and Scotty are sent to mediate on a world that has been suffering from a 200-year-old civil war. When both are captured and exposed to a brain-change machine, they switch personalities. Scotty becomes a champion of logical science; Spock, a man of raw and violent emotion. The two officers end up leading the opposing armies into battle. After Kirk arrives, he proposes that the war be solved by having Spock and Scotty battle each other to the death in an arena. At the height of the battle, as Spock goes to kill Scotty, the brain-change wears off and the two men revert to their usual personalities. Seeing their two battle leaders suddenly at peace with each other, the armies follow suit.
Spore of the Devil
Stardate: 1929.51
Comic: Star Trek #57
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: November 1978
Synopsis:
Writer: Arnold Drake / Artist: Alden McWilliams
The Enterprise arrives at the planet Jodarr to attend the coronation of the Emperor Ledoy, who has managed to unite the 50 warring kingdoms. However, his rule seems to be one of cruelty and oppression. The landing party discovers that Ledoy is receiving advice and guidance from a mysterious wizard known as the Great Vrunon. Spock’s investigations uncover that Vrunon is in fact a bio-energy alien stranded on the planet since childhood who is trying to use his influence to fast-track the planet’s technology so they can fix his ship. Spock befriends Vrunon and helps him uncover artifacts from his ship so that he can prepare to continue his journey. Vrunon convinces Ledoy that he now has the knowledge to lead Jodarr into the future without needing to use cruelty.
Brain Damaged Planet
Stardate: 3315.5
Comic: Star Trek #58
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: December 1978
Synopsis:
Writer: George Kashdan / Artist: Alden McWilliams
The Enterprise is sent to investigate a populated asteroid where the inhabitants appear to be suffering from Akwoods Syndrome, a viral infection that produces temporary insanity and bursts of violent behavior. When McCoy’s antidote fails to work on the inhabitants, the ship’s sensors show that it isn’t the people that are infected, but the asteroid itself, for at its center is a giant living brain. Kirk and McCoy beam into the asteroid’s core to administer a specially strengthened version of the antidote right into the virus attacking the planet’s brain.
To Err is Vulcan
Stardate: not given
Comic: Star Trek #59
Publisher: Gold Key
Date: January 1979
Synopsis:
Writer: Arnold Drake / Artist: Alden McWilliams
The Enterprise is sent to investigate a populated asteroid where the inhabitants appear to be suffering from Akwoods Syndrome, a viral infection that produces temporary insanity and bursts of violent behavior. When McCoy’s antidote fails to work on the inhabitants, the ship’s sensors show that it isn’t the people that are infected, but the asteroid itself, for at its center is a giant living brain. Kirk and McCoy beam into the asteroid’s core to administer a specially strengthened version of the antidote right into the virus attacking the planet’s brain.
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TIME LINE NOTE: – STAR TREK: Season One starts here.
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NEXT POST: 2263- Part 5
Previous Entries
– 1953
– 2056
– 2063
– 2250
– 2251 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
– 2253-2259
– 2262 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
– 2263 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
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NOTES:
(1) This timeline covers Star Trek comics published in the USA and UK between 1967 to 2007 (i.e. from Gold Key to TokyoPop) – it does not include any stories from current Star Trek comics publisher IDW.
(2) See the first post in this series for the Time Line Introduction explaining the background, definitions and considerations for this Star Trek Comics Time Line project.
(3) For more information on the history of Star Trek in comics check out my book STAR TREK: A Comics History. now available in stores.