Another week, another stack of four color goodness from the hallowed halls of Austin Books.

Comics
Amazing Spider-Man #619 (Marvel) – This current story arc is like rediscovering the feeling I had the first time I read classic Spider-Man stories. Brilliant work.
Batman & Robin #7 (DC) – still not 100% sold on this Grant Morrison take of the Dark Knight – it’s up and down – will give it a couple more issues.
Buck Rogers #8 (Dynamite) – It’s Buck Rogers…
Captain America: Reborn #6 (Marvel) – Will admit I just picked this one up to complete the mini-series, but truth be told I really lost interest a couple of issues back.
Detective #861 (DC) – Easily the most imaginatively designed and executed mainstream super hero title around.
Fantastic Four #575 (Marvel) – The FF is back to being a fun book, well told, yet is being somewhat overlooked right now.
Jack of Fables #42 (DC/Vertigo) – I just love that fact that you never know where this book is going to go from issue to issue.
Northlanders #24 (DC/Vertigo) – Consistently one of the best quality books on the stands at the moment. Never fails to be powerful, thought provoking, and educational even for a history nut like myself.
Robocop #1 (Dynamite) – a combination of recently rewatching the movie, plus making the acquaintance of writer Rob Williams made this a definite pick for this week.
Superman: Secret Origins #4 (DC) – Really enjoying this new spin on the Man of Steel’s early days.
Witchblade #134 (Top Cow) – Dipped back into the world of Witchblade a few months back, and have been surprised by how much I’m enjoying the series right now.

All Those Years Ago
Stardate: 1278.4
Comic: Star Trek Annual #1
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: October, 1985

Synopsis:

Writer: Mike W. Barr / Artists: David Ross & Bob Smith

In the year 2286, Captain Kirk recalls his first mission aboard the Enterprise in 2262. The mission:- transport Captain Christopher Pike to his next assignment on Draxis II. On the way the Enterprise encounters the Tralmanii, an alien race that feeds on stellar energy that Pike had encountered in his past.

Prisoners
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek #76
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: October, 1994

Synopsis:

Writer: Kevin J. Ryan / Artists: Rachel Ketchum & Mark Heike

During an early part of the Enterprise’s first five-year mission, the ship arrives at the planet Tendar which is at the early stages of space exploration. When the landing party beams down, Kirk, Spock, and Gary Mitchell are immediately arrested. The Tendarans want to use the prisoners as negotiating tools with the Federation, but Scotty and the rest of the Enterprise crew have other ideas, and soon break them out. (Because prison break outs are so much more exciting than using the transporter!)

Gary
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek #64
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: October, 94

Synopsis:

Writer: Kevin J. Ryan / Artists: Rod Whigham & Arne Starr

Following the events of the ST:TOS episode Where No Man Has Gone Before, James Kirk tries to compose a message to the parents of his best friend, Gary Mitchell, informing them of their son’s death. Unable to tell them the truth about his death, Kirk instead tells a story of how Mitchell once saved his life and helped him better understand an alien culture, thereby showing him the true purpose of Starfleet.

NEXT POST: 2262 Part 2

Previous Entries

– 1953
– 2056
– 2063
– 2250
– 2251 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
– 2253-2259

—————
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) Check out 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.

Star Crossed
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek #73
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: July 1995

Synopsis:

Writer: Howard Weinstein / Artists: Rachel Ketchum & Mark Heike

With a little help from his girl friend, Carol Marcus, the young Starfleet cadet James T. Kirk reprograms, and passes, the Kobayashi Maru test. A few years later, the pair are reunited when Carol is assigned to the USS Eagle, where James Kirk is the First Officer. The two resume their relationship, but Carol decides that she is not cut out for a career in Starfleet and leaves. Unknown to Kirk, she is two months pregnant.

Loved Not Wisely
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek #74
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: August 1995

Synopsis:

Writer: Howard Weinstein / Artists: Rachel Ketchum & Mark Heike

While visiting Earth during leave from the USS Eagle, James Kirk visits Carol Marcus and learns about his son, David. Shortly afterwards, he is offered his first command as Captain of the USS Oxford. Kirk asks Carol to marry him before he accepts the command, but she refuses and tells Kirk to stay away from her and David and to pursue his dream to be a starship captain.

NEXT POST: 2262

—————
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 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.

Next Wednesday (January 13th, 2010) sees the arrival of CARS #0 in comic book stores.

The #0 issue and the slight title change, from "The World of CARS," to just simply "CARS," marks the switch from separate self contained four-issue mini-series to a regular on-going series.

With the new on-going we are focusing on new stories set after the movie exploring a little bit of where these characters went, plus having some fun along the way. The first story arc (issues #0-3) tell how McQueen organized a charity race at his new race track in Radiator Springs and gives us the chance to bring the two sides of McQueen’s life together as we bring the race track crowd into town. Central to the story is a new character who will act as a foil between McQueen and his rival Chick Hicks. The second story arc (#4-7) is planned to be a fun cross country ride in the spirit of the Cannonball Run and Wacky Races as various characters from the CARS franchise team up for the "Route 66 Dash."

As a taster above are a couple of cover designs from issues #0 and #1.

Future Tense
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #13
Publisher: Marvel
Date: February 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

In an alternate future, the vacancy caused by the disappearance of Yeoman Colt is filled by a young officer called James T. Kirk. A few years later, Kirk quits Starfleet and along with his engineering friend, Montgomery Scott, purchases a freighter which he names Bounty. As captain of the Bounty, James Kirk encounters the time displaced Colt who convinces him that in order to return to her own time, she needs to head into Klingon space for a rendezvous with General Chang.

Past Imperfect
Stardate: 9521.9
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #14
Publisher: Marvel
Date: March 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

The Enterprise arrives in time to save the Bounty from being destroyed by Klingon ships. Pike is delighted to be reunited with Kirk and amazed at the presence of Colt. Learning that Colt’s temporal integrity is decaying and she needs to be returned to her own time before she dies, Pike agrees to return them to Klingon space. Meanwhile, Pike’s former Number One, now captain of the USS Excalibur, is ordered to intercept them.

Now and Then
Stardate: 9522.0
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #15
Publisher: Marvel
Date: April 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Steve Moncuse

The Enterprise and the Excalibur fight their way through the Klingon fleet to return Colt to Algol. Once back on the planet, they work out a way to return her to the correct timezone and restore the timeline.

Thanatos
Stardate: 390.5
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #16
Publisher: Marvel
Date: May 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Javier Pulido & Steve Moncuse

While Captain Pike and a team of selected crewmen are on their secret mission, Robert April once more resumes command of the Enterprise, but is not impressed by what he finds. Meanwhile on the planet Temazi, a disguised Pike and his team are searching for a cache of advanced weapons. But, they aren’t the only ones looking. A Klingon search team is also on the planet, lead by Pike’s old adversary, Kaaj.

Nemesis
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #17
Publisher: Marvel
Date: June 1998

Synopsis:

[u]Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / [/u]Artists:: Javier Pulido & Steve Moncuse

Both the Starfleet and Klingon away teams are discovered by the xenophobic Temazi, and are forced to cooperate in order to defeat the common enemy. In an effort to destroy the combined Klingon/Starfleet crews, the Temazi decide to use the cach or secret weapons….. (The series was cancelled with this issue and the story line was never resolved.)

NEXT POST: 2253-2259

Previous Entries
– 1953
– 2056
– 2063
– 2250
– 2251 – Part 1
– 2251 – Part 2
– 2251 – Part 3

—————
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 below 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.

One of a Kind
Stardate: 361.6
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #9
Publisher: Marvel
Date:October, 1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Mike Collins & Greg Adams

Enterprise crewman Nano of the Lirin Unity must return to his home world following the death of several members of the Unity. While Nano struggles to return to such a closed society, the crew of the Enterprise tour the planet and confront the danger that is causing the deaths, a deep routed cultural fear of the unknown.

The Fallen
Stardate: 371.2
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #10 & #11
Publisher: Marvel
Date: November & December, 1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Mike Collins & Greg Adams

#10 – The Federation colony on Theta Kalyb is attacked by Chakuun ghostships from the Tholian Empire. When the Enterprise arrives to investigate, it is attacked by the Chakuuns and is heavily damaged, forcing it to return to Earth for repairs.

#11 – The repaired Enterprise leads a Federation taskforce to the Tholian border where a Chakuun war fleet is waiting for them. While the two fleets face each other in a stand-off, a medical team is beamed down to the Theta Kalyb colony. At the colony site, medical aid offered by the Enterprise crew to a wounded Chakuun officer opens a dialog and helps understanding on both sides, avoiding an all out war.

Futures
Stardate: 389.4
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #12
Publisher: Marvel
Date: January, 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Mike Collins & Greg Adams

The Enterprise arrives at Starbase 45 for repairs and the crew head off on shore leave. Admiral Robert April arrives with secret orders for Captain Pike. Pike’s executive officer, Number One, is offered her own command as captain of the USS Nelson, but turns the commission down. On shore leave on the planet Algol, Yeoman Colt finds an artifact that seems to give off temporal waves and when she examines it further, she suddenly finds herself thrown into the future.

NEXT POST: 2251 – Part 4

Previous Entries
1953
2056
2063
2250
2251 – Part 1
2251 – Part 2

—————
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 post below 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.

YEAR: 2251 – Part 2

Cloak & Dagger
Stardate: 2396.6
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #5 & 6
Publisher: Marvel
Date :June & July -1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

#5 – During a search mission for the missing starship Cortez, the Enterprise discovers a lost Vulcan colony. The crew discover that the colonists are descendants of Vulcans who left their home planet during the time of Surak’s reformation, and are still highly emotional with a taste for violence. A group of the Vulcans had captured the Cortez, installed new weapons they had developed, and use it to attack the Enterprise.

#6 – While Number One takes the Enterprise into battle with the captured USS Cortez, Pike and his landing party are held prisoners by the “lost” Vulcans. The colonists’ leader, T’Kell, boasts to Pike that she intends to use one of their new weapons to destroy the planet as a sign of their strength, and then have Pike and the Enterprise take her people back to Vulcan as conquerors, so they can return Vulcan to its pre-Surak culture.

To Walk The Night
Stardate: Not Given
Comic: Star Trek Annual #4
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: October 1993

Synopsis:

Writer: Michael Jan Friedman, / Artists: Gordon Purcell & Pablo Marcos

During the early part of his career on the Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, Spock is having doubts if a career in Starfleet is his correct path. A mission to answer a distress call from a remote mining colony puts Spock into contact with a new life form that helps him reach a decision about his future.

The Flat Gold Forever
Stardate: 259.9
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #7
Publisher: Marvel
Date: August 1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

The defeated Klingon commander Kaaj manages to lure Pike away from the Enterprise to a remote planet where he can satisfy his blood-debt. Pike manages to elude Kaaj, whose blood lust intensifies to the point where he is willing to sacrifice his own crew to get to Pike. As Kaaj closes in, the Enterprise arrives and, thanks to a homing device, rescues Pike.

Immortal Wounds
Stardate: 360.3
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #8
Publisher: Marvel
Date: September 1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

Dr Phil Byrce is arrested after being recorded murdering a patient while providing plague relief on the planet of Neyda Prime. The evidence seems damning and Bryce even admits his guilt. Tulok, the local Vulcan ambassador, agrees to represent Brice and, during a mind meld, discovers that since he was a young man Bryce has been unwittingly carrying the psyche of an alien he once treated. After such a long time, the trapped psyche was driven mad. During the mind meld, Tulok isolates and removes the malevolent soul from Bryce.

NEXT POST: 2251 – Part 3

Previous Entries
– 1953
– 2056
– 2063
– 2250
– 2251 – Part 1

—————
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 post below 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.

Flesh of My Flesh
Stardate: 2252.3
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #1
Publisher: Marvel
Date: Feb-1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

The Enterprise is sent to investigate the disappearance of the crew from several Federation vessels and on arrival in the area encounters an unknown organic starship. The unknown creature-ship kidnaps Captain Pike and probes his memories of taking command of the Enterprise from Captain April, selecting his crew, and his first encounter with a young Vulcan cadet called Spock. Meanwhile, Spock discovers that the ship has spread a virus on board the Enterprise that is draining energy from the crew. Spock and Dr Byrce work to find a cure. A rescue team is sent to the ship to find Pike and they encounter the Ngultor, the insectoid crew, who explain that they were thrown off course in a freak warp accident and need the energy from harvesting flesh to power their ship for the long journey home. The landing team is recovered using the tractor beam and the Enterprise uses its torpedo banks to destroy the alien. However, Captain Pike, while now confident in the abilities of his new crew, feels that the victory is something of a hollow one.

The Fires of Pharos
Stardate: 2378.1
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #2
Publisher: Marvel
Date: Mar-1997

Synopsis:

Writers: : Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

Arriving at Starbase 13, the Enterprise finds itself under attack from a fleet of Klingon vessels. The Klingon commander, Kaaj, hearing of large deposits of dilithium nearby, was determined to claim the valuable haul for the Empire. But when he attacks the newly arrived Enterprise, he finds that he has severely underestimated the capabilities of Captain Pike and his crew.

Our Dearest Blood
Stardate: 2387.5
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #3
Publisher: Marvel
Date: Apr-1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

The crew of the USS Enterprise are invited to Rigel 7 to attend the celebrations surrounding the planet’s entrance into the United Federation of Planets. Pike and his crew are also charged with overseeing the disbanding of the Kaylar warrior caste, one of the requirements of UFP membership. However, not everyone on Rigel is as accepting of the UFP, and the crew suffer casualties when they have to overcome a group of extremists.

Nor Iron Bars A Cage
Stardate: not given
Comic: Star Trek: Early Voyages #4
Publisher: Marvel
Date: May 1997

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Patrick Zircher & Greg Adams

On only her second day on board the Enterprise, Yoeman Mia Colt is suddenly transported, along with Number One, into Captain Pike’s cage on Talos IV. While resisting the Talosian’s mind games, she recalls how she came to be assigned to the Enterprise, and challenges Pike’s preconceptions on his need for a new Yoeman.

NEXT POST: 2251 – Part 2

Previous Entries
– 1953
– 2056
– 2063
– 2250

—————
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 below 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.

YEAR: 2250

Starfleet Academy
Stardate: not given
Comic: Star Trek Annual #2
Publisher: DC
Date: October 1991

Synopsis:

Writer: Peter David / Artists: James W. Fry, Curt Swan, & Arne Starr

The story of Jim Kirk’s arrival and early days at Starfleet Academy, where he first meets his roommate Gary Mitchell, the prankster and rival Finnegan, a young Uhura, and a young scientist by the name of Carol Marcus.

NEXT POST: 2251

Previous Entries
– 1953
– 2056
– 2063

—————
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 Time Line Introduction below 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.

YEAR: 2063

First Contact
Stardate: not applicable
Comic: Star Trek: The Next Generation – First Contact – Movie Adaptation
Publisher: Marvel
Date: November 1996

Synopsis:

Writer: John Vornholt / Artists: Terry Pallot, Rod Whigham & Philip Moy

The Borg travel back in time in an attempt to assimilate Earth in a time before the Federation. The Enterprise follows them back and seemingly destroys the Borg sphere, but it isn’t long before they realize that the Borg are still active and are tying to stop the flight of Zefhram Cochran’s first warp ship, the Phoenix; a flight that results in the first meeting between Humans and Vulcans. While one part of the crew fight to stop the Borg taking over the Enterprise, the others work to ensure that the first contact happens.

Second Contact
Stardate: not applicable
Comic: Star Trek: The Next Generation / X-Men #1
Publisher: Marvel
Date: May 1998

Synopsis:

Writers: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton / Artists: Cary Nord & Scott Koblish

While travelling back to their own time following the events of Star Trek: First Contact, the Enterprise-E is diverted into the 20th Century of a parallel universe due to the actions of a time traveler known as Kang the Conqueror. The crew of the Enterprise joins forces with the mutant heroes known as the X-Men to foil Kang’s plans, and to repair the temporal rift. (The story continues in Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men: Planet X, a Pocket Books novel by Michael Jan Friedman.)

Side Note: Whenever I mentioned I was working on a book about Star Trek comics, this was invariably the first comic that most people recalled. Interestingly there were two distinct and opposite reactions (1.) They hated the book with a passion, the idea of mixing the Trek and Marvel universes being a total anathema; or (2) they thought the idea of having Capt. Picard and Professor X meet was the coolest thing ever as both characters had been played on screen by Patrick Stewart.

NEXT POST: 2250

Previous Entries
1953
2056

—————
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 below 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.