By Michael Jan Friedman, Peter David & Pablo Marcos (Titan Books)
ISBN: 1-85286-457-5
This is an interesting concept that doesn’t quite resolve into a winning piece of fiction, but should still please fans of the TV show and avid graphic novel readers. Originally released as two separate miniseries (Star Trek: The Modala Imperative #1-4 and Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Modala Imperative #1-4) it is less a team-up of the two Enterprise crews but rather more an shared mission separated by a century of change.
The story begins with Captain Kirk’s return to the planet Modala ten years after his first visit, when he was a lowly Lieutenant serving under the legendary Christopher Pike. As part of the survey team he recommended the world for membership in the Federation and has been sent back to assess their development and determine if the Modalans are ready to join the Interstellar Community. He decides on a small covert landing party consisting of himself and new Ensign Pavel Chekov. This will be the lad’s first Away Mission.
On beaming down they find a world run by a totalitarian government with weapons and technology far beyond their current level of development. Without further ado they become embroiled in a revolutionary movement, with Kirk once again stretching the definitions and spirit of the Prime Directive of absolute non-interference in non-Federation Cultures. After much ducking and weaving the crew escape, leaving the planet in isolation for another century, a dictatorship that must solve its own problems before it can join the greater universe.
One Hundred years later Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s Enterprise returns to Modala to assess the situation. A free world celebrating its Centennial of Liberation, it eagerly awaits an invitation to join the Federation of Planets, and looks forward to seeing again the survivors of that momentous second visitation. Dr McCoy and Mr. Spock are welcome guests at the festivities but when the mysterious arms-dealers also return demanding payment for the weapons they provided to the previous government, the planet-wide party swiftly descends into bloody chaos.
This is a very readable, if light, yarn that has lots to recommend it, although art-lovers might bristle at a somewhat lacklustre effort from artist Pablo Marcos. To leaven that, however, they can luxuriate in the absolute joy of Adam Hughes’ original comic book covers, which are worth the price of admission all by themselves.
® & © 1991, 1992 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.