Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.reviews,rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: TNG Graphic Spoiler: "All Good Things ..."
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 10:19:25 -0400
Lines: 101

Star Trek Comics Review: "All Good Things ..."
Review by Mark Martinez
============================================

=WARNING= SPOILERS for current comics ahead

Publisher: DC
   Series: TNG
   Number: The Series Finale Special
     Date: 1994
    Title: All Good Things ...
   Writer: Ronald D. Moore
   Writer: Brannon Braga
   Writer: Michael Jan Friedman (adapted for comics)
Penciller: Jay Scott Pike
    Inker: Jose Marzan Jr.
    Cover: Sonia R. Hillios
 Stardate: 47988, 41153.7, 25 years in the future and the distant past
    Grade: s/vf, a/vg, c/nm

Synopsis

I recommend that you watch the finale rather than read a
synopsis, but if you must, read Tim Lynch's synopsis and review
of "All Good Things ...", available via anonymous ftp from
ftp.caltech.edu in the file /pub/tlynch/tng7/allgood.rev.

Review

I don't think that any comic book adaptation of a broadcast
episode or film can do justice to the original. The series
finale had tremendous visual and emotional impact. This issue
is a satisfactory adaptation of TNG's finale. It follows the
script closely and makes a reasonable attempt to reproduce the
pace and appearance of the television broadcast. 


I found myself comparing details from both scripts. Most of the
wordplay between Q and Picard (one of the best features of the
finale) is missing in the comic adaptation. Picard doesn't
have a question and answer session with Q, the future Picard
doesn't argue with "old" Q, Q doesn't appear on the bridge with
Picard when the Enterprise is trying to maintain a static warp
field inside the anomaly, and most disappointing of all, Q
doesn't admit to helping Picard. 


The comic book had one scene not present in the broadcast
finale. While on the "past" Enterprise, Picard speaks to the
leader of several Terrellian transport ships. The Terrellians
have come on a pilgrimage to the Devron system. Perhaps this
scene was cut from the finale. It doesn't seem to add anything
to the plot.

Finally, a couple of obscure differences. The future Enterprise,
commanded by Admiral Riker, has only two warp nacelles, instead
of three (and the comic book battle with the Klingons was
uninteresting). Worf's surrender message (scripted in Klingon)
was not the same as the message broadcast in the television
episode. 


Artwork for this issue was provided by Jay Pike and Jose Marzan.
Neither are regulars and their work lacked the attention to
detail that most of the regular artists bring to Star Trek
comics. The TNG characters suffer a little, but it is
consistent throughout the comic, and can be overlooked
without working up too much angst. The cover by Sonia Hillios is
sensational, perhaps the best portraits of the TNG crew that I
have seen in the comics.  


If you liked the episode, and collect comics, don't overlook
this issue. It is worth buying for the cover alone.

Notes

The comic book series will continue, of course, at least until
sales start to drop or DC loses it's license to trek. Michael
Jan Friedman has also adapted the final episode into a novel,
published in hardcover by Pocket Books.

============================================
Grading Key
(adapted with tongue-in-cheek from "The Overstreet Comic Book
Price Guide" and subject to revision with little or no provocation) 


s       Story
a       Art
c       Cover art

mt      Mint: perfect in every way
nm      Near mint: minor imperfections only
vf      Very fine: outstanding
fn      Fine: above average
vg      Very good: average
gd      Good: some defects
fr      Fair: ragged
pr      Poor: falls apart
na      Not applicable/available