Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.reviews,rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: TOS Graphic Spoiler: "No Compromise"
Date: Thu, 19 May 1994 09:30:21 -0400
Lines: 130

Star Trek Comics Review: "No Compromise"
Review by Mark Martinez
============================================

=WARNING= SPOILERS for current comics ahead

Publisher: DC
   Series: TOS
   Number: 58
     Date: March 1994
    Title: No Compromise
   Writer: Howard Weinstein
Penciller: Carlos Garzon
    Inker: Carlos Garzon
    Cover: Jerome Moore
 Stardate: 8651.1, flashback to 3001.3
    Grade: s/vg, a/vg, c/vf

Synopsis

While visiting Captain Sulu on Excelsior, Chekov learns that the
only woman he ever proposed to, Julia Crandall, has been killed.
In conversation with Sulu and Uhura, Chekov reminisces about
Julia and his first mission as navigator of the Enterprise.
Investigating a distress call in an unexplored sector, the
Enterprise discovers a much larger vessel bombarding a colony
with radiation. Several attempts to communicate with the
unidentified ship fail. After visiting the colony, McCoy tells
Kirk that the colonists will begin dying unless something is
done immediately.

Publisher: DC
   Series: TOS
   Number: 59
     Date: April 1994
    Title: No Compromise, Part Two
   Writer: Howard Weinstein
Penciller: Carlos Garzon
    Inker: Carlos Garzon
    Cover: Jerome Moore
 Stardate: 3005.1
    Grade: s/vg, a/vg, c/vf

Synopsis

The Harahni colony continues to suffer from the mysterious alien
vessel's deadly radiation bombardment. The colonists are upset
with their leader's inability to resolve the situation and Kirk
presses Scotty for a way to offer protection. Chekov and Julia
learn that the colonists have never tried to adapt native flora
and fauna to their needs. Instead they have tried unsuccessfully
to recreate a piece of home. Kirk attempts to beam over to the
alien ship, but Scotty barely manages to pull him back alive.
While Kirk recuperates in sickbay, Scotty must deal with
rebellious colonists who have taken Spock and Julia hostage.

Publisher: DC
   Series: TOS
   Number: 60
     Date: June 1994
    Title: No Compromise, Part Three: The Conclusion
   Writer: Howard Weinstein
Penciller: Carlos Garzon
    Inker: Carlos Garzon
    Cover: Jerome Moore
 Stardate: 3006.4
    Grade: s/gd, a/vg, c/fn

Synopsis

Scotty and then Kirk, refuse to negotiate with the rebels. After
trying to punch through the alien ship's shields, the intensity
of the radiation bombardment increases. The rebels finally come
to their senses, realizing that without help from the
Enterprise, they are in dire straits. Scotty finally breaks
through the shields. Kirk and Chekov beam aboard the ship and
find a malfunctioning ark. Dead creatures and plants fill the
cargo hold, while the ship's automated programming tries to
sterilize the planet. After shutting down the alien systems,
Julia chooses to stay behind and study the vessel. She promises
Chekov that they will find each other again, when they are both
ready, but they never did.

Review

"No Compromise" begins in an unassuming manner, a reunion of old
friends, but never really goes anywhere. Ostensibly, Chekov is
trying to explain how he feels about the loss of an old love,
but we never get to know Julia well enough to sympathize. The
story arc unfolds as an environmental morality play which I
found a little heavy-handed. It was certainly far less
interesting than I expected a reunion of Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu
to be.

The covers of all three issues are exceptional. Jerome Moore
features Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Spock with a variety of moody
expressions and menacing looks. The interior art features boldly
drawn characters, with more strength than in recent issues, but
there is some inconsistency from one panel to the next. Not a
lot, but enough to be distracting. Overall this is an average
outing for the crew of the Enterprise.

Notes

Beginning with issue #61, DC will increase the price of Star
Trek comics to $1.95 per issue.

============================================
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

-- 
Michael Scott Shappe
m...@cornell.edu