Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.reviews,rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: DS9 Graphic Spoiler: "Old Wounds"
Date: 15 Nov 1993 22:11:08 GMT
Lines: 76

Star Trek Comics Review: "Old Wounds"
Review by Mark Martinez
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WARNING: SPOILERS FOR CURRENT STAR TREK COMICS AHEAD

Publisher: Malibu
   Series: DS9
   Number: 3
     Date: October 1993
    Title: Old Wounds
   Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Rob Davis
    Inker: Terry Pallot
    Cover: Jerome Moore
    Cover: Richard Ory
 Stardate: na
    Grade: s/fn, a/fn, c/vf

Synopsis

Gul Trelar, born on Bajor, once known as "The Butcher of Bajor",
and now an old man, arrives at DS9 to acknowledge his
approaching death. Travelling with Trelar are his children
and second wife, a Bajoran who was once his prisoner. At his own
request, Trelar stays in one of Quark's holosuites, so that his
mother and childhood home can be simulated. At dinner with DS9
officers, Trelar collapses, Bashir administers medication,
and he is left alone in the holosuite to rest. The following
morning, Trelar is found stabbed to death, and there is no
record of anyone entering the holosuite. Nearly everyone is a
suspect. Odo uses his shapeshifting skills to conduct an
investigation and learns that Trelar's son programmed the
simulation of his father's mother to kill.  


Review

Mike Barr has written a fine story for the third issue of the DS9
comic book series, but bear in mind that I'm a sucker for Trek
murder mysteries. The identity of the murderer was somewhat
predictable, but the plot was well-constructed and
entertaining.  


This issue has another terrific cover by Jerome Moore. It
features Odo, the relentless investigator, surrounded by
jigsaw puzzle pieces with portraits of other DS9 characters.
Gordon Purcell's handling of the DS9 characters has improved
significantly. Kira and Sisko are consistently drawn and
recognizable, even in an emotional state. The other regulars
are drawn well, as are all of the action-oriented panels of the
comic. Overall, I found this issue very enjoyable, perhaps
because Odo makes a fine sleuth.  


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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: no serious defects
vg      Very good: presentable
gd      Good: readable
fr      Fair: ragged
pr      Poor: falls apart
na      Not applicable/available