Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.reviews,rec.arts.startrek.current Subject: DS9 Graphic Spoiler: "Emancipation" Date: 18 Jan 1994 13:43:44 GMT Lines: 177 Star Trek Comics Review: "Emancipation" Review by Mark Martinez ============================================ =WARNING= SPOILERS for current comics ahead Publisher: Malibu Series: DS9 Number: 4 Date: November 1993 Title: Emancipation, Part 1 Writer: Mike W. Barr Penciller: Gordon Purcell Inker: Terry Pallot Cover: Gordon Purcell Stardate: na Grade: s/fn, a/fn, c/vf Synopsis While collecting biological samples in the Gamma quadrant, Dax and Bashir encounter an alien vessel carrying refugees in need of medical assistance. Once they arrive at DS9, it becomes apparent that the refugees are slaves, fleeing their owners. Rogon, a representative of Chiara, arrives at DS9 to reclaim the runaway slaves. The DS9 crew stalls while Sisko tries to come up with a valid reason to offer asylum to the slaves. Rogon is very convincing as he argues with representatives of the slaves. Some already regret fleeing through the wormhole. Dax finds evidence that the Chiarans may have originated from the Federation side of the wormhole, giving Sisko something to work with. One of the slaves sets off a bomb, killing many of his comrades. So many of the slaves are having second thoughts that their leader, Mardak, decides to make the decision for them. Mardak hijacks a runabout and heads for the wormhole, intending to destroy it. Publisher: Malibu Series: DS9 Number: 5 Date: December 1993 Title: Emancipation, Part 2 Writer: Mike W. Barr Penciller: Gordon Purcell Inker: Terry Pallot Cover: Gordon Purcell Cover: Tim Eldred Stardate: na Grade: s/fn, a/fn, c/vf Synopsis Dax and O'Brien take a runabout in pursuit of Mardak. Using phasers set at one-fiftieth power, O'Brien gives the hijacked runabout a nudge out of the wormhole before it explodes, while Dax transports Mardak and his accomplice to safety. Rogon's hot-headed first officer, Caldor, has a run-in with Kira. Rogon apologizes for his officer's behavior because he can see that the violence of the runaways is trying Sisko's patience. When a bomb explodes in Quark's, Rogon is severely injured and Mardak's mother is killed. Rogon grants the runaways their freedom to prevent more bloodshed. In response, Caldor incites his crew to mutiny and attacks the station, in an effort to force return of the slaves. O'Brien uses the Chiaran's own weapons to help stop the attack. Rogon and Mardak leave DS9, one returning home, the other taking his people to a new home. Review Mike Barr has crafted a story which takes an unexpected, but welcome turn. Instead of taking the high moral road on the subject of slavery, his characters, Rogon in particular, react with uncommon common sense. Granting the slaves their freedom is the practical course of action. The Starfleet officers don't have to violate the Prime Directive (as they do whenever they get half a chance) to drive the story. The characters and situations drive themselves. I hope that this trend continues in future DS9 comics. Gordon Purcell's artwork shines in this series. All of the main characters are drawn with considerable attention to detail, including familiar personality quirks. O'Brien's bulldog approach to his job is clearly mirrored in the artwork and Kira looks like someone you don't want to cross. With each new issue, I am becoming more impressed with Malibu's dedication to publishing a quality product. DC has been delivering Star Trek to the public for 10 years and seems to have grown a little complacent. While DC Star Trek comics are often entertaining, they miss the mark more often than they should. Maybe the competition from Malibu will energize DC. Go ahead, read this two-issue DS9 series, and the earlier issues, if you haven't already. Notes Malibu's DS9 comics are mutating uncontrollably. Beginning with DS9 #3, the copyright notice indicates that Malibu is publishing Direct Market and Newsstand editions of each comic. I haven't seen any Newsstand editions and don't know what differences there might be. Has anyone seen a Newsstand edition (priced at $1.95) of this series? Two limited editions of DS9 #1 have surfaced. One has a flat black matte-finish cover with a gold and silver foil logo, embossed, glossy black and white lettering, and a gray, embossed image of DS9. This edition is being sold through comic book dealers for $19.95. The second has a gold foil cover, with an embossed image of the DS9 crew drawn by Jerome Moore. The cover states that this edition is limited to 21,000 copies, as does the Catch-a-Star Collectibles Certificate of Authenticity which accompanies the comic. QVC is selling this edition for $28.00 and claims to have purchased the entire print run, perhaps to help finance the Paramount buyout. Several companies have packaged signed and numbered copies of DS9 #1. Dynamic Forces advertised 10,000 copies of the Direct Market issue, signed by Gordon Purcell; another 10,000 (or maybe just part of the first 10,000) signed by Purcell and bagged with three Star Trek promo cards which were given away by Skybox to retailers only; and 750 copies of the black cover limited edition, also signed by Purcell. Limited Treasured Editions sold 1500 copies of the Direct Market issue, signed by Mike W. Barr. QVC may have also sold some Barr-signed copies of DS9 #1. DS9 Limited Edition Preview #1 has a variant edition sealed in heavyweight plastic with a numbered seal of authenticity from Hero Illustrated. The DS9 logo is lettered in silver prism foil (which has a rainbow effect) and is otherwise identical to the regular edition. Comic book dealers received one copy of this edition for every 25 issues of Hero Illustrated #1 ordered. Thanks to Len Cutler for this information. Does anyone know if there is a variant edition of DS9 Limited Edition Preview #1A? When Malibu first announced publication of DS9 comics, they also indicated that crossover appearances would be made by TNG characters. In DS9 #3, the editors seem to have backpedaled a little. Malibu has access to TNG material on a limited basis. Based on comic book previews, no crossovers are planned through DS9 #9. The editors also said, positively no Scotty visiting DS9. In DS9 #5, the editors mentioned that a mini-series was in the works for future publication, but offered no details. The latest version of the Star Trek Comics Checklist will be posted to rec.arts.startrek.misc in the next week or so. ============================================ 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