909. So Near the TouchPUBLICATION: Star Trek Annual v.2 #1, DC Comics, 1990
CREATORS: George Takei and Peter David (writers), Gray Morrow (artist)
STARDATE: 8503.1 (follows issue #12, with a flashback just prior to ST II)
PLOT: Planet Datugad destroyed its environment by fabricating a substance for the Federation, and its citizens have acquired an odd malady that causes them to spontaneously combust when they come in contact with each other. The Enterprise is sent to deliver medical experts - including an old lover of Sulu's - to collect eggs and sperm and recreate the race while the environment is cleaned up. A belt protects the landing party from the effects of the atmosphere. However, they aren't ready for religious zealots against the plan, and are captured. Sulu and Chekov disobey orders by mounting a rescue party, but it's too late for Sulu's lady love. She's given up her belt to save another member of the landing party. She must remain on Datugad, never to touch another person again.
CONTINUITY: None.
DIVERGENCES: Strangely R.J. Blaise doesn't appear despite protocols being ignored.
PANEL OF THE DAY - Another dangerous hobby
REVIEW: An odd idea, but one that feels like it came out of TOS. The tragic love story is predictable, but not badly done, Sulu coming out of it both charming, dashing and clever. While David's usual character moments and humor shine through, the real star of the show is Gray Morrow. His characters' gentle expressions tell the story, more than the words do, and he uses a gray color palette to represent the polluted world of Datugad. More than that, the use of dirty zip-a-tone and what looks like crayon marks add to that pollution. It's kind of nice to see an "entire episode" after so many "installments".
Comments