Star Trek 994: Blaise of Glory / The Needs of the One

994. Blaise of Glory / The Needs of the One

PUBLICATION: Star Trek v.2 Special #1, DC Comics, 1994

CREATORS: 1st story - Peter David (writer), Rod Whigham and Arne Starr (artists); 2nd story - Michael Collins (writer/artist), Terry Pallot (artist)

STARDATE: 8626.11 (after Annual 3); Unknown (just before ST IV)

PLOT: In Blaise of Glory, the Enterprise rescues its former protocol officer, R.J. Blaise from a black hole that got in the way of her escaping deadly justice at the hands of a warlord whom she forced to sign a peace treaty at gunpoint. Guilty of having broken the Prime Directive, she's ready to go face the music, but not before she and Kirk finally consumate their sexual tension. Kirk challenges the warlord to fisticuffs for Blaise's life, which she resents and the ensuing argument makes the warlord give her up. Being with Kirk is punishment enough, apparently. Though the sex was really great, they Kirk and Blaise part ways, because they just can't keep up with one another.

In The Needs of the One, as the crew of the HMS Bounty waits for Starfleet's recall order on Vulcan, Spock struggles to regain his memories. In a delirium, he escapes into the wilderness, into which Kirk and Sulu follow him and bring him back.

CONTINUITY: R.J. Blaise was last seen in #12. The second story's flashbacks include Spock Kohlinar (The Motion Picture), Spock's marriage ceremony (Amok Time), V'ger (TMP). On Vulcan in the present, we find the HMS Bounty, Sarek and Amanda. Amanda tells Spock about Sybok (ST V). Spock sees a sehlat and thinks confusedly it's his childhood pet (Yesteryear). Maltz (ST III) is to be extradited. T'Pring (Amok Time) is a religious matriarch.

DIVERGENCES: None.

PANEL OF THE DAY - Aerobics with Uhura
REVIEW: It's been a while since I reviewed such an entertaining Star Trek comic. The first story delivers Peter David's usual light touch, with some sexy jokes and the return (and justification for the departure of) R.J. Blaise. The plot itself is something of an excuse for getting her and Kirk together again, but perfectly enjoyable within that context. Cheeky fun. Michael Collins' second story, an interstitial piece that fits between ST III and IV (or between some issue of the comics series and ST IV, if we go by "full" continuity) also focuses on character rather than plot, and perhaps tries a little too hard to plug in some continuity. And yet, it's still a satisfying piece that believably fits where it should. And you know what? It's been a while since I reviewed a Star Trek comic with good art as well.