Star Trek 1244: Survival of the Fittest, Part One

1244. Survival of the Fittest, Part One

PUBLICATION: Star Trek: Voyager #14, Marvel Comics, February 1998

CREATORS: Laurie S. Sutton and Gwen L. Sutton (writers), Terry Pallot and Al Milgrom (artists)

STARDATE: 51019.3 (between The Gift and Nemesis)

PLOT: Voyager comes to the aid of an Orsorian ship, commanded by what appears to be a creature that can be either an idealized female or male (unbeknownst to the crew). As a male, it seduces Janeway with its pheromones, but the party is broken up by Chakotay. It also "attacks" Seven (who goes into neural failure) and B'Elanna (who only gets a headache). Jealousy erupts between B'Elanna and Janeway and the captain beams over to the alien ship, after which Voyager loses all contact with her. Tuvok beams over to covertly rescue her, but he is caught by the alien's female form and seduced into unconsciousness as well...

CONTINUITY: Kes is gone from the series and Seven of Nine makes her first comic book appearance (following The Gift)

DIVERGENCES: None.

PANEL OF THE DAY - Chakotay studied at the Kirk school of romance.
REVIEW: At least, it LOOKS like the male and female aliens are one and the same. I don't think I'm wrong. It's a regular Voyager plot, of the kind that seems very familiar to the show's viewers without copying it. Sutton doesn't indulge in technobabble, at least, and manages a couple of nice character moments with the Doctor calling for an absent Kes, and Seven struggling with her place aboard ship. I think what fails her is the art. I've liked Pallot and Milgrom in the past, but here their character work is rough and even ugly, which wouldn't be such a problem if it wasn't about beautiful alien beings in glittery mini-skirts kissing every girl in the cast. (The panels above are among the better ones.)

Comments

Timothy Tuohy said…
We were conquering one problem at a time here. And this is where issues of likenesses comes in. The cast of Voyager and likewise Paramount, loved how Pallot and Milgrom depicted them. They were gracious and informative in their suggestions and approvals. I felt that once we achieved that victory, we could then concentrate on other aspects of the art. I believe you will find that the art quirks you may have had with this issue will begin to fade with the next issue and the "Slashdown" limited series.
May 5, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Siskoid said…
I probably can't even imagine half the problems that come with licensed properties. Back when I was reviewing the Gold Key issues, it was evident that the artists in Italy had never seen the show and were working with very few promotional photos (and certainly none that featured Enterprise interiors!).
May 5, 2010 at 9:52 AM
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