1289. N-Vector, Chapter 1PUBLICATION: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - N-Vector #1, Wildstorm Comics, August 2000
CREATORS: K.W. Jeter (writer), Toby Cypress, Jason Martin and Mark Irwin (artists)
STARDATE: Unknown (shortly after What You Leave Behind)
PLOT: DS9 seems to have been sabotaged and Nog is put on the case. It seems to be the fault of a "viroid" released by a Romulan scientist working on the station against Kira's wishes. Meanwhile, Quark has gone a little crazy, giving away free drinks and no-interest loans. When he comes to his senses, he thinks he's been ruined and Ezri can't find anything wrong with him. Soon, a mysterious figure starts beating up the people who fleeced him and returning the latinum. On Earth, O'Brien is arrested on charges of sabotage and is to be brought back to DS9...
CONTINUITY: Nog is acting security chief in the wake of Odo's departure (What You Leave Behind). O'Brien is arrested by Jast (Avatar) on the day before he starts teaching at the Academy (WYLB). Morn cameo.
DIVERGENCES: None.
PANEL OF THE DAY - Humanocentric psychology is racist.
REVIEW: N-Vector picks up where What You Leave Behind left off, but before the relaunch novels began, and the uncertainty of the times is evident on both art and story. Toby Cypress' art is the most expressionistic to grace a Star Trek story as yet. I really like it and want to see more Trek comics that aren't slaves to likenesses like this, but I do admit some will find it "ugly". The guest villain never really comes into focus visually as well. There's a real edge to it, however, which matches well Jeter's fragmented story. Quark isn't acting like himself (although the market share thing had me convinced he was fine). Is it a breakdown following his brother's ascension to Grand Nagus? Or does it far more likely connect with the Romulan "viroid"? Kira out of patience and politically weak. Nog not yet in the position he will occupy in the relaunch, but sort of playing both roles. No real movement on the Bashir-Ezri relationship. O'Brien arrested. And the station waiting impatiently for the various posts to be filled. It's a time of crisis that the issue represents well, but is it fertile ground for this story? We'll see.
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