Star Trek 1325: Alien Spotlight: Vulcans

1325. Alien Spotlight: Vulcans

PUBLICATION: Alien Spotlight: Vulcans, IDW Comics, November 2007

CREATORS: James Patrick (writer), Josep Maria Beroy (artist)

STARDATE: Unknown (before The Cage)

PLOT: Soon after Spock is drafted to the Enterprise by Captain Pike, the crew starts having personal problems with him. They are unused to Vulcan logic and ideology. Lt. Tyler even tries to appeal to Pike to transfer Spock off the ship. The ship reaches Mageferrus-3, a militaristic planet whose civilian population wants the Federation to intervene and stop the incessant wars. Pike, Spock, Tyler and a landing party beam to the planet, but are diverted to a military ambush. After the death of a crew member, Spock's emotionless opinions again clash with Tyler's views. The group attack the Mageferrans' jamming equipment so they can contact the ship, but they're captured. The natives are surprised that Spock does not show fear and he explains something about powerful Vulcan emotions kept under control. They are fascinated and do not execute the group. Soon, they've met with many leaders and the Federation sends Vulcan mediators to help the planet. Pike's hopes for Spock's role in the Federation are justified.

CONTINUITY: The story occurs right after Spock joined the crew of the Enterprise under Captain Pike. Number One and José Tyler are already in the crew (The Cage). Pike pays lip to the fact that Vulcans have served with humans before (Enterprise).

DIVERGENCES: None.

PANEL OF THE DAY - Code for "don't send any landing parties"?
REVIEW: A really cool story about Spock's early days that plays on the promise of the character's achievements. What we know he'll accomplish, Pike saw in him at a young age. Hindsight allows it, but it isn't overplayed here. The problem with an Alien Spotlight on the Vulcans is that through Spock, Tuvok and T'Pol, we know them very well by now. Focusing on Spock's less well-known years and on the Vulcan-human relationship in the 23rd century means we get new insight regardless. Of course, Spock here is a lot colder than he is in The Cage, but later portrayals make it so you don't initially notice. The issue is a good mix of action and philosophical dilemmas, and Beroy's art is pretty good. His crisp cartoony lines need getting used to, but not much, and his splash pages are full of beautiful detail.