Bottalk Reviews

Troi realizes that Armus is just another of Redjac's tricks. Also, the captives that were rescued turn out to be Holograms, the real crewmen are still being held hostage. Later, Redjac and Armus attempt to storm the bridge while Data, once again, tries to rescue the hostages. Using a map of Redjac created from when he possessed Scotty, Troi is able to dispel him. The hostages are freed and the crew celebrates Halloween in peace. I would have liked more involvement from Armus. Even though it isn't real, Armus has little impact after his shock appearance at the end of the previous issue. The battle between Redjac, Armus and the bridge crew feels much too short. I am happy that Scotty is able to be helpful, as he seemed to have little impact last issue. seven out of ten.

The fallout from Day of Blood... Sisko attends a mandatory celebration and speaks with Admiral Janeway briefly, and then Admiral Sato. T'Lir is being reassigned and Sisko is ordered to investigate a Tzenkethi build up along the Cardassian border. Sisko, Paris and Ensign Sato beam down to meet a Starfleet Intelligence operative... who turns out to be Harry Kim. The reunion is short as a group of dinosaurs attack the away team. Nice reference to Admiral Dougherty and 'Insurrection'. T'Lir, I suspect, will be back as their involvement in this book has been mysterious to say the least. Nice to see the crew get a bit of downtime and reflection after Day of Blood. The Tzenkethi have always been an interest of mine. They have been explored in a few novels but, I think, this is the first time a comic will tackle them. seven out of ten.

The monster crew must leave the Holodeck in seven minutes or face severe brain injury. Data battles the Redjac Moriarty/Borg and the monster crew manage to escape. Geordi runs to the transporter room to check on a power fault when who beams in but... Montgomery Scott! Later, the senior staff go back into the Holodeck under their monster guises. They emerge in a graveyard and battle Redjac while Data attempts to rescue the crewmen still held captive. At the battle's end, it appears Redjac is defeated but power is still being fed to the Holodeck from elsewhere. Redjac emerges... with Armus! This issue pulls out all the stops. Scotty returns to aid the TNG crew. The one TOS character who suffered the most under Redjac. We also have the unexpected return of Armus. Given how Redjac feeds off fear and terror, it will be interesting to see how the senior staff react to the being who killed one of their own. This mini continues to a fun ride. seven out of ten.

Riker and Worf struggle to hold off the Holodeck creations but Picard raises a force field, keeping them in check. Later, the senior staff watch Scotty's Redjac testimony. They are unable to release a gas that would effect the crew like what Dr. McCoy used. Dr Crusher suggests a form of role play, putting members of the crew under and assuming the role of a monster to battle the Holo monsters. Troi becomes a Mummy, Riker a Werewolf, Worf a Fishman and Picard a Vampire. The Monster Squad make their way to and engage the modified Data. Troi allows the captives Redjac took to escape. Using the old movie trope, the freed crew grab pitchforks and torches and turn on the Monster Squad. This is so much fun. Seeing the senior staff done up as monsters feels like some kind of odd TMNT toy mash-up. If you enjoy that sort of thing or dig Universal Monsters and/or Monster Squad check this out. eight out of ten.

I'm not sure why this book needed a director's cut edition. It doesn't. I imagine this is the sort of thing that will be added to the eventual trade collection of Day of Blood. So if you are interested in seeing pencils, colourless pages and the pitch proposal, maybe wait for the trade.

Explore! Explore! Repair! Repair! Review! Review! Spoilers! Spoilers! Carly and a grieving Spike Witwicky discover the Autobot Ark. The Shuttle is full to the gills with deactivated G1 Transformers. Jetfire (last seen in Void Rivals #1) arrives to reactivate Teletraan One. He chooses his long time friend Starscream to be repaired first... What I did like: A letters page! Is that the G.I. Joe Crusader Space Shuttle? Optimus Prime is using pro wrestling moves. Is Daniel Warren Johnson a sports entertainment aficionado? Yes he is and we are smelling what he's cooking and it's just too sweeeeeet. Ratchet utilizing flying kicks is actually cartoon accurate. Carly is a Frazetta Girl! The transformations are fantastically drawn. The Autobot Ark never looked this amazingly detailed. Soundwave using his shoulder batteries cannon is a rare treat. Thank you! Soundwave caring about Ravage. If you have pets, you know. Optimus Prime running towards us is very Sunbow Productions. Bravo! Opt

So is this finally it? Yep, we’re here! A brand-new Transformers # 1 after nearly ten months of no new Transformers comics! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s new Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on what will likely be the linchpin of this new initiative. In this inaugural issue, we’re introduced to many familiar concepts to longtime fans- a crashed ship, human allies, an awakening, conflict, death, the hunt for resources, and of course… ROBOTS IN DISGUISE. So we’ve seen this before, have we? Yes. If you’re remotely familiar with Transformers as a franchise, either from the cartoons, movies, or previous comics, you’re gonna recognize a lot of beats here. Thankfully, Daniel Warren Johnson’s kinetic pencils mean that these moments pack the appropriate punch. Complimented by Mike Spicer’s colors, Johnson’s style is certainly a distinct one and something that gives this book much of its identity. I was not

Jim Zub's Conan tale of the undead shows some signs of life, at last. But is it too late? Conan frees a sliver of surviving Barbarians from the icy grip of the possessed picts, is able to get a minuscule amount of payback... but ends up in the soup, literally. What I did not like: Conan not solicitous about the fate of his family members or childhood friends. All the unsightly covers except for the snake one by Roberto (and only from afar).  The old and infirm are still alive? Please! They survived the trip to the citadel? Stop insulting the reader. Only men fight alongside Conan. No vengeful Cimmerian women? That's disappointing and also sexist.  I was getting a Conan the Barbarian (1982 John Milius film) vibe from the very first page. Trying to appeal more to the casual movie fan than the Robert E. Howard scholar. Still no Big Bad for Conan. The letters page was too small and only featured sycophants. Competent creators and editors should crave constructive criticism. Please

Worf and Spock arrive in the transporter room to see Sela off when Worf begins coughing up blood.  Before she departs, Sela tells Spock about three Romulan scientists that were imprisoned because of something they learned.  Worf has a brief vision of his son before waking up in Sickbay.  Later, standing before a Starfleet review board consisting of Admirals Jelico and Nechayev, the crew must explain their actions during the Day of Blood incident. Instead of being cleared and reinstated, Worf, B'elanna and Ro are disavowed and given new, off the book, assignments. later, on DS9, they 'buy' the decommissioned Defiant and set out on their new mission. Some references of note.  I assume Sela's line about Romulan scientists learning something so terrible they were locked up without trial is in reference to the supernova that will eventually destroy Romulas.  The targets given to Worf and crew are Hugh, Rasmussen, and a gangster from Sigma Iotia III (aka TOS episode 'A P

The race begins.  La'an wants to rescue the crew that were scattered across the various ships in the race but her request is denied by Pike.  Una is given little to do on her ship while Spock mentally interfaces with his.  Enterprise is attacked by what was believed to be an asteroid but in turn, is a life-form.  Pike wants to take down the person behind the entire race, who ends up destroying a ship to prove a point.   I wish I had more to say about this.  I find the premise thin and uninspired.  Una and Spock have little to do on their ships.  The one good thing about this comic is the art by Angel Hernandez. five out of ten.

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