Omnibus Volume 1 - Star Trek Comics - Issues 4-18

O is for Omnibus!

It can be difficult to find individual comics that are in good condition, especially when it comes to Star Trek comics. Luckily, IDW publishing released omnibuses, in volumes. Volume one, which I own, contains the Marvel Comics issues 4 to 18 - all in one book.

Buying this book is considerably easier than tracking down an buying the individual comics, but has one very serious drawback: the print quality. Throughout this post I will be showing scanned panels from issues 10 and 18 - first from the original comic, and then from the omnibus (click images to enlarge):

As you may see, the artwork is often blurred, and details tend to go missing all together. This may be caused by the resizing of the pages for the book. The colors are brighter, but not always better.

Here Spock and Kirk are turned into pirates on a ship:

The contrast is increased greatly, and the color is more saturated. In some panels, it is not such a distraction:

And in other panels, I find it too distracting to even continue reading:

For this reason, I tend to use my omnibus for reference - I turn to the original issues when I want to read , as art quality and aesthetics are very important to me when it comes to comics.

Below, you may see how certain details and lines disappear completely, altering the entire "essence" of the art:

Often, there is a speckling effect when it comes to blocks of black color:

Once more example (just because I really enjoy these panels) with all of the quality problems I mentioned in one: Over-saturated colors, blurring, white speckling, and disappearing details:

Very distracting, is it not? And not only that, but I feel that publishing something of this quality is degrading to the original artists - vandalism. I really wish they would have worked these issues out before publication.

However - I would like to point out that despite these problems, owning the omnibus is great for reference, and better than nothing if one cannot find the separate issues. The story is still there, and just as amazing.

Alien Spotlight - Volume 1 2008 - Vulcans

A is for Alien Spotlight!

About a year ago, I was in a local grocery shop when I stumbled (literally) into a rack of comics that I had never seen before - for only eight dollars each (Canadian). One of the comics I picked up that day was IDW's Alien Spotlight Volume One - a collection of "one-shots" featuring the Borg, Andorians, Orions, Vulcans, and Romulans.

My favorite story (as one might predict) is the spotlight on the Vulcans. Not only does it center around Spock, but it also takes place under the command of Captain Christopher Pike!

I have scanned some of the key panels - spoilers ahead.

Vulcans
Written by James Patrick
Art by Josep Maria Beroy
Colors by Mario Boon
Color Assist by Andrew Elder
Letters by Chris Mowry
Edits by Andrew Steven Harris

According to this comic, Spock was not readily accepted by the crew of the enterprise. His logical stand on issues such as life and death is creating "friction" among them.

Captain Pike considers getting him reassigned. After preparing to beam down to meet the Magefferan Military Leaders in the City of Pomapoli, they arrive on a planet covered in debris, unable to contact the Enterprise. The Magefferans attack, and the crew discovers that the phasers are jammed as well. One of the crew members is killed, causing another logical statement from Spock:

Captain Pike feels that this mission may confirm that Spock be reassigned. Captain Pike and Lieutenant Tyler decide to attack the Magefferans, despite Spock's reminder that they came on a mission of peace.

Lt. Tyler gets angry at Spock, accusing him of not "giving a damn about anything". Against Spock's disagreement with the plan, the go on to attack the Magefferans. The Magefferans realise that they have been distracted from some of the crew sneaking off to destroy the jammer, and capture them, stating that they will "cut their throats, one by one". As they struggle to hold down the Captain and Lt. Tyler, they notice Spock:

Pike deduces that a majority of the Magefferans have never seen a Vulcan before.

The Magefferan leader does not believe Spock, but Spock proves himself and his emotional control. The Magefferans are intrigued, and agree to listen. (Click images to enlarge)

Afterwards, the Magefferans had their medical staff analyse Spock, and sending him from leader to leader. After days, they were convinced  to board the Enterprise to continue negotiations. Mediators were sent to the planet, most of them Vulcan, to continue the Federation's work. Captain Pike - and the rest of the Enterprise Crew - begin to accept Spock, even if they still do not understand.

When I have a child, I will read it this story every night. It's definitely worth finding a copy, as one is not only entertained, but gains an insight into various species' as well. And no, I'm not being paid to endorse this collection.

It even has a "charming" page about the Borg meeting a little girl. It makes me laugh every time I see it, and then I feel kind of bad.

Adorable.