By BWilliams / 09:57, 24 March 2006 / Reviews - Books

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As STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION matured during its third and fourth seasons, so did the level of storytelling. The characterizations and plots became more complex and interconnected, as plot threads suggested in one episode would later be explored in full down the road. Thanks in part to the wonderful efforts of writers like the late Michael Piller and Ronald D. Moore, TNG entered into a period of true prosperity and success.


That growth in the storytelling expanded to the comics medium as well, as throughout 1990 the DC Comics version of TNG expanded its repertoire and saw its tales grow in length and stature. In THE BATTLE WITHIN, the newest trade paperback collection from Titan Books, the theme of plot threads and mature storytelling continues in a six-part tale, set during the series' third season that adds more threads to the ever-growing TREK tapestry. No longer did Michael Jan Friedman have to rely upon two-part stories; he could handle multiple-chapter epics as well as self-contained single-issue tales with equal measure.


In "The Pilot" and "The Battle Within", Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D must rescue Data from the clutches of an alien race who intends to transfer the consciousness of its chief pilot into Data's neural network. This is a plot thread reminiscent of episodes such as "The Schizoid Man" and the VOYAGER segment "Warlord", among others. Following this is the single-issue tale "The Payoff", as Picard must barter with an unscrupulous Ferengi for the cure to an alien illness that may claim the life of Dr. Crusher. During this time, Picard receives baffling news that the Enterprise has been spotted in different sectors, news that turns distressing when Starfleet informs him of the destruction of a Federation vessel seemingly at the hands of the Enterprise. Of course, Picard's crew knows that he's innocent, and in "The Noise of Justice" they make their cases known quite well. But as Picard is prepared to face the music, the second Enterprise attacks another Federation starship, proving Picard's story to be true. Ultimately, the crew encounters its mysterious doppelganger in "The Impostor" and "Whoever Fights Monsters" and must uncover the reasoning behind the doppelganger's actions.


Through these tales Friedman shows his capability to handle running subplots and multiple-issue storylines as equally well as two-part tales. The running plot thread of the doppelganger Enterprise subtly builds through the first two chapters, culminating and taking center stage midway through. Artists Pablo Marcos and Gordon Purcell (who handled the pencils on "The Pilot" and "The Battle Within") provide interesting visuals, though there are a couple of internal discrepancies in "The Noise of Justice". One is due to the issue of actors' likenesses, as the returning Phillipa Louvois appears much younger than in her previous appearance in "The Measure of a Man". The Nausicaans' appearance, however, is more understandable: at the time of the issue's creation, we had yet to see the first Nausicaan in "Allegiance" and in Picard's infamous run-in in "Tapestry", which is understandable. Despite these internal inconsistencies, the artwork is solid nonetheless.


Also included in this new collection are interviews with Jonathan Frakes (Riker) discussing his graduation to film director with FIRST CONTACT and Marina Sirtis (Troi) discussing her life after TNG and GENERATIONS. Both of these interviews first appeared in the British STAR TREK monthly magazine in November 1996. Also included are creator profiles and reproductions of the cover artwork to issues seven through 12.


Being reunited with these comics tales once again makes me wish that they could appear quicker than they do, because it won't be until September before the next Titan Books trade paperback is release. Nonetheless, THE BATTLE WITHIN is a welcome addition to the expanded STAR TREK tapestry, and it also helps fill in the gaps in my own collection as well. Looking forward to future installments!

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