Review by Frank Plowright

Starting in 2007 IDW have been producing Alien Spotlight comics, each of which looks at an alien race important to Star Trek continuity. The surprise is the series not just concentrating on the heavy hitters, although the Borg and Vulcans feature, but also taking a look at more obscure intelligent civilisations.

David Messina illustrates co-writers David and Scott Tipton looking at the Gorn, first encountered during a memorable episode of the 1960s Star Trek series. That featured two individuals fighting for their lives, but the Tiptons offer a more nuanced evaluation of the reptile species as Starfleet officers become stranded on their planet.

Officer Spock’s remorseless logic in tragic circumstances enrages his new Enterprise crewmates, but his many skills are also their saving in James Patrick’s story, not very sympathetically drawn by José María Beroy (sample art left).

In contrast to the previous ensemble stories, Paul D. Storrie’s look at Androrian officer Commander Sharad is a solo tale set in the Next Generation Enterprise era, with Sharad discovering his world’s participation in the Federation isn’t universally acclaimed. There are hints of Carlos Ezquerra in Len O’Grady’s art, but this the weakest of the collection, over-written with inconsistent illustration.

Christopher Pike bored with diplomatic functions takes centre stage in the next story, and even a Tellarite has a greater role in what’s billed as a look at the Orions by Scott and David Tipton. In the end we meet an Orion assassin, alluringly drawn by Elena Casagrande, which is part of the problem. They’re only ever used as dangerous eye-candy, and the Tiptons might have made an effort to move beyond, although their version of Pike is good.

The collection’s best art is provided by Sean Murphy (sample art right) illustrating Andrew Steven Harris’ Next Generation-era look at the Borg. It’s also among the best stories, setting a terrible problem of time being altered. Murphy’s cast likenesses are recognisable, yet individual, with a grim Jean-Luc Picard standing out in a strong selection. Harris prioritises ethical debate over action, but it’s interesting ethical debate.

For older readers, the writing and art of John Byrne ending the collection will provide a reassuring presence, and Byrne succeeds on all levels. He gives a Romulan commander a set of very human problems, including a son unable to view a bigger picture, and a distressingly warlike superior, while relating how the Klingons first acquired starship cloaking technology. It’s very satisfying.

Only the looks at the Andorians and the Borg offer any great insight into them as a race, but the better stories ensure this is a collection ranking above average. This collection was later merged with Volume 2 and extra material in IDW’s pocketbook Classic Collection format, and was an early selection in the UK hardcover partwork Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection.