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Star Trek: Gold Key Archives #2
Star Trek: Gold Key Archives Volume 2
Boldly going... where it all started! Presenting the first comic book adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew! Fully remastered with new colors, Volume 2 collects the Gold Key issues #7-12, including stories such as "The Voodoo Planet," "The Legacy of Lazarus," "The Brain Shocker," and more.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published December 8, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 9, 2021
Call me a fanboy, but, I enjoyed these old-school comics. I found the artwork to be impressive and the stories to be fun.
July 6, 2015
These are soooo stupid and pulpy but definitely funny to read!
January 7, 2020
This review originally published in Looking FOr a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
There isn't much to say about this book. This is a collection of the Star Trek comics that were initially published in the early 1970's by Gold Key Comics.
The art is mostly pretty bad with the occasional panel looking like one of the TV show characters (usually when the panel was drawn in the image of a press photo from the show). The stories are mostly pretty silly and none of the characters behave or sound like their television counterparts. This is all explained by the fact that the writers and artists were not familiar with the show. They were handed publicity photos and given a quick run-down on the characters and the stories, but were otherwise free to invent this as they went.
This wasn't really such a big deal at the time. No one expected the show to have the success and long life that it did. The comic was intended to make some money on something that was currently on the air - nothing more. Of course in hindsight we look back and wonder how they ever got away with publishing comics that were Star Trek in name only.
Of course, we didn't have to buy them, did we? And yet we did buy them. This was one of the only ways to actually keep the adventure going - such as it was.
IDW Publishing has now released the entire series of Gold Key Star Trek comics in a series of graphic novel formats. For those of us who were around when these first came out, this is really just a matter of nostalgia. Once in awhile I'd think, "Oh, finally, here's one I hadn't read." But then a page or two later I'll realize that I did in fact buy and read that comic.
This collection contains issues numbered 7-12, which have the following:
"The Voodoo Planet" - a magician has developed a way to destroy earth, even across the vast distance of the universe... by using voodoo!
"The Youth Trap" - Members of the crew are reverse aging and becoming babies. Scotty is wearing a green uniform and is a good-looking young officer who is hanging out with a sexy redhead who looks every inch a 1970's hippie.
"The Legacy of Lazarus" - puts our intrepid Enterprise crew on a planet full of Earth's historical figures. How is that possible?! At least Mr. Spock gets to deliver a swift kick to the gun-wielding bad guy!
"Sceptre of the Sun" - a giant djinn snatches the Enterprise and Kirk and crew find a strange planet where cultures collide - club-toting savages face off against magic-induced rock people, all supported by a strange hybrid of science and wizardry. In this issue we learn that it isn't just in the television series where the crew might get thrown in the wrong direction when the ship shudders:
"The Brain Shockers" - What's shocking is that we paid money for this and once thought of it as a viable Star Trek alternative. Spock's flower-child page of emotions is some pretty groovy Star Trek art!
"The Flight of the Buccaneer" - Striped shirts, pantaloons, thick belts with brass buckles, all wrapped up in cellophane space-suits with fish-bowl helmets. ... and that's Kirk and Spock! Old-fashioned pirates in the future. Who wouldn't have fun with this?!
Looking for a good book? It's not really Star Trek, but Star Trek: Gold Key Archives: Volume 2 is fun nostalgia. No...it doesn't look much like Star Trek, no matter how much we squint our eyes, but it's still goofy fun.
I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
There isn't much to say about this book. This is a collection of the Star Trek comics that were initially published in the early 1970's by Gold Key Comics.
The art is mostly pretty bad with the occasional panel looking like one of the TV show characters (usually when the panel was drawn in the image of a press photo from the show). The stories are mostly pretty silly and none of the characters behave or sound like their television counterparts. This is all explained by the fact that the writers and artists were not familiar with the show. They were handed publicity photos and given a quick run-down on the characters and the stories, but were otherwise free to invent this as they went.
This wasn't really such a big deal at the time. No one expected the show to have the success and long life that it did. The comic was intended to make some money on something that was currently on the air - nothing more. Of course in hindsight we look back and wonder how they ever got away with publishing comics that were Star Trek in name only.
Of course, we didn't have to buy them, did we? And yet we did buy them. This was one of the only ways to actually keep the adventure going - such as it was.
IDW Publishing has now released the entire series of Gold Key Star Trek comics in a series of graphic novel formats. For those of us who were around when these first came out, this is really just a matter of nostalgia. Once in awhile I'd think, "Oh, finally, here's one I hadn't read." But then a page or two later I'll realize that I did in fact buy and read that comic.
This collection contains issues numbered 7-12, which have the following:
"The Voodoo Planet" - a magician has developed a way to destroy earth, even across the vast distance of the universe... by using voodoo!
"The Youth Trap" - Members of the crew are reverse aging and becoming babies. Scotty is wearing a green uniform and is a good-looking young officer who is hanging out with a sexy redhead who looks every inch a 1970's hippie.
"The Legacy of Lazarus" - puts our intrepid Enterprise crew on a planet full of Earth's historical figures. How is that possible?! At least Mr. Spock gets to deliver a swift kick to the gun-wielding bad guy!
"Sceptre of the Sun" - a giant djinn snatches the Enterprise and Kirk and crew find a strange planet where cultures collide - club-toting savages face off against magic-induced rock people, all supported by a strange hybrid of science and wizardry. In this issue we learn that it isn't just in the television series where the crew might get thrown in the wrong direction when the ship shudders:
"The Brain Shockers" - What's shocking is that we paid money for this and once thought of it as a viable Star Trek alternative. Spock's flower-child page of emotions is some pretty groovy Star Trek art!
"The Flight of the Buccaneer" - Striped shirts, pantaloons, thick belts with brass buckles, all wrapped up in cellophane space-suits with fish-bowl helmets. ... and that's Kirk and Spock! Old-fashioned pirates in the future. Who wouldn't have fun with this?!
Looking for a good book? It's not really Star Trek, but Star Trek: Gold Key Archives: Volume 2 is fun nostalgia. No...it doesn't look much like Star Trek, no matter how much we squint our eyes, but it's still goofy fun.
I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
July 21, 2018
I won’t repeat my issues with the complete lack of actual Star Trek knowledge these comics have since I mentioned those in the review of Volume 1 and there’s no need to beat a dead horse. Those issues still exist and they still bothered me.
But no matter! There’s voodoo and magic and pirates and Vulcan feelings to be had! Unlike Volume 1, where I felt that some of the stories had merit and would have been worth revisiting in a longer format, all of these plots just feel absurd.
The Voodoo Planet and Sceptre of the Sun dabble in magic which honestly doesn’t jive with Star Trek (with the exception of an equally wacko Animated Series episode).
The Youth Trap felt forced: someone wanted crewmen to turn into babies so they contrived this weird plot to fit that.
The Legacy of Lazarus was legitimately fun, since I love any sci-fi that throws it back to bygone eras, but of course because of the time it was written all the historical figures are old white men.
The Brain Shockers had some interesting Vulcan lore, but that was unfortunately just a tool for a plot that made little sense.
The Buccaneers was hands down my favorite despite there being so many problems (why would pirates centuries later still dress in striped shirts and big hats?) because who cares when there’s pirates!
My attitude when reading these is just to have fun and ride the wild, wild mess that they are because otherwise there’s honestly no point in reading them. They don’t adhere to any canon or rules really, and the plots rocket all across the crazypants spectrum. Throw all expectations away and just jump in.
But no matter! There’s voodoo and magic and pirates and Vulcan feelings to be had! Unlike Volume 1, where I felt that some of the stories had merit and would have been worth revisiting in a longer format, all of these plots just feel absurd.
The Voodoo Planet and Sceptre of the Sun dabble in magic which honestly doesn’t jive with Star Trek (with the exception of an equally wacko Animated Series episode).
The Youth Trap felt forced: someone wanted crewmen to turn into babies so they contrived this weird plot to fit that.
The Legacy of Lazarus was legitimately fun, since I love any sci-fi that throws it back to bygone eras, but of course because of the time it was written all the historical figures are old white men.
The Brain Shockers had some interesting Vulcan lore, but that was unfortunately just a tool for a plot that made little sense.
The Buccaneers was hands down my favorite despite there being so many problems (why would pirates centuries later still dress in striped shirts and big hats?) because who cares when there’s pirates!
My attitude when reading these is just to have fun and ride the wild, wild mess that they are because otherwise there’s honestly no point in reading them. They don’t adhere to any canon or rules really, and the plots rocket all across the crazypants spectrum. Throw all expectations away and just jump in.
May 31, 2022
If you know what this series is all about, feel free to check my quick review of the previous issue. Here, I'll avoid repeating myself and just describe what this exact issue offers.
The first two stories here (The Voodoo Planet and The Youth Trap) were written by Dick Wood. The man behind all the previous stories so far. Which means that it'll be the same exact nonsense as before. With technical details being all wrong. The Voodoo Planet is probably one of the best stories Mr. Wood ever done for this series, but... you've got the idea. Dick Wood's Trek is a cringeworthy disaster and that's it.
Now, when Len Wein joined in ninth issue, things started to get a little bit better. Sure, the series took baby steps, but still, it started to improve. Take Sceptre of the Sun story for example. Despite pretty crazy start, it turned out to be at least a little like the real deal and it even made some direct nods to the Eugenics Wars. Sure, I can't say that this comic suddenly turned into a real Trek, but still, this volume introduces us to some very important changes.
Personally, I'd still give it one star, though. Just because, like previous volume, this one is all about your point of view. While reading this, you'll either enjoy the historic aspect of it, with all the crazy stuff it brings with it, or you'll just hate it because obviously, it's far from being a good comic. Still, little by little, things started to improve and it's a good thing. No matter how you look at it. Even though yes, seeing so many contradictions in the same exact series is just... * sigh *
The first two stories here (The Voodoo Planet and The Youth Trap) were written by Dick Wood. The man behind all the previous stories so far. Which means that it'll be the same exact nonsense as before. With technical details being all wrong. The Voodoo Planet is probably one of the best stories Mr. Wood ever done for this series, but... you've got the idea. Dick Wood's Trek is a cringeworthy disaster and that's it.
Now, when Len Wein joined in ninth issue, things started to get a little bit better. Sure, the series took baby steps, but still, it started to improve. Take Sceptre of the Sun story for example. Despite pretty crazy start, it turned out to be at least a little like the real deal and it even made some direct nods to the Eugenics Wars. Sure, I can't say that this comic suddenly turned into a real Trek, but still, this volume introduces us to some very important changes.
Personally, I'd still give it one star, though. Just because, like previous volume, this one is all about your point of view. While reading this, you'll either enjoy the historic aspect of it, with all the crazy stuff it brings with it, or you'll just hate it because obviously, it's far from being a good comic. Still, little by little, things started to improve and it's a good thing. No matter how you look at it. Even though yes, seeing so many contradictions in the same exact series is just... * sigh *
September 3, 2019
The first story is The Voodoo Planet so you can guess how bad that one is. You've still got flames coming out of the nacelles since the Enterprise is using rocket power. There's a villain who can destroy things on the Earth with his laser beam (as if it would have any destructive power left after traveling probably dozens of light years.) Then there's The Youth Trap which continues this rather poor collection. Once again the Enterprise is in another galaxy which something that turns people young.
Then the crew gets to meet George Washington, Helen of Troy and others is something unfortunately similar to the episode Spock's Brain. The planet gets blown up like what happened in Forbidden Planet.
Then you've got a sorcerer, a eugenics war on the Earth in 1997 and, frankly, the issue doesn't get any better.
Then the crew gets to meet George Washington, Helen of Troy and others is something unfortunately similar to the episode Spock's Brain. The planet gets blown up like what happened in Forbidden Planet.
Then you've got a sorcerer, a eugenics war on the Earth in 1997 and, frankly, the issue doesn't get any better.
December 13, 2021
The stories don't really seem to fit the star trek universe; there were too many magic like aliens that seem out of place, for a start. One of the things I love about Star Trek (like many people) is its exploration of philosophical, moral and ethical issues of the times framed in a futuristic context. These stories offer only some of that and is definitely more action based than anything else. I suppose it comes with the comics medium, especially considering these were written in the late 60s, but overall to me it offers little entertainment beyond some retro like sci-fi. That said, it is certainly more readable than the first volume which was just plan bad and was Star Trek only in name.
February 11, 2020
OK, this is a product of its time. It's more like Flash Gordon with a Star Trek gloss. Some of the odd things in this volume: space voodoo. Space hippies (to be fair, this was also true in TOS), punchcards and tapes and computer storage, a "brain drain" device (along with Spock's Brain, before Spock's Brain!). And who can forget the 45th president of the US: Anton York!
July 30, 2023
Not quite classic trek, but interesting none the less.
You can tell that the writers and animators didn’t do much research on the original series as the characters do and say things completely out of character. The drawing don’t look anything like the characters but it is still enjoyable.
You can tell that the writers and animators didn’t do much research on the original series as the characters do and say things completely out of character. The drawing don’t look anything like the characters but it is still enjoyable.
November 17, 2021
Beautiful coloring, Impressive artwork
I enjoyed scrolling thru these online comics which bring back good memories of the early years after The Original Series ended and fans were looking for their next Star Trek fix. The colors are sharp and vibrant, the drawings are amazingly accurate to form (I can overlook the exaggerated ears on Spock). I especially liked the pirate story, but all the stories are entertaining and harken back to the original Star Trek universe in some way. A fun read.
I enjoyed scrolling thru these online comics which bring back good memories of the early years after The Original Series ended and fans were looking for their next Star Trek fix. The colors are sharp and vibrant, the drawings are amazingly accurate to form (I can overlook the exaggerated ears on Spock). I especially liked the pirate story, but all the stories are entertaining and harken back to the original Star Trek universe in some way. A fun read.
Read
January 27, 2020I’ve been loving these comics since I was a kid. Still love them.
January 31, 2022
Fun
Lots of entertainment! . Had the flavor and tone of the original series. Enjoyed. Only thing missing was the end repartee
Lots of entertainment! . Had the flavor and tone of the original series. Enjoyed. Only thing missing was the end repartee
October 13, 2015
I started with Volume 1, which included 6 issues by 2 different artists. In Volume 2 and going forward, artwork is completely created by Alberto Giolitti, and you can see how comfortable the artist becomes with the characters through these issues. Yes, the stories are kind of hokey and don't have quite the same substance as the Star Trek original television series. But for me, the artwork more than makes up for a somewhat predictable and sometimes silly story. Fantastic colors throughout. Looking forward to reading Volume 3!
September 11, 2016
Even though this feels a bit truer to The Original Series than the first volume, it is still difficult to get past the erroneous green shirts. There are some fun adventures including encounters with pirates and what appear to be the founding fathers initially. But not much that really grabs me a whole lot. It is a bit odd seeing that, according to one of these stories, Anton Yorke is the 45th president of the U.S., and we're about to witness the election of the 45th president, with no Anton Yorke in sight. The name also reminded me of Anton Yelchin, may he rest in peace.
August 11, 2016
These early 70s comics are a delightful read, with artwork getting increasingly better. However, the stories remain silly and with slim connection to the TV series, such as voodoo practitioners, mad scientists, space pirates, and so on.
July 23, 2015
the first couple of stories are week. but the late ones are good.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews