Star Trek #36: "A Bomb in Time"

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The Star Trek fictional universe as created by Gene Roddenberry is the setting of six television series including the original 1966 Star Trek, which is the only one that I personally care for. While I prefer peace in real life similar to Captain Picard, it makes for awfully boring television. Give me the kick butt attitude of a Captain Kirk contrasted against a logical Mr. Spock every time. Captains Janeway and Archer were pretty cool, too.

The first Star Trek comics were published by Gold Key between 1967 and 1978. Originally they were illustrated by Alberto Giolitti, an Italian artist who had never seen the series and only had publicity photos to use as references. As comic book buffs know, Alberto Giolitti was not the original Star Trek artist. That distinction belongs to Nevio Zaccara. Other commitments forced Nevio to give it up after the second issue and Alberto took over.

These comics were highly stylized and diverged wildly from the TV series continuity. Nonetheless they are fondly remembered by fans to this day. The original issues, many of which featured photographic covers showing images from the series, are highly collectible. Writers included George Kashdan, Arnold Drake and Len Wein.

Most storylines used in the Gold Key series featured original characters and concepts, although later issues did include sequels to the TOS episodes "The City on the Edge of Forever", "Metamorphosis" and "I, Mudd". The series had a run of 61 issues.


Credits

Painted cover: George Wilson
Script: unknown
Pencils: Alberto Giolitti
Inks: Alden McWilliams

Reprinted:

• in Star Trek: The Enterprise Logs (Golden Press, 1976 series) #4
• in Star Trek: The Psychocrystals [Dynabrite Comics] (Whitman, 1976 series) #[nn]
  

Special surprise download: Star Trek article and episode guide in Starlog #1:

Download Starlog #1

Space Family Robinson #46: "War in Space"

Download Space Family Robinson #46





Contrary to popular assumption, Gold Key Comics' original series predates the Lost in Space television series by roughly three years. According to Wikipedia: "Space Family Robinson was published as a total of 59 issues, from 1962 to 1984. The first issue was published in December 1962. With issue #15 (January, 1966), the 'Lost in Space' title was added to the cover. The title was cancelled with #36 (October, 1969). It would then be brought back in October, 1973, in part due to the popularity of Star Trek. At this point, most issues between #37 and #49 had the tag 'On Space Station One' added as well."

"The comic was created by writer Del Connell and artist Dan Spiegle. Gaylord Du Bois became the sole writer of Space Family Robinson once he began chronicling the Robinsons' adventures with Peril on Planet Four in issue #8. As was typical of Gold Key's adventure comics, all cover-art was painted."


Credits

Cover painting: George Wilson
Script: Gaylord DuBois
Pencils and inks: Dan Spiegle