Originally published on Set The Tape
Last year was a big year for fans of Deep Space Nine. We got an amazing new documentary, What We Left Behind, but we also lost two amazing actors in Aron Eisenberg and Rene Auberjonois. This new comic is the first piece of DS9 media since, and focuses on the character of Odo, who was played by Auberjonois; as such it felt like the book was going to have a lot on its shoulders. Thankfully, this proves to be a really good first issue.
The issue starts with Doctor Bashir and Garak meeting up for lunch, though long term fans will notice it’s strange that they’re not going to their usual haunt of the replimat, instead going to one of the restaurants on the promenade. The two of them briefly discuss how the war with the Dominion is going, before a bomb detonates in the restaurant. Garak and Julian are thrown out the window by the blast, but eight others are killed.
Odo, the station’s chief of security is then tasked with getting to the bottom of the crime. He does some investigating, and learns that the explosive was filled with Rodinium Darts, jagged shards of metal designed to rip apart anyone within the blast zone. The station’s security sweeps should detect anyone trying to bring these on board, so Odo concludes they must have been smuggled on. By the end of the issue Odo has few suspects, but it’s revealed that a second shipment of darts has been discovered in Quark’s cargo shipment.
It’s pretty clear that this cliffhanger isn’t going to result in Quark being the guilty party, as anyone who watches the show knows whilst he’s certainly dodgy, he’s not a killer. It’s likely this is going to either be a false flag, or lead to another step in the mystery, but it doesn’t feel like a dishonest turn of events, as Odo would definitely consider Quark a suspect in any crime on the station.
Writers Scott and David Tipton clearly know the characters well, and every one of them feels very natural and much like they did in the show. Garak and Julian have their fun dynamic at the start of the issue, Sisko is concerned about events but is still the hardened commander, Dax and O’Brien are both smart and add to the investigation, using both of their specialities. But Odo is the character that really matters, and they’ve captured him perfectly, right down to his annoyed harumph whenever things aren’t going the way he likes.
They’ve also managed to make the station feel busy and alive, and the opening scenes on the promenade are full of different aliens and people going about their business. Artist Greg Scott manages to make the place feel like there’s a lot going on, and it certainly captures the idea that this is a busy airport in space.
This is a strong first issue that clearly sets up the central mystery, gives readers some basic information, and several potential guilty parties to choose from. However, it’s clear that there’s a lot more information that’s going to be needed to reach any kind of conclusion, and it certainly makes you eager to read the next issue and find out more.
Too Long A Sacrifice is a great return to the Star Trek universe, and one that fans of the series will definitely enjoy.
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