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David Tipton, DS9, Greg Scott, IDW, IDW Publishing, Odo, Scott Tipton, Star Trek, Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1, Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 Review, Star Trek DS9
Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1
Review by Paul Bowler
Terror strikes the Promenade in Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 leading Constable Odo to investigate a web of mystery and deceit across the station. As the crew of DS9 try to establish the cause of the explosion, Odo uncovers a wealth of suspects and motives to look into, and it quickly become apparent nothing is quite as clear cut as it first seemed…
Stalwart Star Trek writers Scott Tipton and David Tipton brings us the first Deep Space Nine comic book series in a decade, with this new four-part Star Trek series from IDW Publishing. Set against the backdrop of the darkest days of the Dominion War, the issue opens with Garak and Bashir taking one of their frequent lunches on the Promenade, but their meal is cut short when an explosion rips through the eatery. Garak saves Bashir, but casualties are high, and Odo’s brief interview with the owner who survived the blast soon finds the finger of blame pointed squarely at her rival – Quark!
Scott Tipton and David Tipton always manage to capture the tone of the Star Trek series and the character they are writing about perfectly. Indeed, they’ve done a fantastic job here in brining this slightly shadier corner of the Star Trek universe and the world of DS9 and her crew to life in the most sublime way imaginable. Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 immerses you in an intriguing tale of lies and vengeance, one where everyone seems to have a motive for murder, revenge, or just plain old greed.
Greg Scott’s distinctive, noir style artwork is well suited to the sombre, brooding atmosphere of this storyline. Page layouts are unfussy, concise and focus tightly on characters and their interactions, and all the main cast of DS9 are well represented throughout. Scott ensures scenes also reflect the essence of this Star Trek series extremely well, with colorist Felipe Sobreiro using a muted pallet of deep tones and hues to great effect to punctuate the action with subtle flourishes as Odo’s investigation progresses.
Constable Odo must find out if the attack could be terrorism, politically motivated, revenge, or just a case of someone trying to get rid of the competition. A terse exchange with a fellow cremate and vigilantism brewing in the air certainly doesn’t help matters either for Odo’s investigation as the spotlight of suspicion falls on a usual suspect to provide an intriguing cliffhanger to the issue.
So, if like me, you are a big fan of DS9’s somewhat darker, edgier tone, you are going to find a lot to enjoy here with this new series from IDW. With its gripping story by Scott Tipton and David Tipton and moody artwork by Greg Scott, Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 is great issue and a welcome comic book return for the crew of the space station on the edge of the final frontier.
Publisher: IDW
Writers: Scott Tipton & David Tipton / Artist: Greg Scott
Colorist: Felipe Sobreiro / Letterer: Neil Uyetake
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
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This one has me intrigued. Looking forward to reading it.
I’ve been really looking forward to this four-part Deep Space Nine series. Its a great story, full of mystery, and the noir style art suits the tone of DS9 perfectly. Great issue.
As someone who’s only seen the movies and a handful of episodes from the original series and Next Generation, what would you say is different about Deep Space 9?
I do know that Voyager is the one where they’re stuck in deep space, and the entire series is about their journey home.
Well, DS9 is set on a former Cardassian space station orbiting the planet Bajor, and now run by the Federation and Bajorian’s. Episodes of the TV show were based more on events on the station, although later they added the space ship the Defiant, Worf joined the crew after the events of Star Trek Generations, and the series rounded off with a war with an race from the Beta Quadrant called the Dominion – who were also governed by the same shape shifting race as DS9’s Constable Odo. DS9 is a much darker take on Star Trek, it really got good from season 3 onwards, and I’d highly recommend it. Well worth checking out.
I’d probably only watch a handful of episodes. Don’t think I’d ever find the time to watch through even a full season of Star Trek. Which episodes would you recommend?
There are so many DS9 episodes, but some of my favourites are Way of the Warrior, Starship Down, Our Man Bashir, The Ship, The Trouble With Tribbles and Take Me Out of the Holosuite. Now what you mean, I’ve never watched all the shows in the right order except for the original and STTNG, but Star Trek is repeated every day here in the UK on the Horror Channel and Sci-Fi so there’s always an episode on somewhere if I feel like watching one. 🙂
Funnily enough I was planning to review this myself, but I think I’ll do an overview of all four issues when the mini wraps up.
This was a good, intriguing and atmospheric first instalment, not surprising given the Tipton brothers’ track record with the IDW Trek comics. I did have some minor issues with the art, the details were a bit rough and muddied in places but overall a suitable fit to the story. Having it focus on Odo is also a wonderful tribute to the late Rene Auberjonois.
I love the IDW Trek comics, it’s just a shame that they don’t produce more DS9 titles (and Voyager as well for that matter) – apparently it’s the TOS and TNG books that sell the most, along with the Discovery/movie tie-ins.
Cheers! Yeah, I was really pleased to see IDW have done this DS9 series. Its a really good, mysterious story, and like how Odo is right at the heart of all the action. The art is a little rough around the edges, but it suited the tone of the issue very well I think. I wish IDW would do more Votager, Enterprise, or DS9 stories but like you say the original crew and STTNG tend to still be the most popular. Looking forward to seeing how Odo’s investigation pans out as the story unfolds.
Oh I’d seriously love and Enterprise series or even just a one-shot as they’re haven’t ever been any Enterprise comics!
For sure, I’d love to see an Enterprise comic series or one-shot, that would be a lot of fun. Maybe they will one day, fingers crossed.
I have really struggled with expanded universe stories about Star Trek or Star Wars in books and graphic novels. It rarely is canon, so it never seems necessary. I’m sure I’ve missed out on excellent storytelling because I don’t often read these books.
I now what you mean. There can be so many different stories and versions, especially in comics. Deep Space Nine was the spin-off that launched after Star Trek the Next Generation. Its set on a space station. I liked the series, it had a bit of a darker edge, and this DS9 Too Long a Sacrifice series really captures the feel of the TV show. I’ve struggled with all the expanded universe Star Wars stuff too, there’s just so much, its a bit bewildering. This DS9 comics series is only 4 issues and I’m sure it will be released in a graphic novel / collected edition soon after if you want to give it a look. 🙂
I loved DS9, it was a welcome change in the Star Trek series storytelling at the time.
Me too, DS9 had such a great concept, and cast of characters. It got really good when Worf joined the crew in season 4 and I liked how the whole Dominion War saga played out. Its one of my favourite Star Trek shows. 🙂