Have any novels or short prose fiction ever made references to the first volume of Trek comics from DC? They were originally written so as to take place in the gaps between TWOK, TSFS, and TVH. I recall Peter David's early TNG novel Strike Zone included a character who it was strongly implied had first appeared in issues of the TOS DC comic. On going over the comics, I can't help noticing how a lot of what was in it doesn't really gel with modern Trek canon, but I'd still be interested in knowing its full impact on the prose fiction.
DC Comics references in Trek Lit
- Thread starter EJA
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Well, IIRC, Mike Barr's TOS novel Gemini includes a crewmember called Elizabeth Sherwood, the same name as a supporting character in his DC comics run. Although it can't be the same Sherwood, since the one from the comics would've probably been a teenager when Gemini takes place.
In Ex Machina, I referenced the specific nerve clusters in the face which are the access points for the Vulcan mind meld, as defined by Diane Duane in issue 28 of DC's Volume 1.
Beyond those and Strike Zone, I can't think of any cases where something that originated in DC's TOS Vol. 1 has been referenced in the novels. Now, if we extend it to Vol. 2, Howard Weinstein's Mere Anarchy installment could be considered a continuation of his later comics there, since Saavik is a member of the crew as she was in his later DC issues, but there's nothing more specific than that in there.
The term "Aegis" for Gary Seven's employers originated in Vol. 2 #49-50 (by Howie) and was picked up on by Greg Cox in his Gary Seven novels (and by me in DTI: Watching the Clock).
In Ex Machina, I referenced the specific nerve clusters in the face which are the access points for the Vulcan mind meld, as defined by Diane Duane in issue 28 of DC's Volume 1.
Beyond those and Strike Zone, I can't think of any cases where something that originated in DC's TOS Vol. 1 has been referenced in the novels. Now, if we extend it to Vol. 2, Howard Weinstein's Mere Anarchy installment could be considered a continuation of his later comics there, since Saavik is a member of the crew as she was in his later DC issues, but there's nothing more specific than that in there.
The term "Aegis" for Gary Seven's employers originated in Vol. 2 #49-50 (by Howie) and was picked up on by Greg Cox in his Gary Seven novels (and by me in DTI: Watching the Clock).
In one of Robert Greenberger's comic stories for Series I, there is a reference to Sulu and Chekov defeating Orion pirates, which refers to the then-upcoming "The Lost Years" saga - and perhaps also the canceled novel concept, "Orion's Belt" by Robert Greenberger himself, which he had hoped would be a future instalment of "The Lost Years" saga.
Series I did have other (rare) cross-pollination with both Pocket and FASA. Other times such communication did not happen, ie. DC's Annual #1 and Vonda McIntyre's "Enterprise: The First Adventure" deliberately chose separate paths. In the lettercol, editor Greenberger mentions catching up with the Pocket editor to swap ideas and possibilities, IIRC. Some vessels used in the comic stories were derived from FASA RPG materials.
I've been at conventions where people asked Richard Arnold if Konom, the "Klingon turncoat", had inspired the concept of adding Worf to TNG.
Series I did have other (rare) cross-pollination with both Pocket and FASA. Other times such communication did not happen, ie. DC's Annual #1 and Vonda McIntyre's "Enterprise: The First Adventure" deliberately chose separate paths. In the lettercol, editor Greenberger mentions catching up with the Pocket editor to swap ideas and possibilities, IIRC. Some vessels used in the comic stories were derived from FASA RPG materials.
I've been at conventions where people asked Richard Arnold if Konom, the "Klingon turncoat", had inspired the concept of adding Worf to TNG.
Oh, god, that must've made his skin crawl and driven him up the wall.
But that's more a Trek Lit reference in the comics than the other way around.
And yet DC's Who's Who in Star Trek referenced both of them without addressing the discrepancy.
Oh, hey, that's a DC reference in Trek Lit! The biography for Chekov in Who's Who (written by Allan Asherman) posited that Chekov had led the effort to defend engineering from Khan's people during "Space Seed," which was why Khan recognized him in TWOK. I referenced that idea in Ex Machina. And IIRC, to keep the books consistent, Marco then asked Greg Cox to incorporate the same idea in To Reign in Hell.
Although it came out in the comic first, IIRC. And "Orion's Belt" was set up but not completed.
Greg's reference was also based on the suggestion in Vonda McIntyre's novelization of ST II, IIRC, that Marla and Chekov were friends.
Actually, Sara Tuchinsky, who was the transporter operator in those comics, appears in Mere Anarchy as well.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Tuchinsky. Although, having just re-read Mere Anarchy last week, I'm pretty sure (now that I've been reminded) that Tuchinsky was only addressed over an intercom there rather than actually appearing.
And wasn't the transporter operator in The Rift actually called "Tooch" or something? Perhaps due to Arnoldization?
And wasn't the transporter operator in The Rift actually called "Tooch" or something? Perhaps due to Arnoldization?
She was just called "Tooch," yes.
I seem to recall that she was named for (and looked like) a Marvel Comics assistant editor at the time.
Yeah, that's what it said on Google Books when I checked.
Indeed she was. The talk page for Tuchinsky on Memory Beta has an argument as to whether it's actually her.
Greg's reference was also based on the suggestion in Vonda McIntyre's novelization of ST II, IIRC, that Marla and Chekov were friends.[/QUOTE]
Yep, in both cases.
Funny thing: Vonda was actually one of my instructors at Clarion West. Who knew I would someday write a prequel to her book?
^
Forget DC comics, where are all the Gold Key references?
Forget DC comics, where are all the Gold Key references?
^
Forget DC comics, where are all the Gold Key references?
Yes, we need a reference to space voodoo.
I put an oblique ref to a DC Comics Valeris/Saavik story in Cast No Shadow. Also some FASA starships, too...
Konom is one of the aspects of DC's first run that make it extremely awkward taking them seriously in light of modern Trek canon, seeing as how it was established fairly early on in TNG that Worf was the only Klingon to ever serve in Starfleet (though it didn't stop PAD incorporating a character related to him into Strike Zone) Then there's the whole idea of Kirk taking command of the Excelsior between TSFS and TVH.
Konom never went to Starfleet academy. His wearing the uniform may have been meant no more than when Khan or Captain Christopher wore them during TOS. Konom was essentially a (Klingon trained) civilian working on a Federation ship, like Enterprise's Phlox and (in season 3) T'Pol, or Voyager's Seven of Nine.
I don't think anything specificly contradicts Kirk and co. flying Excelsior around, if you're willing to pretend STIV is actually at least six months after III and not the three the film states.
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And Kobry wasn't in Starfleet either, but an ambassador of the Klingon people in "Strike Force".
In the PAD ST comics, Kobry was originally Moron, who took the name of Bernie (after Nancy Bryce's father), and his new name of Kobry was in honor of his guardians, Konom and Bryce. The real reason for the Kobry name in the TNG dera was to essential hide the character from Richard Arnold, or at least attempt to satisfy/pay lip service to the 1989 "no cross pollination" rule.
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