Star Trek 774: Prince Traitor

774. Prince Traitor

PUBLICATION: Star Trek #44, Gold Key Comics, May 1977

CREATORS: Unknown (writer), Alden McWilliams (artist)

STARDATE: Unknown - Follows the last issue.

PLOT: The Enterprise visits the Arabian Nights-themed planet Fayo for an official reception. Though not a democracy, the emperor still means to ally with the Federation. But there's civil unrest in the form of an assassination attempt by a dissident only known as the Red Raven. Later, the emperor sends his liberally-minded son off to Starfleet Academy as a sort of cultural exchange, but Kirk has to give up the boy to the rebels when they threaten to kill Spock (actually, the boy gives himself up). Hoping to fix relations before they break down, Kirk and crew try to break the prince out only to find out he is actually the Red Raven and captured themselves. They break out, but are menaced by a general who knows the Raven's identity and wants to kill him anyway. The ostrich chase from the cover follows. In the end, the emperor gives his son the crown to unite his people, and the prince turns Fayo into a democracy.

CONTINUITY: None.

DIVERGENCES: None.

PANEL OF THE DAY - Untold Tales of Kirk and Spock
REVIEW: A political story with a crazy chase scene and some pretty fair action, narrowly avoiding becoming a Charlie X/Elaan of Troyius mash-up. However, there's little in the way of surprises when you consider the title. Solid, if predictable.

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