Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 Hardcover Review
“Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2” will please fans of both sci-fi franchises.
The Plot
After the Borg and Cybermen partner together, the 11th Doctor, Amy, Rory, Captain Picard and the entire crew of the Enterprise must team up to stop the two destructive species from messing with time and murdering and assimilating every being in the galaxy.
The Content
Scott and David Tipton and Tony Lee’s script could have easily just been a dopey fan fictiony crossover, but thankfully, the talented trio of writers crafted a story that is completely suitable for both franchises. It’s clear the writers know their stuff as they nail each and every character and incorporate plenty of geeky references (Wolf 359, Bad Wolf, Dixon Hill, Judoon to name a few). Yes, the story takes a few issues to get going as all of the wordy exposition is laid out, but if you stick with the series, you will be greatly rewarded by the engaging cinematic story that ingeniously melds the two iconic series together. I’m sure many of you would like to know more details about the story, but I never want to spoil the good stuff. Everyone should have a chance to experience this epic story knowing as little as possible as the joy of reading this series lies in seeing how the two universes collide.
As well written as the story is, however, it is the character interactions that make this a must read mini-series. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see (and or read) the Eleventh Doctor and Guinan speak or what the Doctor’s first reaction to Data would be, you are in for a treat. Even though the story is fairly dark in tone the majority of the time, I’m willing to bet many fans will be laughing and or smiling their way through the 8 issue tale (mostly because of the Eleventh Doctor’s quips of course).
The Art
We all know comic book art can be inconsistent, but the artwork by J.K. Woodward, Gordon Purcell and the Sharp Brothers is positively sublime. Woodward’s unique, moody, photorealistic is striking and fits the story to a t. The pulpy retro comic style for the Captain Kirk/Fourth Doctor segment (I won’t say anymore about this) is also “fantastic” to quote the Ninth Doctor.
Overall Thoughts: Having read a large number of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Doctor Who” comics and books (and listened to a lot of DW audio books/audio dramas), I can say without hesitation that this is a top tier “expanded universe.” Order it online or pick it up at your local comic shop. Resistance is futile!
Extras
The back of the hardcover book contains a stunning art gallery/cover art gallery featuring works by J.K. Woodward, Joe Corroney, Mark Buckingham, David Messina, Francesco Francavilla, Elena Casagrande, The Sharp Brothers, Emanuela Lupacchino, Jenny Frison, and Andrea Di Vito. Highlights include a ‘First Contact’ poster done “Doctor Who” style, a B&W Sontaran/Klingon picture, and a split Cybermen and Borg piece.
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