Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Omnibus includes work by writers Scott Tipton, David Tipton, Mike Chen, Cecil Castellucci, Cavan Scott, Dave Baker, and Thom Zahler with artists Fabio Mantovani, Emanuela Lapacchino, Francesco Lo Start, Greg Scott, Ángel Hernández, Megan Levens, Josh Hood, Nicole Goux, and Andy Price. Main cover art (left) is by Nick Filardi. The book is published by IDW Publishing.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Omnibus is available from today in comic book stores and on digital platforms. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology.
Synopsis
Don’t miss out on these exclusive “lost episodes” celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fan-favourite show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!
This volume collects the miniseries “Fool’s Gold,” “Too Long a Sacrifice,” and “The Dog of War,” plus the short stories “Latinum Glove,” “Mother’s Walk,” “Frontier Doctor,” “Only You Can Save Yourself,” and “The First Year.”
Review
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE OMNIBUS is one heck of a tome! At over 300 pages, DS9 fans get a massive trove of episodes spanning the show’s seven-year history. The tales range from lighthearted fun to serious drama. You will definitely want to add this to your collection.
The Vignette Approach
The meatiest part of the collection is the three miniseries: “Fool’s Gold,” “Too Long a Sacrifice,” and “The Dog of War.” There isn’t a single chronological thread connecting these stories. Instead, the omnibus takes a vignette approach. It leads the reader through different eras of the show.
While this might disappoint those seeking a linear epic, I think it is a major strength. The assortment captures all the moods of DS9. There is truly something for everyone! You get dark war epics, murder mysteries, and frontier adventures.
It kicks off with “Fool’s Gold” (2009). The station is overrun by treasure-seekers and bounty hunters. Major Kira and Constable Odo must find out why. Set between seasons 3 and 4, this has all the hallmarks of a DS9 episode. It nicely captures the vibe and character dynamics that set DS9 apart from life aboard the Enterprise-D.
If you loved Odo-centric episodes of him reading Mickey Spillane novels and solving mysteries, “Too Long a Sacrifice” is right up your alley. Odo is on a mission to solve a murder where everyone on the Promenade has a motive. The plot feels similar to episodes of the main series, but it is always a joy to follow Odo on a hard-boiled adventure.
“The Dog of War” is the final miniseries. Released in 2023 for the 30th anniversary, it features a rare and unexpected combination of an Earth Corgi, Borg tech, and Quark being Quark. Historically, the Borg stayed in The Next Generation or Voyager playgrounds, something I’ve always respected DS9’s restraint in.
The fact that DS9 never mined the Borg, given Sisko’s history at Wolf 359 and the Defiant’s origin as a Borg-killer, is impressive. Especially when the show was primed for it! It is a treat to see the Dominion War-era crew finally take them on. Best of all, they do it in a way that fits this specific branch of the Trek universe.
Mixed Success
However, not all the stories are sure-fire hits. The quality following “The Dog of War” is mixed. “Frontier Doctor” is an early era story focused on Dr Bashir. It is passable but doesn’t really stand out. Likewise, “Only You Can Save Yourself” is an Ezri Dax story. Sadly, it feels like one of the weaker parts of Season 7, which typically involves Ezri.
Nevertheless, the volume concludes on a high note. In fact, this story totally undermines my last sentence! “The First Year” sees Ezri visit Worf, now a Klingon Ambassador, on Qo’noS. He is in a self-reflective state as the anniversary of Jadzia’s death approaches. It’s an emotionally rich story. It achieves a depth for Ezri and Worf that Season 7 never quite reached.
This collection is an eclectic mixture. It spans the early seasons to the period just after the finale. The lack of connection between stories is actually its strength. You can read in any order without feeling lost. For those hoping for a linear history, this might be a drawback, but it isn’t a dealbreaker for collectors.
Verdict
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Omnibus is a mighty collection bringing together over a decade of stories. It is a perfect starting point if you want to dip your toe into DS9 comics, but it will also please longtime fans. The only continuity you need is the show itself. While the stories and artwork vary, there is more than enough here to satisfy readers. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with our favourite characters at a price that won’t break the bank.
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