Captain's Blood.

In front of a crowd of thousands of Romulans, Ambassador Spock is apparently killed in a terrorist bombing. Captain James T. Kirk, retired, is enlisted by Starfleet to lead a team to Romulus to investigate. However, not all may be as it seems, and this particular mission will have consequences that stretch throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, and with a very personal connection to Kirk's own family!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson discuss the Shatnerverse novel Captain's Blood, the second book in the Totality trilogy. We talk about Spock's apparent death, Reman society, Kirk's son Joseph, the threat of the Totality, crews of different generations coming together, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news this week, we discuss the release of the latest Discovery novel, Desperate Measures by Dayton Ward, and review the most recent New Visions comic, "Isolation."

News
Drastic Measures Release (00:02:53)
New Visions #20 (00:05:25)

Feature: Captain's Blood
Shatnerverse Totality (00:25:48)
Murder Most Foul (00:31:17)
About Janeway (00:42:44)
Nemesis Cues (00:46:45)
Joseph (00:51:34)
Norinda and Totality (00:59:48)
One Big Happy Fleet (01:11:35)
Ratings (01:16:23)
Final Thoughts (01:19:40)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

David R. George III: The 34th Rule.

Deep Space Nine was known for, among other things, the quality of its writing and the depth of its characters. The care that the writers put into developing each character along with the obvious passion the actors themselves had for the roles made the character development on DS9 second to none. With that in mind, what better way could there be to explore a character in novel form than to turn the reigns over to a prolific writer and a talented actor who knows his own character inside and out?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome author David R. George III back to the show to discuss The 34th Rule, a novel he co-wrote with DS9's Armin Shimerman, whom you may know as Quark! We talk about the genesis of the story, the Ferengi belief system, politics, racism towards the Ferengi, the cycle of violence, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings and where you can find David R. George III online.

In our news segment, we review issue 16 of Boldly Go, the fourth part of the "I.D.I.C." miniseries.

News
Boldly Go #16 (00:03:00)

Feature: David R. George III
An Oldie But a Goodie (00:13:10)
Coming Together (00:15:04)
The Title (00:19:38)
Business is Religion (00:20:47)
Fear Leads to Anger... (00:31:38)
Racism is All Ears (00:41:40)
Character Voices and Comedy (00:50:43)
The Cycle of Violence (00:53:50)
Good Men Do Nothing (01:03:54)
Ratings (01:05:45)
David Online (01:10:35)
Final Thoughts (01:13:13)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
David R. George III

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

The Gold Key Archives Vol. 4, Part 2.

The voyages of the Starship Enterprise continue as the valiant crew faces off against exotic stellar phenomena, emotionally-stunted geniuses, and corrupt Starfleet officials who aim to ruin Kirk's career! That's right: it's a return to the bizarre other-world of the Gold Key comics!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson review the three remaining issues in the Gold Key Archives, Volume 4. We discuss the mysterious "black hole" phenomenon in "Siege in Superspace," a planet full of kids playing a deadly game in "Child's Play," and Kirk's shocking transformation in "The Trial of Captain Kirk!"

In the news section we take a look at the Architects of Infinity cover and read the blurb, discuss the news of the new Star Trek: Discovery: Succession comic and review Star Trek Discovery #2.

News
Architects of Infinity Cover (00:02:23)
Star Trek: Discovery: Succession (00:08:34)
Star Trek Discovery #2 (00:13:25)

Feature: The Gold Key Archives Vol. 4, Part 2
More Gold Key (00:30:03)
Siege in Superspace (00:30:47)
Child's Play (00:50:12)
The Trial of Captain Kirk (01:08:54)
Ratings (01:34:16)
Final Thoughts (01:37:24)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)