Description

Battlestar Galactica: Volume 2 – The Memory Machine                        Trade Paperback
Writers: Roger McKenzie, Bill Mantlo & Walt Simonson
Artists: Rich Buckler, Klaus Janson, Carl Gafford, Ben Sean, Sal Buscema, Eduardo Barreto, Pat Broderick, Pablo Marcos, Walt Simonson, George Roussos & Bob Sharen
Cover by: Ungara

Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The franchise began with the original television series in 1978. Battlestar Galactica was produced in the wake of the success of the 1977 film Star Wars. It was later followed by a short-run sequel series (Galactica 1980), a line of book adaptations, original novels, comic books, a board game, video games, and other re-imagined versions of Battlestar Galactica television series from 2003 even to recently.

The comic book Battlestar Galactica, based on the ABC television series of the same name, was published monthly by Marvel Comics from March 1979 through January 1981, and lasted 23 issues.

Marvel Comics’ began its adaptation of Battlestar Galactica with Marvel Super Special #8, a magazine format comic written by Roger McKenzie and drawn by Ernie Colón which was released as a tie-in to the start of the series. The comic adaptation was based on an early script of the three hour TV series premiere “Saga of a Star World”. Its success led Marvel to print a regular monthly comic depicting the adventures of the ragtag fleet. The direct adaptation of the series continued in issues #4 and #5 which chronicled the adventures depicted in the two part television episode “Lost Planet of the Gods”. Then with issue #6, the TV adaptations ceased, and Marvel’s team began to create new stories about the characters of the Battlestar Galactica universe, picking up from where issue #5 left off. Marvel’s own vision of the Battlestar Galactica did deviate somewhat from the televised adventures series and unlike both the 1978 & 2004 television series, had a planned ending, with a final two part story of issues #22 and #23 bringing the Battlestar Galactica saga to an end.

In a distant part of the universe, a human civilization has extended to a group of planets known as the Twelve Colonies, to which they have migrated from their ancestral homeworld of Kobol. The Twelve Colonies have been engaged in a lengthy war with a cybernetic race known as the Cylons, whose goal is the extermination of the human race. The Cylons offer peace to the humans, which prove to be a ruse. With the aid of a human named Baltar, the Cylons carry out a massive attack on the Twelve Colonies and on the Colonial Fleet of starships that protect them. These attacks devastate the Colonial Fleet, lay waste to the Colonies, and virtually destroy their populations. Scattered survivors flee into outer space aboard a ragtag array of available spaceships. Of the entire Colonial battle fleet, only the Battlestar Galactica, a gigantic battleship and spacecraft carrier, appears to have survived the Cylon attack. Under the leadership of Commander Adama, the Galactica and the pilots of “Viper fighters” lead a fugitive fleet of survivors in search of the fabled thirteenth colony known as Earth.

Story/Spoilers
In part #1, “The Memory Machine”, Serina, having been killed hours before, is laid to rest as her coffin is shot towards Kobol’s blood-red sun. During the funeral service, Adama is reminded of how much Serina reminds him of his own wife, Ilya. At the end of the ceremony, Colonel Tigh tells Adama that they should leave, as the Cylons undoubtedly know where they are. Adama asks Tigh to give his grieving son a few more moments to mourn before doing so. Boxey tells Muffey that they need to be strong during this time, as Warriors don’t cry—Apollo silently cries. The Viper honor guard returns to Galactica. After landing, a moody, depressed Starbuck tries to leave the landing bay, but is intercepted by Athena who asks what’s wrong. Starbuck states that he is responsible for Serina’s death, and Starbuck throws down his Warrior pip, declaring that a warrior should save lives as he walks off. On Kobol, Lucifer and a group of Centurions land near the Tomb of the Ninth Lord. As a Centurion brings Lucifer to Baltar—still buried under rubble—Lucifer notes that he finds humans’ glorification of death to be depressing. Baltar pleads with Lucifer to help him, declaring that he can help them find the humans; Lucifer sinisterly agrees. On Galactica, Athena visits Apollo, who declares that he wants to be alone. Persistent to the last, Athena enters Apollo’s quarters, finding Apollo in deep mourning while looking at a 3D portrait of Serina in a holographic cube. Athena informs him that Starbuck has left Blue Squadron over Serina’s death. Apollo doesn’t seem to care, which results in a softly but stern rebuke from Athena, while insinuating that he should look to the future instead of the past. She leaves. Later, Apollo tracks Starbuck down to talk him out of the decision. After appealing to Starbuck’s sense of honor, Apollo hands Stabuck his Warrior’s pip during their handshake. Apollo enters the Council of Twelve meeting, where Adama—president of the Quorum—begins the meeting. Starbuck tries to join the meeting, but encounters a blue-haired lady who introduces herself as Medea. She excites Starbuck, and he begins his flirtations, offering to bring her to a quiet spot in a quaint little pilot’s lounge. Medea notes that “the movement” could use a man like him… and she as well. During their walk, Boxey and Muffit almost run Starbuck down in a mad rush to find Apollo. Starbuck tells him Apollo’s busy, and gives him an ironic piece of advice: never mix business with pleasure. In the conference chambers, Adama is making his case for the continued journey to Earth. Sire Uri proposes that the shower craft be left behind, which would result in the abandonment of many survivors. Adama objects to this, and introduces Master Technician Shadrack, who proposes that with enough competent people, they can have every ship equipped with light-speed capabilities in two weeks. Uri is incredulous, saying that Adama is willing to sacrifice all their lives just to save a “few meaningless lives”, and begins noting Adama’s various so-called mistakes, including Carillon and the pursuit of Earth. Adama says that he has seen proof of Earth’s existence, and that such proof remains only in his mind. Uri issues his ultimatum: deliver this proof, or he will be forced to ask for Adama’s resignation as leader of the Fleet. In the pilot’s lounge, Starbuck tries to follow up on Medea’s previous-mentioned “movement”. She replies that she cannot talk about it, but propositions him to be her personal escort during Uri’s celebration aboard the Rising Star, which will be held in two days. Before Starbuck could reply, Uri arrives and whisks Medea away. Starbuck notes his disbelief over how Medea sees anything in a “worm like Uri” to two other pilots, including Apollo. The female pilot replies that she can’t believe that Starbuck sees anything in Medea; Apollo stops the discussion, noting they have other problems. In the memory inducer room, Apollo and Athena object to their father’s desire to use the device; Adama, who is already suited up, believes it to be their only hope, as it will allow him to remember every detail of the inscription. However, the device has its element of danger, and Tigh urges him to consider where Adama’s children have failed to do so. Adama notes they don’t have time for him to reconsider, and he enters the device, which is under the administrations of Doctor Spang. Soon, Adama is relieving experiences from his past, including his memories of the ruins of his home on Caprica. Athena notes that her father is in pain, and asks Tigh to get stop the device; Spang strongly objects, as removing him from the device before he finds the memory he’s looking for could shatter Adama’s mind entirely. Spang also adds that Adama is the only one who can ensure his safe removal from the device, and warns that some people prefer to live in their memories than in reality: if this occurs, Adama may never come back. Two days later, Shadrack and his crew are working on the Fleet’s ships. Lead by Boomer, Blue Squadron is on patrol and detects that two of the Fleet’s ships are missing. When Tigh gets word of this, he is irate; he tries to reach the Council, only to find that most of the members are aboard the Rising Star. Tigh summarily orders Athena, Boomer, and Apollo to board the Rising Star, as he wants to know what Uri is up to with the other Council members. Despite the attempt of the Rising Star’s crew to stop the Warriors from landing, they manage to get on board; Boomer holds the deck crew at gunpoint, allowing Athena and Apollo to land. Already on the Star, the Warriors come across Starbuck, who is part of the party. When discovering the Uri has ducked out of his own party, Apollo is further shocked to discover that Boxey and Muffit II are aboard as well; Boxey says that “Uncle Starbuck” gave him permission to be on the ship, and reveals that Uri and his cohorts took an elevator—and were talking about Adama. The Warriors reach a bank of elevators guarded by Uri’s men, but they give up with little fight; upon reaching the third level of the ship via the elevators, the Warriors engage in a running shootout with Uri’s guards, as they barge into the proceedings. Responding to Apollo’s accusations of treachery, Uri replies that the meeting is duly convened, and expresses his wish that Adama was present to “guide us through these trying times”. He notes that he is well aware of the two missing ships, and despite Athena’s accusation that he was behind it, he pledges to do everything in his power to locate the missing ships in his new role as president of the Council of Twelve.

The first “original” story in the run; probably the first non-televised Galactica story in any medium.

In part #2, “All Things Past and Present”, While in the memory inducer, Adama recalls a sparring match with Baltar while both attended the Colonial Fleet Academy on Caprica some 25 yahren prior. While sparring with bio-swords during a practice session, Baltar makes various taunts until Adama strikes his target. Despite the fact that the swords for both participants should’ve deactivated, Adama finds that Baltar has rigged his own swords to remain active. Adama knows that Baltar is cheating, but Baltar warns him that such accusations are dangerous. Without his own active swords, Adama is still able to defeat Baltar using sheer brawn, despite Baltar’s technological advantage with the bio-swords. Baltar yields, but promises there will be other times where Adama may lose to him. Sire Uri and Apollo are in the memory stimulator room. Uri believes the effort to be vain, and a waste of Galactica’s vital energy resources. Apollo counters that Adama is in the situation because Uri goaded him into it, and used the situation to gain leadership of the Fleet. Uri defends his efforts, claiming that the Fleet needs leadership, but assures Apollo that Adama’s in the best of hands. After Apollo leaves, Uri gives his personal warriors the go ahead to deal with Adama. On the bridge, Athena relays Shadrack’s report on their success thus far in converting the slower ships to lightspeed. Tigh is pleased, as the sooner this is done, the sooner they’ll be able to leave the magnetic void in order to prevent the loss of more ships. Uri arrives on the bridge to assume command of Galactica, much to Tigh and Athena’s aversion. Tigh attempts to excuse himself in order to “check the air purification system” due to a stench, which results in Uri declaring that he will not allow insubordination, and that Tigh has been warned once. Uri asks Tigh for a report on the Cylons; Tigh notes that they haven’t been detected by the Cylons. Upon being told they cannot leave due to Shadrack’s upgrade efforts, Uri orders Tigh to take personal command of the repair crews, in addition to summoning Apollo and Starbuck to the bridge before Tigh leaves the ship. Uri orders Apollo, Athena and Starbuck to search for the missing ships. When asked about the “change of heart”, Uri replies that since he’s assumed command, things are different now that he has the entire Fleet to consider. Uri assures them that Adama will be looked after while they are gone. Adama duels Baltar in the past. While retrieving their gear, Starbuck voices his belief that Uri cannot be trusted. Apollo notes that Boomer is guarding Adama, but as soon as this comment is made, Boomer shows up under the belief that he’s needed for some sort of emergency. Having been duped by Uri’s guards, their fears are confirmed. Boomer takes place of Apollo on the search and rescue mission, and is able to briefly fool Medea and Uri into believing that Apollo is off the ship, while Apollo himself heads to the memory inducer chamber. However, Medea notes that she’s receiving reports of a security disturbance aboard ship. Apollo engages in a shoot out with Uri’s guards, until Apollo is overpowered and brought before Uri. As Uri begins to offer threats to Apollo—calling him and the other three Warriors traitors—regarding spending their lives aboard the Prison Barge, Medea reports that the Agro Ship has gone missing. Uri believes that Medea orchestrated the “disappearance”, only to discover that the ship has actually disappeared. Apollo surmises that the two earlier “disappearances” were ships that Uri needed for his own personal Fleet, and that Uri is plotting to kill Adama—someone who Uri now needs. Panicked, Uri tells Apollo to follow him, and they head towards the memory inducer. Uri’s guards begin their attempt, knocking out Wilker and holding Cassiopeia back. However, Tigh thwarts them and manages—with Cassiopeia’s help—to temporarily hold off the would-be assassins, who are convinced that Uri will follow through on his promise of a new beginning and an empty guarantee of peace. Tigh’s laser is nearly out of power, and he tries to reason with Uri’s remaining guards, but to no avail. Apollo arrives and tackles one of the guards, who shoots the controls of the machine—effectively trapping Adama inside without any hope of outside intervention.

In part #3, “Shuttle Diplomacy!”, Now trapped in the memory inducer, Adama relives an experience he had while serving under Commander Raynon, the former commander of Galactica. Accompanied by Lieutenant Tigh, Captain Adama are in a hovercar riding through a metropolis on Scorpia. Adama notes his disgust of the Scorpians, but promises Tigh that he won’t jeopardize the mission despite his beliefs. As they pass by a skywalk, they see that it buckles, resulting in groups of people needing help. The spectating Scorpians call for the rescue robots, but remain otherwise unwilling to help them directly, while Adama instructs the hovercar’s pilot drone to move them to the skywalk. Much to his irritation, the drone refuses to do so, since it is contrary to its instructions. The rescue robots arrive, saving all but two of the people trapped on the skywalk while accelerating the collapse. Fearing that the air drones would not reach in time, Adama orders Tigh to take command of the hovercar; Tigh blows off the pilot drone’s “head” and Adama jumps out of the hovecar. He manages to swing both the mother and her child upon a nearby roof, where rescue drones catch them. Unable to hold on, Adama falls but lands safely in the hovercar, now under Tigh’s control, and they are escorted to the Scorpian embassy. Adama and Tigh are brought before Scorpia’s ambassador to the Council of Twelve, a figure in a hooded fuchsia robe. Adama notifies her that the Council awaits her presence to sign the mutual defense pact and that a fighter squad will escort her to them. She rebukes this, saying that she will travel in a diplomatic shuttle as is according to her station, noting that she has accepted the fact that two humans have been sent to protect her, and that is about the only concession she will make due to their prejudices. When brought to the “pride and joy” of the diplomatic fleet, Adama is incensed over the fact that he’ll have robots for crew. There are humans aboard the ship, but they are part of the ambassador’s diplomatic staff.

In part #4, “Space-Mimic!”, As the Fleet continues its voyage through the void, Sire Uri and his men are placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, a “space vampire” from the void has boarded the Galactica, killing people for their energy, and assuming the appearance of its victims. Arriving at the chamber of the Memory Machine, the Mimic touches the mechanism and assumes the identity of Adama. However, the force of Adama’s personality ultimately proves to be the creature’s undoing.

In part #5, “This Planet Hungers”, Again we join Adama as he relives an earlier period of his life due to the effects of the Memory Machine. He recollects a time when the Galactica encountered a living planet which threatened the Colonies, and he had to make a determination as to whether or not it should be destroyed.

In part #6, “Scavenge World”, This issue begins one week after the events of issue #7, when Adama was trapped in the Memory Machine. Boomer, Athena and Starbuck, on recon patrol, stumble across Scavenge World, a planet composed entirely of spare parts and inhabited by alien scavengers. Boomer and Athena fall under some kind of mind control and land. Starbuck, unaffected, lands with them and briefly escapes from the aliens. On the run, he hides by joining a poker game where he wins the General’s insignia. Soon he is captured as well. Boomer and Athen are brought before the throne of Eurayle, the leader of the scavenger “family” where they find “General” Starbuck at her side. Starbuck makes a deal with Eurayle to spare the Colonial fleet in exchange for helping her lead the Cylons into a trap. Meanwhile, the Galactica is buffeted by an unexpected Cylon attack. The Cylons are momentarily averted, and the Fleet arrives at Scavenge World. Learning of the Galactica’s situation, Eurayle makes a proposal – she will use her powers of the mind to free Commander Adama from the Memory Machine, if she can receive Lieutenant Starbuck in return.

In part #7, “The Trap!”, Starbuck considers Eurayle’s offer and reluctantly agrees, and returns to Scavenge World. Meanwhile, three Cylon basestars rapidly approach the Fleet, sending ahead wave after wave of Raiders. Eurayle awakens Adama and he returns to the bridge just in time to see a basestar on a collision course with Galactica.

Finally in part #8, “Collision Course!”, The combined might of the Galactica and Scavenge World defeats the first Cylon basestar, resulting in plenty of spare parts for the taking, but the Galactica is rendered immobile. Apollo and Boomer load a freighter with explosives with a plan to detonate it and destroy the second and third basestars. Starbuck escapes from Scavenge World on an ancient shuttle and provides Apollo cover as they eject in a shuttle pod and the plan succeeds. Lucifer escapes, Adama has Uri arrested, and Starbuck is left behind as the repaired fleet heads out.

Trade Paperback reprints/collects: Battlestar Galactica (1979 – 1981) Issues #6-13.  Marvel Comics

Trade Paperback is bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Edition
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: June 2005
Format: FC, 144 pages, TPB, 10.25″ x 6.5″
ISBN-10: 184023945X
ISBN-13: 9781840239454

Collectible Entertainment note: Trade Paperback is New & Unread.  Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Battlestar Galactica collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

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