The Q Conflict #2 is the epitome of the quintessential fan-boy argument; in Star Trek, what captain could kick another captain’s ass?

Scott and David Tipton must have had these arguments at some point in their shared history. It serves the basis for this story as the Metrons, the Organians, Trelane and the Q all assemble teams from the cream of Starfleet’s crop to represent them in their plans – whatever they may be.

Reading like a sports team line-up, the crews from the Constitution-class USS Enterprise, the Enterprise-D, station Deep Space 9, and USS Voyager have been all split up and divided into combinations that the Tiptons must have had a blast putting together.

• The Metrons: Janeway, Riker, Kira, Scotty, Tom Paris, Chekov, and B’Elanna Torres.
• For the Q: Picard, Spock, Dr. Crusher, Seven of Nine, Odo, La Forge and Uhura.
• Team Trelane: Kirk, McCoy, Worf, Jadzia Dax, Tuvok, O’Brien and Quark.
• The Organians: Sisko, Chakotay, Data, Sulu, Bashir, Harry Kim, and Deanna Troi.

I can’t imagine the selection methodology the Tiptons went through in order to formulate these teams. For instance: putting Sulu at the helm of the USS Defiant must have had some sort of process. Was there a list of criteria, a rating system or did they just randomly throw names in a hat? Being somewhat of a fan-boy myself, I need to know this stuff!

The first task the crew have to complete is to be the first team to recover an artifact from the Iconian homeworld. Next Generation fans will remember the Iconians as the lost race who had perfected and abandoned the science of interstellar transportation — “demons of air and darkness” — through which one doorway a being could jump halfway across the galaxy.

The team dynamics are a lot of fun to watch as the new crews relate to each other. Worf expresses his discomfort working with Captain Kirk, given that during Kirk’s time, the Klingon Empire and the Federation are not the best of friends. But, the Tiptons rely upon their knowledge of the different personalities of the characters in resolving the issue in a completely believable Kirk response.

Likewise, with Janeway’s completely transparent disdain for Q’s antics and Odo’s sour reaction to Mr. Spock’s misuse of his proper title. These may be little things, but together, they all add up to provide a level of authenticity to this story that entertains the fan in all of us.

It’s also entertaining to see the characters’ skill-sets emerge during the contest. Riker really shines in this issue. Not only does he manage to out-fox the other teams from the outset, but he does so with a bravado that really puts the others – Kirk included, I’m sad to say – to shame.

It’s these moments that demonstrate how well the Tiptons know the characters. There’s a great line from Captain Kirk in this book that not only sums up the dilemma for the teams but reveals the familiarity Scott and David have in writing them: “You know the drill with overgrown godlings, Bones,” says Jim Kirk. “We have to play along until we get a better sense of the game and figure out how to turn the tables.”

Looking at the art, David Messina provides the pencilling duties for this book. Messina is an accomplished artist and there’s nothing wrong with his lines or his depiction of the characters. I’ve always been impressed by his ability to capture action moments so well. If I had any sort of an issue with the art, it would be with the coloring.

If you look closely at the Federation uniforms, the black portions seem to be speckled, as if the crew were wearing some sort of sparkly attire. Of course, I’m reading digital issues; maybe the colour resolves itself in print, but it was something that caught my eye.

• Cover ‘A’ is David Messina’s wonderful tribute to William Campbell’s portrayal of the puerile yet omnipotent Trelane. Flanked by Worf, Tuvok, Dax and his nemesis, James Kirk, this dynamic cover captures the intensity of the story.
   
• Cover ‘B,’ also from Messina, follows the same format, with the Metron is centrally placed on the cover while Riker, Janeway and Kira Nerys are located within his outline. This conveys the sense of the Metron’s insubstantial nature that we saw in the classic episode, “Arena”. What is interesting about this cover is that it also features Voyager’s Doctor, who wasn’t allocated to any of the teams. While I’m sure that it’s conceivable the Doctor would figure into the story somehow, as a member of Voyager’s crew, he wasn’t one of the ones allocated to any teams.
   
• George Caltsoudas provides the cover for the Retailer Incentive edition. This is a striking image of a broken bust of Jean-Luc Picard, portrayed in a classic Greek style. With broken arms and a side profile pose, this bust features the Latin words Nitidus, Fortius, Altius, which translated, mean: “Brighter, Stronger, Higher.” Competitive words for an intense competition. Caltsoudas does style very well and I think this one has to be my favourite of the lot.

Like every other fan, I have my own favourites. But, it’s an interesting game to make predictions as you read along. I’m sure the Tiptons have played this game in their heads as well. It’s just a lot of fun to see an adventure come out of it!