268: Andy Does the Consonants, I Do the Vowels

05/12/19 • 92 min

Literary Treks: A Star Trek Books and Comics Podcast

Michael A. Martin: The Red King. Searching for a lost Romulan fleet, Captain Riker and the Titan are swept out of the galaxy along with Commander Donatra and the Valdore. They find themselves in the Small Magellanic Cloud, an area of space visited nearly a century earlier by another Federation starship. An long-sundered offshoot of humanity has claimed this area of space, and when reality itself is threatened by an encroaching anomaly, Riker and his crew must save these lost children of Earth before the entire region is consigned to non-existence.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome author Michael A. Martin to the show to discuss Titan: The Red King, which he co-wrote with Andy Mangels. We talk about their experience in launching the Titan series, the origin of the Neyel, Tuvok and Akaar's troubled past, Donatra and the Romulans, religious belief vs. scientific fact, where Titan goes from here, and wrap up with what Michael is working on now and where you can find him online.

At the top of the show, we review the latest Star Trek: Waypoint special issue and respond to listener feedback from the Babel Conference for Literary Treks 266: Bringing the Truth Out of the Shadows

News Star Trek Waypoint 2019 Comic Review (00:03:46) Listener Feedback (00:26:19)

Feature: Michael A. Martin Launching Titan (00:31:32) The Neyel (00:42:49) Tuvok and Akaar (00:53:15) Klingons and Romulans (00:58:42) Religion is Reality (01:05:15) The Sleeper Consequences (01:11:50) Frane Talks to Akaar (01:16:51) Author Collaboration (01:17:51) A New Project and Being a Fan (01:20:48) Final Thoughts (01:24:04)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Michael A. Martin

Production Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (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) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

At the top of the show, we review the latest Star Trek: Waypoint special issue and respond to listener feedback from the Babel Conference for Literary Treks 266: Bringing the Truth Out of the Shadows

News Star Trek Waypoint 2019 Comic Review (00:03:46) Listener Feedback (00:26:19)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Michael A. Martin

Previous Episode

267: That Word "Sacrifice" Keeps Coming Up

Burning Dreams. Captain Christopher Pike: until recently, there has not been much canonically revealed about the predecessor of James T. Kirk. That has all changed with season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. However, years before Anson Mount brought the character back to life, the definitive Christopher Pike novel was written, chronicling the life of the brave Starfleet captain from his earliest years as a boy to his life spent on Talos IV with Vina under the care of the mysterious Talosians.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the novel Burning Dreams. We talk about Christopher Pike's early years on the colony world Elysium, his relationships with his mother and the father figures in his life, the unique role that fire plays in Pike's history, his embodiment of the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation, how Pike in this novel compares to the Pike of Discovery, the epilogue of the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, we review the first issue of Star Trek: Year Five from IDW, and respond to your feedback from the Babel Conference about Literary Treks 265: The Music of Big Pink. News Star Trek: Year Five #1 Comic Review (00:03:25) Listener Feedback (00:18:35)

Feature: Burning Dreams Pike's Early Years (00:22:22) The Neworlders (00:30:57) Charlie's Relationship with Chris (00:36:40) The Motif of Fire in Pike's Life (00:48:34) "The Best of Us" (00:55:56) Comparing to 'Discovery' (01:00:33) Is Life a Dream? (01:07:27) Vina's Backstory (01:09:38) Pike's Love Interests (01:12:06) The Epilogue with Spock (01:15:15) Ratings (01:19:52) Final Thoughts (01:22:46)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Next Episode

269: Kellogg's Spock 'n' Krisp

The Gold Key Archives, Vol. 5: Part 1. It's been awhile, but it's once again time to dive into the hilarity and ridiculousness that is the Star Trek Gold Key comics! Incredible shrinking people, Japanese Samurais, and chilly red turtle people await you as we take on another round with the strangest corner of the *Star Trek* literary universe!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther take a look at Star Trek: The Gold Key Archives Volume 5, Part 1, which includes issues 25, 26, and 27: "Dwarf Planet," "The Perfect Dream," and "Ice Journey." Make sure to pack your heat-stabilizer tablets, it's gonna be a crazy journey!

At the top of the show, we respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 267: That Word "Sacrifice" Keeps Coming Up.

News Listener Feedback (00:04:16)

Feature: Gold Key Archives, Vol. 5, Part 1 Gold Key Getting Better? (00:10:09) Dwarf Planet (00:12:41) The Perfect Dream (00:28:48) Ice Journey (00:46:13) Ratings (01:09:12) Final Thoughts (01:12:57)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson