Out in the Beyond: Star Trek Starships: The Borg and the Delta Quadrant

Never ones to slink away from a good book, HeroCollector have continued their Shipyards series by taking us into Voyager territory.

Now, the observant among you will of course be screaming "But this is just the Official Starships Collection magazines in a book!" - and to some extent you are totally correct. This first (of two) volumes covers the Borg plus A-K in the alphabet of Delta alien ships and yes,there's a degree of repetition which is unavoidable.

However, it's much more than that. Pages 10 - 44 are pure Borg with the Cube, Sphere, Queen's Ship, Renegade Ship, Tactical Cube and Probe all lifted page for page from the original 180 issue collection. There is the inclusion of a size chart but this is hardly going to get established fans and HeroCollector collectors(!) reaching for their debit cards. 

No, that's coming from the second section from pages 48 to 221. 

There are again some obvious culprits we've read before - Alice, the Bo'Mar Patrol Ship, USS Dauntless, Dala's Delta Flyer, the Hirogen Warship etc etc but of the 48 ships in this part of the book, 34 of them are brand spanking new. Yes - 34 and that's probably surprised you!

There is a real mix in there with some serious rehashing of established models from TNG and DS9 and would be recycled again for ENT. It also shouts out that there were a few significant craft that didn't make the 180 cut (looking at you Kazon Carrier) but are thankfully at least included on paper here. 

Certainly having them all in a smaller volume is going to save some weight on those shelves but the key is just how much the book expands onto lesser known ships both detailing their appearance in episodes and in some cases even adding in a whole new set of plan views.

Typically you do find that the ships covered in the magazines have a significantly larger amount of space handed to them. But this doesn't take anything away from the new CG of the Trans-Stellar Rally competitors, the odd Cravic Starship from Prototype or the spindly Dinaali Hospital Ship from Critical Care. The Hirogen Venatic Class is a standout entry although that Kazon Carrier is one that should have been, similarly the Fighter. The tragedy is perhaps that in some instances there's barely a paragraph on the ship and 3/4 of the page is taken up with a single picture. Maybe an opportunity to add in some background info - but then that's what the Designing Starships book series is there for isn't it...?

As the text of the book is kept "in-universe", HeroCollector have wisely added a couple of sections to the back of this volume detailing episodes A-Z where the ships appeared and immediately after an A-Z the other way of the ships then aligned to their respective episodes.

There's really nothing not to like here even given the amount of repeat content. There's a lot new in a very familiar layout that all Collection collectors will recognise in a heartbeat. Ben Robinson and Marcus Riley have put together an even more extensive book and in a lot of ways you can understand why they're gone this way.

There are a fair few ships in here that, while it's great to read about them they really didn't need to get the metal and plastic treatment as much as some others. The phrase "scraping the barrel" has been heard a few times as the series came towards its inevitable conclusion and although there are a couple of unforgivable misses, the authors have done well to condense and expand the Star Trek Starships reference material in a whole set of new avenues. 

Star Trek Shipyard: The Borg and the Delta Quadrant is available NOW from HeroCollector 

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The Depth of DS9: HeroCollector's Illustrated Handbook

Over Christmas I finally submitted to HeroCollector's will and got hold of the three Illustrated Handbooks.

Covering the Constitution Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701 and NCC-1701-A, the second on Picard's Galaxy Class vessel and a third on Voyager, these are masterful guides to the hero craft of the franchise. With one notable exception.

Which has now been solved with the publication of the Deep Space Nine Illustrated Handbook. Excited? Yes, yes, yes and it's about time.

Once more diving into the wealthy archive of the Star Trek Fact Files, the book pulls together all the material on the series you could desire including the station, Runabouts and the iconic USS Defiant. 

I was, shamefully, not a collector of the Fact Files back in the day. An ex-girlfriend did and I remember spending a substantial part of a day just flicking through the binders and being really impressed with the graphics and notes alongside. Possibly one of the reasons I became an ex!

Anyway... this book just goes that step further. If you've collected and still have the files, then this is money you can avoid spending because 99% of the content is exactly the same but just in one place and not filling half a wall. 

So let's take a look under the hood and flip open this hardback compendium.  The first thing you'll naturally do is compare it to the '90's DS9 Technical Manual. As with previous entries, these books are, when aligned with those schematic heavyweights from the likes of Okuda and Sternbach, like two halves of a medallion. One provides in depth "real world" technical understandings of the workings of just about everything while the Handbook provides a more relaxed and informative read. This handbook book is much more a journey through DS9 rather than a guide on how to fix a broken warp engine and relates more as a story backed by CG as well as episode reference shots which you wouldn't find in the technical manuals but still keeps it grounded in the Trek universe.

Yes, there are technical aspects to it, but this new volume excels in its cutaway drawings of Ops or the Promenade as well as relating the construction path of the station by its Cardassian builders. The superb images also have further areas expanded on such as control panels and in the case of the Promenade it even goes into specific operations on that deck. Notes indicate specific items and key points with the main narrative exploding the background.

The Illustrated Handbook adeptly covers just about everything and links it back to the series itself in many cases. The Cardassian counterinsurgency programmes from Civil Defence are referenced as are the away team desert uniforms from Shadows and Symbols. Even the optolythic data rod from In the Pale Moonlight gets a section devoted to it. That's where the technical manual and this really part ways. Ben Robinson and editor Simon Hugo have gathered together information which is made accessible to all levels of fandom and just looks amazing.

Beyond the station there's even more with the Runabout sections even showing that mid-section only used on TNG as well as a decent recap on the fates of DS9's fleet over the series along with further annotated views of the utility craft.

For those wanting a bit more starship action then there's the Defiant with close up looks into the engine room, the bridge and even the cramped mess hall. Each section not only explains some over technical pieces in plain English but the relation to the show through an in universe explanation. All aspects of the ship are covered from its creation right up to its destruction and resurrection in the final season. There are also pieces on the features of the ship which made it unique in Starfleet.

It's difficult not to come away from this, the fourth book in the reconstituted Fact Files series and be highly impressed, disappointed and slightly hopeful all in one go. Let me explain.

The work that has gone into scouring the man, many volumes of the classic part work cannot be underestimated and to have it all here is, as said, just wonderful but it this going to be the last one since the Fact Files never touched on anything more recently. Is there a chance that we might get an Illustrated Handbook for Discovery for example? I think fans would be excited to see that but it would be a project from the ground up (I have time, Ben, if you need a hand!). 

Just as a good reference book was an absolute necessity for your library back in the 1990's, this is another piece of Star Trek history that every fan should have in whatever form. Personally I'm ecstatic to have a hold of it in a single book that logically details the elements of arguably Star Trek's best and most unique show in one place. At this place and time, HeroCollector is the place to go if you're looking for that more inquisitive look into the workings of the Roddenberry-created universe. Let's have some more. 

The Deep Space Nine Illustrated Handbook will soon be available from HeroCollector in the UK...

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Star Trek Cocktails: A Stellar Compendium

Many a Starfleet officer has been spotted at Ten Forward, Quarks or at an alien watering hole getting to grips with a variety of drinks, especially if they're green.

Star Trek Cocktails brings the flavour of the galaxy right to your door and possibly to your drinks cabinet with a range of concoctions from the Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma Quadrants with something suitable for every connoisseur of a tipple or two. 

Handily split into nine sections, there's not just a drink suitable for the right person but for the right occasion as well be it for entertaining, a lonely night in, something a little bit more romantic or just for that party night, you'll no doubt find it in here and if it's a Star Trek themed night, well, it's bonus points all round!!!

All of the beverages included go by a Trek related name of course and beneath a few you might spot some more than recognisable combinations but everything has that intergalactic twist. Each drink is provided with a double page - a classy illustration that weaves in the drink and an association in the Star Trek universe plus also explaining how to make it on the other side and the characteristics that give it its name. 

What I was surprised to find is that, not only does Star Trek Cocktails include a wealth of recipes to tickle those terrestrial tastebuds, there's a trickle of episode and film scenes involving drinks included throughout. These honour everything from Pike and Boyce's conversation in the opening 15 minutes of The Cage right through to Discovery including The Next Generation's Ensign Ro, the movie Generations, Deep Space Nine's The Way of the Warrior and a few more. These add a bit more life to a book that could become monotonous even if you're just having a flick through. 

Fans will enjoy this addition for a couple of reasons - it is quirky (not to the level of Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness), clever and impressively for a Star Trek book actually goddamn useful outside of fandom. It'll spice up a few social events after we all get out of lockdown but before then it could even give you something to play around with over the upcoming festive period with anyone inside your social bubble.

Star Trek Cocktails is out now as an online exclusive from HeroCollector and you can purchase it HERE

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All images CBS All Access

Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness

What with The Wisdom of Picard from Simon and Schuster, HeroCollector have also gone for something quirky in Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness.

But don't go all out thinking this is some sort of in depth self-help manual because it's taken with a light-hearted approach right across from the words to the free-style illustrations which provide a very individual look to this new publication.

Running to just over 100 pages (116) and nine chapters, Glenn Dakin - recently involved with the brilliant Quibbles with Tribbles - has returned with a book to help us all be that little bit more Vulcan in our lives. 

Offering up advice and direction from the universe's most famed pointy-earred hobgoblin (just quoting McCoy peeps!), Spock's experiences in life are right at your finger tips should it come to Self-Acceptance, Truth (Vulcans always tell the truth nor do they bluff...honest), Family, Love, Change and more. But don't be taking this all too seriously because there is without question a very tongue-in-cheek approach to the writing and certainly the Quentin Blake-esque illustrations placing Spock in some less than logical and emotion-free positions. Every one has real life to it and doesn't fail to raise a smile - the enjoyment is turning the page to see what he'll be up to next. 

The research from Dakin is once more excellent with the author diving into not just The Original Series but probing into the furthest corners of The Voyage Home and The Undiscovered Country and past that into the realms of Discovery to uncover just the right words of wisdom and guidance from Spock. Nothing in here from the Kelvin Timeline which does make you wonder if anything from that path made any sense...!!!

Anyway, I digress slightly because not only does Dakin relate these quotes and sections to our everyday lives (Vulcans don't have social media...) but flips it all around to demonstrate that sometimes the logic isn't always perfect or works out as planned (the needs of the many...or the one) and cleverly weaves in a bit of a deep dive into Vulcan philosophy and their own background as a race including The Animated Series because hell, 

This is one of those books that seems to give in different ways each time I come back to it. I'd err on the side of reading a bit a day rather than piling through and taking in each section at a time as you will end up thinking back to particular episodes, instances and phrases - but don't worry if anything eludes you as Glenn Dakin has also included a handy quote reference section at the end which will align you to the right episode or movie for further details. 

Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness is one of those volumes that sticks in your mind and not
just for the title. It can be a little whimsical in its narrative at times but the whole is such an engaging read with real love for the franchise permeating every page and word because Dakin manages to balance the line of keeping it tonally light while both honouring the legacy and poking that little bit of fun at the franchise with the twists and turns woven into Spock's story - for continuity fans you'll have a whale of a time I have no doubt. 

Being a Brit too means that, for me, the humour in here works that much more successfully than a good chunk of the jokes did in Lower Decks and for that, I can guarantee I'll be diving into this Little Book for many occasions in the future and hope to see more of Glenn Dakin's work be it the written word or cartoon very soon!

Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness is available now from HeroCollector HERE priced £11.99

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Quibbles with Tribbles: HeroCollector Gets Nitpicky

Available from September 22nd, Star Treksperts can try their hand at Eaglemoss/Hero Collector's latest hardbacked offering - Quibbles with Tribbles.

You're probably now scratching your head wondering what the heck I'm going on about and perhaps if I might need to take a break but alas no, this is a new book that puts your observational skills, memory and minutiae knowledge to the test across eight lovingly crafted - and mistake laden - scenes from The Original Series.

Although not requiring a magnifying glass and a steady flow of paracetamol, Quibbles for Tribbles is certainly an exciting product that offers a unique challenge to Trek fans in several ways over the double-page pics.

In fact there are four specific threads to follow through the error filled pages; there’s one reference hidden throughout to each of the 79 original episodes (Artifact Incidents) , there are (in each pic) five things which shouldn’t be in that precise scene (Nerd Alerts) and third there is an Exploding Tribble to be found. Finally and not in every scene is a Super Quibble - an error that only a super SUPER Star Trek fan would know. 

To help you keep score the book comes complete with a scoring sheet although my personal recommendation is a lined A4 sheet and numbered points to avoid trashing the product. There's even a full run down of the episodes from the show plus a short section detailing a sprinkling of series background before heading into the filling of this new book.

At the rear each of the scenes is then dissected into grid squares to help you easily pick out all the discrepancies once you’re sure you’ve spotted the lot and even goes into a little bit of additional detail as to why said item/person/event is in the wrong place or timeframe...

It’s a brilliant idea and one that had me joked immediately. Of course you want to see just how good your Star Trek fact knowledge is and especially if you can spot those rock hard and rare Super Quibbles. However there’s a bugger of a drawback - once you’ve found them all you’ve expended the book’s use. Either store it away for a decade for a second go or pass it on for someone else to enjoy. It’s brilliantly illustrated by John Ross, recreating eight classic moments but what I also found was that it was easy to confuse some of the episode references for scenic cock-ups and at that point I did question what was going on what list!

I do believe that this would appeal to any generation of fan though - newbies might not spot everything for a while as they watch The Original Series through while more experienced Trekkies will be kicking themselves silly at missing the Romulan cooking toast on the warp core (outlandish example and it’s not in the book!) but might spot Number One piggybacking a Horta (again, not in the book!!!) 

Hero Collector have delivered something totally different and engaging that only the Nitpickers' Guides from the 1990's attempted to even get close to - and that was all about finding the errors in the real episodes rather than these mind-bending scenes. The levels of engagement through the three different challenges do offer a chance to ‘progress’ if you will from novice Trekkie to full blown Starship Captain levels of ability - probably best to start spotting the episode references before checking out those scenic errors!

Purposely with the review I've only used sections from one of the double-page spreads since you need to have this book to really experience the level of fandom it's reaching. A new twist on the franchise but one that will be short-lived in its usefulness; good one to lend out to friends.

Quibbles with Tribbles is available now from Eaglemoss HeroCollector priced £11.99

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