Apollo's Journey 1

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Apollo's Journey #1 An issue of the Maximum Press series.
Issue No.	1
Writer(s)	Richard Hatch
Illustrator(s)	{{{illustrator}}}
Penciller(s)	Hector Gomez
Inker(s)	Hector Gomez
Colorist(s)	Robert Chong
Letterer(s)	Kurt Hathaway
Editor(s)	Matt Hawkins
Collection Design	{{{designer}}}
Cover Artist(s)	Hector Gomez
Adaptation of
Published	8 May 1996
Collects
Collected in
Reprints
Reprinted as
Pages	{{{pages}}}
ISBN	[[Special:Booksources/|]]
Population	0 Survivors
Special	{{{special}}}
Chronology
Previous		Next
None	Apollo's Journey #1	Apollo's Journey #2
Purchase
Available at BOOKSAMILLION.COM - Purchase
Available at Amazon.com – [[amazon:{{{amazon}}}|Purchase]]
Available at Amazon.co.uk – Purchase
Available at Things From Another World - Purchase

Summary

Following the apparent death of his friend Starbuck, Apollo fell into a deep depression. This coupled with his fear that the Cylons were preparing to launch a full scale invasion of Earth, Apollo urged the council to evacuate the planet immediately, and renew the search for the lost Thirteenth Tribe. Unknown to Apollo, his fears were all too accurate—the Imperious Leader had ordered his fleet of base ships to attack earth and complete the extermination of the human race. At the same time, on the prison barge, the Borellian Nomen were about to be released after twenty yahrens of captivity. But Count Iblis appeared and the Nomen agreed to form an alliance with him and the Cylons to revenge themselves against the colonials.

Plot

The Fleet

The story opens with Commander Apollo in the council chambers addressing concerns about Earth's vulnerability to Cylon attack. Apollo argues for immediate evacuation of Earth, citing intelligence that the Imperious Leader has ordered a massive fleet to "complete the extermination of the human race." The council is divided on this recommendation, with some members questioning Apollo's mental state and judgment.

Meanwhile, the Cylons have been making significant technological advances. Their fleet receives critical upgrades to their star drive systems, allowing them to travel faster and more efficiently toward their target. This technological enhancement makes their planned assault on the Colonial Fleet even more dangerous and gives them a strategic advantage in their pursuit.

Distraught by Starbuck's death, Apollo becomes increasingly unstable and begins experiencing visions. In a private moment with Serina, he expresses his inner turmoil, remembering Starbuck's death and his own inability to prevent it. During this, Sheba attempts to comfort him, noting that he's been "on edge" since Starbuck died and that Apollo juxtaposes Sheba's and Serina's names, resulting in her emotional distress over the specter of Serina hanging over their relationship. Yet another indication that Apollo remains haunted by memories of the past and overwhelmed by his responsibilities.

As Apollo struggles with his demons, he begins to show signs of erratic behavior. His paranoia about the Cylon threat becomes obsessive, and he starts making increasingly desperate proposals to the council. The stress of command and his unresolved grief over Starbuck's loss begin to take their toll.

Count Iblis begins to exert his influence over Apollo, appearing to him in visions and manipulating his thoughts. Iblis feeds on Apollo's guilt and despair, slowly possessing him and turning his natural leadership instincts toward darker purposes. Apollo's behavior becomes more erratic as Iblis's control grows stronger.

Meanwhile, Commander Cain approaches Apollo with concerns about his mental state. Cain warns that Apollo's emotional condition could endanger their mission and questions whether he's fit for duty. However, Apollo is granted temporary leave from duty by the council to address his psychological condition, though some council members express reservations about this decision.

Under Iblis's influence, Apollo becomes increasingly paranoid and hostile. He begins to view even his closest allies with suspicion, believing they are working against him. This paranoia reaches its peak when he confronts those he perceives as threats to his mission.

Possessed by Count Iblis, Apollo alienates the Council with increasingly erratic and aggressive behavior. In a moment of apparent madness, he confronts and shoots Cain during what appears to be a heated argument about military strategy - much to the dismay of Sheba, Apollo's wife. This shocking action leads to his immediate arrest by security forces, leaving the fleet in chaos.

In the Galactica's life center, Dr. Salik performs a critical medical operation to try to save Cain, and Salik expresses concerns about the extensive damage to his patient's condition. The medical situation is dire, with several serious complications near the patient's vital organs that require immediate attention to prevent further deterioration.

The Prison Barge

On the Colonial prison barge, the Borellian Nomen are being prepared for release after twenty yahrens of captivity. The Nomen warriors Maga, Bora, and Taba discuss their impending freedom and their plans for revenge against the Colonials who imprisoned them. They acknowledge the council's authority over their release but make it clear they have not forgotten their grudges.

Count Iblis appears to the Nomen in their cell, revealing himself as a powerful entity who has been watching their imprisonment. He offers them an alliance, appealing to their desire for revenge against the Colonials. Iblis reveals that Cylon base ships are positioning for an attack on the Colonial Fleet, and proposes that the Nomen join forces with both him and the Cylons to achieve their mutual goal of revenge against the Colonials.

The Nomen, led by Maga, are initially skeptical but are swayed by Iblis's promises of power and the opportunity for vengeance they have long sought. Iblis demonstrates his supernatural abilities and convinces them that working together, they can destroy the Colonial Fleet and achieve the revenge that has consumed them during their long imprisonment. The Nomen agree to this unholy alliance, seeing it as their best chance to settle old scores.

With Iblis's assistance and influence, the Borellian Nomen break free from their confinement and launch a coordinated escape. Using their combat skills and knowledge of Colonial ships, they fight their way through the prison barge's security forces. Their escape creates chaos throughout the prison facility as alarms sound and guards attempt to contain the situation.

The Borellian Nomen, now fully influenced by Iblis and motivated by their alliance with the Cylons, make their way to the Galactica and successfully infiltrate the ship. Using their warrior skills and taking advantage of the confusion caused by Apollo's arrest, they manage to reach and take over the bridge, putting the entire Colonial Fleet at risk and leaving the command structure in complete disarray.

Notes

Timeline

• The events of this issue occur after the Original Series, following Starbuck's apparent death and the discovery of Earth.
• The story references the Borellian Nomen's twenty-yahren imprisonment, connecting to events from the episode "The Man with Nine Lives."

Production

• Several sources note that actor/writer Richard Hatch contributed the story for this miniseries, but that it was subsequently edited drastically by Maximum Press. [1], [2]
• The issue includes a personal letter from Richard Hatch explaining his involvement with the comic series and his hopes for reviving Battlestar Galactica.

Analysis

• This issue serves as both a continuation of the Original Series and a psychological character study of Apollo dealing with survivor's guilt and the trauma of war.
• The involvement of Count Iblis and the Borellian Nomen creates connections to established Original Series mythology while expanding the storyline in new directions.
• Richard Hatch's writing explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of leadership during wartime.

Questions

• What is Count Iblis's ultimate plan in allying with both the Cylons and the Borellian Nomen?
• How will Apollo's possession and breakdown affect the Colonial Fleet's defenses?
• Are the Nomen truly free, or are they still being used as pawns in a larger scheme?
• What role will the mysterious amulet play in future events?

Noteworthy Dialogue

Count Iblis speaks to the Borellian Nomen about revenge:

Iblis: The Imperious Leader wouldn't have it any other way. Much as he suspects that you wouldn't have it any other way either. Is your destiny to dominate the humans...

Maga: ...And so it shall be.