Editing Galactica 1980 1

{{separate continuity|universe=1980|cont=Dynamite Comics}}

{{Comic Data
| image =Galactica 1980 1.jpg
| title=Galactica 1980 #1
| series=Dynamite
| issueno=1
| episode=
| writer= [[Marc Guggenheim]]
| penciller= [[Cezar Razek]]
| inker= Cezar Razek
| colorist=[[Salvatore Aiala]]
| letterer=[[Simon Bowland]]
| editor=
| cover= [[Lucio Parrillo]]
| published=September 2009
| collects=
| collected=
| reprints=
| reprinted=
| isbn=
| prev=None
| next=[[Galactica 1980 2]]
}}

== Plot ==

* At [[w:Harvard University|Harvard University]] in November of 1971 C.E., a [[Donald Mortinson (alternate)|mustached, puffy haired man]]<ref>Donald Mortinson's identity is later revealed in [[Galactica 1980 2|issue 2]] of this series.</ref> gives a lecture on his theory pertaining to extraterrestrial intervention of Earth's development, using the introduction to the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)#Noteworthy Dialogue|original ''Battlestar Galactica'' series in this sparsely-attended lecture]]. A young heckler in jeans and a white t-shirt challenges the speaker's "lamebrain theory," which the speaker then vainly defends, noting the lack of knowledge about the "missing link" between ape and man. 
* In 1977 C.E., [[w:NASA|NASA]] works on the [[w:Voyager program|Voyager program]]. 
* In 1980 C.E., [[Troy Adama|Troy "Boxey" Adama]]<ref>Troy's full name is revealed in issue 2.</ref> and [[Dillon (alternate)|Dillon]] are on patrol. Troy detects a contact on his [[scanner]] whilst drinking from a flask; Dillon notes that it is against regulations to drink while on duty. Troy begins his tirade on how regulations are as unnecessary as the patrol, as they have never seen [[Cylons (1980)|Cylons]] in their lifetime. Troy also notes that drinking dulls the pain, and that Dillon should try it. This conversation ends when Dillon confirms the contact and encounters something that is not [[Voyager spacecraft|space junk]].
* [[Adama (1980 alternate)|Adama]] notes that the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]]'s morale has deteriorated (women of child-bearing age undergo "'homegrown' sterilizations" to prevent future generations from suffering the fate of an endless journey) and doubts that it could deteriorate any further. He also notes that there are whispers of mutiny for those who want to support a leadership that will settle the first habitable planet they come across, instead of their apparently endless journey to find [[Earth (1980 alternate)|Earth]]. 
* As Adama pulls out his gun and begins his suicide attempt, he is summoned to ''[[Rising Star (TOS)|Rising Star]]''. Upon entering the laboratory, Adama rebukes Doctor [[Gaius Zee]]<ref>Zee's given name is revealed in issue 2.</ref> for being summoned "like a [[daggit]]," for which Zee apologizes. Upon seeing the ''Voyager'' spacecraft, Adama questions if it is of Cylon origin; Zee notes Adama's apparent optimism over that otherwise disturbing fact. 
* Zee boasts to Adama that the craft originates from Earth, and that it took him 3.2 [[centar]]s to translate the Earth language. Upon questioning Zee as to why Adama was not immediately notified upon this discovery, and Zee notes that he is an "old man" and that "sometimes, my excitement gets the better of my judgment."
* Dillon raises his concern over the public reaction, noting that many among ''[[Galactica (1980)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} hangar crew—not to mention civilians—have seen the craft during its recover and subsequent transfer from ''Galactica'' to ''Rising Star''. Faced with this reality, and the fact that word has spread throughout the Fleet like wildfire, Adama and Zee address the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]]. While Adama advises that the Quorum be prepared with answers to the survivors' questions, Zee informs the Quorum that the humans on Earth are primitive and the Colonials would not be welcomed with open arms, but the reaction would be "inhospitable." Zee recommends that, for their safety and the safety of the Earthlings, they conquer the planet. Adama's reaction is one of sheer outrage.
* Adama advocates a peaceful meeting with the ones who constructed the Earth craft. The Quorum agrees. Before proceeding to their final destination, Adama makes his speech to the Colonial Fleet, announcing the discovery of Earth.
* [[w:NORAD|NORAD]] detects two unknown craft (Colonial Vipers piloted by Troy and Dillon) flying at Mach-3, inbound to Washington, D.C. The Vipers are an advanced scout for ''Galactica'', who ensure the area is clear for her arrival. 
* In the White House, the President and his staff discuss the incursion of the two Vipers, attempting to get in touch with the Russian president, [[w:Leonid Brezhnev|Leonid Brezhnev]]. The [[w:United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agents rush in, noting that the White House is under attack and move to bring the President to the bunker. The President breaks free of the Secret Service agent's grip and rushes towards the window, seeing ''Galactica'' hovering overhead. Seeing the craft, he immediately elects the first strike option, ordering [[w:DEFCON|DEFCON-1]] and the nuclear codes. 
* For 67 [[centon]]s since taking position above the White House, ''Galactica'''s crew attempts to contact the humans. They detect an inbound warhead; Adama asks the [[Lords of Kobol (TOS)|Gods]] to forgive him, as Zee was right. ''Galactica'' takes a hit amidships and is destroyed, crashing to the ground. Adama lives long enough to see the sunlight from the Earth, before losing consciousness.

== Notes ==
[[File:Galactica Explodes.jpg|thumb|right|''Galactica'' struck amidship by nuclear ordnance.]]
* This comic's title is "Galactica Discovers Earth," an obvious nod to the ''Galactica 1980'' pilot episode of the [[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|same name]].
* Of note, there are two visual nods to the [[Re-imagined Series]]: the "clamshell blaster" (used in the [[Miniseries]] and the [[Season 1 (2004-05)|first season]]) that [[Adama (1980 alternate)|Adama]] holds to his temple during his aborted suicide attempt and the [[Colonial seal]] in the chambers of the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]].
* While Colonel [[Boomer (1980)|Boomer]] is introduced in this issue, his character is not defined in this issue other than his status as ''Galactica''{{'|s}} executive officer. His fate at the end of this issue is unknown.
* The comic book uses the appearances and, generally, the same basic template of the television series, right down to the character's likenesses.
* The cover art for this first issue of the series is based on the cover for the (Region 1) DVD release of ''Galactica 1980''.
:* While [[Jamie Hamilton]] is shown on the cover, she is not introduced in this issue. 
* The [[Alliance]] is mentioned as possible originators of the ''Voyager''.
* The individual lecturing at [[w:Harvard University|Harvard University]] appears similar to [[Donald Mortinson]], although this is neither confirmed nor denied by the content in the issue.
[[File:G80 1 - Galactica crash.jpg|thumb|right|What's left of ''Galactica''.]]
* Given the mention of [[w:Leonid Brezhnev|Leonid Brezhnev]], [[w:General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]], it is likely that the United States of America's President depicted in this issue is the 39th President, [[w:Jimmy Carter|James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.]]
* Adama's narration is taken from "Ship's log entry nine-seventeen-nineteen-seventy-eight."  17 September 1978 (which could be rendered as "9/17/1978" in the American vernacular) was the date the  [[Original Series]] debuted on [[w:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].
* This issue ends with the following reading from [[w:Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy 34:4-5]]. Its use implies that Adama was the Colonials's [[w:Moses|Moses]]. Deuteronomy 34:4-5, as quoted in the issue, reads: 
*: ''And the Lord said unto him, this is the land which I swore unto [[w:Abraham|Abraham]] and [[w:Isaac|Isaac]] and [[w:Jacob|Jacob]], saying, "I will give it to thy descendants." I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.''
* The term "[[yahren]]" is repeatedly misspelled in this issue. 
* The use of the term "sire" by the general at the White House on page 16 is likely an error.

== Analysis ==

* This is a re-imagined take on the ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' television series. Although the comic series draws from the visual cues from ''1980'', down to the likenesses and basic character elements established in that series's canon, the tone is considerably darker in terms of mood and cynicism (or realism, depending on the views of the reader). Differences from the series include demonstrations of the character's faults (Adama's depression and suicide attempt, Troy's drinking habits while on duty), the deteriorating conditions of the Fleet, women undergoing surgical procedures for sterilization, and the malaise of the general leadership.
* Characters introduced in this issue:
** [[Adama (1980 alternate)|Adama]] maintains a calm demeanor in public, but contemplates suicide in the face of the long journey, demonstrating underlining longing for the Cylons to return. As opposed to his [[Adama (1980)|canonical counterpart]], he is at odds with Doctor [[Zee (alternate)|Zee]] over how to approach the people of [[Earth (1980 alternate)|Earth]]; Adama favors direct communication with their Earth brothers.
** [[Troy (1980 alternate)|Troy]] is a cynical [[Warrior]] and has sought comfort in inebriation, as opposed to his [[Troy (1980)|canonical counterpart]]'s considered, thoughtful approach and maturity. 
** [[Dillon (alternate)|Dillon]] is mature and level-headed, stoic and adhering to duty, much like the Troy of the ''1980'' series. 
** Doctor [[Zee (alternate)|Zee]] is an old genius somehow transplanted in a young boy's body. While ultimately correct in his predictions that their Earth brothers are violent and would not welcome the Colonials with open arms, Zee is not without a sense of self-entitlement and condescending nature.
** [[Boomer (1980)#Notes|Boomer]] is much like his [[Boomer (1980)|canonical counterpart]] and makes a fleeting appearance in this issue before the U.S. military's strike on ''Galactica''.
* The U.S. President's order of a nuclear attack on ''Galactica'' seems foolhardy, unless he made it to the shelter unscathed. The success of the nuclear attack implies that ''Galactica'' is without energy shielding, or that such shielding was not employed.  
* The [[invisibility field]] technology developed by Doctor Zee in the series is unused here. It may or may not have been invented.

== Questions ==

=== Answered Questions ===

* With ''Galactica'' destroyed, what happens to the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]]? What will be the Colonials's response? ([[Galactica 1980 2|Answer]])
* What of the [[Cylons (1980)|Cylons]]? ([[Galactica 1980 2|Answer]])

=== Unanswered Questions ===

* How did Zee, who apparently was an old man, transfer his consciousness into a young boy? 
* What is the nature of Zee's "experiments" on people?
* What happened to {{TOS|Apollo}}, {{TOS|Starbuck}}, {{TOS|Athena}} and the others? 
* With the world now aware of an extra-terrestrial threat, not to mention the existence of such creatures, what will be the resulting social and political changes?

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''Doctor [[Gaius Zee]] and Commander [[Adama (1980 alternate)|Adama]] discuss how to approach the humans on [[Earth (1980 alternate)|Earth]]:''
: '''Adama:''' These are our ''brethren''. Younger, more primitive perhaps, but they are ''human'' and they are the descendants of the [[Thirteenth Tribe (TOS)|lost tribe]]. I cannot believe they would fail to welcome us as their brothers.
: '''Zee:''' And if you're wrong, Adama, you'll cause panic among them on a ''planetary'' scale. 
: '''Quorum Member:''' What are you proposing, doctor?
: '''Zee:''' Assuming sure and swift control over the planet will assure everyone's safety. Especially ''theirs''.
: '''Adama:''' '''''No!'' I didn't travel billions of [[light-yahren|light-yarens]] (sic) to conquer other humans!'''
: '''Zee:''' Not conquer, Adama. ''Colonize.''
: '''Adama:''' To what purpose? More fodder for your ''"experiments,"'' perhaps? To what use would you have us put your human '''slaves?'''
: '''Zee:''' Is a child a slave to his parent? These are not our ''"brothers,"'' as you claim, Adama. At best, they are our ''children''. And children must sometimes submit to the will of their parents for their own protection.

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C725130126214 ''Galactica 1980 1''] at Dynamite Entertainment

* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22015 Preview Article - Guggenheim Goes For Galactica 1980 - Comic Book Resoruces]

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