Editing Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 1

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

{{Comic Data
| image= BSG188001CovSyaf.jpg
| title=Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 1
| series=Dynamite
| issueno=1
| episode=
| writer= [[Tony Lee]]
| penciller=[[Aneke]]
| inker=
| colorist= [[Alex Starling]]
| letterer= [[Marshall Dillon]]
| editor=
| cover= [[Ardian Syaf]] (Cover A) <br/> [[Sergio Fernandez Davila]] (Cover B)
| published=August 13, 2014
| collects=
| collected=
| reprints=
| reprinted=
| isbn= 725130219275
| prev=
| next=[[Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 2]]
}}

==Summary==

:''Welcome to the world of ''Battlestar Galactica'' as never seen before, as #1 NYT Bestselling Author [[Tony Lee]] gives it a Steampunk spin! After Professor [[Baltar (1880)|Baltar]]'s clockwork [[Cylonics]] destroy the [[Colonial Empire]], Arch Duke [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] learns that his son [[Apollo (1880)|Apollo]] is missing! It's up to Lady [[Athena (1880)|Athena]] to travel to the Sky Pirate world of the [[Rising Star (1880)|Rising Star]] and ask for help from the only hope she has &mdash; the disgraced Captain [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]] and his humanoid / [[Daggit (1880)|Daggit]] copilot [[Muffit (1880)|Muffit]]...''<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513021927501011|title=
Steampunk Battlestar Galactica: 1880 #1|date=|accessdate=24 June 2019|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

==Plot==

=== Overview ===

* A [[yahren]]s long conflict between the [[Ovions (1880)|Ovions]] and the [[Colonial Empire]] took their toll on the humans. 
* Professor [[Baltar (1880)|Baltar]] creates a machine race of [[clockworks]] to replace the depleting numbers of [[Warrior (1880)|Warrior]]s: [[Cylonics]].
* Cylonics turn the tide in the [[Ovion Wars]] within [[secton]]s, ending the conflict.
* Buoyed by this, Baltar sets his sights on acquiring power over the Colonial Empire. He is thwarted by [[Archduke]] [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] of the [[aethership]] ''[[Galactica (1880)|Galactica]]'', and Baltar absconds with the Cylonic army and the [[Lu-c-fer|babbage computer]] that controls them.

=== The Fall of Caprica ===

* On [[Caprica (1880)|Caprica]], [[Cylonic Centurions|large Cylonics]] cause havoc and wreak destruction throughout a densely populated city. In the skies above, [[Viper (1880)|Viper]]s ineffectually fire upon them. 
* [[Zachary]] asks [[Crown Prince]] [[Apollo (1880)|Apollo]] for a new attack plan. Apollo mistakenly confuses Zachary for [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]], who is lost to them.
* On Apollo's order, they use grapples to drag down the Cylons as concentrated Viper firepower on the knees does the rest.
* On ''[[Galactica (1880)|Galactica]]'', Fleet Admiral [[Tigh (1880)|Tigh]] celebrates the downing of that Cylonic. * [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] orders the ship about while belting out a rousing speech on how Caprica will not fall.
* Zachary sarcastically questions Apollo on how Caprica's been ordered to survive, and asks if that's how Apollo stays alive as well. Apollo retorts that being Crown Prince doesn't make him immortal, but it makes him act that way. Starbuck, too, acted that way and notes "look what happened to him."
* ''[[Atlantia (1880)|Atlantia]]'' engages another towering Cylonic, which fires [[Cylonic Knights|smaller versions of itself]] at it. These Knights board the ship and head to the control room.
* As Apollo is reporting on this new act, a Knight climbs upon his Viper and smashes the canopy. 
* Aboard ''Atlantia'', Knights enter the engine room and commandeer the vessel, overloading the [[solium core]] and steering the aetership into the planet itself. 
* Adama orders an evacuation of Caprica, realizing that the ship is now a bomb. The order is in vain, as ''Atlantia'' explodes and kills all life on Caprica.
* The [[Flight Commander]] informs Adama that Apollo's vessel has been found floating in the atmosphere. 
* Tigh and Adama inspect the craft in the hangar. Tigh shares the belief that Apollo was sucked out when his [[plexi-crystal]] canopy broke.
* Adama vows vengeance against Baltar and his creations as [[Lady]] [[Athena (1880)|Athena]] arrives with her page [[Boxey (1880)|Boxey]] in tow. 
* Athena informs Adama that she had been visiting [[Lord]] [[Cain (1880)|Cain]] on ''[[Pegasus (1880)|Pegasus]]''. Adama reminds her that he disapproves of that relationship, but is told that Cain is dead as ''Pegasus''<nowiki>'</nowiki> destruction occurred prior to ''Atlantia''<nowiki>'s</nowiki>.
* Athena examines the Viper, voicing her belief that Apollo may have survived. Tigh agrees that it could be possible if Baltar had desired it, and Athena believes that Apollo was abducted as a trophy for Baltar as destroying Caprica wasn't enough.
* Incensed at this, Adama rebukes entertaining Apollo's survival and seeks vengeance instead, and ends the conversation.
* Athena weeps, asking Tigh for help. Tigh notes that only one man could have a chance at saving Apollo&mdash;[[Flight-Lieutenant]] [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]], a deserter whose name is no longer spoken.
* Tigh informs Athena of Starbuck's location on the border world of {{1880|Rising Star}}, and that someone needs to remind Starbuck about his life debut to Apollo.
* Now hopeful, Athena tells Boxey to ready her [[bubbleship]] for the trip.

=== Aetherprison ''Proteus'' === 

* [[Cylonic Knight]]s drag {{1880|Apollo}} through the [[aetherprison]] ''{{1880|Proteus}}'' in orbit of the planet [[Helia]]; it is here that the large towering [[Cylonic Centurion|Cylonic Centurion]]s that besieged {{1880|Caprica}} are being constructed.
* Apollo comments on being roughly handled by the Cylonics as he is pushed upon the floor of {{1880|Baltar}}'s throne room.
* Baltar presents himself as "{{1880|Imperious Leader}} Baltar," and notes his pleasure about saving Apollo's life. He debates what to do with Apollo: work him to death in Helia's mines, or turn him into the next evolution of a Cylonic Knight. 
* As Baltar makes the decision to have Apollo work his mines&mdash;noting that only Apollo's brain is required for the future experiment&mdash;Apollo vows to kill Baltar.

=== Rising Star ===

* {{1880|Athena}} and {{1880|Boxey}} make way to the bar an old man on Rising Star spoke of. When Athena asks Boxey about it being a trap, Boxey replies in the affirmative: "We're certain to die in a matter of ''centons''."
* They enter the pirate-infested bar and, even after Boxey corrects himself from his earlier statement, Athena commands for the barkeep. Her inquiry regarding {{1880|Starbuck}} and his aethership ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'' attracts the unwanted attention of two pirates, {{1880|Romo|one of them}} noting that "saying the name Starbuck isn't a way to make ''friends''" and that Starbuck hasn't many on Rising Star. 
* Athena flips over one of the men into a table, while the second bald-shaven aggressor pulls a gun on her. Before he can proceed further, the tip of {{1880|Starbuck}}'s sword comes close to the aggressor's face. The aggressor stands down, retrieves his friend and leaves the bar with haste.
* After exchanging barbs on Starbuck's state of inebriation, Starbuck directs Athena to his "office"&mdash;an out-of-the-way table at the bar.

=== Atherprison ''Proteus'' ===

* A [[Cylonic Knight]] pushes {{1880|Apollo}} into a cell, where he encounters {{1880|Boomer}}, an old acquaintance from the [[Ovion War]] who had been banished. Apollo asks why he was banished by the {{1880|Quorum of Twelve}}, Boomer replies that it was because he was saved by {{1880|Baltar}}'s prosthetics&mdash;where they were converted into half-human, half-clockwork machines&mdash;after having been badly wounded at the [[Battle of Carillion]].
* In the cell is {{1880|Jolly}}, another {{1880|Warrior}} saved by Baltar's science and summarily banished. They tell Apollo that the Quorum feared anyone saved by Baltar would be controlled by him. Despite {{1880|Adama}}'s objections, the Quorum exiled them and Baltar "rescued" them to work on mining ores for Baltar's weapons of mass destruction.
* Apollo recruits Boomer and Jolly to his cause, assuring them that he does not view them as enemies while promising that they will be returned to the nobility of the [[Colonial Empire]] by helping him escape after they land on [[Helia]].

=== Rising Star ===

* {{1880|Starbuck}} tells {{1880|Athena}} that he told {{1880|Adama}} that {{1880|Baltar}} couldn't be trusted. After Adama shared these concerns with the {{1880|Quorum of Twelve}}, Starbuck was forced out as the Quorum "decided I could no longer be trusted." 
* Athena takes offense to this, and Starbuck agrees with her that Adama is a good man, but the "Quorum has ''many'' bad seeds." He tells her of his two wingmen, {{1880|Boomer}} and {{1880|Jolly}}, who were saved by {{1880|Baltar}}'s prosthetics after the [[Battle of Carillion]] and went mysteriously missing the next day.
* He asks Athena how many men and women saved by Baltar's prosthetics still remain, noting that the Quorum excised anything "touched by Baltar's hand." Athena bristles in anger at this and is interrupted by Starbuck's second in command, a {{1880|Daggit}} named {{1880|Muffit}}. Muffit informs Starbuck that someone is looking for payment, which he brushes off.
* Athena is shocked at the presence of Muffit, noting that Daggits are unstable. As Starbuck is about to leave, he imparts his sorrow of what had transpired on Caprica and is uncertain about what he can do to help win the new war. 
* Athena tells Starbuck that she doesn't care about the war, noting her only concern is about {{1880|Apollo}}. He changes his tune, noting that she should have simply said that in the first place. 
* As they leave to make way to ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'', {{1880|Boxey}} introduces himself to Muffit.
* They enter the bay where ''Starchaser'' is berthed, where Starbuck tells Athena that she'll find "no faster ship in all the [[aether]]" with the addition of special modifications "at great cost."
* Before they can board, Queen {{1880|Sheba}} and her brigand announce themselves; Sheba claims that Starbuck stole the credits from her. 
* Athena uses her father's name in an attempt to defuse the situation, but Sheba notes that it is she who rules Rising Star, and not the [[Colonial Empire]].
* Athena questions Starbuck about Sheba's claim, and arrives at the truth: he didn't deliver goods from a run. 
* Before Sheba can have her satisfaction, Queen {{1880|Cassiopeia}} arrives demanding satisfaction as Starbuck wronged her first. Starbuck briefly explains the situation to Athena, while Sheba discerns that Cassiopeia slept with Starbuck, noting it "ripe for mockery."
* Starbuck attempts to talk his way out of the situation, noting that both queens are not able to get what they want. Sheba replies that this is incorrect, and declares a three-way fight between the parties.

==Notes==

* The use of "1880" in the title notwithstanding, no special date designation is used in the depiction of the story itself.
* Use of the Ovions in this saga could very well be a meta-nod to the "Selenites," the race of insect-like creatures from the [[w:H. G. Wells|H. G. Wells]] novel ''[[w:The First Men in the Moon|The First Men in the Moon]]''. The depiction of insect-like creatures in science fiction originates from this story.

=== Character Comparisons ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! ''1880'' Character !! ''TOS'' Counterpart !! Notes
|-
| [[Archduke]] [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] || Commander [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is militaristic and concerned about revenge, and does not share the patriarchal approach portrayed aptly by [[Lorne Greene]]. The ''1880'' counterpart easily writes off his son, forbids Athena from pursuing the matter, and exemplifies many of Cain's qualities from the [[Original Series]] itself.
|-
| [[Crown Prince]] [[Apollo (1880)|Apollo]] || Captain [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is acts as if he is immortal and has a vengeful side. Aside from those qualities, the Crown Prince shares many of the traits of his canonical counterpart, including a sense of idealism. 
|-
| [[Lady]] [[Athena (1880)|Athena]] || Lieutenant [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]] || The ''1880'' counterpart shares many of the technical know-how of her canonical counterpart, but beyond that the ''1880'' counterpart's development diverges (and, in notable ways, surpasses) from the canonical counterpart where she becomes important into the ongoing story. 
|-
| Fleet Admiral [[Tigh (1880)|Tigh]] || Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]] || The ''1880'' counterpart shares many of the qualities of his original counterpart. Very few differences exist.
|-
| Lieutenant [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]] || Lieutenant [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] || The ''1880'' counterpart shares many of the qualities of his original counterpart. Very few differences exist.
|-
| Lieutenant [[Boomer (1880)|Boomer]] || Lieutenant [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is forced into exile due to his life being saved through the use of Baltar's prosthetics. Aside from that, very little differs from the canonical version. 
|-
| Lieutenant [[Jolly (1880)|Jolly]] || Flight Sergeant [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is forced into exile due to his life being saved through the use of Baltar's prosthetics. Aside from that, very little differs from the canonical version.
|-
| [[Zachary]] || Ensign [[Zac]] || The ''1880'' counterpart appears to have no familial relation to Adama, Apollo or Athena.
|-
| Lord [[Cain (1880)|Cain]] || Commander [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is never fully developed, and so much of his character is inferred by those who react to him. In this version, he does not have Adama's respect, as Adama disapproves of the relationship Cain has with Athena. 
|-
| Queen [[Sheba (1880)|Sheba]] || Lieutenant [[Sheba (TOS)|Sheba]] || The ''1880'' counterpart appears to be "in name only" as she has no familial relation to Cain&mdash;particularly as she also has a sister, Cassiopeia. Many of her issues with Cassiopeia are similar to the rivalry (wherein Starbuck is concerned) between [[Cassiopeia (TOS)|Cassiopeia]] and [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]].
|-
| Queen [[Cassiopeia (1880)|Cassiopeia]] || [[Cassiopeia]] || The ''1880'' counterpart appears to be "in name only" as she has a sister, Sheba. Many of her issues with Sheba are similar to the rivalry (wherein Starbuck is concerned) between [[Cassiopeia (TOS)|Cassiopeia]] and [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]].
|-
| [[Boxey (1880)|Boxey]] || [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is a manservant, or page, of Lady Athena. He shares very little childish tendencies and is exceedingly proper. 
|-
| [[Muffit (1880)|Muffit]] || [[Muffit]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is a humanoid creature with a predilection for instability. Aside from the name, Muffit isn't a lovable robot daggit. 
|-
| Professor [[Baltar (1880)|Baltar]] || [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] / [[Imperious Leader]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is the master of the Cylonics, and betrays his race due to his thirst for power. Baltar also creates his own leadership position using the bombastic title of "Imperious Leader."
|-
| Count [[Iblis (1880)|Iblis]] || [[Iblis]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is a computer scientist and inventor, and has a hand in creating the Cylonics and the [[babbage]] computer, Lu-c-fer. Iblis is merely human (as opposed to his counterpart), but also has his own thirst for power and attempts to seize it by transferring his consciousness into Lu-c-fer.
|-
| [[Lu-c-fer]] || [[Lucifer]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is the [[babbage]] computer server and coordinator of the Cylonics, and is under Baltar's control. 
|}

=== Non-Character Counterparts ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! ''1880'' Nod !! ''TOS'' Counterpart !! Notes
|-
| {{1880|Daggit}} || [[Daggit]] || In the [[Original Series]], daggits are canine creatures, while the ''1880'' version is humanoid.
|-
| ''{{1880|Proteus}}'' || [[Proteus]] || Both are prisons; ''Proteus'' in ''1880'' is a Cylonic prison, while the [[Original Series]] counterpart is a Colonial prison planet lost to the Colonials. 
|-
| {{1880|Rising Star}} || ''{{TOS|Rising Star}}'' || In the [[Original Series]], ''Rising Star'' is a luxury liner, whereas the ''1880'' series features it as an outlaw planet ruled by Queens.
|-
| ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'' || ''[[Starchaser]]'' || In the [[Original Series]], ''Starchaser'' is Starbuck's modified {{TOS|Viper}} seen in "[[The Long Patrol]]" (where Proteus is also introduced), whereas the ''1880'' counterpart makes it more of a transport in the style of ''[[wookieepedia:Millennium Falcon|Millennium Falcon]]''. 
|}

==Analysis==

As this comic book series is approached as a "blank slate" by the author, a merging of various themes from both the [[Original Series]], [[Re-imagined Series]], and even ''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]'' occur here. 

=== Cylonics ===

Revising the origin story of the robotic enemy, the [[Cylonics]] are created by humans, echoing the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] creation in the [[Re-imagined Series]] story. What differs here is the reason for the Cylonics creation and how they are used: first to fight the [[Ovions (1880)|Ovions]], who war with the humans of the [[Twelve Colonial Empires]], and then to fight at [[Baltar (1880)|Baltar]]'s behest when he seeks dominion over the Empire. 

The inclusion of a human Count Iblis is a nod to the fallen "[[Beings of Light|Being of Light]]" depicted in "[[War of the Gods]]," as well as Iblis' manipulative role in creating the robotic Cylons. 

=== ''Star Wars'' ===

The easiest, superficial nod to ''Star Wars'' is in the role appropriation amongst {{1880|Starbuck}} as the roguish [[wookieepedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]], {{1880|Muffit}} as the first mate [[wookieepedia:Chewbacca|Chewbacca]], and ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'' as a ''[[wookieepedia:Millennium Falcon|Millennium Falcon]]''.

==Questions==

* Why did the conflict between the [[Ovions (1880)|Ovions]] and the [[Colonial Empire]] exist? 
* What really happened to [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]]?
* What happened to [[Carillion]]?

==Noteworthy Dialogue==

* ''Archduke [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] gives a "rousing speech" during the [[Cylonic]] attack on [[Caprica (1880)|Caprica]]:''
: '''Adama:''' This is Archduke Adama of the ''[[aethership]] [[Galactica (1880)|Galactica]]''. Caprica will not fall. I repeat&mdash;''Caprica will. Not. Fall.''
: '''[[Zachary]]:''' You hear that, [[Apollo (1880)|Apollo]]? Caprica's been ''ordered'' to survive this! Is that how he keeps you alive? ''Orders for you to live?''

* ''Lady [[Athena (1880)|Athena]] and [[Boxey (1880)|Boxey]] make it to [[Rising Star (1880)|Rising Star]] in search of [[Starbuck (1880)|Starbuck]]:''
: '''Athena:''' Calm, Boxey&mdash;there's the bar that the old man spoke about. Do you still think this is nothing but an ''elaborate trap''?
: '''Boxey:''' Absolutely, ma'am. We're certain to due within a matter of ''[[centon]]s''.
: '''Athena:''' (after entering the bar) See? Nothing to worry about.
: '''Boxey:''' I stand corrected, ma'am. Until we're ''viciously mutilated by pirates'', that is.

* ''Starbuck talks to Athena about the two queens ([[Sheba (1880)|Sheba]] and [[Cassiopeia (1880)|Cassiopeia]]) of Rising Star:''
: '''Athena:''' ''Two'' queens?
: '''Starbuck:''' It's complicated. They're sisters, each believing that ''they'' have more right to rule.
: '''Athena:''' You've ''been playing them'' off against each other, haven't you?
: '''Starbuck:''' Pretty much.

==Related Imagery==

===Covers===

: ''Even though the covers are not identified with letter designations on the cover identification sheet inside of the issue, they are used below for consistency and order purposes.''

<gallery>
BSG188001CovSyaf.jpg|'''Cover A''' Main colorized cover.<br/>''Art:'' Ardian Syaf<br/>''Inks:'' Guillermo Ortega<br/>''Colors:'' Kyle Ritter
BSG188001CovIncenDavila.jpg|'''Cover B:''' Original art incentive cover.<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila<br/>''Colors:'' Ivan Nunes
BSG188001CovIncenDavilaBW.jpg|'''Cover C:''' Black & white incentive variant.<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila
BSG188001CovIncenAthena.jpg|'''Cover D:''' [[:en:Athena (1880)|Athena]] Concept Art Incentive Cover<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila
BSG188001CovIncenCylon.jpg|'''Cover E:''' [[:en:Cylonic|Cylon]] Concept Art Incentive Cover<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila
BSG188001CovBaltimoreCon.jpg|'''Cover F:''' Baltimore Comicon Exclusive Cover<br/>''Art:'' Ardian Syaf<br/>''Inks:'' Guillermo Ortega
</gallery>

===Preview Pages===

: ''Please Note: These are used for promotional purposes by the publisher, and are provided here in the same vein.''

<gallery>
BSG18800101REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 1 (sans lettering)
SteamBSG011.jpg|Page 1
BSG18800102REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 2 (sans lettering)
SteamBSG012.jpg|Page 2
BSG18800103REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 3 (sans lettering)
SteamBSG013.jpg|Page 3
BSG18800104REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 4 (sans lettering)
SteamBSG014.jpg|Page 4
BSG18800105 REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 5 (sans lettering)
SteamBSG015.jpg|Page 5
BSG18800106 REV ALE FINAL.jpg|Page 6 (sans lettering)
</gallery>

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%;"><references/></div>

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