Kirk's crew is possessed by the spirit of Jack the Ripper! — "Wolf on the Prowl" was the 22nd issue of DC Comics' 1984 series of Star Trek comics. It was the debut of comic book writer and novelist Tony Isabella, his first of seven TOS stories, and featured the first of a two-part return of Redjac from TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Wolf in the Fold.
Publisher's description
- Letter page teaser
- Someone is killing crewmembers aboard the Excelsior. Kirk watches in horror as each death rises in the chain of command.
Summary
While in the Argelian system, the USS Excelsior is boarded by the non-corporeal Redjac, who begins killing and terrorizing the ship's personnel. A falsified message from Grand Admiral Stephen Turner claims that Kirk has broken the Prime Directive on Enoch IV. When the crew investigates, they find that the Enochians worship Redjac. Kirk diverts the ship to Enoch IV, hoping to expose and stop Redjac there. On the surface, they discover a temple built in its honor as well as a race of humanoids who are easily manipulated by the entity. Then, while possessed by Redjac, Nancy Bryce stabs Pavel Chekov.
Log entries
- Captain's Log, Stardate 8878.1
- We have entered the outer rim of the Argelian system on our mission to 'work out the bugs' out of the Excelsior. It has been fifteen years since I last visited this system... ...And looked straight into the face of Hell!
- Captain's Log, Supplemental
- My remembrance of other days, other missions, was interrupted by an urgent, if somewhat baffling, message from Starfleet.
- First Officer's Log, Stardate 8879.0
- We have achieved standard orbit around Enoch IV. Preliminary sensor scans indicate humanoid life-forms, but no discernible technology. There is some background radiation in the vicinity of the sole man-made structure on the planet. The landing party is standing by in the transporter room.
- Captain's Log, Stardate 8878.1
- We encountered the inhabitants of Enoch IV just after planet fall. Their reaction to our arrival was surprising, though not wholly unexpected.
- Captain's Log, Supplemental
- Lt. Saavik managed to question an Enochian youth with the aid of our ship's computer. Unfortunately the boy was... ...Largely uncooperative.
References
Characters
Regular
Pavel Chekov • James T. Kirk • Spock • Leonard McCoy • Montgomery Scott • Hikaru Sulu • Nyota Uhura
Other
William Bearclaw • Nancy Bryce • Corwin • Geller • Gillespie • Konom • L'Lewoh • J.G. Ny • Redjac • Richardson • Saavik • Stephen Turner
Starships & vehicles
- USS Excelsior
- Referenced only
- USS Enterprise (Constitution-class heavy cruiser)
Locations
- Argelian system • Enoch IV (Temple to Redjac)
- Referenced only
- Argelius II • Earth • Hell
Races and cultures
States and organizations
Science and classification
- Atalskes phaser IV • biobed • communicator • computer • coordinates • dagger • engine • hydroponics • life support • main computer • microtape • phaser • scanner • sensor • torpedo • transporter • tricorder • universal translator
Ranks and titles
- admiral • bureaucrat • captain • commander • doctor • ensign • Federation Starfleet ranks (2270s-2350s) • guard • lieutenant • prefect • rank • science officer • Starfleet ranks
Other references
- assignment patch • blood • bridge • captain's log • captain's log, USS Enterprise, 2285 • captain's log, USS Excelsior • city • day • deity • demon • devil • earring • English language • exploratory party • fire • first contact • first officer's log • first officer's log, USS Excelsior • government • heart • hour • lamb • lifeform • light year • lion • log entry • logic • minute • murder • non-corporeal • Prime Directive • radiation • second • security division • sickbay • space • standard orbit • star • Starfleet uniform • Starfleet uniform (2265-2270) • Starfleet uniform (2278-2350s) • tapestry • technology • transporter room • vampire • warp factor (warp 12) • year
Timeline
Chronology
- 19th century
- Jack the Ripper terrorized England.
- 2267
- Redjac was encountered on Argelius II.
- 2285
- USS Excelsior was attacked by Redjac in the Argelian star system.
Publication history
- January 1986
- First printed by DC Comics
- 28 February 2019
- Reprinted in Graphic Novel Collection #57 (Eaglemoss)
Appendices
Background
- A short flashback summarized TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Wolf in the Fold and included Hengist, Jaris, Kara and Sybo.
- The two-part arc was given a name (Wolf on the Prowl) on the cover of its 2019 omnibus reprinting. An alternative arc title, "Redjac is Back", appeared on the cover of part two, but not part one.
Errata
- In the faked transmission, artist Tom Sutton depicted 2260s-era James T. Kirk holding an Atalskes phaser IV. During the flashback, Montgomery Scott was shown once with a mustache.
- Letterer Agustin Mas once misspelled Uhura as Uhuru.
Related stories
- Sequel to "Wolf in the Fold". The story continued in "Wolf at the Door". Redjac later appeared in "Enter the Wolves".
Connections
| Published Order | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous story: #21: Dreamworld |
TOS comics (DC Comics, Series One) |
Next story: #23: Wolf at the Door |
| Previous story: first story |
Stories by: Tony Isabella |
Next story: Wolf at the Door |
| Chronological Order | ||
| Previous adventure: Dreamworld |
Memory Beta Chronology | Next adventure: Wolf at the Door |
| The above chronology placements are based on the primary placement in 2285. The Memory Beta Chronology places events from this story in 1 other timeframe(s): | ||
| Previous adventure: Wolf in the Fold |
2267 | Next adventure: Across the Universe |
Images
External links
- Wolf on the Prowl article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Wolf on the Prowl article at Siskoid's Blog of Geekery.