Gold Key Comics continued to boldly go with their Star Trek comics. Issue 20, A World Gone Mad, hit comic spinners for September, 1973. It featured a story by Arnold Drake, art by Alberto Giolitti, and a cover painting by George Wilson.

The splash page suggests that a passing comet has not only driven a planet mad, but has also affected Dr. McCoy who is locked in space combat with Scotty! Buckle up folks this one looks big!

We join Scotty and Spock, who are on assignment. They are to escort a young prince, Raviki to the Enterprise, and transport him to his homeworld. He comes off as a bit of a spoiled brat. None of the crew, including Kirk, seem to be a fan of the boy. We are told that his parents are dead, and that a General Vlas has been ruling the planet Nukolee in his stead. But will he give up the rule when Raviki returns home?

The generally opinion is no, and that Vlas will actively work to stop the boy’s return to his home and the claiming of his throne.

It’s the Enterprise’s job to get him there, and help where they can. They also have to acquiesce to some silly demands. The boy insists on playing space ball, which looks like a game of baseball being played in space. That has to be difficult, considering the starship is travelling. Even at impulse there is no way that would work, and I don’t see Kirk ordering the ship to pull over so the boy can play for awhile.

Returning to Nukolee problems arise immediately, when a doctor arrives with a bomb disguised as a piece of medical equipment. Eluding that problem, the catch up to Raviki’s majordomo, Subomar. But even he can’t be trusted as he opens fire on the boy. Eluding attackers from all sides, the Enterprise crew beings to suspect that there’s something more than a conspiracy going on here.

Arriving at the palace, their thoughts are proven correct, Vlas is trying to cement his own power. Can Kirk and Spock slow him down? Is the planet a member of the Federation or is this a violation of the prime directive?

Spock begins to suspect that it’s not a conspiracy but a form of madness. He’s unsure of how this madness is brought on, and the boy initially refuses to believe this until his own sister attacks him! Can the Enterprise crew figure out how to save the planet and stop Vlas’ take over?

With some investigation, everything can be traced back to a comet that recently passed through, and passes through once every 324 years. They discover this just as Vlas’ men storm the palace!

Kirk orders McCoy back to the the ship to work on discovering an antitide, while he and Spock attempt to handle Vlas and his plan. Unfortunately, because of this madness, Vlas has been able to turn the entire planet against the young ruler.

Can Bones figure out a cure in time? He and Scotty need to do a spacewalk (in horrible looking suits) to take samples from the comet. But McCoy becomes infected and begins to go mad. He’s still able to concentrate enough to develop a cure, however.

Raviki shows what he is made of, as he strips of his uniform and goes out to face his people bare-chested. It’s a moment of bravery that surprises Kirk as the young man makes a final plea to his people. And he does it just as the Enterprise returns, and Scotty, aboard the Galileo, delivers the antidote into the atmosphere. He saves the day and earns the thanks of the young ruler before the ship continues on to it’s next adventure…

The Mummies of Heitius VII!