Gold Key released issue 24 of their Star Trek comic in time for March 1974. It was written by Gerry Boudreau, with art by Alberto Giolitti, and a cover painting by George Wilson.

The Enterprise is boldly going, seeking new life and new civilizations when they discover the planet Argylus. They’ve received an emergency transmission from the planet (which is relayed to Kirk by a white Uhura?! Come on!! The show has been in syndication for years and they can’t get that right?).

Kirk,, Scotty, Chapel and Sulu beam down to the planet to investigate, and they find themselves engaged in battle immediately. They are surrounded by armored knights! And while they may be mechanical, their numbers overwhelm the landing party, and surprise, just like every other issue, they are captured.

They are escorted to meet Simon the ruler of the planet. A young boy. He recounts the history of the planet; at the age of three the children have reached an intellectual peak, a brilliant one. And a great plague decimated the people killing everyone over the age of 13

Simon is hoping the Enterprise can provide a cure and he reveals that Kirk and his landing party are already infected. The incubation period is five days and then they’ll die. The clock is ticking. Chapel contatcs McCoy on the Enterprise. Bones runs a scan of the virus and confirms that there is an antidote, the good news, but the Enterprise doesn’t carry it, the bad news.

The antidote can only be found in a rare herb on the far side of the galaxy (a two day journey). Spock takes the Enterprise on the trip, while Kirk and his landing party are shown to the medical research center.

Chapel hopes to synthesize an antidote, but shouldn’t have McCoy already thought of that idea? It doesn’t work anyway, but still, let’s give both characters their due credit please.

The Enterprise is traveling at warp eight, which is putting a strain on the ship and its shields. And that, is going to cause a problem, as scanners show that there is a meteor on a collision course! Happily, a quick reduction in speed deflects the meteor off the ship’s screens.

Simon’s enemy, the Warlord Yago, breaks into the research center and capture’s the landing party and Simon. They have no phasers and no communicators. They need to come up with an escape plan and find a way to get in touch with the Enterprise.

Speaking of the Enterprise, Spock and McCoy are collecting the plants at their destination, and run afoul of the locals. They are able to fend them off and beam up with their samples, racing back to Argylus.

Kirk makes the move to escape! Surprising, they learn that the guns their guards are using are only toys – it’s all a game to the kids! Something to distract them from the disease.

As all of this is discovered, the Enterprise returns with the cure and everyone is saved! Hurrah!

The human adventure continues next time with The trial of Captain Kirk!