Diane Duane returns to write another issue of DC Comics’ ongoing Star Trek series. On comic spinners until July of 1986, the issue featured art by Gray Morrow. We’ve had supporting character stories before, but this is the first one that puts McCoy front and center.

Stardate 8899.7

McCoy’s personal log reminds us of recent events in the issue’s splash page, which sees Kirk on comms pestering him to wake up. As McCoy prepares for his day, he gets a briefing on where the Excelsior currently is, their assignment, and who is on duty in Sickbay – M’benga gets a name drop.

He ges breakfast, and is less than impressed with the computer’s offering. He’s very much in his head today, and seems worn and tired. We see how he runs his department, and how likable he is amongst his staff, and the way he listens to and interacts with his staff.

He gets called to the transporter room for a medical emergency; something happened with some of the landing party! There’s only one fatality, but another member has fallen ill and lapsed into a coma, and the landing party medic, Lia, is giving herself grief about not being able to do more.

Kirk comes down to confer with McCoy. The pair theorize about the cause of the coma; the dead officer was his friend, and he’s never seen death like that before. Kirk mentions that he wishes Spock were here, as he may be able to help. After Kirk leaves, McCoy wonders how much of Spock’s influence remains in his mind, and attempts a mind meld on the comatose Reynolds.

McCoy is slowly able to make it work and form a tenuous connection with Reynolds. He helps Reynolds work through the trauma of the attack and losing his friend. He encourages Reynolds to live, and as they slowly disconnect mentally, McCoy encounters Spock.

The pair have a conversation between old friends, and Spock cautions him against attempting a meld ever again, even though Spock helped with this one.

Reynolds vitals return to normal; McCoy gets to remind Lia that they have to work and be compassionate and to not give up.

It’s a nice, quiet issue that works really well. I quite liked this one.

Next time the Human Adventure continues to Boldly Go with The Trouble with Bearclaw (that’s two issues in the past four with ‘The Trouble with’ in the title. That’s bothersome. Still, hopefully it will be a solid tale.