Crossover. Not just what Tangina from Poltergeist asked spirits to do when she instructed them, “Cross over, children. All are welcome. All are welcome, go into the light . . . There is peace and serenity in the light.” Clear that creepiness from your minds, and let’s keep it simple and go with the other definition. A crossover, for those who don’t know, is when one character or group from one series somehow “crosses over” into another series. Some favorites include Steve Urkel visiting Full House, characters from both Buffy and Angel crossing over into each other’s series, and my personal favorite, the many crossovers on Scooby Doo. Because anytime Mystery Inc. can get a hand from Batman and Robin, you know it’s going be curtains for the baddies who would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling kids.
Today’s crossover (aside from Vader possibly working with The Joker) may be my new favorite. Star Trek: TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation 2 weaves together two of the best series ever. When you have Jean-Luc Picard and The Doctor trading quips and battle plans, you know you’re in for a good time. Let me get you caught up a little since this is the second in a two-shot comic from our friends at IDW. By the way, if you are unfamiliar with some of the different series references, I suggest you go back and watch the entirety of both series. That’s only a bit over 2 years of non-stop viewing pleasure. That’s not including the movies.
The Doctor and the Ponds having made their way into the TNG universe using the ever-amazing TARDIS when they find out that the Cybermen have made their way there before them, and it has become a race for assimilation. The cyborg tug of war concluding with the Borg being assimilated into a Cybermen superior crossbreed. Thank the Maker they don’t have to face this dilemma alone. When they come knocking on the door of the Starship Enterprise, the crew welcomes them with open arms and a cup of tea. Earl Grey. Hot. A plan devised, systems checked, and away teams having divvied up, red shirts to be sacrificed for the greater good, and away they go. I could go on, but IDW needs to get paid to find out what happens; this is merely a means of whetting one’s appetite.
I strongly recommend reading Star Trek: TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation; both parts 1 and 2 are as fun as they are beautiful. Written by Scott and David Tipton, the two mix the nuances that make each series unique while kneading them together with a smooth subtlety. Each panel is a work of art. Rather than a slap dash, black-lined caricature of our sci-fi favorites, each panel was done more in the style of Alex Ross. Painted well enough to be hung on any wall, Gordon Purcell and J.K. Woodward complement each other more than I compliment myself in the mirror each day. That’s quite a bit. Who new how well “Make it so” and “Allons-y, Alonso!” would work together? Check it out and let us know what you think.
You can thank me later.
