“Yesterday’s” Comic> Battlestar Galactica: Search For Sanctuary

The machines look like they came from the show. Not so much the characters.

Battlestar Galactica: Search For Sanctuary

Realm Press (September, 1998)

In the main story, continuing off of the last issue of the first miniseries, The search for Apollo may end on a planet where Starbuck and Athena plus another Viper pilot crashland. Starbuck awakes without his friends and is talked into going on a quest for them with an aging warrior. The threat they face has a crystal Starbuck’s “rescuers” claim they need to survive and that they may have his friends. Back on the Galactica, the Council seems prepared to abandon their faith and look at creating the “perfect” human, and the Cylons have trouble of their own.

What they got right: We see Adama starting to crumble with all that’s happened, making him a bit more human than he already was. I’m actually neutral on the “genetic tamerping” subplot and it was a minor discussion topic at the time about the morality of cloning and gene manipulation in the real world, which pops up now and then even today. I like seeing Adama defending his faith not only because of my own beliefs but Adama’s and Glen Larson’s. I also like the designs of the aliens, or at least what I can make out in this art style.

What they got wrong: What does this have to do with the search for Apollo?

The back-up story, we’re given an origin for the Cylons, or at least the beginnings of one. It was already established that the “true” Cylons were a lizard-like race who made the robotic Cylons, who would later turn on the true ones. Here we meet the Cylon leader who orders a robotic army to help subjugate another planet. In the present, there’s possible evidence that something lives below the modern Imperious Leader, and it isn’t a machine.

What they got right: I think this is the first time the original Cylons were ever explored, but I haven’t read the novels. There’s an interesting origin to expand on and they’re off to a good start. Iblis’ potential involvement is inferred, but it was never outright stated when he appeared in the show (just a nod to the fact that Patrick Macnee was both the voice of the Imperious Leader and playing Iblis with a hint that they may have a connection). I also like the designs of the true Cylons and the first design, which more closely resembles their creators.

What they got wrong: They seem to be indicating that the Imperious Leader isn’t a robotic Cylon but an organic being (possibly a “true” Cylon?), which goes against established cannon as to how a new Imperious Leader is chosen. Also, the first Imperious Leader we meet is blown up at the end of “Saga Of A Star World” and replaced with a new one. That’s going to take some explaining.

Other Notes: The story continues not in #2 but in “Search For Sanctuary Special Edition”, which I don’t appear to have, I can’t find any information on how the main story ends. Next week we’ll look at the Tourbook and “Season 3”.

Recommendation: Based on the issue I have It’s a decent story. The three plots are directly connected but the events seem to fit, except for the alien out to take over the Cylons. It’s worth taking a look at and if you get to see the conclusion, let me know.

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