“Yesterday’s” Comic> Battlestar Galactica 1999 Tourbook

“Those Cylons are around here somewhere.”

Battlestar Galactica 1999 Tourbook

Realm Press (May, 1999)

I couldn’t find a lot of information about this book but it does appear to be a promo book for the next wave of Realm Press-produced BSG comics. This included a series of interviews with contributors, including BW interviewee Billy Tucci. There’s also a “previously on” section in the beginning of the book written by James Kuhoric, drawn by Chris Scalf, and lettered by Mark L. Haynes. It’s well done and leads up through the TV series and the comics to this point, also pointing out that the “Search For Sanctuary” story actually concludes in Galactica: The New Millennium. I’ll be reviewing that tomorrow to confirm.

The only reason I’m even doing a review is because the “Dark Genesis” story from the back-up of Search For Sanctuary gets a full telling here and that’s what I’m reviewing.

Synopsis for the first part courtesy of last week’s review: 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.

The rest of the story, as far as I can tell, some Cylon citizens are less than happy with Sobekkta’s leadership and his attacks on other species, and lead a revolt. Sobekkta’s…I think it’s his general or scientist, I’m missing the context…convinces him to be reborn as the Imperious Leader, but it’s still in doubt who actually is in control.

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. Those are from the part 1 review, which half of this is. It’s also hard to tell who convinced Sobekkta to become Imperious Leader because there is no major difference between the non-robotic Cylons. I’m assuming learning the true identity of the Imperious Leader was a planned storyline but in addition to the fact that he should be dead, thanks to the events of “Saga”, this revelation seems unnecessary.

Recommendation: I would say ignore this issue but I don’t remember how this revelation connected with the rest of the run. We’ll look into that as we go through the last seven books, meaning a bonus review on Sunday. Either way I won’t say avoid it because it is an interesting idea. Also, the other information is worth the book to play catch-up with the series and see who they were getting on board and how they planned to  use them. The Tourbook at least has some historical significance for fans and collectors.

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