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Star Trek Fotonovel #5
Metamorphosis
A graphic novel composed of stills from the original Tv series combined with conversation/narrative "balloons" to carry the storyline.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1978
About the author
Gene L. Coon
12 books3 followersGene L. Coon was an American screenwriter and television producer. He is best remembered for his work on the original Star Trek series.
Often referred to as 'the forgotten Gene' (a reference to Gene Roddenberry), Gene Lee Coon was one of the most important creative minds behind "Star Trek" (1966). He is credited with inventing the Klingons and the 'Prime Directive', and with developing the interpersonal dynamics between Spock and McCoy (in particular, the invariably humorous verbal banter). He established the enlightened image of the Federation and often ended episodes with an anti-war allegory. A robust-looking, heavy-set man possessed of seemingly boundless creative energy, Coon was a prodigious reader and an immensely focused writer of prolific output. It was said, that he authored his novels and teleplays by assuming a state of near self-hypnosis, which he himself called 'automatic writing'. In one instance, he managed to produce the script for the Star Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark" in the course of a single weekend. Either as writer, or line producer, Coon had extensive, often critical input into some of the show's best-loved episodes, including "Arena", "Space Seed", "A Taste of Armageddon" , "The City of the Edge of Forever" (generally regarded as the best of the series), "Mirror, Mirror" and "The Doomsday Machine". He left Star Trek in March 1968, likely the result of personality clashes with members of the cast (in fact, Coon had a reputation for not getting along with actors in general), but continued to write several more episodes under the pseudonym 'Lee Cronin' in order to fulfill his contract with Paramount.
The Nebraskan-born Coon had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years from 1942. He had seen action in the Pacific and was later stationed in Japan as part of the occupying forces. He was subsequently posted for eight months to northern China, where he published a small English language newspaper. As a member of the Marine Corps Reserves, he returned to active duty during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952. Upon his demobilisation, Coon found work first as a radio newscaster before turning to free-lance writing. From 1956, he was primarily involved in scripting teleplays for popular western and action shows like "Dragnet" (1951),"Wagon Train" (1957), "Maverick" (1957) and "Bonanza" (1959). At Universal in the early 60's, he turned "McHale's Navy" (1962) from a one-hour drama into a successful 30-minute sitcom. Together with the writer Les Colodny, Coon floated the idea for "The Munsters" (1964) as a satirical spin-off from "The Donna Reed Show" (1958) to MCA chairman Lew Wasserman. The result was yet another hit show. After Star Trek, Coon worked as writer/producer on "It Takes a Thief" (1968), while at the same time founding one of the first 'cartridge TV' video companies, UniTel Associates, with Colodny as executive vice president.
A chain smoker for most of his life, the man whom fellow writer/producer Glen A. Larson referred to as 'the spirit and soul of Star Trek', died of lung and throat cancer one week after being diagnosed, in July 1973, aged just 49.
Often referred to as 'the forgotten Gene' (a reference to Gene Roddenberry), Gene Lee Coon was one of the most important creative minds behind "Star Trek" (1966). He is credited with inventing the Klingons and the 'Prime Directive', and with developing the interpersonal dynamics between Spock and McCoy (in particular, the invariably humorous verbal banter). He established the enlightened image of the Federation and often ended episodes with an anti-war allegory. A robust-looking, heavy-set man possessed of seemingly boundless creative energy, Coon was a prodigious reader and an immensely focused writer of prolific output. It was said, that he authored his novels and teleplays by assuming a state of near self-hypnosis, which he himself called 'automatic writing'. In one instance, he managed to produce the script for the Star Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark" in the course of a single weekend. Either as writer, or line producer, Coon had extensive, often critical input into some of the show's best-loved episodes, including "Arena", "Space Seed", "A Taste of Armageddon" , "The City of the Edge of Forever" (generally regarded as the best of the series), "Mirror, Mirror" and "The Doomsday Machine". He left Star Trek in March 1968, likely the result of personality clashes with members of the cast (in fact, Coon had a reputation for not getting along with actors in general), but continued to write several more episodes under the pseudonym 'Lee Cronin' in order to fulfill his contract with Paramount.
The Nebraskan-born Coon had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years from 1942. He had seen action in the Pacific and was later stationed in Japan as part of the occupying forces. He was subsequently posted for eight months to northern China, where he published a small English language newspaper. As a member of the Marine Corps Reserves, he returned to active duty during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952. Upon his demobilisation, Coon found work first as a radio newscaster before turning to free-lance writing. From 1956, he was primarily involved in scripting teleplays for popular western and action shows like "Dragnet" (1951),"Wagon Train" (1957), "Maverick" (1957) and "Bonanza" (1959). At Universal in the early 60's, he turned "McHale's Navy" (1962) from a one-hour drama into a successful 30-minute sitcom. Together with the writer Les Colodny, Coon floated the idea for "The Munsters" (1964) as a satirical spin-off from "The Donna Reed Show" (1958) to MCA chairman Lew Wasserman. The result was yet another hit show. After Star Trek, Coon worked as writer/producer on "It Takes a Thief" (1968), while at the same time founding one of the first 'cartridge TV' video companies, UniTel Associates, with Colodny as executive vice president.
A chain smoker for most of his life, the man whom fellow writer/producer Glen A. Larson referred to as 'the spirit and soul of Star Trek', died of lung and throat cancer one week after being diagnosed, in July 1973, aged just 49.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 17, 2017
Metamorphosis (ST Fotonovel #5) by Gene L. Coon is the last of the Star Trek fotonovels sitting on my TBR pile. In the 1970s, long before VCRs were a standard thing in most homes, Bantam Books in conjunction with Mandala Productions gave Star Trek fans the chance to relive some of the shows episodes through series of twelve fotonovels. These books were essentially proto-types of the graphic novels so prevalent today that re-tell classic stories and these used actual film stills from the show with word bubbles and explanatory text to accompany the photos. I found my first few in the early days of book-collecting and was finally able to complete the collection in 2012 when my husband and I came across a treasure trove at my now favorite used book store in Illinois. Last fall, I decided to catch up on reading those that I had never gotten to and managed to leave this one out. I've now rectified that error.
"Metamorphosis," a second season episode, finds Kirk, Spock, and McCoy accompanying Commissioner Nancy Hedford in the shuttlecraft Galileo. Hedford has been in the midst of negotiating peace between warring factions on Epsilon Canaris III, but has contracted a rare, potentially fatal condition, Sakuro's Disease. She requires treatment on the Enterprise before she can continue her mission. [Don't ask me why the starship couldn't just go pick her up. I don't know--other than we'd obviously have no plot. :-) ]
The shuttlecraft is just under five hours from the rendezvous with the Enterprise when Spock loses control of the ship and it is pulled off-course to a small planet (or piece of a planet). Surprisingly, the atmosphere is breathable and the men get out to investigate. They find more surprises in store--a shimmering, cloud-like entity and Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the warp drive and a man who disappeared over 150 years ago. The Enterprise crew are going to need the help of Cochrane and the Companion (Cochrane's name for the entity) if they are going to get off the planet. But the Companion has brought them there to prevent Cochrane from being lonely and has no intention of letting them go. It takes an unusual set of events to convince it...
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
"Metamorphosis," a second season episode, finds Kirk, Spock, and McCoy accompanying Commissioner Nancy Hedford in the shuttlecraft Galileo. Hedford has been in the midst of negotiating peace between warring factions on Epsilon Canaris III, but has contracted a rare, potentially fatal condition, Sakuro's Disease. She requires treatment on the Enterprise before she can continue her mission. [Don't ask me why the starship couldn't just go pick her up. I don't know--other than we'd obviously have no plot. :-) ]
The shuttlecraft is just under five hours from the rendezvous with the Enterprise when Spock loses control of the ship and it is pulled off-course to a small planet (or piece of a planet). Surprisingly, the atmosphere is breathable and the men get out to investigate. They find more surprises in store--a shimmering, cloud-like entity and Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the warp drive and a man who disappeared over 150 years ago. The Enterprise crew are going to need the help of Cochrane and the Companion (Cochrane's name for the entity) if they are going to get off the planet. But the Companion has brought them there to prevent Cochrane from being lonely and has no intention of letting them go. It takes an unusual set of events to convince it...
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
February 8, 2024
The Star Trek original series episode “Metamorphosis” introduced us to the character of Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of the space warp. It also dealt with a plot device frequently used in science fiction stories, the potential for human immortality. In this case, four humans and one alien creature give up that possibility.
Kirk, Spock and McCoy are transferring Assistant Federation Commisioner Nancy Hedford to the “Enterprise” so that she can receive life-saving medical care. However, their shuttle craft is captured by a being formed from energy and they are transported to a dense asteroid capable of supporting human life. After they arrive, they meet Zefram Cochrane, a man that is over 150 years old but appears to be in his mid-thirties.
The reason for his longevity is due to the actions of what he calls “Companion,” an entity composed of corporeal energy and capable of regenerating the human body. It had encountered the aged and dying Cochrane and reconstituted his body and kept him young, although he was trapped alone on the asteroid.
Kirk, Spock and McCoy must find a way to escape from the control of the Companion so that Nancy Hedford can be cured. The solution is not one of their creation but is based on the fundamental emotion of love. They also learn that they could be rendered immortal if they remained on the asteroid.
There are two main and somewhat revolutionary themes in this story. The first is that Nancy Hedford is clearly a woman accustomed to being in control and in charge and the second is that there is a love relationship between a human and a being of a dramatically different species. Storylines not found in network television of the nineteen-sixties. Two acts that only science fiction could perform, making this episode one that stretched the bounds of network television.
Kirk, Spock and McCoy are transferring Assistant Federation Commisioner Nancy Hedford to the “Enterprise” so that she can receive life-saving medical care. However, their shuttle craft is captured by a being formed from energy and they are transported to a dense asteroid capable of supporting human life. After they arrive, they meet Zefram Cochrane, a man that is over 150 years old but appears to be in his mid-thirties.
The reason for his longevity is due to the actions of what he calls “Companion,” an entity composed of corporeal energy and capable of regenerating the human body. It had encountered the aged and dying Cochrane and reconstituted his body and kept him young, although he was trapped alone on the asteroid.
Kirk, Spock and McCoy must find a way to escape from the control of the Companion so that Nancy Hedford can be cured. The solution is not one of their creation but is based on the fundamental emotion of love. They also learn that they could be rendered immortal if they remained on the asteroid.
There are two main and somewhat revolutionary themes in this story. The first is that Nancy Hedford is clearly a woman accustomed to being in control and in charge and the second is that there is a love relationship between a human and a being of a dramatically different species. Storylines not found in network television of the nineteen-sixties. Two acts that only science fiction could perform, making this episode one that stretched the bounds of network television.
May 17, 2026
I don't know whether I'd classify these Star Trek "Fotonovels" as mainly for Star Trek completists or not. For me, they mainly are. I've seen every one of the original series episodes multiple times and read the original stories of the episodes by James Blish more than once so I don't "need" these. I'm generally not a big "Graphic" story kind of guy either, but for nostalgia's sake mostly I enjoy these and am collecting them. I only have a few more to go. Essentially, the book takes dialogue from the episode and uses it against background visual still from the series. It's rather cool technically and very quick reads.
This is Fotonovel #5, which gives the treatment to the original series episode, "Metamorphosis," wherein a shuttle carrying the big 3 (Kirk, Spock, McCoy) gets pulled off course by some kind of gaseous/electric creature and taken to a small planetoid that has apparently been engineered by the creature to support human life. A fourth person on the shuttle and the reason for the original mission is "Nancy Hedford," a Federation diplomat who is dying from a very rare disease and was being taken back to the Enterprise for treatment.
They find another man on the planet and it turns out to be Zefram Cochrane, the discoverer of the warp drive, who disappeared in space as a very old man some 150 years ago. It's the same guy, now young again, and the creature, which Cochrane calls "The Companion," is responsible. It turns out the creature is female and is in love with Cockrane. At the end, Nancy Hedford is near death and the companion joins with her, giving up her own immortality to be human with Cochrane. Love finds a way is the message, I guess.
I enjoyed the book because it brought back a lot of fun memories, even though that particular episode is not one of my favorites.
This is Fotonovel #5, which gives the treatment to the original series episode, "Metamorphosis," wherein a shuttle carrying the big 3 (Kirk, Spock, McCoy) gets pulled off course by some kind of gaseous/electric creature and taken to a small planetoid that has apparently been engineered by the creature to support human life. A fourth person on the shuttle and the reason for the original mission is "Nancy Hedford," a Federation diplomat who is dying from a very rare disease and was being taken back to the Enterprise for treatment.
They find another man on the planet and it turns out to be Zefram Cochrane, the discoverer of the warp drive, who disappeared in space as a very old man some 150 years ago. It's the same guy, now young again, and the creature, which Cochrane calls "The Companion," is responsible. It turns out the creature is female and is in love with Cockrane. At the end, Nancy Hedford is near death and the companion joins with her, giving up her own immortality to be human with Cochrane. Love finds a way is the message, I guess.
I enjoyed the book because it brought back a lot of fun memories, even though that particular episode is not one of my favorites.
August 6, 2021
This is a story of sacrifice and a love triangle of sorts between a man, a strange electrical energy entry, and a woman. Nancy Helford, the the assistant Federation Commissioner, contracts the deadly Sukaro's disease on a peacemaking mission. While Kirk and Spock are ferrying her on the shuttlecraft to the Enterprise, a strange glowing energy field appears in its path and pulls it down to a planetoid with an Earthlike atmosphere. All communication is blocked, and the shuttlecraft is inoperable. While on this planetoid, they meet Zephram Cochrane, the inventor of warp drive.
A clever story this is, and it moves along nicely.
Made into a Star Trek episode.
🪐 🚀 Recommended.
📺
A clever story this is, and it moves along nicely.
Made into a Star Trek episode.
🪐 🚀 Recommended.
📺
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
September 3, 2009
Another clever use of stills from the TV series combined with conversation/narrative "balloons" to create a graphic novel of an original Classic Star Trek episode.
October 2, 2013
In the days before the internet a book like this was precious to a fan.
I remember waiting impatiently for each of the photo novels to come out.
I remember waiting impatiently for each of the photo novels to come out.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews