Pavel Chekov rarely received the spotlight in the original Star Trek television series or its comic-book adaptations. One notable exception came in a DC Comics one-shot written by Walter Koenig, the actor who played Chekov during the show’s second and third seasons.
The story, titled “Chekov’s Choice,” was produced after Mike W. Barr’s acclaimed run on DC’s Star Trek series had ended. Koenig wrote the issue, which was illustrated by Dan Spiegle, as a standalone story focused on Chekov’s emotional reaction to a decision made by Admiral Kirk.
The plot begins when the Enterprise discovers an alien vessel whose core is about to overload. With no time to transport anyone aboard, Kirk orders the Enterprise to retreat before the ship explodes. Chekov becomes haunted by the decision and eventually neglects his duties, forcing Kirk to remove him from the bridge.
During a dream sequence, Chekov encounters Marjorie Hamilton, a young ensign who encourages him to confront his feelings and challenge Kirk’s actions. As more members of the crew question the decision, Chekov effectively becomes the leader of a mutiny. His confrontation with Sulu ends in a physical fight before another security officer incapacitates him with a stun blast.
The situation becomes more complicated when the Enterprise is followed by a mysterious spacecraft. Spock investigates and encounters what appear to be Vulcan warships, but he realizes that the vessels must be illusions because Vulcans had not possessed warships for thousands of years.
By then, the mutinous crew has taken control of the Enterprise, leaving the ship drifting toward an asteroid. Spock explains to Chekov that the mysterious aliens are using illusions to manipulate the crew and that Marjorie Hamilton is also an illusion. Chekov must recognize the deception in order to regain control of the ship.
Chekov eventually takes over the navigation controls and narrowly prevents the Enterprise from colliding with the asteroid. The crew later learns that the aliens are a vulnerable species that protects itself by tricking opponents into destroying themselves. Their illusions had also biologically affected some members of the Enterprise crew, meaning the mutiny was not entirely under the crew’s control and no one was punished.
The issue ends on a lighter note, with Kirk asking Chekov to describe Marjorie’s appearance. The story gave Chekov one of his most substantial comic-book roles while allowing Koenig to explore the character’s doubts, loyalty and determination.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.