Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who: Assimilation 2 Volume 2 Written by Scott & David Tipton Pencils by Gordon Purcell Painted Art by J.K. Woodwrd Lettering by Shawn Lee Edited by Denton J. Tipton Regular Cover Art by J.K. Woodward Cover RI by The Sharp Brothers

Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who: Assimilation 2 Volume 2 contains individual issues 5, 6, and 7. I haven't read previous issues or Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who: Assimilation 2 Volume 1. Luckily, the book starts you off with a story so far that brings new readers up to speed quickly. The TARDIS with the Doctor, Amy and Rory have landed in the Enterprise Holo Deck. The Cybermen have struck an alliance with the Borg and the Doctor needs the help of Captain Jean-Luc Picard if the galaxy is to be saved. Luckily for the Doctor, Guinan is on his side. It's the only reason, Picard is willing to listen to the Doctor.

The Borg want help and have contacted the Enterprise. You can imagine that Picard is not the least willing to even communicate with them let alone listen to what they have to say. The Doctor knows that if they intend to defeat the Cybermen they need allies and a plan.

The artwork is amazing. All of the main characters for the two shows are readily identifiable. The entire book is in full color. Sepia tones are used for flashbacks. There's a lot of detail in most of the cells. And even more import, the art moves the plot forward as relentlessly as the text explanations and dialogue.

The Tipton's have captured the essence of the characters so there is no jarring disconnect between the crew of the Enterprise and the Doctor and his companions to bring readers out of the story. While the scenes move rapidly, readers get a sense that the pace has been slowed to set up the background for rapid action in the following volume.

I read an electronic copy of the volume and found the ability to increase the size of the page very helpful in studying the detail of the drawing or getting a clearer view of the text (since the tail of letters such as g, j, p, y were in this particular lettering were shorter then normal).

Overall, a fun mashup of two well-loved series characters and story lines.