The Star Trek universe is a unique creation in the world of fiction, with stories in every medium; television, films, novels and audio novels, video/computer games and comics. Perhaps no other fictional universe has lived in so many mediums and had so many creative contributors.

Star Trek, at least in comic form, has had a variety of incarnations, with varying degrees of popularity. "Star Trek: The Key Collection," from Checker Book Publishing Group, collects the first eight issues; from 1967 through 1970 of the first incarnation of Star Trek comics. While enjoyable, this edition serves as a fascinating peek into the early days of comic book adaptations of work from another medium.

Back in the late '60s, comics were first and foremost an entertainment medium working on the cheap. The artist-owned and literate comics of today didn't exist, and comic adaptations weren't created with continuity in mind.

These Gold Key comics were created when the Star Trek phenomenon was in its infancy, and things we all take for granted about the Star Trek universe wouldn't have occurred to these creators, who were looking to create fun science fiction on a deadline. In fact, the book doesn't even list writers at all, crediting the text to the "Golden Press Staff."

Star Trek purists, be forewarned, these comics are rife with incongruities and decidedly "non-Trek" language. Upon beaming up from a dangerous planet with an away team (herein called the "Exploration Party") Captain Kirk shouts "All rockets on full!" demonstrating a distinct lack of Star Trek knowledge from the creators!

Part of the fun of this collection is the amount of similar deviations from Star Trek lore. In a way, it's like looking at a parallel Star Trek universe where the U.S.S. Enterprise nacelles shoot fire when engaged and where crew members wear identification bracelets.

One jaw-dropping story, "The Planet of No Return," describes how, after escaping from a dangerous planet of primitively intelligent plant creatures, Kirk and Spock have to figure out how to deal with the threat of clouds of spores from the planet that make their way into space. The solution? Simply take the Enterprise into sub-orbit and level the planet with phasers.

The Prime Directive doesn't play a part in these adventures, but it's all just a testament to the times and the industry. But taken for what they were at the time, these stories are fun and action-packed.

The artwork, by Nevio Zaccara and Alberto Giolitti, is simple and spare, but evokes nostalgic memories of '50s and '60s science fiction, with its strange creatures and giant, futuristic depictions of cities. The characters are rendered pretty well, considering the limitations they worked under.

Star Trek comics have come a long way since these early editions, with stops at many of the major comic companies over the years, most recently with WildStorm. The future of Star Trek comics is wide open, but if fans want to see how it all started, "Star Trek: The Key Collection" is a must-have.