Starship Troopers: Dominant Species is a four-issue comic series published by Dark Horse Comics in August, 1998. It is part of the Starship Troopers film universe.
Storyline[]
Issue One[]
Issue one of Dominant Species opens with FedNet news reporter Byron Pessky broadcasting live from Klendathu. Staring into the camera, he warns that once the arachnids start, they don't stop. "You can shoot off half their legs," he says, "and they just keep coming." He then turns to interview a member of the Mobile Infantry, asking how it feels to be on the bugs' home turf—surrounded, outnumbered, and witnessing comrades dying en masse. The soldier responds by punching Byron to the ground, promising to show him exactly how it feels. The feed abruptly cuts to two news anchors, Rock and Sheila. Sheila notes the rising tempers on Klendathu, with Rock agreeing, adding that the battle seems increasingly hopeless.
The scene shifts to a living room where the news plays on a television. A teenager named Tom, packing his belongings into a bag for a camping trip, questions why the Federation even bothers with Infantry and wonders why they don't just glass the planet instead. His mother, handing him a shirt, explains that the arachnids are holding human prisoners, and the Federation can't destroy Klendathu without risking their own men.
Tom's father, Martin, who has been watching the FedNet broadcast from the couch, stands up and offers his own perspective. He claims the real reason is money, explaining that every habitable planet holds a fortune, and the Federation knows it. He believes they don't want to turn their next potential goldmine into a nuclear wasteland. Tom, looking at his father, admits he has sometimes considered joining the Federal Service just to earn the right to vote and help oust the current regime. But before he can finish, his father grabs him by the shoulder, cutting him off. He warns Tom not to even think about enlisting, arguing that’s how the Federation ensnares people—by turning them into obedient robots. Martin emphasizes that a man's mind and soul are his most precious possessions, urging Tom to protect them at all costs, as the Federation will stop at nothing to take them. He adds that he moved the family to New Kansas to get as far from the Federation as possible, yet even here, they’re being told what to grow and how much to sell it for, all in the name of the war effort. His wife, concerned, reminds him to calm down and think of what the doctors have told him.
As Tom’s friends, Kit and Payson, pull up outside in a pickup truck, they notice him carrying a rifle. Kit asks why he’s armed, and Tom responds that his father always told him to "never leave home without it." From the driver’s seat, Payson remarks that he doesn’t even own a gun, joking that with his eyesight, he’d probably end up accidentally shooting their dog, Gringo. Suddenly, a rumbling shakes the ground. Tom rushes back into his home to check on his parents, who believe it’s just the terraformers at work. Tom asks if they’re alright, and his mother reassures him they’re fine, urging him to go enjoy his camping trip.
The next scene opens with Tom asking Payson why he and Kit have to ride in the bed of the truck while the dog gets to sit up front. The dog, who can speak, replies that it’s because he smells better. Tom relays this to Kit, who jokes that the dog has a good sense of humor for a lab reject. Noticing a black eye on Kit’s face, Tom asks if her father came home drunk again the night before. Kit brushes it off, claiming it was her own fault. With sarcastic concern, Tom asks if she was sleeping too loudly. Kit replies that she’d rather not talk about it. Tom tries to comfort her, saying that in another year, they’ll both be 18 and out of New Kansas—far enough away that even the Federation won’t find them.
Just then, Payson drives them into what appears to be a mud pond, getting the truck stuck. Tom notes that it hasn’t rained in weeks, and Kit adds that the road was dry just moments ago, yet now it looks muddy all the way to the lake. The dog then catches a scent and calls Tom, Kit, and Payson over to investigate. Tom spots something on the ground and picks it up, prompting Kit to ask what it is. Tom says it looks familiar, and Gringo, sniffing it, remarks that it reeks like burnt eggs.
Tom suddenly has a realization and grabs Kit by the shoulder, repeating the word "eggs." He explains that it’s pod tegument—a membrane that holds bug egg pods together. He continues, saying that the Federation believes these pods are launched by plasma bugs into space, where they warp out using an organic version of humanity’s own Chernikov drive. He speculates that the bugs might be targeting something or simply launching millions of pods. Either way, he concludes, this is how they colonize.
As Tom explains, Kit climbs into the driver’s seat of the truck and reverses while he and Payson push from the front. Tom goes on to explain that when these pods enter an atmosphere, the outer eggs burn up, and the remaining eggs act as shock absorbers when the pod impacts the ground. Several—or perhaps even dozens—may survive, hatching ready to kill with an instinct to secure their territory.
Kit asks if he’s suggesting that a bug egg pod crashed into the lake and the eggs could hatch any minute, dooming them. Tom simply replies, "Yeah. That’s about it." Payson immediately suggests they leave, then asks if anyone packed a communicator. Tom admits that the whole idea was to get away, so he left his at home on purpose. Kit adds that her father traded hers for a bottle of alcohol.
Later down the road, Payson asks if they think humanity is really losing the war with the bugs. Tom responds that he doesn’t think so. He elaborates that his father believes it’s all media manipulation—one week they’re winning, the next they’re losing. Ultimately, he says, it’s about controlling the public’s emotions, and FedNet is just a tool to make people think and feel whatever the Federation wants.
Kit then asks what the point of scaring everyone is, and Tom suggests it’s to justify a big tax increase in the name of gearing up for the war, lamenting that they’re just pawns to the Federation. Payson then remarks that primitive cultures used to believe cameras could steal souls, and maybe FedNet is stealing the souls of those who watch it.
The scene shifts back to Tom's home, where his mother calls out to Martin, informing him that the mayor, Chester, is on the comm. Chester tells Martin that the earlier tremor was traced by the Federation to New Kansas and was likely caused by a projectile—possibly a bug pod. He adds that the Federation can have a contingency squad on-site within an hour. Martin scoffs at the idea of the Federation establishing a military presence in New Kansas and demands to know if Chester denied their request. Chester admits he told them it might not be a bad idea. Martin, angered, tells Chester he is capable of taking care of his own family, insisting he has all the protection they need right at home. He concludes by saying that if Chester wants to hand the colony over to the Federation, he can leave his family out of it.
Martin then goes to a gun cabinet and tells his wife to get Tom on the comm and have him come home to take care of business. However, his wife informs him that Tom didn’t take his comm. Martin decides he’ll have to fetch Tom himself, acknowledging that all three teenagers could be in danger. He hands his wife a shotgun, and she nervously asks if he really thinks it’s a bug attack. Martin hugs her and reassures her that he doesn’t think it’s anything but reminds her to keep her eyes open when she pulls the trigger. He then leaves in the family truck.
Back with Payson, Tom, Kit, and Gringo, Payson asks Gringo what’s got him so riled up. Gringo says he hears something, like food frying, but there’s no smell. Tom quickly identifies it as "bacon fry"—a noise bugs make when they tunnel. In the distance, they see Martin’s truck approaching, prompting Tom to wonder why it’s out here. Suddenly, Martin’s truck is swallowed by the earth as warrior bugs bore a sinkhole directly beneath it. The bugs pull Martin from the vehicle and drag him into the tunnel they came from. Tom, desperate, calls out for Martin and tries to run to him, but Kit and Payson hold him back. However, Tom breaks free and jumps into the sinkhole, forcing Kit to follow after him. Payson, incredulous, asks if she’s nuts. She responds that she isn’t, but Tom is, and he’s the one with the gun.
Tom, Kit, Payson, and Gringo climb into Martin’s truck, and Payson nervously asks if Tom really plans to follow the bugs into the tunnel. Tom insists they need to warn someone, and Kit adds that the bugs are headed straight for town and could even pass directly under Tom’s house. As they drive deeper into the tunnel, Payson asks what the plan is. Tom admits they don’t have one yet but insists they need to act. Payson sarcastically remarks that he’ll quote Tom on that when they’re all dead, and Kit agrees that they need to figure out what they’re doing. Tom then states that the bugs are likely to surface again, possibly at his family’s farm. He adds that he doesn’t know what good it will do, but he plans to be there if they attack.
The scene cuts to Tom's house, where arachnids are breaking in. His mother, retreating, fires at them with her shotgun, managing to hit several before they overwhelm and kill her. Meanwhile, back in the tunnel, Kit spots Martin's comm on the ground and suggests they use it to radio the house. Tom, however, dismisses the idea, pointing out that the odometer shows they’re already there. Tom, Payson, Kit, and Gringo make their way out of the tunnel and climb up the sinkhole created by the bugs, only to find Tom's house swarming with arachnids.
Tom then takes aim at a propane tank near the house, but Payson urges him to reconsider, reminding him that his mother could still be alive inside. Kit, understanding Tom’s resolve, tells Payson that Tom knows that, and that’s exactly why he has to do it. Tom fires, triggering an explosion that shakes the area and draws the arachnids’ attention toward them. He yells for everyone to run for the barn, but it’s no use—the arachnids quickly start breaking through the door. Tom opens the hatch to a shelter hidden beneath the floor and tells Payson, as Kit descends, that his father built a bomb shelter there, strong enough to withstand anything short of a direct hit from a nova bomb. Payson calls out for Gringo, who is barking at the approaching arachnids, to get into the shelter, but the dog is swiftly impaled by an arachnid mandible.
Tom shuts the shelter door, and everyone descends to the bottom. Kit asks what they should do next. Tom tells her there’s a comm somewhere in the shelter, and suggests they try to raise the town. Kit instructs Payson to call his parents, saying she can wait, but there’s no answer when Payson tries to reach home.
The scene then shifts to a FedNet newsfeed with reporter Byron Pessky, this time broadcasting live from New Kansas. He reports that another colony has fallen to the bugs, and that the Mobile Infantry arrived too late to prevent it. The newsfeed cuts away to a commanding officer who orders his soldier to deal with an outbreak on a farm eight miles south of their location, and to remind those bugs who owns the planet. He also instructs the soldier to take Byron with him.
Back in the shelter, arachnids begin to break through the door as Tom holds them back with his shotgun while Payson and Kit retreat deeper inside. As an arachnid makes it down the stairs, Tom fires desperately, shouting in frustration about what it takes to kill them. Just moments before what seems to be Tom's inevitable death, bullets suddenly tear through the shelter from behind the arachnid, stopping it in its tracks. A Mobile Infantry soldier steps into the shelter, coolly stating that a Morita assault rifle does the job pretty well. Payson, struggling to speak, manages only to mutter "back in town" and "my parents." Understanding his meaning, the soldier solemnly informs him that there were no survivors.
Above the shelter, Mobile Infantry troops secure the area as Kit, Tom, and Payson gather around the remains of the barn. Payson, with his head in his hands, is comforted by Tom, who tells him that they still have each other and that they’ll find a way through this. Just then, Byron Pessky makes his inevitable appearance, thrusting a microphone into Payson’s face despite his tear-streaked cheeks. Byron asks what went through his mind when he heard that his town was wiped out and how it feels to have his entire family slaughtered by the bugs. Enraged, Tom tells Payson he doesn't have to answer that, then grabs Byron by the vest and threatens to show him exactly how it feels. Byron is once again punched in the face for asking the wrong question at the wrong time, and the feed abruptly cuts back to the newsroom from the beginning of the comic.
Issue Two[]
Issue two begins with Tom narrating, describing how he sees it at night in his dreams or even when he’s just staring out his window—sometimes, while talking to someone, their face suddenly morphs into his father's, screaming in terror. He hears his father’s cries, the metal of the truck being torn apart, the crunch of the arachnids’ jaws—not as memories, but as if it’s happening all over again, right in front of him.
The scene shifts to a dark room where a screen shows Tom being interviewed by a Federation employee. Tom admits he can’t get the images out of his head, and the employee assures him that, in time, he will. In front of the screen, two men stand side by side. The man on the right explains that Tom is one of only three survivors of the bug attack on New Kansas. He continues, noting that the other two lost their families, but only Tom witnessed his father’s death, leaving deep emotional scars. He describes Martin as a militia-type, a colony leader who fled to New Kansas to escape the Federation, and mentions that Tom has had difficulty adapting to the structure of the facility. He then turns to the man on the left, pointing out that he has fewer than 16 weeks to turn Tom around. The man on the left asks for suggestions, and the man on the right recommends focusing on his friends.
The scene transitions to a Federation school where Kit questions why Tom is complaining about their situation. She points out that they have warm beds and are fed regularly, but Tom sarcastically asks if she can even call what they’re given food. Kit replies that it’s better than New Kansas. Tom then mentions that Payson has been distant and didn’t even show up for lunch, with Kit suggesting that his psych session might have gone into overtime.
At that moment, Payson calls out to Kit and Tom from a distance and joins them at their table, announcing that he has good news. He says it’s okay to be weird now, to which Kit responds that they’ve been telling him that for years. Payson acknowledges this but clarifies that it’s now official because he shared his feelings of guilt with his psych counselor.
The scene then cuts to a flashback of Payson in his counselor's office. He tells Kit and Tom that although he lost both of his parents, he misses his dog, Gringo, the most. This led to feelings of guilt because he thought he should feel worse about losing his parents, his own flesh and blood, than about losing a dog. However, he continues, his counselor assured him that these feelings aren’t as unusual as he thought, particularly among a certain group of people.
In the flashback, the counselor explains that many people feel a special, even paranormal, connection with canines. The Federation has harnessed this bond, creating a specialized unit called the Neodog Corps. These are genetically altered dogs, bred for exceptional intelligence and rudimentary speech, to be used as scouts in battle. Gringo was one of them.
Kit asks why Gringo didn’t end up in the Corps, and Payson explains that he was deemed too impulsive and prone to forgetting his training. For example, under stress, Gringo would revert to barking instead of using his speech capabilities. Kit admits that sounds right but adds that Gringo had a lot of heart. Payson agrees.
Tom asks Payson how someone gets into the Neodog Corps, and Payson responds that he plans to sign up for Federal Service on his 18th birthday. Grabbing Payson by the jacket collar, Tom scolds him, warning that it's from two years to forever—at their discretion—and that you do whatever they tell you, thinking whatever they pump into your head.
Payson pushes back, telling Tom that those are just ideas his dad implanted, and that Federal Service isn't really like that. He turns to Kit for support, asking her to confirm what he's saying. Tom then looks at Kit, beginning to ask if she’s also considering joining, but she cuts him off, revealing that she didn’t know how to break it to him. She explains that she tests well in math—90th percentile—and could even pilot a starship. Tom, feeling betrayed, storms off. Kit calls out to him, but Payson tells her they’ve dealt him quite a blow and he needs time to figure out how to handle it.
Six weeks later, Payson and Kit are in Payson’s dorm as he packs his belongings. He mentions that Tom hasn’t spoken to him since he revealed his plans to join Federal Service, and that he tried to talk to Tom at graduation, but Tom wouldn’t even look at him. Kit shares a similar experience, saying she waited in her room all evening, hoping Tom would at least say goodbye, but he never came.
Suddenly, there are two knocks at the door. Kit urges Payson to answer before whoever it is changes their mind. When Payson opens the door, Tom stands there with an unknown man, who has a vacant expression. Tom tells Payson to take a good look, explaining that the man is a fellow Corpsman—a dogger. He reveals that the man's Neodog died in combat, and the psychic link fried his brain. The man hobbles over to Kit, taking a picture of Gringo and Payson from Payson’s bag beside her. Tom explains that the man is one of the lucky ones, as most doggers who lose their Neodogs end up committing suicide. He warns that this is who he’ll become if he hands himself over to the Feds, urging Payson to resign. Kit interjects, stating that Payson has made his choice. Tom then asks Kit if she’s made her choice as well, to which she solemnly confirms that he already knows the answer.
Suddenly, the man begins to seize and collapses to the floor as a medic and two guards rush into the room. The medic informs Tom that he’s facing charges because the outing could have killed the patient. As the guards escort Tom out of the room, he shouts to Payson and Kit, accusing them of selling their minds and souls for lies and empty promises, and warns that the Federation feeds off people like them. His final plea echoes through the room as he urges them to resign before it’s too late.
Tom is sentenced to fifteen lashes but is assured that, because he is a minor, the punishment will be administered to his buttocks. He is informed that the flogging is scheduled for 5:00 AM the next day, and until then, he is dismissed into custody. After his lashing, Tom is taken to the infirmary, where Kit visits him. She informs him that she’s heading to Camp Currie for basic training and assures him it’s true—they really are going to teach her to fly starships. She acknowledges what his father told him about the Federation but suggests he consider signing up, believing he’d excel at anything he set his mind to. Tom, however, coldly tells her goodbye. Kit, not wanting their friendship to end, tries to reach out, but Tom cuts her off, saying it’s clear what she wants and he hopes she gets it. Outside the school, Payson asks how her visit with Tom went, and she responds that it went exactly as Payson predicted. Overhead, a Federation ship flies by.
The scene then shifts to a FedNet newsfeed where a reporter announces that the Battle for Klendathu is entering its third year, with the newest Starship Troopers launching into the fray. The camera focuses on the ship’s pilot, and the reporter notes that pilots like Kit Walker are responsible for getting soldiers in and out amidst the relentless plasma fire from the surface. Kit, noticing the camera, states that the bugs have a new spray pattern and that she’s adjusting their course. She then turns to the reporter, telling him to get the camera out of her face, and orders her soldiers to put him on the next dropship headed south. The reporter protests, saying that a person could get killed down there.
The next scene is planetside, where Byron Pessky reports that the Mobile Infantry is barely holding its ground. He notes that over two hundred soldiers are being held prisoner by the bugs, and the battle is growing more desperate by the hour. He then highlights the Neodog Corps at the forefront of the battle, explaining that Neodogs, symbiotes—part dog and part human—use their enhanced senses to lead troops to bug holes. Suddenly, off-screen, a hopper bug picks off a soldier named Vance, prompting another soldier to urge his two allies to open fire instead of just standing there. As the hopper bug flies a significant distance away, the first soldier takes aim. One of his allies doubts he can take down a hopper at that range, but the soldier reveals that he’s not aiming at the hopper—he’s aiming at Vance.
In the next scene, Tom is working at a Federation research facility when he decides to go rogue, knocking out a security guard with the help of his coworker, Monroe. As they make their escape, Monroe mentions that he’ll miss the steady paycheck, but Tom reminds him that there’s more at stake than just a job. Tom takes a key card from the unconscious guard, explaining that the Federation has more knowledge about arachnids in this facility than anywhere else on Earth. He warns that once people truly understand what humanity is up against, the idea of fighting a limited war will seem like a bad joke.
As they navigate through the facility, Monroe spots a specimen chamber and asks for the key card. Tom dismisses the idea, stating they’re there for information, not specimens. But Monroe insists, arguing that nothing would convince the public of the threat they face better than a live demonstration. When Tom refuses, Monroe punches him and decides to take matters into his own hands.
Monroe enters the room, revealing a tanker bug locked behind glass. He finds the controls and opens the chamber, but is almost instantly incinerated by a stream from the tanker bug’s head. The bug breaks free, rampaging through the facility. Tom, realizing the severity of the situation, grabs the security guard he knocked out earlier and tries to escape. Outside, they are stopped by another guard, Mendez, who holds them at gunpoint. Tom warns him about the tanker bug, which then bursts through the facility and appears before them. Mendez tries to radio a warning but is incinerated by the bug as he runs.
Tom dumps the unconscious guard into a dumpster, telling him he’s got a bug to squash. Meanwhile, the police try to contain the tanker bug, but their bullets merely bounce off its armored body. One officer asks if the bug has a soft spot, to which a security guard sarcastically responds, “Why do you think they’re called tankers?” Amidst the chaos, Tom sneaks past the police and commandeers a prowler. He powers it up and rams into one of the tanker bug’s legs, drawing its attention. Spotting a nearby bulldozer, Tom leaves the prowler and heads for it just as the tanker bug incinerates the police vehicle. As the tanker tips the bulldozer over, however, Tom jumps clear and spots a crane with a wrecking ball nearby. He quickly climbs into the crane and releases the wrecking ball, dropping it onto the tanker bug and crushing its head.
After the tanker bug’s death, two security guards approach Tom and order him to climb down from the crane, informing him that he’s under arrest. Later, sitting in the back of a police car, Tom notices a Mobile Infantry soldier approaching. He sarcastically comments that it’s about time they showed up. The soldier, Johnny Rico, tells Tom that it looks like they saved themselves the trip. Rico compliments Tom on his work and hands him a card, suggesting that if he isn’t thrown in jail for a few life sentences, he should show it to his local recruiter—he’s been recommended for the Mobile Infantry. Tom, still in handcuffs, tells Rico to tear the card in half, adding that he’d do it himself if his hands weren’t tied. Rico rips up the card and says he hopes Tom changes his mind someday, before it’s too late. Tom responds, telling Rico not to bet his paycheck on it.
Issue Three[]
Issue three opens on Klendathu, where Payson is on a mission with his new neodog, also named Gringo. Payson calls out to Gringo, asking if he’s had any luck locating the bug hole they’re searching for. Gringo replies telepathically that he hasn’t found it yet. A nearby soldier warns that if Gringo doesn’t find the hole soon, they’ll have to call it a day. Suddenly, Gringo picks up a scent and urges Payson to follow him. Payson tells Gringo to go ahead, promising to catch up. Gringo then warns Payson that he smells something big, to which Payson responds to be cautious—until Gringo can shoot a Morita, he’s just a snack for a bug.
Payson alerts Lieutenant Corben that Gringo has found the main hole, prompting the Lieutenant to rally the squad. As the soldiers reach Gringo, he informs Payson that the main chamber is below and packed with warriors. Payson asks if there could be a brain bug, but Gringo isn’t sure and needs to get closer to find out. Corben questions if Gringo is following the right scent, and Payson confirms, explaining that Gringo is moving in for a closer sniff to detect a possible brain bug. Just then, Corben receives a communication from the Sergeant, instructing him to hold their position until C and O companies arrive.
As the message ends, Payson suddenly shouts a warning to Corben as a hopper bug divebombs from above, knocking him to the ground. Gringo, concerned, telepathically checks on Payson, who reassures him that he’s fine, though Gringo remarks that the hopper gave him a scare. Payson, trying to downplay the incident, says it was just a show for the troops. Gringo, however, points out that Payson was so frightened their psychic link almost made Gringo wet himself by accident.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Payson crumbles, and he’s dragged down by arachnids. As this happens, he yells for Gringo to run. The other soldiers start to pursue, but Gringo warns them not to—it’s a trap, and Payson is being used as bait. The Lieutenant, undeterred, declares that humans don’t abandon each other, which is what sets them apart from bugs. He angrily kicks at Gringo, stating that this is a lesson the Neodog Corps needs to learn. At that moment, the situation turns dire as the company is surrounded by bugs. The scene shifts to a FedNet newsfeed where Byron Pessky reports that the bugs have claimed victory in this engagement.
The scene shifts to W. Horton State Prison, where inmates are informed that the first winter storm of the season is approaching, with sub-zero temperatures expected by mid-week. In his cell, Tom receives a visit from Kit, who empathizes with his situation and informs him that Payson went missing on Klendathu and that Gringo is also unaccounted for. She tells Tom that she thinks of him whenever she has a moment and hopes he received the book she sent. Kit acknowledges that Tom might dismiss it as Federation propaganda but explains that the book, History and Moral Philosophy, contains lessons they were supposed to learn in high school but never did because they were in New Kansas. She expresses hope that he’ll give it a try and that it might surprise him.
Elsewhere in the prison, three men watch the conversation on a screen. One of them, the Warden, asks what the book is. The Federation Captain standing with him identifies it as History and Moral Philosophy and mentions that once Tom finishes the book, they’ll pay him a visit. Later, in the rec room, a man named Genghis heckles the Warden, asking about the identity of his friend in the "fancy duds." The Warden tells the Captain to ignore Genghis, dismissing him as a hard case. As the Warden is about to instruct the guards to take action, the Captain intervenes, approaching Genghis and telling him that in the service, they fight their own battles. He challenges Genghis to a fight anytime, anywhere, but Genghis backs down, saying someone of the Captain’s size isn’t worth the trouble and advises him to stay out of his way.
The Captain then approaches Tom, noting that Tom is the second person on record to singlehandedly kill a tanker bug. Tom downplays the achievement, calling it luck, which the Captain acknowledges and agrees with. The Captain goes on to say that he needs a lucky man right now because the bugs have been gaining ground on Klendathu. Federation scientists have developed a high-tech suit of armor that could turn the tide of the war, and they need people to test it out. If the armor proves effective during training, someone will be sent on a test run under combat conditions. Tom remarks that it sounds like a suicide mission, to which the Captain responds that if it isn’t, it’s the next closest thing.
The Captain informs Tom that if he accepts the job, it means enlisting in Federal Service. In return, they will provisionally overlook his current legal issues. If he survives and avoids washing out over the next two years, they’ll clear his record entirely. Tom has just one question: was the Captain's challenge to Genghis a bluff, or could he take him in a fair fight? The Captain replies that he doesn’t know, as he’s never been in a fair fight. As the Captain begins to walk away, he tells Tom that his transport leaves in an hour, giving him that long to think it over. Tom replies that he’s already made up his mind and will see the Captain in an hour. Later, as they prepare for takeoff, Tom notices that Genghis has been badly beaten and asks what happened. The Captain coldly states that Genghis got into a fight with some guy while Tom was packing. When Tom sarcastically asks who it was, the Captain says he has no idea.
The next scene shifts to a room full of cadets, where an instructor briefs them on the deadly nature of the arachnids. He explains that any caste of arachnid can kill a human in less than a second, while it takes at least three times as long to kill them. Given that the bugs outnumber humans thousands to one, the odds are grim. He adds that even if the Federation were to glass the entire surface of Klendathu, the bugs wouldn’t care—they live underground. He continues by saying that even if they obliterated the entire planet, the bugs are spread across the galaxy, and you can’t burn down every house with a flea in it. The instructor then introduces Lieutenant Brasch, gesturing to him, and mentions that Federation scientists like Brasch are working on a weapon that will enable humans to engage the bugs hand-to-hand. He asks Brasch to explain it in simple terms.
Lieutenant Brasch introduces the concept of power armor, which turns an individual soldier into a one-man army corps. One cadet jokes that Brasch has read too many comic books, while another quips that he’s watched too many Japanese movies. Brasch points to the cadets, telling them they can laugh all they want, but this technology could determine which species becomes dominant in the galaxy—humans or bugs.
In the barracks, one of Tom’s bunkmates notices him reading History and Moral Philosophy and mentions that he took a class on it in high school, remarking that it’s weird stuff. Tom responds that it makes you think. As they leave the room, Tom reflects that his father used to say nothing was more important than the individual, but history shows that people working together achieve results. Without society, a man is just a puny animal, running naked in a jungle full of far more efficient predators. As they enter the exercise room and begin lifting weights, Tom continues, saying that he could never build a mech suit or a Morita rifle, but without them, a man wouldn’t stand a chance against a bug. Later, back in the barracks, Tom continues his conversation with his bunkmate, stating that humanity must combine the bugs’ social skills with human values like the worth of each individual if they want to win the war. His bunkmate, surprised, asks if Tom really got all of that from History and Moral Philosophy and admits he should have paid more attention in class.
Aboard Kit’s starship, she questions her captain on how she’s supposed to drop a one-ton payload within a quarter-kilometer radius from orbit in just thirty seconds, arguing that it would be far more feasible if she had a couple of hours to work on it. However, her captain curtly tells her she has only thirty seconds. Kit reports a computer malfunction and requests time to reboot, but the captain instructs her to use the auxiliary computer. Kit protests that the auxiliary is too slow, to which the captain sharply responds that she’s wasting time.
Hurriedly, Kit calculates the best trajectory she can and sends the payload planetside. On the ground, two soldiers are scanning the skies for the incoming payload. One asks if the other sees anything, to which the reply is “nothing as usual.” Just then, the responding soldier spots the payload and orders the other to take cover.
Back on the ship, in the mess hall, Kit mentions that her payload landed three kilometers off target and nearly took out the two observers. Another pilot remarks that they’re still searching for hers. A third pilot adds that they might have a better chance if they didn’t have to calculate everything on the fly.
Kit states that she understands having to run calculations, acknowledging that dodging plasma while launching is unpredictable. However, she expresses confusion over the size of the payloads. The capsules they’re dropping, she points out, could barely hold a man, let alone a squad. Taking a swig of her drink, Kit remarks that she hopes to perform better in the Klendathu exercise next week. This prompts the two pilots sitting with her to inform her that they’re heading back for two more weeks of classroom work, meaning Kit will be on her own.
A week later, above Klendathu, Kit is summoned to the cargo bay to get acquainted with her payload. As she races through the hallways, Kit tells herself that it’s a nuke, and they’re planning to glass Klendathu—and they want her to drop the bomb. Upon arriving at the cargo bay, she is met by Tom and the Federation Captain from earlier. Kit rushes to Tom, telling him she doesn’t think she can nuke Klendathu with Payson still down there, but Tom interrupts her, revealing that her payload isn’t a nuke—it’s him.
Kit, bewildered, asks how he can be the payload, then spots the mech suit behind them. Tom explains that she needs to drop him where Payson was last seen; if Payson is still alive, he’ll bring him back. Kit, shocked, calls the plan insane, saying it’s practically murder to send a lone man down there, no matter how advanced the suit is. The Federation Captain questions if Kit is refusing to fly the mission, warning that they’ll send her back to Earth and use their second choice instead. He then tries to appeal to her sense of duty, pointing out that the other pilot has a test score 18 points lower than Kit’s and insisting that Tom deserves the best. Reluctantly, Kit agrees and returns to the helm to carry out the mission.
Meanwhile, on the planet, Payson regains consciousness in an arachnid cavern and immediately notices a brain bug approaching, escorted by chariot bugs. It inches closer, extending its proboscis as Payson watches in terror.
Issue Four[]
Issue four opens with Tom inside the mech suit, admitting that he's got the shakes. The Federation Captain outside reassures him that it's normal—the psychologists predicted it. Tom asks when the shaking will stop and is told that it will cease once he drops. The Captain explains that Tom is experiencing the rush of nervous anticipation, like a racehorse at the starting gate. Tom jokingly replies that the Captain could have fooled him—he thought he was scared spitless.
The Captain informs Tom that they are currently loading his capsule into the launch tube and sealing him in. He’ll receive a countdown, and then he should brace for a few gees when they launch him. Tom recalls the "few gees" from the test drop, mentioning he was black and blue for a week. The Captain assures him they added more padding after that incident.
Kit, adjusting the trajectory speed, gives Tom a four-second countdown before launching him from the ship. The Federation Captain checks in, confirming that Tom is still with them, and Tom replies that he’s getting his breath back. The Captain advises him to prepare for re-orientation and warns that he may experience vibrations as the outer shell of the capsule burns off during re-entry. As the capsule enters the atmosphere, a parachute deploys, and the Captain notes that the metal debris from the outer shell will provide cover. However, the first parachute detaches, requiring a second parachute to be deployed. The Captain then informs Tom that he is on target and suggests he thank Kit for a perfect launch, to which Tom responds that he'll give Kit a raincheck when she picks him and Payson up.
Upon landing, Tom immediately starts moving and reports that the bugs are converging on him from two separate locations. He’s given the go-ahead to engage, and he arms the suit's missiles, which lock onto their targets and fire. Both groups of bugs are obliterated. Afterward, Tom discovers a bug hole and detects low-level organic activity using the suit’s scanner. He notes that it’s too small to be a man, possibly a chariot bug based on how fast it’s moving. Tom tells the Captain that he’ll incinerate it with his flamethrower, but the Captain instructs him to hold off on the attack. The Captain then reveals that it’s a Neodog, prompting Tom to turn off his scanner and see the dog for himself.
Tom asks the dog its name and determines that it is Gringo, Payson's neo, and relays the discovery to Kit. Tom then asks Gringo where Payson is and whether he is still alive. Gringo responds that Payson is barely alive but that he can indeed lead Tom to him. Activating his suit's thrusters, Tom tells Gringo that he's a brave dog for being out there with nothing while Tom has his mech suit. Gringo corrects him, stating that he is a symbiote, not a dog. After landing, Tom puts Gringo down and instructs him to lead the way to Payson, assuring him that he’ll keep them both safe in the meantime.
As they move forward, Tom begins receiving a transmission through his suit, though the connection is garbled, and all he can make out is "Trask! Sky Mar—". Tom asks the Captain to repeat the message, but all he gets in response is static. He informs Gringo that the radio is down and that they’re on their own. Gringo leads Tom further down the tunnel, but along the way, an arachnid grabs hold of the mech suit from behind with its jaws. In response, Tom activates a chainsaw feature on the suit's left arm and saws through the arachnid's jaws. Gringo then states that Payson is right below them, prompting Tom to activate an unknown weapon, drop it, and instruct Gringo to snuggle in close. As the weapon falls to the floor, it announces, "I'm a ten-second bomb," and begins counting down. Tom explains that the bomb is an anti-personnel weapon, but the techs thought it might come in handy against the bugs. The bomb explodes midway through saying "seven".
Tom finishes off the remaining bugs in the room, then jumps into the hole created by the bomb, thinking aloud and asking where Payson is. As he looks below, he sees a brain bug surrounded by warrior bugs and several Mobile Infantry soldiers trapped with them. One soldier has already had their brain consumed by the brain bug. Tom exclaims in horror as he sees the brain bug about to consume Payson's brain. Realizing its life is at risk, the brain bug begins to flee upon seeing Tom in his mech suit. However, the moment Tom lands, he fires two missiles at the brain bug, causing it to explode across the room.
Tom is left to deal with the warrior bugs surrounding him. Gringo warns him that there are too many bugs and that his pistol won’t last long against such numbers. Tom replies that he didn’t come all this way to quit, noticing that Payson is in a trance with his eyes rolled back. He calls out to Payson, telling him to snap out of it. Suddenly, an explosion occurs overhead.
A squad of at least eight Mobile Infantry soldiers, known as Rico’s Raiders, descends into the bug hole, announcing that the Sky Marshall called them in to mop up. One of the soldiers mentions that the Sky Marshall was surprised Tom got that far and that no one, except the Captain, even believed he would survive the drop. Tom is then instructed to get out of the bug hole, as the hole the Raiders made leads straight to the surface, and if he’s quick enough, he might make it to the pickup point on time. When Tom inquires about the other prisoners, he’s told to leave them to the Raiders.
Tom is then contacted by his pickup officer, who asks where he is. Tom replies that he and Payson are on their way, and the officer responds that they’re behind schedule and that Kit has been chewing their ear off. Tom tells them to keep the beacon on and the engines hot, assuring them that he and Payson are almost there.
Upon surfacing, Tom is told he’s late and that a starship can’t just turn on a dime with the amount of traffic up there. Cutting the soldier off, Tom tells them to spare him the lecture and to radio Kit, saying that she’s going to have to wing it. Kit then informs the crew in the dropship that they’ll have to free-float until they can arrange an alternate docking point.
In orbit, Kit informs the dropship pilot that if they’re determined to go through with this, they need to patch her in for direct control. The pilot complies, granting Kit remote control, and informs her that everyone on board is now in her hands. As Kit maneuvers the dropship closer to the Rodger Young, aiming for one of the hangar bays, the pilot radios her, expressing concern. He warns that even if they hit the hatch, they might plow right through and asks if she’s certain about her calculations. Kit instructs the shuttle crew to brace for deceleration as she nears the bay. The shuttle pilot, convinced they’re not going to make it, tells the crew to prepare for impact. Tom mocks the pilot to Gringo, stating that if they hit, buckling up won’t help—they’ll be dead anyway. Gringo jokes back, saying Tom should have kept his suit on. Despite a close call and minor damage to the shuttle, they successfully land in the hangar bay. The pilot, stunned, radios Kit, admitting he didn’t believe it was possible. Shortly after, medics place Payson on a stretcher, and Tom expresses a desire to go with him. The medic advises Tom to stay back, assuring him that he and Gringo have done their job, and now it’s time for the medics to do theirs.
Some time later, in a Federation hospital, Payson receives a bedside video call from Kit. He’s relieved to hear from her and asks where she is. Kit informs him that she’s on her way to Bug Central—Klendathu. She adds that Tom has been promoted to First Lieutenant and given his own company. When Payson asks if they’re really returning to the fight so soon, Kit reminds him that he’s been out for six weeks, subtly informing the reader of the time lapse. She explains that the Federation has already launched half a dozen sorties and several recon missions, but this one is a full-scale assault.
Payson then mentions that he never got a chance to thank Tom for the plant he gave him, to which Kit responds that it’s pathetic but alive. She adds that Tom said it reminded him of Payson when he was found in the cavern. Kit then tells Payson she has to go and asks him to send some karma their way. Payson tells her to relay to Tom to kick some butt down there, to which Kit replies that there’s no need—that’s exactly what they plan to do.
In the hangar bay, Tom and his company prepare for the drop in their mech suits. One of his soldiers confides that he’s got the shakes. Tom reassures him, saying not to worry—they’ll go away. He admits that he always gets the shakes before a drop. Soon after, the soldiers are sealed in their capsules and dropped to the planet’s surface.
Creative team[]
- Writer - Jan Strnad
- Illustrator - Davide Fabbai
- Letterer - Janice Chiang
- Colorist - Perry McNamee
- Cover Artist - John Bolton
- Designer - Jeremy Perkins
- Editors - David Land and Jamie Rich
- Assistant Editor - Ben Abernathy
- Publisher - Mike Richardson
Notes[]
Dominant Species was the final Starship Troopers comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The series was originally released from August to November of 1998.
Issues[]
- Dominant Species issue 1
- Dominant Species issue 2
- Dominant Species issue 3
- Dominant Species issue 4
Collections[]
To date, the series has not been reprinted in a collected edition.