By MATTHEW PRICE 

A noir mystery set on a space station is the first comic-book series starring the characters of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in a decade.  

A collected edition of “Deep Space Nine: Too Long A Sacrifice” came to comic-book stores this week, by writers Scott Tipton & David Tipton and artist Greg Scott. 

The story focuses on the shapeshifting lawman Constable Odo, who was played in the series by the late actor René Auberjonois, as he investigates a deadly explosion on the station.

“Set during the most difficult hours of the Dominion War, Too Long a Sacrifice shows the station during trying times: a series of mysterious and seemingly unsolvable terrorist attacks just as the war has everyone strained to the breaking point,” David Tipton said in a news release. “We’ll get to see the darker side of life on the station as Odo leads the investigation, with increasingly desperate conditions forcing him and others to deal with new and unexpected allies and to use unusual tactics in their efforts to stop the attacks.”

Set during the 24th Century, “Deep Space Nine” was the fourth “Star Trek” series, and the first spin-off from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” The series was set on a space station situated near a wormhole. The station, which originally orbited the planet of Bajor, had been created by the empire-minded Cardassians when they occupied Bajor. In the series, Starfleet and the Bajorans run the station together.  

Writer Scott Tipton said the setting and cast drew the authors back into the world. 

“With its ‘frontier setting’ and precarious place in the galaxy, Deep Space Nine offers the opportunity to tell truly unique tales of intrigue and suspense,” he said in a news release. “Combine that with one of the best character ensembles ever assembled, and you get something no other Star Trek series can offer.”

The “Too Long a Sacrifice” series is set during the sixth season of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” 

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.