Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #5 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 5, September 2023

Despite the odd member of this science-fiction franchise’s fanbase possibly being somewhat critical as to how simply James Tiberius Kirk solves all the competing conundrums facing him and his crew by its conclusion, Marc Guggenheim’s script for this “finale of Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” definitely should still have thoroughly entertained them. Indeed, the sheer scope of the American author’s storyline alone is utterly breath-taking, as he conveys the reader on a non-stop merry-go-round through a state-of-art Romulan vessel, towards the start of a galactic war between the Federation and Star Empire, and into a frantic phaser-fight on the planet Gallus Three which appears certain to wipe out its entire population.

Intriguingly however, the “co-showrunner on Arrow” doesn’t stop there either, as he somehow manages to cram in an incredible number of characterful moments for the vast majority of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s Bridge Crew too - including a haunting penultimate panel which depicts the Constitution-Class starship’s Admiral anticipating losing “the life of someone close to you” as per Nicholas Meyer’s 1982 movie “The Wrath Of Khan”. These touches genuinely help instil the sense of both melodrama and dark humour to the twenty-two-page periodical’s plot which was so typical of the Sixties original television series, and in the case of the writer’s superb handling of Mister Spock and Leonard McCoy’s banter with one another, is arguably well worth this book’s cover price alone.  

True, the narrative does occasionally appear a little unlikely, such as when the Enterprise’s commanding officer willingly permits Lieutenant Uhura to blatantly disregard his direct orders and assist her disagreeable, alternative version to escape Starfleet custody in Akris’ spacecraft. But Guggenheim debatably throws several spectacular curveballs throughout this publication, so it’s probably not too surprising that perhaps the odd one falls a little short of where he was hoping it would land; “That’s the convenient thing about having a captain who puts his conscience before rules and regulations. He doesn’t mind so much when his officers do the same.”

Just as successful as this comic’s prodigious penmanship are Oleg Chudakov’s layouts, which add plenty of pulse-pounding pace to both the script’s space battles and frequent punch-ups. Of particular note is the artist’s ability to imbue Kirk with a vicious left hook. Whilst Sulu’s tense firefight against a phalanx of Centurion guards for ownership of “the devastating Nightbringer weapon” surely had many a bibliophile involuntarily ducking for cover as they witnessed the exchange of deadly energy bolts.

Writer: Marc Guggenheim, Artist: Oleg Chudakov, and Colorist: DC Alonso