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

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #4 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 4, August 2023

Whilst some readers may well argue that Marc Guggenheim’s storyline for Issue Four of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” lacks much in the way of dynamic, action-packed excitement. The New Yorker definitely fills his twenty-two-page plot with plenty of political intrigue and tension, as James T. Kirk desperately attempts to swot up on his Romulan equipment so as to secretly transport himself to the undisclosed location of the planet-destroying Nightbringer weapon. 

Foremost of these diplomatic dilemmas undoubtedly stems from this comic’s strained opening between the Federation’s blue-skinned Madame President, Admiral Mohamed, and the duplicitous Ambassador Nanclus – who rather enjoyably bears more than a passing resemblance to the Romulan character's Silver Screen actor Darryl Henriques. This well-written scene really helps establish just how close to a full-scale war the two opposing empires are, and adds loads of weight to Commander Spock’s subsequent decisions, when the Vulcan is forced to contemplate the consequences of Sulu stealing “Akris’ purloined ship” and whether Pavel Chekov’s “dire medical state” is worth risking a galactic conflict over.

Furthermore, it provides the American author with plenty of opportunity to demonstrate just how very well he can handle the science officer’s close relationship with Leonard McCoy. The pair’s banter within this comic is so good that many within its audience should easily be able to hear the voices of actors Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley in their ears, as well as see the character’s facial responses to their verbal sparring and witty repartee in Oleg Chudakov’s pencilling; “Wait. You were messing with me just then weren’t you? I really hate you sometimes.”

Lastly, but by no means least, is Guggenheim’s ability to also give some spotlight to the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s main crew, most notably that of Montgomery Scott and Nurse Christine Chapel. The Chief Engineer’s role within Spock’s plan to locate a pre-warp civilisation upon which the Romulan’s can test their newly-acquired Doomsday weapon is pivotal to this publication’s plot, and additionally provides the Scotsman with an opportunity to exhibit his own biting waggishness once he realises the pointy-eared alien “deemed it an acceptable risk” that he’d be clobbered unconscious by the determined General Uhura so she could escape the Constitution-class vessel in her recently repaired spacecraft.

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

Star Trek: Annual 2023 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: ANNUAL 2023, May 2023

For those casual fans of Gene Roddenberry's universe who are unfamiliar with “IDW’s brand-new, flagship Star Trek ongoing series that goes where no comic has gone before”, Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s narrative for this thirty-two-page annual was probably a bemusing gestalt of all the science fiction franchise’s past incarnations, what with the likes of James Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, Benjamin Sisko, Tom Paris, Mister Data and numerous other notable characters all being prodigiously pencilled by Rachael Stott throughout this book. True, “the critically acclaimed” duo do at least attempt to explain just how Montgomery Scott happens to be the Chief Engineer of the U.S.S. Theseus following the Emissary of the Prophets’ return from a Bajoran Wormhole. But the script unrelentingly throws so many other “Starfleet legends” at its audience that only the most diehard of Trekkies won't become confused as to just who is real and who is a holographic replica.

Similarly as perplexing is the publication’s plot, which arguably takes an inordinately long time to explain that the experimental starship’s holodeck technology has become self-aware. This notion is definitely an intriguing one that borrows heavily from Naren Shankar’s televised episode “The Quality of Life” featuring some sentient utility robots. However, in order to pad out this over-sized one-shot, the creative team seemingly attempt to have the audience somewhat wearisomely visit almost every iconic vessel ever seen on the small or big screen – whether that be the warp five capable NX-01 Enterprise, the Napoleonic era H.M.S. Enterprise, or Doctor Cochrane’s Phoenix - before penning this revelation.

Quite possibly this comic’s biggest disappointment though debatably lies with its depiction of “Starfleet's youngest starship captain”, who towards of end of the story is probably the closest it has to an antagonist. Repeatedly insisting that things be destroyed, annihilated, and even threatening to kill Sisko at one point with a phaser, this computer-generated duplicate is obviously a far cry from the genuine Jim Kirk. Yet considering that all the other artificial programs made manifest seemingly behave as per their true-life counterparts it seems odd the writers would choose this particular personality as the adversary. Unless its more than coincidence that this book was produced at a time when “StarTrek.com” would feel it necessary to post an article defending actor William Shatner's role from an increasingly popular bandwagon of ill-founded criticism and derision.

Writers: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, and Artist: Rachael Stott

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #3 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 3, July 2023

Having arguably established plenty of tension with Admiral James T. Kirk and some of his bridge crew being held captive aboard Commander Toth’s Romulan Bird-of-Prey, Marc Guggenheim’s script for Issue Three “Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” probably ‘fumbled the ball’ for many of its readers with a series of somewhat corny and unspontaneous sequences which appear to have been manufactured solely to keep the mini-series going for two more editions. In fact, on one occasion some of the comic’s characters actually poke fun at themselves during these silly shenanigans when they use “literally the oldest trick in the book” to escape a prison cell by suddenly pretending to be dying.

One such plot point is surely the inconsistent gun skills of Lieutenant Uhura’s supposedly super-deadly double, who within the blink of an eye is prodigiously pencilled by Russian artist Oleg Chudakov literally blasting away the four Romulan Guards surrounding her with a savagely smooth circle of shots. This pulse-pounding panel then leaves the hard-nosed General staring down an unarmed Akris at point blank range. But rather than blast her arch-nemesis as she did her quartet of subjugators, this publication’s audience are nonsensically meant to believe the sharpshooter becomes so angry that she inadvertently misses her hapless target so he can run off and escape; “Sweet Nyota. Always indulging your emotions at the expense of your aim…”

However, the gravest contrivance is probably Pavel Chekov’s injury which apparently can’t be regenerated by a strangely self-doubting Doctor McCoy and resultantly needs to be stitched back together “the old-fashioned way” by Christine Chapel. To make matters worse the U.S.S. Enterprise's navigator can’t simply receive a blood transfusion of synthplasma either as he inconveniently suffers “from something called Dythraxis”, and sadly the Constitution-class starship is in breach of Starfleet Regulation 4587 by not storing a supply of his blood on board because they were originally on “a shakedown cruise where combat isn’t anticipated.” None of these narratives are compellingly delivered, and simply all lead to the inevitable conclusion that the Federation officers must now return to the Romulan Neutral Zone to somehow get hold of Pavel’s ‘maniacal doppelganger from a parallel universe’ alive.

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

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #2 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 2, June 2023

Absolutely packed full of enthralling, edge-of-your-seat action as the fugitive criminal Akris escapes into Romulan space, it is difficult to imagine that many fans of Robert Wise’s 1979 science fiction film weren’t extremely satisfied with Marc Guggenheim’s script for this twenty-two-page periodical. Indeed, the Long Island-born television producer so readily captures the classic feel of Gene Roddenberry’s original series, that Issue Two of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” could easily be mistaken for something originally conceived by the Great Bird of the Galaxy during Paramount Television Service's unsuccessful attempt to produce a sequel television show; “Dancing is illogical. No amount of context makes it more or less so.”

Foremost of these highly nostalgic feats has to be the way the American author presents Admiral James Tiberius Kirk and the iconic character’s interaction with the rest of his bridge crew – most notably Commander Spock. There’s an eerily genuine swagger to “Starfleet's youngest starship captain” in this comic which quite superbly replicates all actor William Shatner’s confidence when he was performing in the role. In fact, so much of the Federation officer’s dialogue and banter is so ‘spot on’ that the Canadian’s voice repeatedly emanates off of the printed page.

Just as impressive though is this publication’s narrative, which shows the fast-thinking Chief of Starfleet Operations outwitting the Treaty of Algeron in order to pursue an “agent of chaos from a parallel universe”. True, some bibliophiles might find Kirk’s omnipotence concerning just how the Romulan’s will react to his Neutral Zone incursion a little too contrived. But the breach via a ‘stolen’ shuttlecraft and subsequent ferocious firefight aboard Base Station Delta V is so well penned that such a minor quibble is arguably easy to set aside in favour of this book’s pulse-pounding plot.

Pulling all this positivity together are Oleg Chudakov’s somewhat cartoony layouts, which do a great job in imbuing all the U.S.S. Enterprise’s crewmembers with some truly memorable facial expressions. The Russian artist’s fleeting side-exchanges between the considerably sized cast, most notably Pavel Chekov and Hikaru Sulu, are particularly well-drawn, as is the illustrator’s wonderful attention to detail when it comes to capturing the look (and feel) of Robert Fletcher’s uniforms and production designer Harold Michelson’s refitted Constitution-class sets.

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

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #1 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 1, May 2023

For those Trekkies who enjoyed the science fiction franchise’s 1979 motion picture, this twenty-two-page plot should assure them that IDW Publishing and Paramount Global were right to allow Marc Guggenheim “to revisit that time period.” For whilst the rather dialogue driven narrative lacks much in the way of action, apart from a brief clash between extra-terrestrial space vessels at its start, the comic’s somewhat sedentary pace rather beautifully captures the atmospheric tone of the Silver Screen setting its American author was clearly trying to emulate.

Indeed, apart from a couple of arguably jarring moments, such as when James Kirk is scolded for addressing a fellow Starfleet Admiral by their first name instead of their rank and a brief reference to the Bajorans, Issue One of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” could believably have been adapted from an overlooked manuscript penned by screenwriter Harold Livingston himself; “I knew when Heihachrio Nogura agreed to your proposal of a shakedown cruise, it was only a matter of time before you contrived some reason to stay in the centre seat.”

Foremost of these successes is the way Guggenheim wonderfully captures the complex relationship between the U.S.S. Enterprise’s three senior officers. Kirk, Spock and McCoy all act and sound as if they were once again being portrayed by their respective actors, with perhaps the Constitution-class starship’s doctor proving particularly memorable when his permanent presence aboard is questioned by Christine Chapel after he made such a fuss over being drafted at the start of the “V’Ger Crisis.” However, the dialogue between Pavel Chekov and Hikaru Sulu is delivered just as well, especially when the pair are sat working together on the vessel’s bridge.

Helping this nostalgic yarn remain true to Robert Fletcher’s somewhat controversial look of the movie is Oleg Chudakov’s panels, whose slightly cartoony-looking characters still readily depict all the drama taking place within the "almost totally new" Enterprise’s claustrophobic corridors and meeting rooms. In fact, one of the highlights of this comic is when the Federation vessel suddenly appears alongside General Nyota Uhura’s much smaller-sized fighter as the refitted Class 1 Heavy Cruiser is incredibly well-pencilled, and helps stamp this publication’s determination for attention to detail straight from the start.

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

Star Trek #400 [Part Two] - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK No. 400, September 2022

Starting with a narrative centred upon a character who “was unpopular among more than a few Star Trek fans” during “The New Generation” era, Wil Wheaton’s arguably self-indulgent storyline “A Matter Of Choice” probably isn’t as exciting a start to this comic’s second half as the actor-turned-YouTube-host probably hoped. In fact, the incredibly word-heavy narrative must surely have tested the patience of even the most ardent Trekkie, especially when at times the numerous word balloons seemingly threaten to blot out everything but the most basic-looking figure’s face in any given panel.

Disappointingly however, there’s debatably very little reward at the tale’s end either, as after an eight-page long series of dialogue-lead sedentary scenes where an omnipotent Wesley Crusher revisits several moments in his past where his shipmates have previously offered him advice, he simply decides to do what he planned to do in the first place. Such a lack-lustre conclusion may well cause some readers to scratch their heads in bewilderment as to just why “the Traveller” bothered to pull an elderly Jean-Luc Picard out of the Kelvin Universe in the first place, let alone how him doing so might irreversibly damage existence's “complex crystalline structure that only holds itself together through the most delicate balance.”

Perhaps this anthology’s most bemusing adventure though is the kid-friendly fracas between “Keyla Detmer, the Starfleeter” and an adolescent Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. Written by Mike Johnson and sketched by Megan Levens, this meeting between two crash survivors smacks of the sort of juvenile humour a reader might expect in a children’s comic for young readers, and appears an odd choice of storyline to feature in a celebration of over fifty-years’ worth of serious science fiction; “Try it you shall and when you cannot stomach it, you shall declare me the superior lifeform and be on your way!”

Rounding off this publication with a blatant advertisement for the publisher’s upcoming new ongoing “Star Trek” title is “A Perfect System” by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. Focusing upon the sudden disintegration of Gary Mitchell whilst the god-like entity is busily building solar systems, this pedestrian-paced piece even rather mercenarily ends with its final page featuring the former Federation helmsman’s skeleton floating in outer space with the words “To be Continued” “Star Trek #1” “Coming Soon” emblazoned between artist Ramon Rosanas’ well-pencilled panels.

The regular cover art to "STAR TREK" #400 by Louie De Martinis

Star Trek #400 [Part One] - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK No. 400, September 2022

Considering the sheer scope of Gene Roddenberry’s fifty-plus year-old science fiction franchise, “this collection of minis” by “IDW Publishing” may well have pleased some Trekkies out there, particularly as it’s opening storyline set at the very end of the original series’ movie run does such a good job in wrong-footing the reader with its conclusion. But by the time “this monumental issue” hits its mid-way stage, the quality of its penmanship is debatably somewhat deficient at best; “I needed a new differential octolithium re-compilerizer, and you needed a new phase-inducted piromactal teravertarium battery!”

To begin with however, Chris Eliopoulos’ “Captain’s Log” definitely delivers a thoroughly enjoyable summary of Captain James Tiberius Kirk’s adventures aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, and then rather cleverly hands over the baton to Hikaru Sulu commanding the U.S.S. Excelsior. Proficiently pencilled by Luke Sparrow, this nostalgic trip down memory lane contains many of the programme’s pivotal moments, such as the death of Spock, and then rather neatly leads into the senior helmsmen’s own adventures at the end of “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”.

Similarly as successful is “Soldier On” by Declan Shalvey, which rather surprisingly provides an intriguing flashback to Petty Officer Miles O’Brien’s time on the planet Setlik III during the Federation/Cardassian War. Featuring both Captain Maxwell and the U.S.S. Rutledge, as well as a young Elim Garak, this reasonably straightforward tale of resupplying, sabotage and Obsidian Order obstinance is engagingly drawn in a quirky, somewhat cartoony style by Seth Damoose.

Closing out the first half of this “equal celebration of IDW’s Star Trek comics past and future” with a shockingly short, though still disconcerting yarn, is the five-panel long “Meanwhile…” Written by Mike Johnson and illustrated by Angel Hernandez, this brief glimpse of the Kelvin Universe’s Scotty shows just how unrecognisably dissimilar the “miracle working’ engineer has become from his former-self once Simon Pegg embodied the character on the silver screen. Perfectly happy to lazily sleep on the job and leave the Constitution-class starship’s repairs to an equally snooze-happy underling, this Montgomery Scott is a far cry from the decidedly dedicated incarnation played by Canadian actor James Doohan.

The regular cover art to "STAR TREK" #400 by Louie De Martinis

Star Trek: The Mirror War: Troi #1 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR - TROI No. 1, September 2022

Turning the recently concluded Mirror War mini-series spotlight upon Deanna Troi and the supposedly dramatic course of events which lead to her becoming the much-feared Inquisitor aboard the I.S.S. Enterprise, “this one-shot set in the Mirror Universe of The Next Generation” probably didn’t please as many fans of the science fiction franchise as perhaps its publishers hoped it would. In fact, Marieke Nijkamp’s backstory arguably doesn’t make all that much sense, as the Betazed Administrator appears to double-cross everyone, including her planet’s population, apparently just to show Jean-Luc Picard that her murderous obsession with power would make her a useful ally for his “ruthless ambition.”

Admittedly, the fact the cold-hearted killer is perfectly happy to personally disintegrate her closest confidant, Lwesi, after the ill-fated advisor is ordered to take “charge of our Plan B” by infiltrating the Stargazer’s Cargo Bay Two, certainly shows the extent to which the mass-manipulator will stoop to attain the potent mix of “triumph, vengeance, [and] power” which she so greatly desires. But having repeatedly demonstrated such disloyalty, treachery and duplicity to the bald Terran Empire officer, including an attempt to have her world’s dissidents assassinate him, it seems rather unconvincing anyone would see such an untrustworthy person as being an essential piece of their own grand scheme for domination.

Furthermore, there are so many twists and turns to the Dutch author’s twenty-page plot, that by the end of the comic some within its audience may well be completely confused as to just which attacks upon Picard and his crew were planned by the titular character, and what was merely unexpected happenstance. It certainly seems likely that one of the Stargazer’s crewmen telling his captain that Lwesi and her handful of rebel fighters were actually in need of the Empire’s help came as much as a surprise to the Betazoid leader as it did Jean-Luc; “Are all your officers so weak to be easily control--” 

Setting aside such quibbles as to its narrative, Megan Levens’ layouts for Issue One of “Star Trek: The Mirror War – Troi” certainly bring some enjoyable phaser-fights to eye-catching life whenever the book requires them. Indeed, there’s a palpable sense of dynamic action to the “Buffyverse” illustrator’s pencils when she first depicts the insurgents enthusiastically blazing away at their planet’s ‘honoured guests’, which helps carry any perusing bibliophile through some of the script’s more mundane, dialogue-heavy sequences.

The regular cover art to "STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR - Troi #1 by Megan Levens & Charlie Kirchoff

Star Trek: The Mirror War #8 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 8, August 2022

Seemingly set to show the I.S.S Enterprise and its blood-thirsty bridge crew attempt a suicidal charge at the formidably fortified Cardassia Prime, Scott and David Tipton’s script for Issue Eight of “Star Trek: The Mirror War” twists and turns like the deadly eel larvae Captain Terrell fatally encountered whilst exploring the wind-ravaged planet of Ceti Alpha V. Indeed, it’s arguably rare to find such a wonderfully winding plot as the one penned by this book’s brothers as William T. Riker confounds all his doubters by not only besting the Stargazer’s former captain, but by also overthrowing Emperor Quinn in his very throne room within the space of a few panels; “Yes. I’m just now receiving word of some upset back at the palace.”

Of course, first and foremost of these shocks is just how quickly the one-time privateer overcomes Jean-Luc Picard to become the Galaxy-class starship’s new skipper. As the android Data himself notes later in this publication, the vessel’s bald, vicious leader had recently become so dangerously erratic that that someone somewhen was bound to attempt to murder him. However, Riker’s successful assassination takes place so early within the twenty-page periodical that its decisive swiftness is bound to take many a perusing bibliophile by complete surprise.

Similarly as well-written though is how this comic’s sizeable cast outwardly rally around their commander to ensure his plans for interplanetary domination reach fruition with minimal fuss. Unlike under Picard’s fiery ‘my might is right’ regime, William provides his crew with plenty of lucrative opportunities to help buy their loyalty, such as Geordi La Forge being offered the administration of the ship-building sphere, Faundori, in return for his unwavering allegiance. Furthermore, Riker’s also not adverse to promoting potentially dangerous opponents into roles which are currently advantageous to him, or even risk the venomous wrath of an ever-jealous Deanna Troi by offering physical favours to the likes of Elizabeth Shelby.

Working hand-in-hand with so devious a tale of traitors and treacherous turncoats are artist Gavin Smith and colourist Charlie Kirchoff. This dynamic duo’s ability to present the destruction of the Klingon Empire’s main fleet is an absolute joy to behold, as is the way they manage to bring a distinct personality to so many of this comic’s considerable cast through facial expressions and body movements.

Writers: Scott & David Tipton, Artist: Gavin Smith, and Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Star Trek: The Mirror War #7 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 7, July 2022

Positively packed with scintillating spaceship action, just the sort of edge-of-seat political intrigues one would expect from the deadly Mirror Universe, and the increasingly zealous aggression of the maniacal Jean-Luc Picard, Scott and David Tipton’s narrative for Issue Seven of “Star Trek: The Mirror War” masterfully manipulates all the very best elements of Gene Roddenberry’s franchise into a veritable rollercoaster of a comic book ride. Sure, it’s somewhat hard to cheer on a cold-blooded killer who is perfectly capable of flushing his former friend out into the airless void once ‘the Outrageous Okona’ has evidently outlived his usefulness. Yet considering the duplicitous nature of the I.S.S. Enterprise-D’s senior officers, it’s arguably difficult for anyone upon the Galaxy-class starship’s bridge to legitimately cast aspersions against another.

Furthermore, when the sense-shattering shenanigans of a story are this good, it probably doesn’t matter who wins or loses, especially as its evident that despite the selfish motivation of the bald, goatee-bearded captain, he is fighting for the very survival of the Terran Empire against the overwhelming odds of an extra-terrestrial aggressor; “I want every vessel in my armada ready to deal death to the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance in hours, not days. I’m altering the plan. Crippling this Cardassian rabble is no longer enough.”

Perhaps this publication’s biggest asset, however, is in the attention to detail of its considerably sized cast as opposed to the blockbuster space battles. Picard’s descent into a berserker-fury unsurprisingly captures most of the ‘spotlight’. But there’s still plenty of double-dealing to enjoy with the likes of Riker, Troi, La Forge and Crusher unwisely deciding that now is precisely the right time to eliminate Jean-Luc and claim the captain’s chair for themselves. These vying perfidious personalities really are extremely well-penned and contain some nice touches, such as Geordi’s greed making him hesitant at ruining such a successful command, and Miles O’Brien’s evident irritation at not being addressed by Data as “Captain” whilst he’s in charge of the I.S.S. Defiant.

Equally as engrossing as the script though must be Gavin Smith’s layouts and Charlie Kirchoff’s colours. The artistic team do a first-rate job in depicting the sheer grandeur of two antagonistic armadas beating the hell out of each other with “full volleys of photon torpedoes and focused phaser spreads.” Plus, there’s a plethora of proficiently pencilled human touches dotted throughout the interior-set panels, like Beverley scowling at Picard as she tends to her badly injured son, and ‘Captain Brahms’ horror when her attempt to commandeer the Enterprise fails miserably.

Writers: Scott & David Tipton, Artist: Gavin Smith, and Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Star Trek: The Mirror War: Sisko #1 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR: SISKO No. 1, June 2022

Expanding “upon the world of The Mirror War” with a reasonably interesting investigation into an illegal Cardassian weapons deal on the intergalactic Black Market, there’s certainly nothing wrong with Danny Lore’s writing for this twenty-page spotlight upon Benjamin Lafayette Sisko. But whilst Intendant Kira Nerys’ “favourite toy” certainly gets involved in a short-lived fistfight with a band of miscreants and subsequent space-battle against Kaarak Tyr’s small fleet of ships, there’s disappointingly never really a moment where the titular character appears to be in jeopardy. Not even when he raises his voice to his Bajoran mistress as no other slave has ever done before; “You appreciate how fond I am of you, Benjamin Sisko. So you must not have meant to speak to me like that.”

In fact, despite much of this comic’s narrative focusing upon just how fragile life is for a Terran Privateer living within the borders of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, the worst fate that ever seems likely to befall Sisko is that he’s snatched away from the side of Terok Nor’s former Chief of Security and simply sent back to its mines. Such a fate is clearly a ghastly one and is something which is shown to play upon the “abrasive” human’s mind within this comic. However, considering that this book starts off by emphasising just how fearless Benjamin has become, as well as how easily he can outwit his mistress’s political opponents, even a temporary non-canon breaking spell back drilling for minerals at a rock face seems extremely unlikely.

What Lore’s plot for “Star Trek: The Mirror War – Sisko” does provide though is a straightforward romp through the alternative dimension’s criminal underworld, and an intriguing insight into just how cold-hearted a manipulator this incarnation of the captain can be in order to ensure the success of his mission. As with so many of this parallel world’s cast, it is debatably all too easy for a bibliophile to forget that its inhabitants are not the steadfast heroes depicted within the prime universe, and resultantly this publication can repeatedly catch them out by having its ‘central protagonist’ behave in an unexpected manner - such as him making it clear to Tesaks Reyes that he has knowingly ruined the half-human’s life by convincing the black marketeer to betray his Cardassian father.

Just as proficient as this comic’s penmanship is its pencilling by Hendry Prasetya, which does a stellar job in bringing its script to life. All the television programme’s actors are easily recognisable in their various roles, with the artist’s illustrations of Avery Brooks and Nana Visitor arguably ‘stealing the show’. In addition, the freelancer manages to imbue Sisko with the steely edge such a ruthless scoundrel would need to survive the duplicitous life Nerys’ current lover maintains, and even projects a palpable air of sexual chemistry between the two whenever they’re in the same scene together.

Writer: Danny Lore, Artist: Hendry Prasetya and Colorist: DC Alonso

Star Trek: The Mirror War #6 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 6, May 2022

Managing to quite wonderfully instil into its readership the sheer scale of Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s freshly forged invasion force, Scott and David Tipton’s storyline for Issue Six of “Star Trek: The Mirror War” is arguably a tour-de-force as to how utterly ruthless the former I.S.S. Stargazer’s commander is in this alternative reality. Admittedly, the comic’s narrative does imbue some semblance of ‘softness’ to the bald-headed leader’s temperament when it comes to his relationship with the handsome freebooter Thadiun Okona. Yet even the Terran officer’s piratical partner-in-crime meets a decidedly sticky end at the hands of his former friend once he has outlived his usefulness and subsequently become an increasingly irritating thorn in his side; “I am going to Cardassia Prime. And onward to glory. You are stepping outside.”

In addition, this twenty-page periodical’s plot makes it abundantly clear that Picard finally has both the resources and firepower to make his personal path to the emperor’s throne a very real possibility. Such grandeur really is extremely well portrayed, not only by having various members of the I.S.S. Enterprise-D’s bridge crew co-ordinating attacks aboard their own newly built starships. But by Jean-Luc’s unqualified success causing him some logistical problems in docking and disembarking all his stolen loot at his planetary base.

Furthermore, the two writers do a cracking job in presenting just how frustrating the captain’s triumphs are becoming for his hated enemies – both outside and within the Terran Empire. Worf’s violent physical abuse of his underlings, most notably the insidious Garak, is unsurprising. However, the real treat comes when Admirals Nechayev and Savar are forced to ‘play nice’ with Picard and grant him “the additional personnel you requested” for fear of his mighty armada adding a victory over their weakening kingdom to his list of already sizeable accomplishments.

Equally as enthralling as this comic’s script, however, is Gavin Smith’s artwork, which should quickly immerse any Trekkie into this reimagining of The Next Generation’s Mirror Universe. The “freelance artist” does an especially pleasing job of pencilling the various space vessels constructed to oppose the combined Klingon-Cardassian fleet, as well as the antagonistic facial expressions upon all of this mini-series’ cast members – something which genuinely helps reinforce just what a savagely barbaric domain the characters reside within.

Writers: Scott & David Tipton, Artist: Gavin Smith, and Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Star Trek: The Mirror War #5 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 5, April 2022

Perhaps somewhat disconcertingly starting its story some two years after Captain Picard ingeniously ordered the I.S.S. Enterprise-D to subjugate the planet Faundora and commandeer the “planet’s formidable shipbuilding operations”, Scott and David Tipton’s narrative for Issue Five of “Star Trek: The Mirror War” still manages to grab its audience’s full attention straight from the start. In fact, in some ways it is a pity that more of this twenty-page periodical’s spotlight isn’t spent shining upon Lieutenant Commander Data’s captaincy of the I.S.S. Cronus as it bravely engages a fleet of Klingon Battlecruisers singlehandedly so as to liberate the “long-suffering colonists of Baggo Meer”.

Happily however, this comic’s action-packed narrative doesn’t stop once the android brutally mows down a plethora of warriors and captures Gorofk, son of Maaq, courtesy of William Riker subsequently being ordered to pilfer an unsuspecting Cardassian Antares-class carrier crammed full of dilithium. This pulse-pounding piece of galactic piracy really helps show just what a cunning, and utterly merciless cold-blooded killer the one-eyed commander has become in this “dark, twisted reflection” of the science fiction franchise’s universe, especially once he destroys the escort vessel Girim in order to beam aboard his prey unmolested; “I do not look forward to returning to Captain Picard with seventeen tons of rotting Dragonfruit.”

Of course, that isn’t to say that this book is simply crammed full of mindless violence either, as the collaborative writing team do an excellent job of depicting Jean-Luc’s increasing tensions with the Terran Empire’s Admiral Nechayev too. Indeed, the utter fury the bald-headed Captain resonates throughout his desperate negotiations to acquire more resources for his fledgling armada literally burn off each and every panel, to the point where his explosive rantings are equally as enthrallingly dynamic as this comic’s prolonged phaser-fight sequences.

Gavin Smith’s awesome artwork also needs to receive plenty of praise, with the freelance illustrator’s pencilling during the Cronus’ sense-shattering mission alone arguably being well-worthy of this publication’s cover price. The scene of Data crash-landing smack in the middle of the heavily-defended Klingon base aboard a refitted planetary orbital bombardment capsule is incredibly well-drawn, and aptly resonates with all the ear-splitting explosions and resultant gun-play a bibliophile might expect from such a catastrophic attack upon one of Emperor Worf’s prominent mining worlds.

Writers: Scott & David Tipton, Artist: Gavin Smith, and Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Star Trek #7 - Marvel Comics

STAR TREK No. 7, October 1980

Chock-full of canny conundrums involving time travel and a fast-approaching cloud of deadly Vega radiation, this “first of two Star Trek comics written by Tom DeFalco” certainly seems to rather enthrallingly encapsulate the essence of Gene Roddenberry’s original science-fiction television series. For whilst the seventeen-page periodical’s plot rather abruptly ends with the U.S.S. Enterprise’s science officer simply activating a super-sophisticated machine capable of “channelling eons worth of reserved energy into one furious blast”, the lead up to the Vulcan’s world-saving action is littered with a plethora of mysterious occurrences; not least of which is the sculpting of three larger-than-life statues of Kirk, McCoy and Spock some “twenty-four thousand years” before they visited Andrea IX.

Indeed, “Tomorrow Or Yesterday” has just the sort of script which arguably would have well-served Desilu Productions Sixties’ show as an actual broadcastable episode, due to its excellent mixture of impending planetary doom, sense-shattering space-based action, and intriguing paradox that an extra-terrestrial species may well become so advanced that their race can actually transcend time itself; “Centuries ago they experienced the Vega-cloud… and our arrival… And so they prepared accordingly! For they knew that in this exact minute, at this precise second, I would pull this lever…”

Of course, that isn’t to say that the Inkpot Award-winner’s narrative for Issue Seven of “Star Trek” is entirely faultless, as Admiral Kirk’s blatant disregard for Mister Scott’s expert advice not to use the starship’s apparently unreliable transporters at the start of the story somewhat smacks of a contrivance solely designed to efficiently maroon the Starfleet officer on the planet’s surface whilst the Constitution-class vessel races off to disperse the imminent wave of “mutant energies”. But at least the manufactured moment gives the Chief Engineer an opportunity to “take the bridge” once again, and ensure his head-strong ‘captain’ must make a seemingly sincere apology not to “ever doubt your instincts again.”

Sadly however, Mike Nasser’s layouts for this comic are debatably a little less forgivable, and it is perhaps somewhat harshly clear just why this would be the only edition drawn by the “American-Israeli artist.” There’s undeniably no doubting the illustrator’s ability to imbue this book’s more adrenaline-fuelled sequences with plenty of dramatic dynamism, as witnessed by the panels depicting the Enterprise’s unsuccessful attempt to escape the lethal Vega-cloud. Yet the Detroit-born drawer’s somewhat scratchy-looking style, and disconcertingly designed bow-shouldered Andreans, may well not be to everyone’s liking.

Script: Tom DeFalco, Pencils: Mike Nasser, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Star Trek #6 - Marvel Comics

STAR TREK No. 6, September 1980

Arguably reading like an actual adaption of a televised episode from the Sixties than simply “the first stand-alone story in the Marvel Comics run”, Mike W. Barr’s script for Issue Six of “Star Trek” seemingly contains just about everything fans of the science fiction franchise would probably want. In fact, it is somewhat hard to imagine just what else the American author could have squeezed into this fast-paced seventeen-page periodical.

For starters this book opens with a truly mysterious murder for the U.S.S. Enterprise’s crew to expeditiously investigate, before the Federation’s latest member decides to instead pledge its allegiance to the Klingon Empire. Ambassador Phral’s bizarre demise whilst locked inside Mister Scott’s transporter beam genuinely proves a perplexing puzzle, especially when he materialises with a dagger in his back, and many a bibliophile must surely have enjoyed Spock’s logical analysis of the facts as the science officer pieces together the only chain of events which could have occurred.

Likewise, this publication contains an intriguing insight into Admiral James Kirk’s early days as a “still wet behind the ears” Ensign aboard the Baton Rouge-class Republic. The former Chief of Starfleet Operations is seriously cankerous during this adventure’s opening quarter, emotionally weighed down by the political catastrophe his younger self caused during his first visit to Yannid IV “fresh out of the Academy”. This surly depiction of the senior officer is somewhat reminiscent of his perceived fixation with destroying a deadly cloud-like entity in the 1969 tale "Obsession", and resultantly it is very easy to imagine actor William Shatner performing the role with his famous thespian gusto; “You have your orders, gentlemen -- Get to it! I’ve a feeling we don’t have much time!”

Perhaps this comic’s biggest highlight however, comes when the original series’ triumvirate act as a highly humorous comedic trio during a covert mission to interrogate the rebellious Doctor Loroc. Superbly illustrated by Visual Engineering Technicians (First Class) Dave Cockrum and Kaus Janson, this tense, action-packed sequence even contains the usual Leonard McCoy bluster, as the ship’s Chief Medical Officer bemoans the Quartermaster’s attempt at disguising them in native garb, and gets to mutter the immortal line “She’s dead. Jim!”

Ship's Log Compiler: Mike W. Barr, and Visual Engineering Technicians: Dave Cockrum & Klaus Janson

Star Trek #5 - Marvel Comics

STAR TREK No. 5, August 1980

Considering that Mike W. Barr would go on to write “for every one of the first four incarnations of Star Trek: Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, in either comic book or other media”, his penmanship for “The Haunting Of The Enterprise!” must surely have proved something of a disappointment to fans of the science fiction series in August 1980. Indeed, having been ‘set up rather nicely’ by Marv Wolfman in this ongoing title’s previous issue, the Ohio-born author’s decision to blame the Constitution-class starship’s “encounter [with] what appears to be a haunted house in space” upon the Klingons comes as a major disappointment, and arguably appears even more ‘forced’ when it turns out the warrior race have created such an illusion plundering the memories of an imprisoned human “horror film archivist”.

Of course, that isn’t to say that Issue Five of “Star Trek” doesn’t have its moments of action-packed adventure, as at least one of Admiral Kirk’s personnel is dynamically-drawn by Dave Cockrum falling prey to the aggressive aliens during an early, sense-shattering phaser-exchange. But in between a subsequent carousel of short-lived ‘fight or flight’ hauntings aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, the vast majority of this comic’s narrative rather perplexingly focuses upon the Klingon Captain patiently explaining to a captive Spock precisely what their Empire’s cunning plan concerning the Federation vessel actually is, and exactly how their incredibly-powerful thought enhancer operates utilising the "plentiful free hydrogen atoms pervading space”.

This exposition is obviously much-needed so as to allow this book’s bibliophiles to understand just how the likes of Doctor McCoy are suddenly confronted by “representations of Earth legends Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster.” However, it’s highly unlikely that even the most arrogant of extra-terrestrials would describe their covert operation to a captive enemy officer in such fine detail, and then shockingly leave them practically alone with their technologically advanced machinery so the Vulcan scientist could mind-meld with its occupant; “After all, what harm could it do? Your superior is in the next room. If I make a suspicious move, you have but to call out…”

Regrettably, even the presence of prisoner Raytag M'Gora is simply used as a contrivance in order to better explain how the Klingons are able to broadcast their deadly fantasies so far into Federation space. Rather than being a tragic soul still tormented by his previous captors to the point where he continually spouts “mumbo-jumbo”, the Normedian instead is unconvincingly turned into a willing pawn of the Empire, who endures a skull implant so as to project “the Earthman’s creations throughout your vessel!”

Writer: Mike W. Barr, Artists: Dave Cockrum & Klaus Janson, and Colorist: Carl Gafford

Star Trek #4 - Marvel Comics

STAR TREK No. 4, July 1980

Despite being declared “the starship Enterprise's weirdest voyage” on its cover, fans of Gene Roddenberry’s science-fiction franchise probably soon spotted the similarities between this comic’s script and the two televised adventures from the original series – “Dagger Of The Mind” and “Catspaw”. But whilst the plot to Issue Four of “Star Trek” quite unashamedly appears to somewhat heavily borrow from these Sixties broadcasts, there’s still plenty of exciting action for its readers to enjoy as Marv Wolfman disconcertingly pits Rear Admiral James Tiberius Kirk against the likes of Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster.

Foremost of these enthralling draws is the seventeen-page periodical’s opening, which sees the Constitution-class vessel’s crew dramatically trying to recapture an utterly mad extra-terrestrial prisoner within the spacecraft’s catacomb of corridors. The Brooklyn-born writer does a splendid job in putting the eyeless Raytag M’Gora’s extraordinary ability to “see in the same manner that an Earth bat sees” to good use, by having it first appear as a strength when he outfights Kirk in unarmed combat, and then later as a weakness; “Scotty… Channel a sonic backlash through intership communications!”

Similarly as well penned is the mystery surrounding the strange materialisation of Bram Stoker’s Transylvanian nobleman, and the vampire’s subsequent shocking murder of Ambassador R’Kgg. Just how “an old Earth Victorian mansion, circa 1800” happens to be sat floating just outside Klingon Space provides an intriguing hook, and the tension as Kirk, Spock and McCoy explore the bizarre haunted house is arguably palpable; especially once it becomes clear that the plethora of Universal classic monsters encountered are apparently real according to the landing party’s tricorder.

Delightfully adding plenty of “Thok!” and “Krak!” to this publication’s proceedings are the excellent layouts of Dave Cockrum, whose swirling clouds of vapour and groaning ghostly spectres go a long way to add to this comic’s horror-themed atmosphere. The Inkpot Award-winner’s prodigious pencilling also always seems to portray the U.S.S. Enterprise's commanding officer at the head of the conflict, whether it be engaging a spike-tailed Normedian in close combat, desperately blasting away at the Lord of the Undead with his phaser, or drop-kicking Frankenstein's creature through a bedroom window in an effort to rescue a blonde-haired damsel in distress.

Script/Edits: Marv Wolfman, Pencils: Dave Cockrum, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Star Trek: The Mirror War: Geordi #1 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR: GEORDI No. 1, March 2022

For those fans of Gene Roddenberry’s science fiction franchise “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and actor LeVar Burton’s extremely heart-warming performance as the U.S.S. Enterprise-D’s Geordi La Forge, J. Holtham’s script for this twenty-page long one-shot is sure to prove a disconcertingly dark reading experience. In fact, it arguably isn’t until the blind, recently beaten up adolescent mercilessly sets his own parents ablaze whilst the hapless couple are fast asleep in their bed during a flashback scene, that it really strikes home just how different to the character’s televised counterpart this comic’s “permutation of the mirror universe” truly is.

For example, the Terran chief engineer is easily as cold-hearted and calculating as any of the other unscrupulous doppelgangers depicted within this parallel dimension, appearing to genuinely care very deeply for fellow officer Gwen Liu during his early days at Utopia Planitia, before unflinchingly reporting the young woman to his superiors when she plans to murder the highly dislikeable Commander Sanchez during a routine inspection of a warp engine; “Losing Sanchez would have cost the project months. A simple cost-benefit analysis.”

This almost inhuman betrayal of someone who willingly gave both her body and soul to La Forge is well-penned by the author, and would debatably rock any bibliophile within this book’s audience who had unconsciously been lulled into a false sense of security by believing this Geordi from an alternative reality has almost anything in common with his much more humane prime incarnation. Indeed, perhaps to emphasis this particular point and the man’s terrifying ruthlessness, Holtham actually depicts the Lieutenant Commander recalling his feelings for Liu later on in the publication when he discovers she has since died, and acknowledging that his ex-lover was simply “a weakness I had to get rid of. Burn out. Before it consumed me. Before I lost focus.”

Possibly this comic’s sole disappointment is therefore that none of this intriguing narrative actually seems to progress the mini-series’ overall plot. Admittedly, this ‘deep-dive’ into the chief engineer’s psyche is compelling enough, especially when he seems to be at the mercy of a shrouded figure who has him permanently locked inside an agoniser booth. But there have already been glimpses of the officer’s opportunistic barbarity during the main “Mirror War” title’s run, and once it is revealed the entire situation has been manufactured by Inquisitor Troi just to test La Forge’s loyalty, the entire premise debatably falls a little flat.

The regular cover art to "STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR: GEORDI" #1 by Carlos Rodriguez

Star Trek: The Mirror War #4 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 4, February 2022

Opening with a delightful ‘nod’ to the classic San Francisco-based car chase which actor Steve McQueen made so famous during the 1968 thriller movie “Bullitt”, and then cramming its twenty-page long narrative with all sorts of science-fiction shenanigans, there can surely be little argument that Scott and David Tipton’s storyline for Issue Four of “Star Trek: The Mirror War” is an exciting tour-de-force set deep within the franchise's alternative twenty-fourth century time line. Indeed, fans of the fictional parallel universe will find plenty of familiar plot-points with which to enjoy this comic, such as the excruciating agony booth, the seemingly never-ending treacherous nature of the Terran Empire, Regent Worf angrily blazing away at the I.S.S. Enterprise given half the chance, and a vital ‘guest appearance’ by Benjamin Sisko and his crew from Terok Nor; “I bet we could swoop in there and do some pretty good damage to the engines of one of them and then warp out before they even notice.”

Admittedly, some of the actual ‘glue’ sticking all these pulse-pounding set-pieces together isn’t quite as convincing as perhaps this book’s American authors would have liked, with a prime example being the Klingon flagship fortuitously detecting that its galaxy-class prey had unwittingly dropped out of warp despite its helmsman previously having no idea just where in the Alpha/Beta Quadrant their human-filled target actually was. Of course, the leader of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance is ruthlessly determined to thwart Jean-Luc Picard’s plans, and is evidently utilising every probe at his command to ascertain the Enterprise’s location. But so happy a happenstance does seem a little contrived when a reader considers that their ship systems have spotted a single vessel momentarily stopping in the vastness of space, and then subsequently reached it in the blink of an eye so as to almost blast them to pieces…

Resultantly, Trekkies would probably be best advised to engage a modest ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ for this publication, and simply let Gavin Smith’s dynamic pencilling carry them through some of its more manufactured moments. In fact, this particular comic is debatably worth its cover price alone for some of the great action depicted by the Joe Kubert School graduate (and wonderfully coloured by Charlie Kirchoff), such as the aforementioned high speed race through the streets of Golden Gate City, the scaled up Negh'Var warship’s blistering attack upon the I.S.S. Enterprise, and the galaxy-class starship’s own, utterly merciless orbital bombardment of the semi-helpless planet Faundori.

Writers: Scott & David Tipton, Artist: Gavin Smith, and Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff