Villordsutch reviews Star Trek #49…
The FIVE YEAR MISSION of the Starship Enterprise continues here in the epic conclusion to “Deity”! Up against a fierce new enemy, Captain Kirk must choose between sacrificing his ship and crew or allowing an innocent species to perish!
If you missed Part 1 of Deity [the review is here] then you missed something quite wonderful as we began with the reshaping of the Alpha Quadrant, the introduction of new life and new civilisations; not only that we witnessed Kirk recognising Sulu as Command material by giving him his first away mission. Oh yes, you also missed a huge crescent-shaped ship appear from nowhere and loom over both the Enterprise and the planet where Sulu, Scotty and the Away Team are currently hiding.
With the Universal Translator now slowly translating the voices of the Felidae (previously dubbed the Chicken People by myself), the Away Team is marched towards the major city – called the Drowning City – to face, the Aerie, which appears to be their High Council; the Away Team is made to explain why they are on planet of the Felidae. Meanwhile above the planet Kirk and Co. are attempting to contact the Away Team, for the Crescent Ship knocked out communications when it appeared. As both ships scan each other, Spock detects unknown lifeforms aboard the vessel. We discover on the planet below if the Felidae don’t give child sacrifices to the Crescent Vessel – when required – they cause tidal waves to severely punish the people upon the planet. With the Enterprise making contact with Sulu and against Spock’s wishes – due to the Prime Directive – they beam the Away Team back. This is where the Crescent Ship comes alive and turns on the Enterprise.
As quick as this story started it seems to end just as fast. I know this on a whole sounds like a bad thing and I’ll admit I felt down-hearted by the outcome, but at the same time I could also see the much bigger picture being painted here by Mike Johnson. Mike is quite clearly giving this Star Trek Universe a lot more volume and making it far more unknown than we’ve seen it before, and if that means giving the readers a sudden, “What!? No!?” of a battle then that’s part of his long game. Still I can’t help feeling slightly glum that we didn’t get to see who or what the Crescent Ship beings are, or what they are truly capable of – other than drowning chickens. However, what we did get to see was Sulu’s command and once again the Prime Directive being an issue for the Bridge Crew, which will at some point will become a major problem for Kirk’s constant side-stepping.
As with the last issue, my normal gripe with the art of Tony Shasteen had taken leave, and again here within issue #49 it’s also gone. He and Davide Mastrolonardo (colours) are an excellent pairing, both balance each other’s work perfectly. Within Deity they have found a perfect pace and a running together along brilliantly.
Deity Part 2, though not as exciting as the opening chapter, is still a good read and anyone with a clear vision can see why the cards have been laid out in this pattern. Even so, the excitable lobe in my brain wanted ever so slightly more detail on the enigma that was the Crescent Ship.
Next issue is the hugely anticipated Issue #50 – see here for more details on this gatefold anniversary release.
Rating: 7/10
Check out our recent interview with Mike Johnson here at Flickering Myth.
Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children. Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.
