Villordsutch reviews Star Trek #25…
“War breaks out across the stars as the Klingon and Romulan Empires fight for supremacy, with the Enterprise caught in the middle! Don’t miss this epic all-new story set after the events of the blockbuster movie Star Trek Into Darkness, overseen by Star Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci!“
I know there are a lot of naysayers when it comes to Star Trek Into Darkness (it really needs a colon there), and the main sticking points that I’ve observed through the reviews and comments are:
– J.J. rehashing The Wrath of Khan thereby frustrating Trek fans
– J.J. rehashing The Wrath of Khan thereby confusing non-Trek fans.
If I’m wrong comment below and I’ll let you all fight it out as I bet twenty Quatloos on the strongest.
Now I’m a Trek fan, and if I were allowed to take a picture of my bookshelf behind me you’d see my collection on Trek programme guides, Trek technical manuals and Trek paperbacks. I’ve been to Trek conventions, bought videos, DVDs, Blu-rays etc. I like my Trek and I also enjoyed Into Darkness. You may feel revolted at me being up-front about it all but its true; don’t get me wrong – there were moments I would have liked to have been different but they weren’t. I know Into Darkness isn’t perfect but I really did enjoy it.
Here in #25 of the ongoing Star Trek series I have already seen what I would have preferred Into Darkness to be as Mike Johnson has nailed it perfectly with this issue and I cannot wait to see what else he has planned for this tale. Following on the John Harrison saga we charge straight into the beginning of the Enterprise’s five year mission, but not before we’ve seen the Romulans (with a secret assist) wipe out a Klingon base on Khitomer, all the Klingons on the surface and the Birds of Prey in orbit. The Enterprise picks up the distress call from Khitomer and Kirk believes that this could be an olive branch which could heal the wounds caused by recent events. It’s not long before Kirk realises that his olive branch was worth nothing to the Klingons except for firewood.
What really fired up my interested wasn’t the secret helper the Romulans had, it was the new look Birds of Prey which have been drastically altered due to the influences Nero has had on their (the Klingons’) culture and development. Also the fact that the Klingons knew who Kirk was already before proceeding to beat several shades out of this young pup. It’s rather great to see the changes that have occurred in the alternate Trek universe due to Nero’s actions, though I’m not overly sure about the sneaking in of Romulan Tribal tattoos.
My only sticky point to make is the artwork from Erfan Fajar which can vary from panel to panel. It can look spot on and then in the next panel the characters can look like they just snaffled away a few pies and gained a few extra pounds, then quickly then jump back to the former slimmer selves. It can be odd and off putting as you read the comic; the occasional art mishap is the only problem however in this issue.
This is definitely a purchase to be made and I already see this as the story we should have had for Into Darkness.
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published September 24, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
