Villordsutch reviews Star Trek #26…
“The conflict between the Klingon and Romulan Empires erupts, with Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise trapped in the middle! Don’t miss the newest chapter of the ongoing series overseen by Star Trek Into Darkness writer/producer Roberto Orci! “
Well it’s all go in this issue. As you may recall from my last review, I loved it and wished that this was our second film instead of Star Trek Into Darkness and this sentiment is carried across throughout the entire issue here too. Here we have what I would class as a proper Trek story and at the end of it you’ll possibly be thinking of a few choice words which may either make you froth at the mouth for more or, for the few hardcore fans among us, it may cause you to be baying for blood.
There is no rest for the wicked here. It feels like we’ve had an advert break since the last issue as it picks up exactly where we left off with an unconscious Kirk lying at feet of the Klingon officer Commander Kor and Commander Spock attempting to ascertain the health of the rest of the away team. After the return of Dr. McCoy the Enterprise, which is out gunned by a Nero-inspired Birds of Prey, makes a strategic withdrawal back to Deep Space Station K-11. We are shown a meeting between Romulan Birds of Prey and super sleek cloaked Section 31 ships. These are far more superior that the U.S.S. Vengeance and have a very streamlined look. I’m thinking Section 31/Temporal Cold War and the way it is all hitting the intergalactic fan I wouldn’t be surprised in this four part story if we see the Organians. This issue is packed with things that make this Trek fan excited, heck we even have smart Red Shirts – I’m nerding out here!
Mike Johnson is now on a run of good form here with this saga; he has written a Trek Tale which so far makes me excited to pick up the next issue, wanting more of this story as soon as I can. Mike has picked up the ball and is running full speed down the playing field leaving the world behind him. This truly is a fantastic story that is unfolding in front of me and I am glad I’ve be given the chance to read it. Last issue I wasn’t overly keen on the work of Erfan Fajar due to the inconsistences we seemed to have from panel to panel with our characters. Luckily we don’t seem to have these problems within this issue and Erfan keeps the characters on course and occasionally bringing them extremely close to the real thing.
As you can probably guess I’m a fan of this issue, even to the extent of imagining what is coming from around the corner by pulling out all of the nerd wishes in me. The Khitomer Conflict is quickly becoming one of my favourite Star Trek reads for a long time. Bring on part three of four – I’m ready for you.
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published October 22, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
