Andrew Newton reviews Star Trek: Red Shirts #1…
For decades, Star Trek’s infamous Red Shirts have been the punchline of countless jokes, the expendable crew members destined to die moments after beaming down to a hostile planet. But in Star Trek: Red Shirts #1, writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Megan Levens flip that script, spotlighting the Federation’s most underappreciated personnel and finally giving them something they’ve rarely had – a chance to be the heroes.
The issue kicks off with a twist on the usual formula, a Red Shirt survives. This rare feat of survival, following a surprisingly tense encounter with a Mugato, immediately sets the tone. Cantwell isn’t here just to play with tropes, he’s here to explore what happens when the cannon fodder starts asking questions. That survivor soon joins a team of fellow Red Shirts on a covert mission to a remote antenna array, suspected of being the source of a major security breach. There’s the usual mix of Starfleet professionalism and looming dread, but Cantwell adds layers of character and camaraderie seldom provided to these background players.
Levens’ artwork suits the story well. Her expressive character work adds warmth and individuality to a cast often defined by anonymity. Panels are clean, with a slightly retro vibe that fits nicely with the broader Trek aesthetic. There’s just enough action to keep things moving, but the focus is firmly on building these characters as people, not just plot devices.
The mood of the issue walks a fine line. There’s humour in how self-aware the story is, it knows the reputation Red Shirts have and it plays with that idea in clever ways. But there’s also real tension, because these characters aren’t in on the joke, they’re on a dangerous mission with very real risks. And beneath it all, there’s a hint of sadness, as the characters start to reflect on what it means to be seen as disposable. It’s this thoughtful mix that gives the story more emotional weight than you might expect from a story built on a long-running Star Trek gag.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 is a smart, character-driven start to a series that could easily become a sleeper hit for Trek fans. It honours the franchise’s spirit while finally giving Red Shirts their due and maybe, just maybe, a fighting chance.
Rating – Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 deserves an 8/10 for boldly giving the underdog a chance to be in the spotlight.
Andrew Newton
