Villordsutch reviews Star Trek: Waypoint #6…
Nurse Chapel questions whether or not to continue her medical training until a shuttle incident prompts her to make decisions that will forever change her future. In the second story, Captain Kirk is forced to work with the Romulans after a biological weapon is unleashed, with unexpected – and surprising – results.
SEE ALSO: Check out the preview for Star Trek: Waypoint #6 here
If the promo blurb was correct – many months back – then this Star Trek: Waypoint is the final issue and I’ll be honest I’m going to be sad to see it go. Granted it’s not been all ‘Wine & Roses’ and we have seen the occasional stinker, but this series has certainly produced more wheat than chaff. I’ve found a cluster of both writers and artists that I’d really like to see more involved in future Trek Specials.
Before we start with this comic book’s two tales, a word needs to be said on the covers delivered. The three-artist drawn covers by Gabriel Hardman, Tom Whalen and Dave Dorman (SDCC Exclusive) are each fantastic. If you have the opportunity to get hold of all three you’ll be a very lucky Star Trek fan indeed.
The opening story “The Rebound Effect” by Corinna Bechko is an excellent tale which brings Nurse Chapel into the limelight. Granted within the original series she wasn’t often, if ever, made to be the hero of the hour and though – truth be told – still this ending is bittersweet, it shows why Dr. McCoy relied on the skills of Nurse Chapel in his Medical Bay more than any other nurse.
Following on from this, rather violently we’re introduced to “The Fear”. This Star Trek: Phase II story from writer and artist Gabriel Hardman, gives us the Star Trek that never was and it looks – on these pages – rather fantastic. With a cloaked Romulan craft abruptly smashing into the side of the Enterprise, the crew including new Vulcan Officer Xon discovers a grisly sight on board the Romulan vessel. As green blood smears the interior of the craft, the surviving members speak of a horrific creature that attacked them and is now aboard the Enterprise.
The Rebound Effect and The Fear shows why Star Trek: Waypoint is and has been an excellent series. Not only do we have two brilliant stories from writers I don’t normally follow that now I shall be looking out for more often, but it also introduced me to some fantastic artwork too.
I mentioned above the excellent covers, but as soon as you get a glimpse of Christopher Herndon’s art in The Rebound Effect, you’re sold on this comic book already. It’s perfect, if not beautiful. Then this is followed by some Classic Star Trek comic book artwork from Gabriel Hardman – who also drew the main cover too – and the palette of colourist Dee Cunniffe for The Fear.
There are truly no negatives about this issue – my only disappointment comes from the fact I shan’t be seeing anymore Star Trek: Phase II from the pen of Hardman, nor will Bechko & Herndon be delivering anymore Trek stories anytime soon. Truly a fantastic Star Trek comic book.
Rating: 10/10
Originally published August 2, 2017. Updated November 21, 2019.
