FIRST LOOK: STAR TREK #1 (IDW PUBLISHING)
With Captain Seven of Nine sitting in the big chair of the Enterprise-G, the flagship of Starfleet, she now faces a mission of enormous importance to the Federation. But before that mission starts to unfold, Seven is forced to confront questions that go far beyond the needs of Starfleet—questions of morality, responsibility, and the personal cost of carrying the weight of an entire quadrant on her shoulders.
STAR TREK #1 by Christopher Cantwell, Dennis Menheere & Jodie Troutman (IDW PUBLISHING - ON SALE SEPT. 23RD, FOC: AUGUST 17TH) have the bold task of carrying the torch of Star Trek in its 60th year with their new series.
FLZ got an advance look. Here is my SPOILER-FREE review!
STAR TREK #1 by Christopher Cantwell, Dennis Menheere & Jodie Troutman (IDW PUBLISHING)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Fans of Star Trek: Picard will immediately recognize that this story takes place not long after the events of the series. Familiar faces are still very much a part of Seven’s life, while others have moved into new roles of their own. There are also some very welcome appearances from characters with deep connections to Seven’s past, giving this new story a surprisingly strong connection to the larger Star Trek universe.
What really makes this story work, though, is Seven herself. Seven seems to be leaning heavily into her familiar. Her relationships with Raffi and Jack remain incredibly important to her, and there is a sense that she may still be questioning whether she can truly lead. That feels very true to Seven’s character. Since her introduction on Star Trek: Voyager, Seven has always been someone caught between worlds. Her Borg upbringing left her questioning where she belongs, and even after everything she’s experienced, that feeling has never completely disappeared. But that’s also what makes seeing her sitting in the captain’s chair of the Enterprise-G so rewarding. She earned this. Seven has grown tremendously from the character we first met on Voyager, through her journey in Picard, and now into this new chapter of her life. She is more than capable of handling the responsibility placed on her shoulders, and seeing her finally get the spotlight she deserves is one of the strongest parts of this new series.
Dennis Menheere’s art is dark—very much in the visual style of Picard’s third season. Unlike previous Star Trek which often had a much brighter visual aesthetic, this Star Trek feels heavier and more atmospheric. But the darkness never means the pages feel dull. Color is used extremely well, often conveying emotion and atmosphere just as much as the dialogue does. There is an incredible amount of expression in character faces. The subtle details in their eyes and expressions often communicate what the characters are feeling without needing a single word.
MORE STAR TREK FROM IDW!
Another really cool artistic choice is the way the book incorporates the familiar PADD interface that became synonymous with Star Trek: The Next Generation. There are moments where entire pages are presented almost as though we’re looking at information directly on a PADD, allowing the reader to absorb a tremendous amount of information in a very unique way. It’s a fantastic callback to the history of Star Trek while also giving the comic its own visual identity.
This book doesn’t simply feel like a new Star Trek story. It feels like a continuation of the universe we’ve been following for decades. There are connections stretching through all generations of Trek, while simultaneously introducing characters and concepts that are completely new.
There is a lot of “Treky” information being thrown at the reader, and I’ll admit that it felt a little overwhelming at times. But stick with it. Beneath all the technical information is the beginning of a genuinely compelling story, and I think there’s a lot of potential here for where this series can go.
FINAL GRADE: 9
Overall, Star Trek #1 is an excellent start to what could be a very exciting new chapter in the Star Trek universe. It brings together the history of Star Trek while giving Seven of Nine the opportunity to finally step into the spotlight and command the Enterprise-G. There’s enough character, emotion, beautiful artwork, and mystery here to keep me invested. For a franchise celebrating 60 years, Star Trek #1 feels like a pretty damn good way to start the next chapter.
Let me know your thoughts on STAR TREK #1in the comments below. Thanks for reading!