Star Trek: Redshirts – Ghost of the 21st Century #1 : first look (IDW PUBLISHING)
For generations of fans, a “redshirt” has become synonymous in science fiction for the unluckiest crew member.
The one who beams down with all the main characters and is definitely not making it back to the Enterprise. They have been called disposable, cannon fodder, the poor souls whose only purpose is to make the danger feel real.
Star Trek: Redshirts – Ghost of the 21st Century #1 by Gerry Duggan, Scott Buoncristiano, Charlie Kirchoff & Jodie Troutman (IDW Publishing) understands all those traits and tropes, but asks the reader a simple question: what if these redshirts were more than just a punchline?
Fanlight Zone was granted a first look at the upcoming issue. Here is our ***SPOILER-FREE*** review! (ON SALE - JULY 22ND, 2026, FOC - MONDAY, JUNE 15TH)
Star Trek: Redshirts – Ghost of the 21st Century #1 by Gerry Duggan, Scott Buoncristiano, Charlie Kirchoff & Jodie Troutman (IDW Publishing)
*** spoiler free reminder ***
What surprised me most about this first issue was how quickly you realize this is not 1960s Star Trek. It looks like it, but very quickly the series shows its darker, more suspenseful tone. It still feels unmistakably Star Trek, but it caught me off guard how quickly I became invested in the story with characters who had spent decades being viewed as expendable.
Despite their reputation as throwaway crew members, the series wastes no time making them feel like people worth investing in. Gerry Duggan’s writing strikes a great balance between tension and mystery, while Scott Buoncristiano’s artwork gives the book a strong cinematic feel that immersed me into the story.
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Even though the story takes place within one of the franchise’s most recognizable periods, it never feels like a parody or an attempt to lean into nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, it uses the backdrop of Kirk’s era to tell a story with real stakes and a tone that at times borders on horror. It succeeds in showing there are plenty of new stories to tell in this corner of the Star Trek universe.
FINAL GRaDE: 9
After just one issue, Ghost of the 21st Century has all the makings of a standout series. It takes one of Trek’s oldest running jokes and turns it into something compelling. Who would’ve thought that a book centered around the franchise's most expendable crew members would end up being one of the most engaging stories in modern Trek?
Let me know your thoughts on Star Trek: Redshirts – Ghost of the 21st Century #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!