Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer #1 is published by IDW Publishing, the issue is written by Mike Johnson & Kirsten Beyer, art is by Angel Hernandez and colours by Jamie D. Mettler. Letters are by Neil Uyetake. Hernandez also provides the main cover art.
Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer #1 is available now in print and on digital where all good comics are sold. Order yours direct from IDW Publishing right here.
Synopsis
Embark on a never-before-seen journey set between seasons two and three of the Paramount+ hit series Star Trek: Picard! After a tantalizing offer to return among the stars arises, Captain Jean Luc-Picard takes to the bridge of the U.S.S. Stargazer. But when trouble rears its head on a once peaceful, pre-warp planet from his past, Picard enlists the help of an old friend.
Review
The narrative gap between Star Trek: Picard seasons 1 and 2 felt rather expansive. So in an effort to close that gap between seasons 2 and 3 we find ourselves picking up the narrative pieces in Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer. A new three-issue miniseries from series writer Kristen Beyer and Mike Johnson.
Based on this first issue, Stargazer promises to carry the baton between the second and finale season with some strong storytelling for not only its titular character. From the outset the writers make it clear this book will have a central focus on the journey of Star Trek: Voyager’s Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), as well as our venerable Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart).
It’s a clever choice on behalf of the writers. One need only look at the social media reactions to the series to discover the popularity of its core ensemble. With season 3 teasers confirming Seven’s (or is that Anika’s) decision to rejoin Starfleet, fans are eager to witness that journey. We get a good glimpse at that here as Picard mentors Seven through an updated version of the legendary Kobayashi Maru exercise.
The relationship between Picard and Seven has been one of the TV series’ most exciting. Both formerly assimilated by the Borg, there’s plenty of emotional connection and shared experiences to make the pair a compelling watch. That relationship translates incredibly well to the book also. With Seven unafraid to speak her mind with Picard and he not afraid to challenge her world view.
Beyer and Johnson are also both acutely aware of their lead character’s popularity. The series itself has launched itself on a springboard of reconciling Picard’s past, present and future. Stargazer does much the same by incorporating a number of intriguing flashbacks in to the story. Given the series’ title it isn’t hard to guess which period in Picard’s history we’re exploring across this book. A mission from his first assignment as Captain soon comes back to him with an opportunity in the present day.
At it’s close, the first issue of Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer offers up an interesting cliffhanger which circles back to his relationship with Seven. Her re-appearance is a little convenient to the story but perfectly serves the purpose of creating a jumping off point for the series’ second issue.
Artist Angel Hernandez and colourist Jamie D. Mettler bring a playful visual style to Star Trek. Characters are absolutely representative of their small screen counterparts. But the book doesn’t rely slavishly on trying to recreate the faces of Patrick Stewart and Jeri Ryan. Instead Hernandez and Mettler have fun with the vast expanse of space. Starship interiors are immersive and faithfully translate the painstaking set design of the series.
No doubt fans will be pawing over the series, searching for clues to season 3’s upcoming storylines. But I implore you to sit back and enjoy the ride as Beyer and Johnson kick off another exciting mission for my favourite Starfleet Admiral.
Verdict
With Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer, Johnson and Beyer have crafted a story which, like the show on which it is based, looks to the past, present and future to hook the reader.
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