Star Trek #15 is written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Artwork is by Marcus To, colours by Lee Loughridge and letter by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Marcus To. The book is published by IDW Publishing.
Star Trek #15 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
Prepared to do whatever it takes to make peace with the war-worshipping Tzenkethi and outmaneuver the Romulan Empire as their ally, Captain Sisko and his crew work alongside Tzenkethi warleader Kav’ka and Romulan Magistrex T’Galatheon to ready capitol defenses in preparation for the deadly Festival of Supremacy. But Sisko soon learns that Federation ideals won’t come naturally to the reptilian species that praises survival of the fittest over all. Can Sisko keep his crew alive, impress the Tzenkethi Autarch, and keep the Romulans from convincing warmongers that they reign supreme?
Review
Okay Star Trek, you got me. I sat through the first half of issue #15 presuming I was reading an important chapter of exposition in the middle of the Glass and Bone” storyline. Last month I talked about how the book was finding a great balance between the dialogue and action. This month writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing really capitalise on that format to craft a really exciting issue.
We pick up pretty quickly after we left off with the reveal that the Tzenkethi are being backed up by the Romulans. With a potential war against the Federation looming, each of our characters takes a moment to soak up the conflict which lies ahead. There really is plenty of exposition in the first half. Almost too much in fact. As the Tzenkethi leader is explaining everything to Sisko there’s a sense that Kelly and Lanzing are trying to artificially inject a little more conflict. But once we reach the conclusion of the issue not only does that makes sense, it also pays off in a big way.
The heart of the issue lies in a conversation between Tom Paris and Harry Kim. The two former USS Voyager crew members were reunited last issue. This issue they’re getting to the bottom of the wedge that currently sits between them. Kelly and Lanzing illustrated perfectly within the dialogue how much reverence they have for 90s Trek. Dropping in references from Star Trek: Voyager and keeping the conversation perfectly in tone for both character’s voices. The two writers also continue to show a great balance between their ensemble cast. Finding time to catch up with Doctor Crusher and Scotty as they venture down to the planet in what is sure to be an important subplot moving forwards.
Then we come back down to Earth – or Tzenketh – with an incredible bang as in the final pages our crew is sent in to battle, leaving us on an incredible cliffhanger which will not be spoiled here. But suffice to say lives are at stake and issue #16 can’t come soon enough!
Verdict
A brilliant game of two halves as Star Trek takes a momentary pause for some impactful character work before getting down to some intense, high stakes action.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
