Star Trek #18 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 #18 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Tzenketh is on the brink of war against the Federation… and it’s all the fault of Captain Sisko and his crew. A space battle between the Tzenkethi, Romulans, and Cardassians is imminent, while Tzenketh begins to tremble. The Theseus crew’s actions have exacerbated the volcanic instability of the planet—another thing the Romulans will undoubtedly pin on the Federation. The Romulan Magistrex’s plot to build an alliance that will destroy the Federation is underway, but can Sisko and his crew manage to save this savage world of glass and bone? Find out in the finale of arc three of the Eisner-nominated Star Trek series!
Review
The final chapter of the “Glass and Bone” arc has finally arrived. Starfleet and even the Federation itself lie on the brink of war with the Tzenkethi, the Romulans, and the Cardassians. All hope seems lost. An even worse fate seems inevitable for Doctor Crush and Scotty trapped beneath the surface of the Tzenkethi home world. It all seems pretty bleak going in to the latest chapter of Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing’s Trek.
Issue #18 picks up on the brink of war. Ships on all sides stare each other down with fingers hovering over triggers. There’s no escaping the air of tension that Kelly and Lazing has instilled in to the decades old franchise. There’s a distinct feeling of scale which reaches far beyond the page and in to the imagination of the reader. With so much to get through in the space of one issue it’s incredible to see how both writers are able to pace through techno-babble, exposition and plot development to get to what is a satisfying conclusion AND a jumping off point for the next arc.
What is fundamentally clear throughout this issue (and this book in general) and the dedication to the ethos of Star Trek. Right from the get go this issue is never about the fight. Sisko, who has always exemplified those ordeals, constantly seeks to rouse that response from his crew. Whilst it seems that conflict may be inevitable he makes it clear that it isn’t his choice. The sense of duty and honour comes across so clearly in his dialogue that there’s never any doubt that his is pure, undistllled Trek. Layer on top of that how Sisko interacts with her crew and how that ties in to the resolution of the arc and it’s still playing in my head like a live-action episode of Trek.
I don’t want to spoil the mechanics of how Sisko and the crew of the Theseus is able to resolve an interstellar conflict. But incredibly satisfying to read. Kelly and Lanzing are able to dispel any notion that translating the more conflict-averse nature of Trek to comic books is boring. Not every writer who has adapted Trek has been able to strike the correct balance in tone. There’s a tendency to lean towards more aggressive conflict to give the wow factor. But what Kelly and Lazing have done here is magically inject that feeling of exhilaration in to seeing these characters search for the diplomatic option. Or in putting differences aside to achieve a common goal.
It’s particularly impressive to see that accomplished without compromising the voice of any of the established characters. Sisko really hold the lions share of that in this issue. Suffice to I could hear Avery Brooks voice speaking every line.
Marcus To and Lee Loughridge bring such a dynamic style to Star Trek. This issue is a good all-rounder with a mix of ship action, time on the bridge of the Theseus and also scenes on (and under) the surface of Tzenketh. Both artist and colourist rise to the challenge with elegance… well as elegant as a potential fight to the death in space can be. It looks great and it’s consistently great each and every month.
Verdict
A fiercely Star Trek final chapter for the “Glass and Bone” arc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
