Sons of Star Trek #4 is written by Morgan Hampton and published by IDW Publishing. Artwork is by Angel Hernandez, colours by Nick Filardi and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover are (left) is by Jake Bartok.
Sons of Star Trek #4 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
What do you get when you cross three of the Federation’s most celebrated sons with a misguided god? An alternate reality full of lessons that may be just what the doctor ordered. But with Jake Sisko’s enrollment in the Pennington School, Alexander Rozhenko’s prison sentence, and Nog’s first Starfleet posting all fast approaching, they’ll have to move fast to defeat the Breen once and for all if they’re to convince Q Jr. to return them to their home reality. The final chapter of SONS OF STAR TREK concludes here!
Review
Today the brilliant Sons of Star Trek comes to a close with a fourth and final issue neatly tying up all of the series various plot threads. But with a standoff with the Breen to resolve, alongside the four lead character’s individual problems, can Sons of Star Trek stick the landing?
It’s true there’s a huge amount of ground to cover in this final issue. Picking up right where we left off, the crew of the U.S.S. Avery is reeling from their first skirmish with the Breen. Captain Dukat is dead and each of our heroes seems poised to lose their lives in battle. As QJ remains without his powers they have no current hope of returning home to their loved ones and so things are looking pretty dire. But this is Star Trek and Morgan Hampton has an inherent understanding of what makes this franchise great. So just as it appears that things are most bleak a speech from Commander Mariner arrives to rally the troops.
Whilst the book has retained its focus on Jake, Nog, Alexander and QJ, Hampton has also been able to inject life in to its strong supporting cast. Sons of Star Trek has been surprising in its ability to deftly create a new alternate timeline and quickly reel me in. Making me care for these alternate versions of beloved characters from across the franchise. Coming out of this story I could happily return to this timeline to see what happens next to the crew. That’s not easy. Particularly in the space of only four issues.
Given the series has run for four issues and has four lead characters it’s no surprise which takes centre stage for the finale. After spotlighting the three universe travellers it’s finally time for QJ to stand in the spotlight. Whilst there’s a little less time to focus on him, Hampton builds QJ’s story in to the events of the finale in a way which feels satisfying and allows for a fun payoff scene featuring his famous father. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that QJ was also being tested in a similar vein to his three new friends. It’s just that the circumstances of his test are different. Ultimately he has a lesson to learn and it’s through that final lesson that the group is able to make their way back home.
In terms of growth I’m pleased to see that Hampton has been able to accomplish these for each of the series’ core cast. Whilst the growth feels more significant for Alexander than it does for Jake and Nog, it’s no more profound. What is true however is that each of their paths feels true to their starting points in live-action. There’s no losing sight of that trajectory which dates back to The Next Generation for Alexander of Deep Space Nine for either of Jake and Nog. This is never more evident than in the series’ sweet epilogue scene which establish the next move for each of them. Whilst it doesn’t necessarily feel like another team up series is on the cards. It is clear that each now have a future which contains stories worth telling which is ultimately the more satisfying goal.
This final issue is energetic throughout. It gives artist Angel Hernandez plenty of opportunity to keep things moving with an intensity of a J.J. Abrams Trek movie. Though most of the fighting is kept to the bridge of the Avery there’s still plenty of adrenaline pumped in to these pages and ultimately Sons of Star Trek ends as strongly as it began.
Verdict
A strong finish for Sons of Star Trek. For the last four months the series has consistently surprised with its heartfelt storytelling and engaging visuals.
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