Star Trek #25 is written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Artwork is by Liana Kangas, colours by Lee Loughridge and letter by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Levens. The book is published by IDW Publishing.
Star Trek #21 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
The android Lore has done the unthinkable: He has detonated the Orb of Destruction, unmaking the universe. After an extra-galactic tumble on the ensuing shockwave, the Theseus sinks into fluidic space. There, the crew melds in and out of a manifold of realities. Benjamin Sisko is against a godkiller once again, but this time it’s up to him alone to save reality itself!
Review
Today marks the beginning for a brand new arc for IDW’s Star Trek. With anticipation for next year’s ”Lore War” growing, the book has a way to go before it begins. But make no mistake, this is Trek firing on all cylinders and beginning a hype campaign. The stakes have never been higher and the consequences have never been greater. With co-captains Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly at the helm were never been in safer hands.
The aptly titled “When the Walls Fell” arc (are you with me TNG fans?) begins exactly where the “Pleroma” arc left off. The U.S.S. Theseus now finds itself in fluidic space, the home of the vicious Species 8472 from Star Trek: Voyager. Luckily for the Theseus crew they have a survivor from Voyager’s trip to the Delta Quadrant on board. So Tom Paris naturally becomes more of a focus in this issue. It’s a spotlight on his character development which feels well earned by both audience and character.
It goes without saying that Lanzing and Kelly have proven themselves capable of folding in elements from other Trek media to the book. So the decision to head outside of normal space and bring in Species 8472 works well. If it seems at first like an opportunity to simply show off another threat, those presumptions are quickly dispelled by what happens next. It’s a clever move by Lanzing and Kelly to continue steering Trek towards the “Lore War” by showing that Lore’s actions have consequences outside of the main universe. If there was ever any doubt that Lore was a threat to the entirety of existence, then this issue alone should be enough to convince the audience otherwise.
Star Trek #25 moves a little too quickly at times. When Species 8427 established they quickly invade the U.S.S. Theseus with several members of the book’s core cast taken off the board between pages. It feels a tiny bit rushed but ramps up the adrenaline levels pretty quickly. Though it would have been great to see more of the invasion and its impact on non-Voyager members of the crew it’s understandable that Lanzing and Kelly quickly wanted to establish that Tom Paris needed to step up as an officer and as a father to save the day. Strength of character has always been a strength of the Star Trek book and so there’s no doubting that Tom’s arc is well written across the issue. There is a small potential retcon to a moment from Voyager which may anger some fans. But fear not. An unearthed communique from the then Captain Janeway helps to give much needed (and authentic) context.
Liana Kangas boards the Theseus this month as artist. Kangas’ style doesn’t feel a million miles away from what readers are used to with this book. It’s not a drastic reinvention. There’s a heavier weight to the art which feels fitting given the urgency and the desperation as Species 8472 quickly overruns the ship. Kangas has a wonderful way of using body language and facial expressions to strengthen the overall mood. This is certainly Trek at its most dynamic with the brightness of the ship interiors replaced with something more moody and befitting of the story.
Verdict
Star Trek #25 sees a new arc of the series kicking off in action-packed style. Lanzing and Kelly continue to weave elements from Trek TV in to the storyline of the comics using a completely original and unique spin.
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