Star Trek: Omega is written by Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing and published by IDW. Artwork is by Oleg Chudakov, Joe Eisma, Mike Feehan, Tess Fowler, Angel Hernandez, Liana Kangas, Megan Levens, Travis Mercer, Ramon Rosins, Rachael Stott, Erik Tamayo, Davide Tinto and Marcus To. Colours are by Lee Loughridge and Marissa Louise and letters by Clayton Cowles.
Star Trek: Omega 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
Two and a half years of comics spanning 60 years of Star Trek history, a fair few awards, and more than a few universe detonations, and it’s all been coming to this… Star Trek: Omega is the denouement of the critically acclaimed Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant storylines, and the first glimpse at all that comes next. The crews of the Theseus, Defiant, and Enterprise set to work restoring the universe to what it should be after the evil android Lore’s intervention. Each hero finds their peace in preordained or unexpected ways, with individual scenes depicted by one of Star Trek’s or Defiant’s mainline artists!
Review
Here we are. Journey’s end. After two years of incredible storytelling in both the Star Trek and Defiant series, this incarnation of the franchise is coming to an end. Creators from across both books come together with the core writing team of Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing to celebrate what has been an incredible run, boldly going where no Star Trek comic book has gone before.
The franchise also has the notable accolade of some of the best series finales in all of television history. Just think “All Good Things…”, “What You Leave Behind” and “Endgame”. These were finales which tied up the stories of ensemble casts neatly. Allowing them all to go on and have future lives in movies, other shows and, of course, comic books. So there’s a lot riding on what Cantwell, Kelly and Lanzing can do in bringing this two-year odyssey to a close. Thankfully, the powers at IDW has given them an extended send off which allows for a bit of extra storytelling.
With the crux of the Lore War storyline wrapped up already Star Trek: Omega is free to focus on its characters. Which is does with ample time to given to each of them regardless of their status in Trek legacy. New characters stand shoulder to shoulder with those from DS9, TNG and TOS. Each afforded the time to say goodbye to the legions of fans who have picked up and followed their adventures through the Day of Blood, Pleroma and Lore War events.
It’s always my biggest fear going in to a final issue for an ensemble series. How do you pay off every single character in a way which feels authentic whilst keeping the momentum of the story going? Here it’s about the framing of events. There’s a few key moments which Cantwell, Kelly and Lanzing use to hang their goodbyes on. Lore has been disassembled and is being locked away in Daystrom. Meanwhile William Riker and Deanna Troi have impending nuptials aboard the Enterprise. But more seismically felt that those is the decision that Captain Sisko needs to return to his non-corporeal existence with the entities inside the Bajoran wormhole.
As has been the case throughout this run of Star Trek, the writers ensure that every moment has at least one eye on franchise canon. Not only does Omega lead in to the events of Star Trek: Nemesis, but it also touches on events from almost every show in the series’ pantheon. I’ve always said that both the Star Trek and Defiant books have been a love letter to the franchise. More of an accompaniment to the TV series (and movies!) than an interpretation. That observation remains true right though to Omega’s final page which is truly a testament to the dedication of this creative team.
In making Star Trek: Omega character focussed there’s also a fun opportunity to pay tribute to each of the artists who has worked on these books. I can’t go through a touch on every one of them as there are thirteen different artists working on this book. But what is genius is allowing each of those artists the chance to visualise the goodbyes of each of these characters. It means each moment has its own visual style and flair. Some more traditional than others. But each created out of love for the characters they are saying goodbye to.
Of course Star Trek will live on in comic book form. As we now know each of the writers on this team has new series coming in the next few months. But, for now at least, we are saying goodbye to this pocket of continuity and its flawless embrace of diversity both on the page and behind it. It’s not easy to know when to bring an ongoing to series to a close. But this – SADLY – was the right time to bring this to an end after taking it to the edge of existence with Lore War. All power to IDW and the creators not only for acknowledging that but for bringing it to a close with the perfect sense of celebration and dignity.
Verdict
Star Trek: Omega is the perfect conclusion to two-years of incredible storytelling from Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. A huge roster of incredible talents come together like the most high functioning Starfleet crew to bring a poignant and celebratory end to the Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
