Star Trek: The Last Starship #4 is written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly and published by IDW Publishing. Artwork is by Adrián Bonilla, colours by Lee Loughridge and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Francesco Francavilla.
Star Trek: The Last Starship #4 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
First Officer Wowie Carter was once called the child without fear. But with the Federation in freefall and Earth still reeling from a brutal Klingon assault, fear is all that remains—and Wowie is cracking under its weight. The U.S.S. Omega’s mission is clear: Gather the final delegates for the Babel Conference, the Federation’s last, fragile chance at unity. A future of peace still seems possible…on paper. But every time Wowie returns to Earth, the home they once loved slips further into despair. As alliances fracture and chaos spreads, Wowie faces a question no one dares ask: What’s left to save when hope is already gone?
Review
If you were looking for a Star Trek book to stop you in your tracks today then look no further than issue #4 of The Last Starship. After a high stakes first arc which picked up directly in the wake of Trek’s now infamous Burn incident, The Last Starship is slowing things down this month. Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are honing in on Earth’s post-Burn troubles, using them as a brilliant mask for a set of very 2025 problems.
It’s a stroke of genius for the already dynamic series to pivot from space action to this more insular, societal story. Even if it is only for this one issue, The Last Starship stepping away from the inclusion of James T. Kirk shows the concept and the characters are able to stand on their own without his presence. Though supporting cast members – including Kirk – do show up, the focus on Commander Wowie is a refreshing change of pace and allows the book to dig into some deeper issues.
Lanzing and Kelly have always been masters of bringing Trek’s traditional approach to political commentary to comics. They’ve proven that time and time again across different titles. But The Burn – and more specifically its impact on Earth seen in Star Trek: Discovery – is ripe for rich storytelling inspired by real-life events but wrapped up in the fantastical sci-fi of the franchise. That is exactly what this issue does, portraying over a period of years how humanity becomes increasingly isolationist.
Wowie’s story is more than worthy of carrying the entire issue. Lanzing and Kelly weave in some real-world science around light speed which gives the story some extra mileage. The idea that time passes differently on the USS Omega really unlocks the ability to give this story the most impact. With each visit home Wowie sees Earth disintegrating around him whilst carrying the burden that his family is integral to that increasing isolation. Importantly The Last Starship #4 doesn’t preach to its audience. Regardless of where you fall on the argument of Earth’s actions post-Burn, the story observes and simply acts as a potential warning.
All of the storytelling is beautifully underpinned by Adrián Bonilla’s stylish artwork. By now if you’ve been picking up this book you’ll be used to Bonilla’s quite dramatic and dynamically lit interpretation of Star Trek. That’s only enhanced further by Lee Loughridge’s courageous colours. The Last Starship has been potent in its visual style from the outset but bringing the story home to Earth, seeing how it falls from its bright, Federation-led past to its much darker, more remote position later in the book.
The final pages tee up some developments for next month, pulling back the lens again for a broader picture of what life looks like in this universe. But it does so by building on how humanity’s rejection of the Federation and Starfleet is a key factor in shattering relationships between planets. Frankly if you’re keeping up with real world events this week it all lands a little close to home. Just another example of how Star Trek can be both a cautionary tale and an optimistic vision of our future.
Verdict
Commander Wowie carries this issue with grace, anchoring a deeply personal story about isolation, time, and the cost of turning inward. The Last Starship continues to prove itself as essential Star Trek reading, blending real-world commentary with spectacular visuals.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
