Review: Star Trek #14

Star Trek #14 highlights just how great this ongoing creative team can be at crafting strong Sci-Fi Epics. Writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing understand exactly what is needed to bring great science fiction writing to the comics medium. They take time to establish character, clear conflicts and interesting worlds to explore.

Sisko feels a bit underused here, but it is nice to spend some time on other characters to extend the tapestry of this story. Ben Sisko leads his crew including Data, Beverly Crusher, Sato and Tom Paris on a mission to the Tzenketh homeworld. They work to diffuse tensions between the mighty Tzenketh empire and the Federation to stave off further war. This is complicated by the revelation here that the Romulans are already arrived and working to broaden the rift.

Add to the is presence of Harry Kim who has been working undercover on the homeworld and brought Tom’s daughter with him for a very dangerous adventure in baby-sitting. The banter between Tom, Harry and a rebooted holographic Doctor feels believable and a fresh reminder of why these characters are so great. Meanwhile Data and Beverly aboard the Theseus piece together the very unstable tectonic plates making up the Tzenketh world and Dr Crusher recruits Scotty to investigate on the surface. All of this reflects the underlying Tzenketh creation myth surrounding fire and light.

The entire issue carries intrigue and action with equal skill. The initial encounter with the dinosaur-like Tzenketh is a visual feast with our favorite heroes battling the massive alien warriors and somehow holding their own. The battle ends with the warriors agreeing to take the group to the central city Kot’tabor. Harry takes the journey to explain the physically competitive nature of this species. He also highlights the vast danger the species plays for the Federation as they are quickly advancing the technology and design of their space raider ships. They enter the glass city and are greeted by the warrior Kav’ka Koldo Voltani Tzenketh who details why names matter to their people before leading them to the Tzenketh ruler.

The ruler Polika Autarch Xio Tzenketh already has an audience with the Romulan magistrix Arienne T’Galatheone. Sisko misinterprets that the Autarch is inviting them all to a party but Sato explains that the Tzenketh want the Federation and Romulan groups to face off in battle to decide who wins the favor of their people.

The art by Marcus To is perfect throughout, with every character full of expression, every panel given a different perspective, every moment being completely clear. He truly understands the scope needed here but also gives so much depth and detail to the dino-warriors and familiar characters alike. The colors by Lee Loughridge add so much excitement.

This feels like a Star Trek book and never forgets this means delighting in characters, conflicts, mythology, alien species and alien worlds. This issue builds up conflict on multiple fronts, between the heroes themselves, with the Romulans and with the planetary environment of the Tzenketh homeworld. It truly makes every page count and builds up an interesting new conflict even while visiting many old friends.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

Overall:
4.8 of 5 stars

Writing: Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Art: Marcus To
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.