Review: Star Trek #29

Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing continue the greatest run of Star Trek comics in history with issue 29. Here they go beyond reality into the space of fables. The universe has been undone and Sisko has been the only one spared in a bubble meant to represent Bajor. Sisko uses his power to slowly build a starship able to surpass unreality and reach the wormhole to launch into the unknown darkness. He must wrestle with treating the denizens of Bajor as meaningless labor to do this. Across millennia he must learn the lesson that everything matters even when nothing exists. All of this is accomplished through the mythical style of artist Tess Fowler who uses a watercolor style to perfectly render the mourning and loneliness Sisko feels set against the strength of his ideals and determination.

Star Trek has been difficult to convey in comic form across decades, often falling into plot and ignoring style and character development. It is too easy to have a retread of wars and villains. Too simple to take our favorite characters and force them into empty competitions and battles with odd races. But that has never been where Trek is the strongest. Star Trek is the strongest in stories like this. Stories which use devastating circumstances to reveal the true heart of our heroes. Sisko here does not have to overcome a blood thirsty enemy. He has to overcome apathy and cynicism. He has to find his way out of grief and hopelessness and slowly climb back to being a determined, daring leader. That this task takes millennia shows the psychological burden of this challenge. The inspiring voices of his family and crew brings him back in spite of his knowledge that they never existed.

The feat of combining internal struggle with metaphysical conflict with incredible art makes this a unique tale in a standout run. This is the type of book which could have been a stand alone graphic novel, and the fact that we get this quality every month in serial form remains astounding a true tribute to the faith IDW has in keeping this writing team on this book for the long run and pairing them with incredible artists in every single issue.

Writing: 5/5 stars
Art: 5/5 stars
Colors: 5/5 stars

Overall:
5/5 stars

Writers: Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Artwork: Tess Fowler
Letters: Clayton Cowles
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.