Review: Star Trek Celebrations

I love Star Trek, so when I saw a book that was a celebration of this great show, in its various incarnations, I jumped at the chance to look it over. Imagine my non-surprise when the celebration had nothing to do with any Trek-versary! Instead IDW are using Trek to celebrate LGTBQIA+, a topic that is very close to my heart for sure.

The Knight Errand
(W) Steve Orlando; (Inks) Lauren Knight; (Col) JP Jordan; (Let) Jodie Troutman

First up is a bedtime story of sorts featuring Hikaru Sulu in perhaps his most famous version; the swashbuckling dandy from “The Naked Time”. This time things are a little more sedate, if having a battle to the non-death to save his knights, ahem, crew mates can be considered such. Its a pacy little number, not needing any preamble, Orlando sets his phaser for fun, which is also represented by block art that isn’t great in “looks-like-their-tv” department; the colors are a a little too yellow and green for my tastes, though Jordan’s scheme does give off alien world vibes.

A decent start!

Writing; 3.5 Stars; Art; 3 Stars; Colors; 3.5

Lady Luck
(W) Vita Ayala; (Inks & Col) Llana Kangas (Let) Jodie Troutman

Vita Ayala delivers a story from the Picard-verse of Raffi and Seven. It’s story of love and support in the most trying of battles; Reunion night. The story is the complete opposite of Orlando’s; there is plenty of reading to do. Don’t skip a bubble you may miss some scathing quip or catcall. If there is a message in the chapter, surely its be happy with who you and with whom you loved and are loved by. Raffi, and to some extent Seven, have to deal with peoples opinions and perspectives of them, succeeding without ever losing each other. Its a keen observation of living within other peoples expectations. Should we have to? No. Do we have to? Sometimes, and that is the biggest shame. The art works ok you can tell who is who, love Raffi’s hair.

Writing; 4 Stars; Art; 3.5 Stars; Colors 3.5 Stars

Facemaker
(W) Mags Visaggio; (Inks) Tench; (Col) JP Jordan (Let) Jodie Troutman

Perhaps the most preachy of the stories looks at the need to look like aliens that have inspired some of the best (TNG’s First Contact) and worst (the movie Insurrection) Trek scenario’s. The basis of this advance is linked, in the story at least, to transitioning methodology. I would have thought 24th Centuray would have been able to aid that better than the need to forever take meds! As this ithen is where the story falls down; the science! Now, I love a good bit of Trek-nobable as the. nest geek; give me an inverse tachyon pulse from the forward deflector, fired at the anti-matterr/matter regular anytime. But here, by story end the science just doesn’t hang right. Maybe its my own knowledge of transitioning that is weighing me down.

Writing; 2.5 Stars; Art; 3 Stars; Colors 3 Stars

Innovation Interrupted
(W) Stephanie Williams; (Inks & Cols) Denny Minonne; (Let) Jodie Troutman

You will have to forgive my ignorance here; I have only watched one and a half seasons of Discovery, finding the use of the spore drive and torture of an alien species to be somewhat anti-Trek. The use os techno-bug are a staple of Sci-Fi be it Doctor Who, Justice League Unlimited, Stargate and of course the mousers from TMNT. Not sure what tis story gives you in terms os “celebration” to be honest. That may ne mu ignorance of the cast? The art doesn’t work for me; small bodies and big heads only work in two ways; one Funko Pops and two Damien Wayne. Neither are on show here.

Writing; 2.5 Stars; Art; 2.5 Stars; Colors 3 Stars

Risian Rendezvous
(W) Hannah Rose May; (Inks) Jack Lawrence; (Col) Rebecca Nalty; (Let) Jodie Troutman

The most true to form, at least in trying to look like its originator, Lower Decks, is the final story from Hannah Rose May, Be it the clever dialogue, the intent of possible unrequited love or the shenanigans that the crew end up in, this is a clever Risian ruse; maybe what happens on Risa shouldn’t always stay on Risa! The art matches the show well, characters are easily recognisable. Makes you wonder why the other stories don’t always pass muster. The best is definitely the best of the bunch!

Writing; 5 Stars; Art; 5Stars; Colors 5 Stars

Before I get to the conclusion, I would like to recognise the talents of letterer Jodie Troutman, who dealt with the different art styles, along with the need for the dialogue to be read but not seen, from an impacting the art stand point with skill and style. Well done Jodie!

Back in the day Trek had a reputation of pushing societal norms with any raft of characters and situations, be it Uhura, Kirk and that first kiss or the episode of DS9 that Sky TV edited featuring a Dax and her previous lover moment, or even Burgoyne 172 from the New Frontier book series; Trek has been on that social frontier for so long. Nowadays though, is there a need for Trek to plot this course? Topics such as racism, politics and LGTBQIA+ feature frequently in the mainstream, providing reams and reams of inspirations and influences of peoples opinions. Has Trek done its job too well? Has Trek stopped boldly going, instead preferring to stay within the new Great Barrier of acceptance? The editors wisely take the road that these are characters, in love at times, who just happen to be part of the LGTBQIA+ community, which is the best acceptance of all!

Overall; 4 Stars

Written by; Steve Orlando, Vita Ayala, Mags Visaggio, Stephanie Williams and Hannah Rose May
Inks by; Lauren Knight, Llana Kangas, Tench, Denny Minonne, Jack Lawrence
Colors by; JP Jordan, Denny Minonne, Rebecca Nalty
Letters by; Jodie Troutman
Published by; IDW Publishing

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network