Review – Star Trek #36 (IDW Publishing)

August 12, 2014

2–3 minutes

Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Mike Johnson
Artist: Tony Shasteen
Release Date: 13th August 2014

The Q Gambit is now moving into its second issue, and while my main gripes with #1 do return in #2, they are lesser and are far outshone by what is achieved.

My main gripe with this series returns on the very first page. Tony Shasteen’s use of photo-referencing for faces and backgrounds still often results in accurate but emotionless faces, up against backgrounds which give the feeling of the JJ Abrams aesthetic, but lack the detail needed to make panels that invite the eye to hang just a few seconds more. Luckily, the second page is an obvious bribe from Mr Shasteen to myself, because a beautifully-detailed, two-page spread of the Enterprise warping away from Deep Space Nine serves as some of the finest starship pinup that the IDW series has ever seen. Not only do these space scenes give the reader something to really pore over and admire, but when the action shifts from the bright lights of the Enterprise bridge to the dark and cramped, Cardassian designed Deep Space Nine the sparse detailing in the backgrounds serves to create an oppressive mood, rather than an ugly panel. Character models and faces also benefit from the lights going out, and really showcase what Shasteen can do in the right palette.

In my last review I wondered what the inclusion of Deep Space Nine could mean for this series.When the Enterprise is handily captured by Jem Hadar it is revealed that this is indeed a possible future for the alternate timeline, where the Federation surrenders to the Dominion. This story not only provides an insight into the alternate timeline and the ripple effect of the Narada incursion, but also a fun piece of alternate history for the Deep Space Nine series as well. Throw in the return of the ever-excellent Gul Dukat, Benjamin Sisko and the familiar DS9 crew and this comic starts to really have fun with its premise. Seeing Sisko interact with his hero, James T. Kirk is a delight, and the bleak future of the Federation is a challenge I eagerly await to see overcome.

I hoped from the outset that this series would prove to be the epic IDW tale I’d been waiting #35 issues for, and I’m glad to see my hope repaid. Not only is the story heavily weighted, but it also manages to have fun with its premise. The art at times proves very impressive, and never falls below acceptable, despite how much I have gone on about it.

Rating: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home/5

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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