As a seasoned Star Trek enthusiast and a connoisseur of humorous science fiction, I can confidently say that the debut issue of Star Trek: Lower Decks #1 is a delightful addition to my collection. Having binged through the TV series multiple times, it’s refreshing to see the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos continue their antics in comic book form.
The animated series “Star Trek: Lower Decks” is wrapping up its fifth and concluding season on Paramount+, but fans of Star Trek’s extensive media history are aware that a show’s final episode doesn’t always mean the end for its crew. Already, “Star Trek: Lower Decks” has made its comics debut with a three-issue miniseries published by IDW Publishing in 2022, written by Ryan North and illustrated by Chris Fenoglio. The issues were well-received, prompting IDW Publishing to greenlight a new ongoing series that will keep the U.S.S. Cerritos sailing for some time. North continues as writer while Derek Charm takes over art duties (Fenoglio may be busy working with North on the highly acclaimed “Star Trek: Lower Decks — Warp Your Own Way” interactive graphic novel). The debut issue indicates that the comics will be a fitting continuation of the beloved show from which it was born.
In the first installment of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the crew stationed on the monotonous ship called the Cerritos, specifically focusing on its lower-ranking members like Beckett Mariner, find themselves stuck in a rut of tedious, overly safe missions. On the verge of snapping and seeking solace in the holodeck, an actual thrilling adventure arises alongside an ancient, almost forgotten Starfleet vessel from Starfleet’s early years. Eager to seize this opportunity, Mariner and her regular companions – Brad Boimler, D’Vana Tendi, Samanthan Rutherford, and T’Lyn – jump at the chance to join the away team to unravel a mystery that dates back to the days of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on the Enterprise.
This story in Lower Decks delivers all the humorous elements fans have come to anticipate. It skillfully employs quick successions of title-labeled shots at the beginning, highlighting the repetition that’s become prevalent lately, perfectly balancing homage and satire – a trait that has become characteristic of this series. The writer, North, who is known for his science-focused work in Fantastic Four, demonstrates his enthusiasm once more, as he creates scientific predicaments and explanations for Tendi and Rutherford to enthusiastically discuss. Additionally, the comic playfully challenges some unquestioned assumptions within the Star Trek universe, such as human overuse of Earth-centric metaphors and the tendency for significant discoveries to be overlooked due to the original series’ episodic format. This results in equally amusing consequences.
[RELATED: Star Trek: Lower Decks #1 Preview Reveals the Cerritos Crew’s Next Mission]
On most pages, the comic book features remarks from an unseen narrator inscribed along the bottom edge. These comments offer humorous insights into the events depicted on the page, yet they occasionally disrupt the narrative’s flow and might diminish a reader’s engagement with the story. It’s similar to watching a TV show with a friend who frequently interrupts with their witty remarks and commentary. Despite finding the comments intriguing as I read through the story, a reader can choose to overlook them without appearing impolite, instead choosing to revisit them later at their convenience to catch any missed humor.
Similar to Fenoglio preceding him, Charm skillfully emulates the style of Star Trek: Lower Decks. While complimentary mimicry might seem like mere faint praise, it’s a testament to Charm’s narrative prowess that their characters are true to form. The visual cues, timing, and framing ensure jokes hit their mark, while the character expressions effectively communicate whether dialogue is setup, punchline, or pure absurdity. All these elements combined help draw readers into the tale of misadventure.
As a devoted fan, I initially shared the apprehension towards “Star Trek: Lower Decks” due to its departure from traditional Star Trek elements. However, over time, the show has won me over, and I’ll undoubtedly miss it after five seasons conclude. Fear not, fellow fans, as there’s a silver lining: the arrival of Star Trek: Lower Decks #1 comic book! This exciting new chapter guarantees further adventures that beautifully preserve the appeal, warmth, and wit of “Lower Decks” in a fresh, captivating format.
Published By: IDW Publishing
On: Wednesday, November 11th, 2024
Written By: Ryan North
Art By: Derek Charm
Letters By: Clayton Cowles
Cover by Derek Charm
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2024-11-08 00:09