After 60 Years, Star Trek Officially Rewrites The Oldest Red Shirt Debate

by

If you’re a fan of Star Trek, you’re likely quite acquainted with the ongoing discussion about the Red Shirt trope. This trope is associated with the security officers of Starfleet, who are easily identified by their distinctive red uniforms and a tendency to be the first casualties in dangerous situations. Fans often debate this “Red Shirts always die” trope because it’s a favorite topic among enthusiasts. You can find examples of this in series like Star Trek: The Original Series and The Next Generation. It seemed as though the Red Shirt trope was challenged, but a new Star Trek comic has finally settled the debate. Note: The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Red Shirts #1.

Star Trek: Red Shirts #1″ is penned by Christopher Cantwell, Megan Levens, Charlie Kirchoff, and Jodie Troutman. This comic book series delves into the lives of the unnamed Red Shirts, giving them depth and humanity. Although some Red Shirts do meet their end in this issue, its true purpose is to explore and accept the likelihood of their deaths on a Star Trek mission. Contrary to a 2024 Facebook post that challenged the notion of higher mortality rates among Red Shirts, this comic series discards such debates and instead focuses on the tragic yet inevitable demise of the Red Shirts.

Red Shirts Die A Lot In Star Trek, And That’s Okay!

The first few pages of Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 vividly depict various grisly fates that ensue for Red Shirt crew members during their service. Ranging from being vaporized by energy beams, crushed by robots, falling fatal accidents, being brutalized by aliens, transforming into gelatin, and even becoming a meal for giant insect-like creatures, it’s clear that these officers face danger at every turn. This comic book series embraces the well-known trope of Red Shirts meeting untimely ends in space. Given this familiar premise, it’s likely what draws many readers to purchase the book from their local comic book stores.

It appears that in Starfleet, the rulebook suggests that Red Shirts serve as the initial shield, often finding themselves in harm’s way. As Ensign Chip Miller can attest, having nearly lost an eye to a mugato during his first security assignment as a Red Shirt. This encounter left him with lasting scars around his right eye. Subsequently, Miller was selected for a mission to Arkonia 89, where Starfleet was on the hunt for elusive spies. True to form, the team couldn’t simply beam down to the planet’s surface; instead, they were launched onto it while enclosed within torpedo casings.

Nearly all Red Shirts survived their journey to Arkonia, but two unfortunately did not. They perished upon landing due to a loss of power in the satellite controlled by Lt. Webster Cromarty. After spending nine months on Arkonia, Cromarty is less than thrilled about supervising a group of Red Shirts. Given his understanding of their fate, it’s understandable.

Star Trek Closes The Book On The Red Shirt Debate

In any role involving security duties, one must accept that there’s an inherent level of risk involved. This is evident in the Star Trek Universe through the use of Red Shirts. From their initial appearances, it was clear they served a purpose. Since major characters like Captain Kirk and Spock couldn’t be harmed, the Red Shirts were introduced to add tension and excitement to episodes. Instead of arguing over their mortality rate, fans should appreciate this unique aspect of Star Trek.

As a devoted Star Trek fan, I must say that the first issue of “Star Trek: Red Shirts” leaves no room for doubt – the number of security officer casualties far exceeds what we’ve been led to believe, effectively poking fun at the ongoing debate about it. In this series, it seems like fate has decreed that the Red Shirts meet their end, and that’s precisely what they’re designed for. What sets “Star Trek: Red Shirts” apart is its unique premise of focusing solely on these characters, creating a bond between readers and them, only to gradually and tragically part ways with each one.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/every-actor-appeared-both-star-wars-star-trek/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-17 01:10