Just because the latest Star Trek TV show was delayed indefinitely doesn’t mean you can’t get your fix. IDW has been putting out some fantastic Star Trek comics (even one teaming the crew up with Green Lantern!) and this latest anthology series is more of the same. We take a look at issue #2 and ponder, is it good?
Star Trek: Waypoint #2 (IDW Publishing)
So what’s it about? Just check out our full exclusive preview and summary.
Why does this book matter?
I’m a sucker for anthology comics mostly because you get a beginning, middle, and end to more than one story. So often comics today don’t allow you to get the satisfaction of an entire story. Not so here. On top of that, the first issue was fantastic–how can this second issue disappoint?
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Finally, this comic shows us what Star Trek is all about. Guns! Wait…that’s not right.
The first story is titled The Menace of the Mechanitrons and is written by Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore. The story focuses on Kirk and crew and captures these characters well. It will certainly give you the warm and fuzzies when it comes to the classic TV show as it’s a bit hokey in its dialogue with a premise that’s straight out of the show. Good teamwork is shown, Kirk must take center stage with a bit of action, and the characters speak in a somewhat unnatural way.
The art by Gordon Purcell (with colors by Jason Lewis) has an old 70’s comic book vibe that’ll bring people a bit of the nostalgia feels too. The paper even has an aged brownish look that does well to remind us this is the type of comic from an older time.
The second story is titled Legacy and is written by Sam Maggs with art from Rachael Scott (and colors by Mark Roberts). This story is fantastic in a couple of different ways. For starters, it’s narrated and stars a red shirt female who shows us just how much work she’s done over the years to keep the crew alive, yet never gets any credit. It’s a clever bit of writing, especially with how it opens and closes. The message is loud and clear: Those who do the most work aren’t always given credit, but at the end of the day they may inspire more like them to rise up. There’s a strong message delivered about woman empowerment and I dug the hell out of that. The art in this story is expressive and reminded me a bit of Salvador Larroca’s work. The layouts mix things up nicely and have a strong modern look.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The first story, while creative and clever in throwing back to the older style of comics and TV show, is a bit too cooky for my tastes. The dialogue is forced (Kirk: Mr. Spock! Set your weapon to maximum!, Kirk: A most logical move, captain!) and the plot simplistic. Aside from being a spot-on homage it’ll make you eye roll till your eyeballs fall out. Aside from showing teamwork, it doesn’t capture the philosophical or thought provoking elements the series is known for either. If this story was half the length it might have been a nice homage, but it runs on so long you’ll grow tired of its schtick.
The nurse is good for nothing!
Is It Good?
It is, but only because one of the two stories is everything you’d want in a Star Trek story. The first story certainly delivers nostalgia for the series and classic comic books, but runs on too long. That said, as a whole this series is getting at the essence of Star Trek. Star Trek: Waypoint reminds us Star Trek is a series that is valid and timeless.
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