Advance Review: `Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer’ #2 Bides Time Before Season 3

When you have a character as celebrated as Jean-Luc Picard, there is an understandable tendency to want bigger stories each time he appears on screen on in print. After all, with his streaming series ending next year – and actor Patrick Stewart’s advancing age – how many more times will we get to enjoy Picard’s adventures?

That’s what makes this middle installment in the Stargazer series so disappointing. After a strong start, the story of Picard trying to make up for a mistake he made decades ago while commanding his first starship seems too small. The previous issue was filled with excitement and potential. This one his bogged down in exposition and predictable scenarios.

Writers Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson have their hands somewhat tied since the comics can do nothing more than tell a story between seasons of the Paramount+ show. But it feels like they could be doing more. Picard deserves nothing less, right?

Even Angel Hernandez’ artwork, which was a highlight of the first issue as he depicted the captain at various points in his life, is inconsistent. Some beautiful panels and splash pages are up other scenes that look rushed. Fan favorite Seven of Nine, who plays a key role in the comic as well as the streaming series, looks different in nearly every panel. Again, our heroes deserve better.

Early in the book, Seven asks Picard why he put himself in danger by voyaging to the planet in distress. When Picard says he thought it would be a routine survey mission, Seven fires back, “When is it ever routine with you?” Unfortunately, the routine is what this issue is all about. There’s one more chance to make things right before February’s premiere of the streaming show’s third and final season.

Star Trek: Picard – Stargazer #2 will be available for purchase on October 5, 2022.