Bringing An Orb To A Ship Fight: ‘Star Trek’ #12 Reviewed

The power-mad Klingon Emperor and killer of cosmic Godly beings faces something far more powerful: a united and determined crew.

It all comes down to this as Star Trek #12 brings a conclusion to Day Of Blood, the first crossover for IDW Publishing’s new unified Star Trek line. A character moment-filled finale courtesy of Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Angel Unzueta, Marissa Louise, and Clayton Cowles.

You would think that a big civil war with a Klingon, especially one so powerful, must conclude with some massive drawn-out battle. This is a story that was never going to go that way. Since the first issue, the whole emphasis has been on relationships and about how there is sometimes more power in our various connections (friends, colleagues, family, romantic, etc.) than any God-like beings or objects.

Sure, the crew uses the Bajoran Orb of Creation to counter the one of Destruction, but it’s their work together and their faith in Sisko and Worf that pays off. Together they stop the war, send Kahless running off like a coward, save Alexander, and complete their mission. All good in a day’s work really.

We’re treated to a ton of really solid ship moments as well as a whole cavalcade of very character-heavy moments. Unzueta makes all of it just so gorgeous and smooth. These characters radiate emotionally powerful energies on every page. It’s a style that feels very grounded yet fantastical at the same time, just as it should.

Louise’s colors balance it all by shifting to whichever end of the color spectrum is called for. Big bright vibrant eye-catching colors mingle alongside those that are heavier and darker and give a grounding effect. In the previous issue, the darker stuff took over for the very dire feeling needed in the middle of a war. Here we see the opposite, things getting brighter/more vibrant as hope and unity rule out the day.

Creation defeats destruction, and our heroes stand triumphant. We see and feel it with every page turn, and it feels pretty darn good.

As things unfold, characters have a ton to get out, and Cowles makes it all work in the way that he always does. With a cool creative flair that makes things the best. Using the reds for Klingon’s speech is a great nod to their group name but also just a solid way to make it pop even more. Everything flows around the page full of energy, guiding the eyes through the pages.

Kelly and Lanzing have such a wonderful view of Trek. Their love is felt on every page as they really understand these characters, able to dig even more out of them beyond what we saw on the screen. So many threads from various shows and adaptations, some feeling so different, came together to create something even greater than the parts that make it up. This is just pure Trek and I love every moment of it.

Also, the fact that they were able to drop in a sly reference to Doctor Crusher’s big sex ghost episode…standing ovation.

Star Trek #12 is now available from IDW Publishing.