The Brink Of War Once More: Reviewing ‘Star Trek’ #16

Captain Benjamin Sisko is many things. Father. Starfleet Officer. Warrior. Emissary. Diplomat. What he’s not is someone who gives up.

All of that is being put to the test as Star Trek #16 sees the prospect of a multi-civilization war tearing through the quadrant once more becoming more of a reality. It’s a super tense affair from Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Marcus To, Lee Loughridge, and Clayton Cowles.

There’s so much to dissect in this issue.

Various characters have big juicy development and character arc defining moments. Plenty of bits and pieces of the surrounding universe find their way into things, and mysteries of the future are sown. I almost can’t believe this was just one issue, that’s how much they packed in here. Like a super stuffed piñata just waiting to rain treats down upon all those standing below with excited anticipation.

As great as the moments are with Sisko and his resolve (oh and the great stuff with Damar), my focus settled on the moment between Harry Kim and Lily Sato. A real ensign (now lieutenant) to ensign heart-to-heart. Lily’s data page log entry speaks to the side of Trek we mostly only got in DS9 & modern shows: actual sustained loss. Characters died in all Trek all the time, but the effect was usually minimized or forgotten.

Here we get an exploration of the all too real idea that someone you know (co-worker, friend, family, etc) can just be gone in an instant. Often in seamlessly chaotic meaningless ways. Harry brings in his experience of being an ensign for seven years, contextualizing what we saw on screen. Everyone jokes about the beleaguered always dying, getting hurt, and falling for the wrong women stuff with Harry. This version pushes the idea that his status as a lower decker led to a lot of that, both from those above sending you out but also the pressures put on yourself to excel.

Jackson and Lanzing are giving us a mature, wise to the universe, Harry Kim and I’m all here for it. Any of the Voyager crew are more seasoned than a lot of the fleet just by the sheer survival mode they lived in for seven years.

Speaking of Voyager, okay last points, the scene with Tom and Miral (where they define themselves) was so cute and heartfelt. Also, the inclusion of new Zimmerman model EMHs that seem more aware and come with multiple versions for big emergencies is a wonderful touch. A call back that is practical within the world.

As much as I’ve gushed about the vast creative energy that pours from To’s artwork, especially fitting for Star Trek, the quieter and personal moments resonate so much. All those moments above hit so much because the emotional energy, facial expressions, body language, and more feel so tangible.

All the same depth and detail that makes the big page work is shown here too. Most of these are characters that many of us have known for decades, brought to life by real people. Without just copying and pasting those individuals, To captures all their intricacies and their realness on the page. Moments fluctuate from dire to quieter to angry at the drop of a hat and each time no momentum is lost and it never feels jarring.

Colors that are more natural at points before sliding into very unique fantasy spaces help bring it all together. Loughridge knows how to light a space, so that in each area we visit, none of them feel the same. Both because the levels of light would change, but they have their specific tones or color palettes that befit the space.

These colors shift and change to work to the strengths of the various artists who have worked on the book while keeping their signature stylings. Heavier elements come into play to make the night and the space under the planet feel as confining or dire as they need to be. The Theseus has its usual tonal light changes throughout the ship, giving each level or room something to set it apart compared to how things often are on TV sets of the ships.

Anger and grief are powerful beats in this issue, and the final component to making them land accurately comes from the letters side. Cowles is so good at making sure to infuse words with the right bits that let tones ring loud. We read the words and know how someone should be/feel, and we can fully hear it too. Moments like that Kim/Lily conversation or the sweet moment with Tom/Miral hit as hard as they do for numerous reasons. One because we know the characters, but how Cowles places the words and lets them sink in is another massive part of their success.

Star Trek #16 is now available from IDW Publishing.