Advance Review — ‘Star Trek: The Last Starship’ #4 Takes A Breather
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
This young series takes an oddly-timed but poignant breather in this issue to focus on its largely unknown first officer. You won’t find space battles or much in the way of political intrigue. Instead, it delves into humanity, which is something that Star Trek has always excelled in.
Overall
9/10Some of the best episodes from the various Star Trek series have little to do with science fiction but instead focus on human interactions and conflicts. Take Star Trek: The Next Generation’s fourth season entry ‘Family’ or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s tear-jerker “The Visitor”.
While those standout episodes are relatively rare, finding such a story in a Trek comic is practically unique. That’s what makes Star Trek: The Last Starship #4 stand out. It’s a bold experiment — and one that largely pays off while setting up the overall story’s next arc.
In the issue, written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the Federation is still reeling from the catastrophic Burn as well as a renegade Klingon attack on Earth. In the wake of these tragic events, trillions are dead across the galaxy and Earth has left the Federation and demanding that Starfleet leave its solar system.
The fleet’s last ship, the U.S.S. Omega, is powered by the Borg, who also resurrected Captain James T. Kirk. Interestingly enough, Lanzing and Kelly give Kirk almost no exposure here. Instead, they focus on first officer Wowie Carter.
Wowie, who uses they/them pronouns, has been a background character until now. A human, they have a difficult relationship with their parents. Given the Borg technology and the nature of Omega’s mission — to ferry delegates to a conference to chart the Federation’s path forward — Wowie ends up visiting home only every few years. To them though, little time has passed.
That allows Lanzing and Kelly to set up a uniquely human story. Watching your parents age before your eyes is difficult enough, but when it comes in large chunks, you can’t help but wonder if the mission is ultimately worth the price paid.
This intriguing story doesn’t necessarily lend itself to great visuals, though artist Adrian Bonilla does what he can. In lieu of space battles, Bonilla focuses on giving readers their first real exposure to the white-haired Wowie. It’s not the most visual comic ever, but it’s appropriate to the story.
Whether Wowie’s story will eventually become integral to the large plot is still to be seen. But if nothing else, focus on the character’s humanity was a welcome break.
Star Trek: The Last Starship #4 will be available in comic bookstores and on digital platforms Wednesday from IDW.
