Recently, the first issue of the new “Star Trek” comic debuted from IDW. I had been looking forward to this new series for quite some time, especially with it being set in the 2009 movie timeline. I was hoping to see some great new stories, and see these characters come together in new and exciting ways. However, I have to say that I have mixed feelings about this series and the apparent direction they have decided to go.
The first two issues are based on the classic series episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before” and the next two issues will take on “The Galileo Seven.” In an interview with TrekMovie.com, writer Mike Johnson indicated that future issues would also be based on series episodes, but that “…events will deviate more and more from the TOS versions as the new timeline evolves.” He also says that the stories in the comic series will foreshadow events we will be seeing in the next movie.
Johnson wrote a very nice treatment of this story, as least for this first issue. It stays true to the original script in most ways, while also giving us the altered character interaction necessary for this timeline. Additionally, we are starting to see deviations, such as Dr. Dehner not being part of the crew. It will be interesting to see next issue if that change has any major effect on the ending.
Here’s my problem … personally, I’d like to see new stories. I understand the desire to revisit these old stories and look at them from the new perspective of the changed timeline, and there is definitely a time and place for that. However, I would have liked for this series to have begun with new stories, and then delve into the past. Right now, it almost feels as if they are using the old stories to avoid new and fresh ideas.
Of course, there is no getting away from the old timeline completely, and even if they could, it would not be right. I do think though that they could have first built a foundation for this new series on new stories and then revisited the previous stories once the foundation was firm. I believe this series has to be able to stand on its own, without relying on the past.
Apparently the creative forces behind this new comic series has chosen an alternate path. Building the foundation from the past, and then hopefully letting the deviations lead to new ideas and stories. While not the choice I would have made, I can see the positive potential, if it is handled properly.
Johnson has give us quality writing, and they did pick nice episodes for the first two to be adapted. Artist Stephen Molnar also did a great job with the art, particularly the character depictions. Despite my reservations on the choice of opening stories, they are a strong team and have given us a good starting point.
Only time will tell us if the foundation for this new series is solid. I sincerely hope that I am wrong regarding the decision to start with old stories, and that IDW has chosen the right course. I believe this will only work if they find the right balance between old stories, fresh twists, and new stories. If they can do this, we should have some good times ahead leading into the next movie.
This sounds a bit like the questionable decision soon after “Star Trek: The Next Generation” launched to revisit an old Trek storyline with “The Naked Now,” though they certainly had the success of the “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” sequel to “Space Seed” telling them sequel episodes could work well.
Honestly, I love the idea of exploring these well-known stories from a new angle, as a creative exercise if nothing else, but latching onto that and staying there will start to seem like a crutch awfully fast.
I’ll probably take a look at a few issues, especially if they offer them in electronic format. I feel like I should, regardless — after all, mine was the first letter-of-comment published in the ST:TNG comic!
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