A threat is hurtling towards Earth at impossible speeds, and it’s Captain Sisko’s fault. Oh, and also cloned Klingon messiah Kahless, but he’s long gone, and it’s up to our crew of the Theseus to save Earth with minutes to spare. No big deal – this is Star Trek, after all, right?
Star Trek #6 picks up where we left off. Data is the interim captain of the Theseus with a ship that’s pushing speeds that’ll break it apart in mere seconds. It’s being pulled by a godlike alien that’s very angry at Earth and wants to destroy it out of revenge. Meanwhile, Sisko, Beverly Crusher, and Sisko’s son are trapped on the back of this alien with time running out.
This issue does a few things very right, once again showing us writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly fundamentally understand Star Trek. We’ve got characters in high-stress situations talking things through, figuring things out, and helping each other resolve problems. Meanwhile, Sisko gets to be the lead hero, as captains tend to do in this series.
Once again, for this series, communication is the superpower of many of these characters. Data gets to shine in a key scene explaining to others on the bridge what they must do to stay alive. There’s a touch of a deus ex machina resolution element, but it’s explained fairly easily thanks to Data being an android who notices things.
Data is interim captain in this issue.
Credit: DIW
Advancements in scientific tech and connecting with a new life form are the names of the game in this issue. The creative team has essentially introduced a new form of life that came inches from killing Earth, making for an opportunity to explore future stories.
Sisko’s connection to the gods is also utilized well here, bringing the story full circle to the first issue. Again, there’s a bit of deus ex machina at work here to resolve things, although since Sisko is communing with gods, it seems fitting for him. Regardless of his connection to gods, his memories and life experience are the true answer to finding peace, though.
The data pages add to the character and the larger destruction of the alien. One explains what is happening to colonies along the path of the alien thanks to the incredible speed at which it moves. Another detail is a character’s point of view on death and anger in an exciting way.
Art by Ramon Rosanas is great in this issue, with accurate depictions of the crew we know and love. Colors by Lee Loughridge add a lot to the atmosphere and intensity on the bridge, which is bathed in green. Generally speaking, anything tech looks solid and well made from the space suits Sisko and his crew wears on the alien to the ships.
Star Trek #6 is a good finale to the first story arc invoking literal deus ex machina at times to resolve key problems. This series continues to show it fundamentally understands Star Trek, from characters using their wits and fast talking to resolve problems to heroic moments for characters when opportunity knocks.
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