Star Trek: Defiant came out of the gate swinging with a good mix of Star Trek characters who need to go rogue because the Federation can’t. This week, the 23rd issue comes to comic shops, which is part 2 of the “No Old Warriors” story arc. In it, Worf’s son Alexander must atone for his past acts and restore his honor. He’s facing the Quv Rite, and it’s a compelling look at Klingon culture while Worf continues to try to make amends to his son for being a bad father.
Even though this is part 2 in the story arc, it’s fairly easy to jump in and enjoy this issue. It opens with a flashback back to the days when Worf and Alexander were on the Enterprise-D. Worf is teaching his son a hard lesson about fighting back, and in his training simulation, it means wild animals are trying to kill Alexander. Worf is quite hard on the boy, which is juxtaposed well with the present, where Worf is far more forgiving and kind.
In this way, writer Christopher Cantwell builds beautifully on what came before. Older and wiser, Worf is trying to be the dad Alexander deserves, even though he’s facing the Quv Rite and may not survive it. Their main mission for them is to show compassion and right and wrong. That wrong comes by way of a brutal corporate takeover of a planet, with its workers needing saving.
Nice montage of Alexander’s life.
Credit: IDW
One can easily see the connection of this corporate evil with our own world, which is a nice touch. Meanwhile, the character work with Alexander is compelling, with the issue easily being one of the best for the character yet.
The B-plot for this issue involves the rest of the Defiant cast, including Miles O’Brien, who has been taken hostage. This scene is quite short but breaks up the A-plot well and gives readers a taste of the various familiar Star Trek legends. Serving as more of a pace breaker-upper, not much happens here, however, leaving you wanting.
Art by Angel Unzueta and Marissa Louise is strong, with great likenesses for the familiar characters. Alexander is the standout of the bunch, with good character acting. Spaceships and general sci-fi things like planets also look quite sharp. The issue looks a stone’s throw away from live action.
Star Trek: Defiant #23 is a standout issue that combines emotional depth, cultural exploration, and poignant character development. Worf and Alexander’s journey is as heartfelt as it is compelling, while the broader themes of justice and compassion resonate deeply. Though the B-plot feels underutilized, the exceptional artwork and thoughtful writing make this a must-read for fans of both Star Trek and meaningful storytelling.
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