There’s no doubt that Star Trek: Lore War has been pretty grim so far. Not only has it rewritten the Star Trek universe as fans know it, but it’s also seen some horrific fates befall beloved characters. Perhaps the most horrific belongs to Shaxs, the bloodthirsty Bajoran breakout from Star Trek: Lower Decks. Once a proud opponent against fascism, he now serves as one of Lore’s most devout enforcers…or at least, he did. Star Trek: Lore War – Shaxs’ Worst Day #1 shows what happens when the tables are turned.
Following the events of Star Trek: Defiant #27, Shaxs’ memory of the correct universe has been restored by Kahless. But in the process, Shaxs vaporized Kahless (he was still evil at the time), meaning that Kahless’ memory restoring bat’leth won’t work. It’s up to Shaxs to utilize his hatred of fascism, his knowledge of Starfleet ships, and plenty of cunning to dismantle Lore’s Starfleet.
What makes Shaxs’ Worst Day such a great read is the fact that it brings back the creative team of Ryan North and Derek Charm. The duo previously worked on Star Trek: Day of Blood – Shaxs’ Best Day, which pitted Shaxs against a legion of bloodthirsty Klingons. It was a wild mix of humor, action, and of course the Star Trek touch of fighting for a better tomorrow. Thankfully, Shaxs’ Worst Day clears that bar, even though it’s taking place in a storyline that was far darker than Day of Blood (and considering that had a Klingon cult who killed gods, that’s saying something.)
IDW
North’s gift for comedic timing remains unmatched, especially when it comes to the notes at the bottom of each page. Not only do these notes add an extra note of hilarity to the proceedings (especially when Shaxs dismembers an alternate version of a Lower Decks alum) but it also provides some more insight into the way Shaxs operates. When he’s attempting to figure out a way to take out opposing ships, he lists a variety of viruses, each with its own weird effect. And when he learns that he can kill off multiple fascists, one of the notes gleefully reads “It’s morally justified and guilt-free carnage time, baby!”
Carnage does abound, thanks to Charm’s art. Limbs are sliced off, necks snapped, spaceships detonated and bodies vaporized into a fine red mist. But it also bears the Lower Decks style, which adds to the humor; I cracked up when I saw Boimler with the “Goatee of Doom” that usually accompanies the Mirror Universe versions of Star Trek characters; it’s a great visual gag and a reminder of how messed up Lore’s universe is. Clayton Cowles’ lettering is the perfect touch, as it’s just as big and bombastic as Shaxs is.
Star Trek: Lore War – Shaxs’ Worst Day #1 delivers a humorous angle to the Lore War storyline, thanks to the Lower Decks comic’s creative team. Even if you haven’t been reading Lore War, this is worth picking up for the comic precision alone.
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