The hunt to stop a god killer and find an invisible god continues in Star Trek #4, out this week. The question is if gods exist, can you find them with science? It’s answered in this excellent fourth issue, which continues to balance new characters with icons like Sisko, Worf, Data, and Scotty. Given this series has felt like an organic extension of Deep Space Nine, can it possibly do us wrong in this latest chapter?
I can’t get over how good the dialogue is in Star Trek #4, written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. It might appear easy, but the techno-sciency jargon from the characters in this issue is excellent. Sure it may not make a ton of sense, but it sounds legit and gives the characters an air of expertise that’s very much Star Trek.
Worf, Data, and Sisko’s characterizations are also expertly done. When Worf’s anger starts to get the better of him, Sisko corrects and gets him back on track. Little nuances between the characters feel true to the characters while also reminding us that this crew works together. I dare you to read this and not feel like it’s another classic episode in the Deep Space Nine or TNG era.
The character acting is fabulous in this issue.
Credit: IDW
Star Trek #4 opens with a data page, revealing the incredible technology of the T’Kon. Another highlight this series gets right is the spectacle of unknown space and alien species. The very idea of a species that can rearrange a solar system is incredible. The impossible idea was made possible, and you’ll be hoping we find out how or why.
The dialogue can sometimes feel dense, particularly when Klingon savior Kahless pops into the story. His character represents something important to the story, but what he says is preachy and seemingly postulated to sound big. This is uttered near the end of the book when the good guys and bad guys are hurtling towards the object the series has been building towards, seemingly taking away from the moment and focusing too much on Kahless.
The art by Ramon Rosanas and Oleg Chudakov is great, hammering home the characters’ emotions and likenesses. There are great reaction shots throughout, either playing up comedy or drama. Colors by Lee Loughridge are also excellent, capturing the warm blue light of the stations characters are at on the bridge and adding some depth to faces and backgrounds. A full-page spread featuring a wow-factor moment is also exceptionally done by the art team.
Star Trek #4 continues to show the creative team, and IDW fundamentally understands this series to perfection. This series feels like a lost episode of the show that deserves, nay, should, be filmed so audiences outside of comics fans can enjoy it. It’s just that good.
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