Order Boldly Go #1

You know, the Trek universe is big enough to encompass two divergent timelines. The more I get used to this idea, the easier it is to accept the presence of the Kelvin Timeline. After all, we are one big, happy fleet, right?

I’m a classic TOS guy from way back but I have to say, I’m getting used to the idea; and as IDW extends the universe with its development of more stories in this timeline, the better it becomes. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations, after all.

Mike Johnson and Tony Shasteen have provided us with a novel and innovative continuation to the current film series. Set a few months after the events of Star Trek Beyond, the crew of the Enterprise have disbanded and all gone their separate ways.

While some have been promoted, taken other commands or accepted lesser positions for the sake of friendships, others have focused on developing relationships and delving deeper friendships.

That’s completely within the vein of the Trek I know. Not only do these characters demonstrate diversity in their lives but we also see the introduction of new characters to the Kelvin continuum as well, as well as some familiar ones to the delight of veteran Trek fans.

Kirk gains a new command, with Chekov and McCoy joining him on board; Spock and Uhura explore the limits of their relationship on Vulcan; Sulu serves at the side of a familiar Prime Timeline starship captain; Scotty has taken a teaching position at Starfleet Academy – where some familiar IDW Trek comic characters make a pleasantly-surprising appearance on campus.

The covers are also plentiful for this issue – a hallmark of IDW’s treatment of its titles, but just another reason to appreciate this book.

• The regular cover by George Caltsoudas is, sadly, my least favourite cover. I find it a little too cartoony for my tastes. While this may not be to my liking, it still meets the spirit of this comic: it is flashy and with its dynamic lines and colour, it certainly is bold.

• The subscription cover is truly superior: Tony Shasteen has a gift for likenesses that really hits the mark on a book like this. Creating a story about an established visual property can be a major insecurity for an artist. Yet Shasteen seems to have no hesitation as he effortlessly delivers images that are exactly detailed. But the information about the interior story is also an added plus as the reader is given a slight hint about the plot. Shasteen’s cover is both entertaining and informative, which are two elements necessary for one to be successful. This is the first of a six-part design, which will continue each month.

• The retailer incentive A-cover is a straight-forward photo shot of Chris Pine in full uniform. Deviating from the comic for a little bit, one of the annoying things about Star Trek Beyond was the fascination with wardrobe variety. Choose a uniform and stick with it, please?

• The B-cover however, is pretty imaginative. With art by Marc Laming and colours by Mark Roberts, the cover features an old-fashioned paper doll with clothing attachments that you could find in silver age girls’ magazines. It’s actually pretty clever and a novel subject for a comic cover. According to editor Sarah Gaydos, Laming will be doing a paper doll cover for each issue.

• The Midtown Comics exclusive cover is another photo-perfect likeness by Tony Shasteen. It’s a variation of a typical TOS pose with Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Uhura on the cover. Of course, it’s fantastic and hope to tap into that tradition TOS fan base. The sub-text is clear: the Kelvin Timeline is still Star Trek.

• The Fried Pie Comics retailer exclusive cover is my favourite. Of course, it’s by my favourite Star Trek artist J.K. Woodward. Not only are his likenesses exact but I find them to be near photo-perfect. Plus, Woodward has a passion for Trek that clearly comes out in his work. It’s a delight to see his work and the emotionality in Karl Urban’s face is vibrant, alive and dare I say it: bold? Woodward should be IDW’s first choice for any Star Trek book as his near-perfect renditions can convey a sense of authority and legitimacy to any book.

The focus of this story is the character relationships. Johnson does well in selecting this as the focus for his story as that widens the appreciation for what has been left out or hurriedly addressed in the films. We learn more about the friendship between McCoy and Kirk; Sulu’s desire to command and we learn more about the intimate relationship between Uhura and Spock.

This is rich fodder for hungry Trek fans who want to understand more about the changes and gain a greater appreciation for its background. That’s the purpose of extended universe material like Boldly Go and it’s a welcomed perspective.

That, in itself, makes this book a bold endeavor – if you will excuse the pun-like reference. Johnson delivers a story that not only drives us to learn more about these relationships but one that also is engaging and compels the reader’s curiosity.

What threat could be great enough to bring this crew back together from following their individual pursuits after their time together on the Enterprise? Whatever it is, it’s definitely a story to follow and Johnson, a veteran Trek comic writer, certainly has our attention.