Star Trek #5 continues an incredible journey across space to save mythical beings from multiple worlds against the slaughter by Kahless himself. Even more shocking is Worf’s son Alexander as one of Kahless’ soldiers.
Sisko and his crew must battle on two fronts. The first is an attempt to stop the destruction of T’Kon. The second more interesting conflict is against the ruthlessness of the Bajoran prophets against Kahless represented in the blind determination of Sisko to destroy the Klingon army. The art carries us forward from one epic moment to the next. It has been too long since we have had a Star Trek comic with such epic scope and promise.
The issue begins with the Theseus arriving to find Kahless attacking the mythical organism at the heart of T’Kon. The crew Sisko has gathered is dynamic and full of story telling potential. That said Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing focus on Sisko, Worf and Jake for much of this chapter. The Klingons teleport in advance guards to the bridge of the Theseus bringing the action right to our crew. The battle works on this immediate plan even as Sisko is taken back to the prophets who reveal the Klingons have taken one of their Orb of Destruction.
Beverly Crusher helps crack the code of how to use the frequency of the Orb to strike out at the Klingon army. Sisko is prepared to kill them all until Worf stops them pointing out that the Prophets are using Sisko as their tool to start all out war with the Klingon race. Sisko kicks Worf off the bridge but is shaken out of his blind loyalty and beams down to the surface with Jake following.
Sisko creates a protective barrier defending the planetary being against the Klingon attack. Jake is injured in the attack. The issue ends with the massive planetary organism of T’Kon waking up in immense pain and anger ready to lash out at the Federation crew.
This story is not perfect. It makes some narrative leaps forced upon it by the pacing of the comic format. But it does have a massive scope, interesting conflicts and manages to focus on characters we love in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. Getting an original, impactful, forward moving Star Trek story with a great cast and strong, exciting art is a treat. Hopefully it truly is an inspiration for the larger Star Trek line going forward.
Writing: 3.9 of 5 stars
Art: 4.4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.3 of 5 stars
Overall: 4.1 of 5 stars
Writers: Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Art: Ramon Rosanas and Erik Tamayo
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Publisher: IDW