Star Trek: The City on The Edge of Forever #3 Review


Can this unused teleplay continue to be a superior version of this classic tale? Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

Harlan Ellison’s Hugo- and WGA Award-winning teleplay, visualized for the first time! Stranded in the past of old Earth, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock search for the focal point that altered the timestream and changed everything about the universe they knew. And once they find her, they could find themselves foiled by a force even greater than the Guardians of Forever—love!

Star Trek City on the Edge of Forever #3 variantIDW’s adaptation of Harlan Ellison‘s original teleplay for the Star Trek episode City on the Edge of Forever has so far proven to be a superior version of the classic tale. And that’s saying something, as the episode itself ranks amongst the best Star Trek the Original Series had to offer. This installment however doesn’t go above and beyond, as though it isn’t outdone by it’s aired counterpart, it doesn’t deliver enough to top it either.

Scott and David Tipton continue to adapt Ellison’s original teleplay, delivering yet another gripping installment. Seeing Kirk and Spock adapt to this 30’s Earth, whilst also looking for Beckwith and the change in the timeline, we get yet more changes to the original aired tale, which ultimately makes the story less predictable for longtime fans. The most noticeable change was Edith Keeler being introduced later in the story. This change has both a pro and con affect for me, as though the build up allows for a more dramatic edge, I’d have loved to have seen the interaction she had with Kirk (though there’s still time for that).

J.K. Woodward has seriously stunned me with his painted art being truly mesmerizing. Between the sheer detail, and the uncanny character likeness, Woodward makes you feel as if you are watching an alternative version of the episode. He also uses elements from the aired episode to give an authentic feel, and along with the layout they prove intensely captivating. To cap things off Woodward also delivers sensational colours, with the composition, and tone being extremely eye catching.

Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay for Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Tomorrow continues to impress, as though this installment doesn’t outshine the aired section of this tale, it’s still topping it in the long run. Recommended.

OUR RATING
7.5
  • + Kirk and Spock adapt to 30's Earth.
  • + J.K. Woodward’s painted art in mesmerizing.
  • + Yet another dramatic installment.
  • - Doesn't go above and beyond compared to the aired episode.

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