Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever #4 Review


Will this adaptation continue to surpass the original? Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

Harlan Ellison’s Hugo- and WGA Award-winning teleplay adaptation continues! As Kirk and Spock bide their time in 1930s New York, Kirk finds himself doing the unthinkable—falling in love with a woman of the past! And all the while, a murderer from their own era draws ever closer, threatening to alter the very fabric of history! Harlan Ellison’s Hugo and WGA Award-winning teleplay, visualized for the first time!

Star Trek City on the Edge of Forever #4 variantIDW’s adaptation of Harlan Ellison‘s original teleplay for the Star Trek episode, City on the Edge of Forever reaches its penultimate issue. Having overall been a superior version compared to the aired version, this limited series has allowed Trekkies a chance to see what could have been. This entry however has very few changes to it (bar already established changes), almost mirroring the aired episode, setting up the final act brilliantly.

Scott and David Tipton continue to do a brilliant job of adapting Ellison’s original teleplay, giving a very deep and emotional entry. Having been the standout characters of The City on the Edge of Forever (in both this and the aired version), Kirk and Spock really get into the ramifications of time travel. It is however Kirk’s recently found love for Keeler that makes things problematic, with the Tipton’s capturing the emotion perfectly. For the first time however I feel the aired version may have the edge, with Bone’s actions being much more intense and dramatic than the rather uneventful ones of Beckwith.

J.K. Woodward‘s painted art is as astonishing as ever, with the sheer beauty being a wonder to behold. It is however the way that he captures the likeness of the characters involved, with the character expressions only adding to the emotionally dramatic atmosphere that the Tipton’s script sets. Woodward also gives some wonderful highlights throughout his colours, and along with the dynamic layouts it gives a vibrant overtone to these exquisite visuals.

This entry may not have surpassed the aired version, but nevertheless it’s still awesome seeing Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay for Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Tomorrow. Highly recommended.

OUR RATING
9
  • + As emotionally driven as the aired version.
  • + J.K. Woodward's art is as stunning as ever.
  • + Scott and David Tipton do this tale justice.
  • - Beckwith isn't as dramatic as Bone's was.

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