Is the latest bit of new age Star Trek cannon that focuses in on a passable comedic character really a worthwhile purchase?  Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

The countdown to next summer’s blockbuster STAR TREK sequel continues here! Find out how Scotty and his alien sidekick Keenser first met in thisall-new story overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

When I crack open this comic book monthly I honestly don’t know what to expect.  It’s been a series that’s been plagued by some lackluster releases while offering up some moments of stellar storytelling that really complement the creative team behind it.  From beginning to end this issue is made to work seamlessly with the latest theatrical rendition of the franchise, and it does that much to its detriment.

Mike Johnson pens the script overseen by Roberto Orci, and for the most part it lacks the substantive imagination found in the 2009 remake.  What we have here is a basic tale about a passable comedic character that in all honesty never needed to be told.  But the life and times Keenser has some solid moments as it stretches itself thin in order to establish some competent narrative strings.  The author puts a solid foot forward and ultimately delivers a solid enough jaunt with a decent moral message but not much else.

Stephen Molnar handles the art and the comic looks bland but really good during certain moments.  The characters match their movie counterparts quite well, but the work done here is overburdened by the weight of the reborn franchise.  So much effort goes into capturing likenesses established in the film that almost all the panels come off as stiff and unfeeling.

Star Trek #14 is has a solid enough story that lacks the necessary imagination to justify its existence.  For that reason this issue does not earn a recommendation.

2.5/5