With the next blockbuster in the series just months away, how is this episodic continuation fairing?  Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

The countdown to next summer’s STAR TREK movie series continues here in the pages of the hit ongoing comics series! This issue puts the brave and beautiful Uhura in the spotlight as we learn new secrets about her past and witness her first meeting with Spock! Don’t miss this all-new tale overseen by Trek movie writer/producer Roberto Orci!

This issue is an absolutely fine release that fills in some of the blanks regarding Nyoto Uhura while delving into the early months of her relationship with Spock.  It isn’t by any means essential reading for next summer’s flick but what we do get is a rather moving tale that’s certainly worth sharing.

Ryan Parrott helms the script this outing with some consultations from Mike Johnson and the results are quite exemplary.  He easily finds the right emotional cords to deliver this character defining voyage while still maintaining an air of authenticity.  The dialogue on its own is more than up to the task as it pulls at the right heartstrings when it needs to delivery a necessary blow.  Beyond anything else the author seamlessly transported me to what I felt was believable and in all honesty one of the better written outings for this title.

The art by Claudia Balboni is simply out of this world.  She effortlessly catches the subtle features and forms established in the film franchise to convey a level of credibility that is simply unparalleled.  From the first panel to the closing page she finds a way to bring this classic atmosphere to the comic book medium in a way that just exudes competency and legitimacy.

Star Trek #18 is by no means a perfect outing but this should be a shinning example of how you take a franchise and you add a subtle wrinkle to its history in order to make something special.  By the end of this portion of the saga fans should be pleased with the results.  Highly recommended.

4.5/5