As the stakes escalate, is there enough meat to this tale to warrant a purchase? Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

The conflict between the Klingon and Romulan Empires erupts, with Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise trapped in the middle! Don’t miss the newest chapter of the ongoing series overseen by Star Trek Into Darkness writer/producer Roberto Orci!

As soon as I cracked open the cover I was instantly impressed with the content within.  The creative team has crafted a more than decent follow up to the blockbuster sequel, while also paying enough attention to create a narrative that stands on its own. We see quite a bit of retreaded territory but thankfully its attacked by new angles that allow this piece to more than simply function.

Mike Johnson with the help of story consultant Roberto Orci, tells this tale delving right into the ramifications of the altered timeline.  We see the combined might of the Romulan Empire and the remaining members of Section 31 as they assault the Klingons.  The whole of the odyssey was handled in a dynamic way that’s sure to interest, but there were a couple missteps along the way.  The dialogue, for example, felt a bit too wordy as the overall trajectory attempted to make up for it.  However, we did get to see our away team do their thing in classic Star Trek fashion.

The art by Erfan Fajar is a polished visual treat.  From the first page to the final panel the illustrator brings this world to life while paying enough homage to the films to allow the series to interact believably with what we know.  There’s quite a bit of design requirements, from the newly implemented vessels to the cast themselves, this seasoned talent is up to the task.  But there were a few select instances where the sheen detracted from the flare, leading to some static interpretations that were not as pleasing as they could have been.

Star Trek #26 is a good entry that offers just enough material, despite some hiccups along the way.  Recommended.

3.5/5