While Star Trek has explored a lot of different time periods, little is known about the time immediately after the first movie. After helping V’Ger to evolve into a new life form, Captain James T. Kirk and the original crew of the Enterprise sail off “thataway.” The next time we see them is years later when Kirk is an admiral.
In the early 1980s, Marvel published a comic book series that picked up on the Enterprises post-V’Ger adventures. But it’s not exactly considered canon. Now IDW is trying to fill in the gap with Echoes. In this limited series, Kirk has convinced Starfleet to let him and his crew take the refitted Enterprise on a shakedown cruise. He’s told though, that he needs to give up the center chair when the ship passes muster.
It wouldn’t be much of a story if things were that simple. So enter a mysterious spaceship (which looks suspiciously like an X-wing fighter from that other series) with a familiar pilot. That sets up a chase for a new alleged villain who has been pulled from another reality.
Writer Marc Guggenheim’s story may not be the most original (it owes a lot to the JJ Abrams Trek movie), but it’s a far better script the ST:TMP. The only issue is that Guggenheim adds a level of quick wittedness that wasn’t seen in these characters. It’s enjoyable to read but doesn’t feel quite like it captures the spirit of the classic crew.
Artist Oleg Chudakov and colorist DC Alonso get a strong start with a nice double-page spread of the Enterprise and a fantastic cover by Jake Bartok. They have largely captured the look of the familiar characters in all their late 1970’s glory, but the consistency varies by page and panel. A steadier approach would help the book.
One issue in, and the series is already answering some questions about this largely forgotten Trek era. If the creative team can up the ante just a little, they should have a hit on their hands.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes #1 will be available for purchase tomorrow.
While Star Trek has explored a lot of different time periods, little is known about the time immediately after theCOMICONRead More