By
GustavoLeao /
12:47, 21 February 2013 /
Trek Books
Star Trek Ongoing#18
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes
The covers: The go-to three covers for your pleasure.
The Regular cover has art by Tim Bradstreet with colors by Grant
Goleash. A beautiful image of the beautiful Uhura in the delta shield,
below her is the continent of Africa and Spock in profile, while
surrounding her is a scan of a sound wave. Great composition and
gorgeous colors. The RI A is the sketch art version of the Regular
cover. It could just be Zoe Saldana, but this cover doesn't frighten me
like the previous ones have. The RI B cover is a photo cover that
features Spock from the last film as he confronts Kirk over his
cheating. Usually I gripe that the photos chosen have little to nothing
to do with the story. Not this time! Overall grades: Regular A+, RI A A-, and RI B A
The story: This issue's Uhura-centric issue was written
by Ryan Parrot, with Mike Johnson credited as script consultant and
Roberto Orci as creative consultant. The story opens with Spock
finishing with his class at Starfleet Academy and being asked out by the
recently finished-with-her-class Uhura. Several months later Spock
wants to take their relationship to the next level by engaging in "Emafa
Kito." On Page 4 they engage and the rest of the issue features a
pivotal moment from Nyota's past. If you've read any sci-fi nothing that
happens after Page 9 will surprise you. It's not that this is a bad
story, but it is really predictable. The one possible moment of surprise
that occurs on Page 20 was telegraphed back on Page 11. Again, not bad,
but not the reaction I think Parrot wanted. That said, this story does
give some nice backstory, or an "origin" if you will, to Uhura and shows
that she and Spock are not a fluke of a couple. I did appreciate that,
but I wasn't enamored with this tale. Overall grade: B-
The art: This issue's art is really solid. Uhura and
Spock look like their movie counterparts and the Uhura that begins on
Page 5 is terrific. The biggest compliment I can give to artist Claudia
Balboni and inker Erica Druante is their focus on Uhura's face. This is a
story where Uhura's reactions really pack a punch to the story. Balboni
is smart to use big panels so that our lead's every reaction can be
clearly seen, increasing the tension and the drama of what she is having
to do. The final page is fan's absolute delight. Overall grade: A+
The colors: And I love Claudia SGC's work on this book.
The art is great by itself but the colors really make things electric.
Be it the reds of the emergency or the play of the light on Uhura's face
on Page 17, this is winning work in every way. Overall grade: A+
The letters: Appropriate dialogue and excellent sound effects that the Uhura of that time would remember, from Shawn Lee. Overall grade: A
The final line: The story holds no surprises, but the art is great. Overall grade: A-
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness #2
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes
The covers: Three different versions to tempt your
wallet. Cover A is by David Messina and Claudia Scarletgothica showing a
seductive Uhura looking over her shoulder. Nice. Cover B is a photo
cover of Chris Pine looking as though he's just received troubling news.
Great! Cover RI CGC is a Cover A version that's been sealed away in
plastic for uber-collectors. Not for me and seems so sad. It looks as
though Uhura is begging to be let out of the bag! Overall grades: Cover A A, B A, and RI CGC D
The story: Robert April's origin for being on Phaedus
IV is given this issue by Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson, with Johnson
providing the script. It's very cool and very interesting. I was very
glad to see Spock give his expected reaction on the top of Page 16. Now
I'm liking the April story, as there are obviously only half-truths in
it, but there were two other moments that floored me. The character
mentioned at the bottom of Page 16 made me think, 'Movie clue!' But the
jaw-dropper was the character on Pages 18 and 19. First, her race--YES! Second, her name--WHAT?!
What a tease! This character completely took me away from the April
story, and she might do that you, too! I found it incredibly difficult
to care for anything that came after these two pages, so important in Trek history is this character IF she is who she says she is. I'm obviously going to keep reading, but I want a lot more of that new character! Overall grade: A-
The art: Absolute perfection throughout from artist
David Messina with ink assist from Marina Castelvetro. The likenesses of
all our favorite Starfleet stars was the usually fantastic work, but
look at April on Page 2, panel two. What great emotion! The natives are
also awesome, and the "evil" ones looked and moved like something out of
a hellish videogame. I loved the "dueling" Aprils at the bottom of
Pages 16 and 17. April's jacket was a nice touch I didn't pick up on
last issue, and will make all Star Trek: Enterprise fans happy. I should also say that I will pay any price for more of the character at the bottom of Page 19. Overall grade: A+
The colors: A planet's surface, the bridge of the Enterprise,
the interiors of a cave, a violent attack (Page 14), and a computer
screen conversation are gorgeous with the colors provided by Claudia
Scarletgothica. The top of Page 15 is fantastic! Overall grade: A+
The letters: Sound effects! Sound effects! Sound
effects! HooRay! I was so happy for all the action scenes' sounds and
the terrific dialogue from Chris Mowry. Overall grade: A+
The final line: The introduction of one new
character has thrown my focus considerably, but I'm continuing on as
hints for the film begin to appear. Overall grade: A
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