By
GustavoLeao /
12:13, 22 March 2013 /
Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Trek Countdown to Darkness Issue 3
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes
The covers: The same format for a trio of covers as we've seen before. Cover A is by David Messina with colors by Claudia Scarletgothica. It's the bottom left corner of the poster covers, this time featuring Spock. Love the expression on him! Cover B is a photo cover of Quinto and Pine as our new favorite duo. This scene could be pulled right out of this issue. Gorgeous! Cover RI CGC is the A Cover but presealed and graded. Meh. Overall grades: A and B A and RI CGC D-
The story: Buckle up, everyone, because this story by Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson, with script by Johnson, moves at warp speed! Opening on Phaedus IV, Sulu and Cupcak...Hendorff make their escape from being held by local natives. Sulu provides the means of escape and this could hint at something seen in the film. Meanwhile, in April's cave, he and Kirk are debating tactics until two newcomers arrive in a shuttle: Uhura and (the new) Mudd. The dialogue is good and the banter from Mudd funny. The rescue mission to get Sulu and Hendorff proceeds, as does the story with some fun and cool moments: the bottom of Page 7, all of Page 10, the tech on Page 11 (Ahhh! A taste of these "never-seens"!), Mudd on Page 13, the conversation on Pages 14 & 15, Page 18 (Emergency protocol--number what?!? Attention DS9 fans--this could relate to something in the new film!), and Page 22's closer. That's a lot of pages/moments/lines that stand out. We're really going forward, but into what? Overall grade: A+
The art: Every page and panel is like a blessing from the Great Bird of the Galaxy. Artist David Messina with ink assist by Marina Castelvetro capture the actors' images well and illustrate every inch of this book beautifully. The details are simply amazing! How amazing, you ask? Look at Sulu's sock at the top of Page 2. No, seriously. Look at the man's sock--closely! See the design? Don't lie, you want some, too! Clothing aside, look at the characters, even the new ones like April or Mudd. They're awesome! Oh, how I wish this Mudd were in the upcoming film! And that last image of April--sweet! Bow down, fans! This is the art you want! Overall grade: A+
The colors: Equally excellent are Claudia Scarletgothica's contributions to this book. We start in the dim setting where Sulu and Hendorff are prisoners. The light barely catches the "item" in panel three on Page 2. Very nice. Colors brighten up in April's cave, and then things are gorgeous blues and purples on the planet's surface. On the Enterprise things brighten up, but aren't as blinding as they were in the film. Outstanding in every way. Overall grade: A+
The letters: Trek veteran Chris Mowry provides dialogue and sound effects, and we get a lot of those. Phaser fans, such as myself, will be particularly happy! Overall grade: A+
The final line: Is it going too far to say I hope the movie lives up to this prequel? Wonderful! Overall grade: A+
