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Star Trek Comics: The New Gold Standard for Ambitious Storytelling?
As a hugeStar Trekfan (especially the comics!), I'm totally blown away byIDW Publishing'scurrent run. It's not just a renaissance; it's setting a new bar for ambitious comic book storytelling, using classic franchise IP in some really clever ways. They've built toward next year's hugeLore Warevent, an epic culmination of over two years' worth of cleverly woven plots. It involves multiple titles including the flagshipStar Trek(byCollin KellyandJackson Lanzing) andChristopher Cantwell'sStar Trek: Defiant.
Initially I (and probably most other fans!) was incredibly impressed by that hugeDay of Bloodstoryline; that is pretty amazing. However it now seems this was actually merely the warm-up! A small detail which explains exactly why there’s much deeper planning and more significant effort and creativity in creating these newer installments inIDW’s Star Trekcomics.
Star Trekis mostly known for TV. But TV has its limits, you know? IDW'sStar TrekandStar Trek: Defiantare doing amazing things— using the medium's flexibility in incredible ways; it demonstrates exactly what a comic can be; its very existence and the amount of storytelling made possible demonstrates an incredibly creative, almost impossible achievement from an entire group that produced this incredibly impressive project. These aren’t mere improvements, those plot points completely surpass the normal expectations set within these types of IP-driven narratives; these new developments warp the storylines and take the narrative toward totally unexpected directions that weren’t originally present in the storyline's creation!
Star Trek #25is nuts.Loreliterally blew up the whole universe with thatBajoran Orb of Destruction. Sounds over-the-top? Yeah. But in the best possible way. And it’s this kind of long-term plotting and sustained creative vision, spanning multiple years; demonstrating impressive dedication acrossIDW’screative team which is incredibly satisfying to observe.
What I truly love aboutKellyandLanzing's Star Trek? The way they consistently build upon that huge tapestry of existingTrekcanon, including these brand-new ideas, but also totally reinterpreting lesser-known lore pieces, really enhancing some unexpected details to great effect! And it helps to produce even more impressive storylines. These really bring incredible levels of immersion through those well-established plotpoints; creating an interesting layer involving the intersection between this world’s very people and higher dimensional beings –likeQand theBajoran Prophets! They're not just telling stories; they're adding depth in imaginative, unique ways which hadn't previously existed.
First theKlingon Emperor Kahless, thenLore—these powerful figures attempting to overthrow these major forces; these figures known only as the gods— within this universe – raising the narrative’s potential and excitement from what initially existed; showcasing the kind of well-crafted universe-level conflicts.
I’m serious when I say this is setting new standards for this particular area, for IP-based comic storytelling. The creativity thatKelly,Lanzing, andCantwellbring is not isolated and showcases a combined collaborative and synergistic creative energy: It is an inspiring example and the massive collaborative creative force shown is only augmented further withHeather Antos'editorial guidance (the editor’s influence is also something worth keeping in mind, demonstrating that the team involved did truly collaborate) ; It makes everything shown in this amazingIDWseries entirely worthy of consideration. And yes, it doesn’t stop with theLore War!
They just got started!This makes for intense hope: It wouldn't feel satisfying if they endedLore Warand left things alone. Their continued effort should keep those stories going and produce even greater moments and characters to help expand that shared universe and enrich those existing storylines.
Star Trekcomics might not initially seem to be capable of such a major feat; a completely new benchmark! These comics, in this specific instance created byIDW Publishing, are now considered a flagship series of amazing creative ambition and ingenuity, which demonstrate impressive storytelling that should never be understated! And this incredible level of achievement did not go unseen; there’s so much potential which hasn’t been touched on as yet, these are possibilities which makes me even more interested in that ongoing storyline! And what might these next phases of storytelling truly entail?