STAR TREK: THE OFFICIAL MOTION PICTURE ADAPTATION #1
by Alan M Rogers
Okay. I admit it. When the advance copy of IDW’s official movie adaptation of the 2009 STAR TREK movie came in the mail, I got a little bit excited. (Maybe more than a little.) The truth is, I love STAR TREK. Since I was a little kid, I’ve loved STAR TREK. It doesn’t matter which flavor of STAR TREK, either. The ideas behind STAR TREK are what make it great; the moral and ethical obligations of discovery and exploration and the idea that humanity, as a whole, can become much more than what we are and can successfully overcome the less appealing aspects of humanity.
There’s also a sense of adventure and excitement – a childlike sense of wonder at what we’ll see around the next corner. Throw in a strong dose of camaraderie between the people who are out in the cosmos without anyone to bail them out if they get in trouble, and you have an entertainment franchise that has gone strong for almost a half a century.
JJ Abrams breathed new life into STAR TREK with the latest movie just as IDW has given new life to STAR TREK in comics. IDW has already touched on JJ Abrams new STAR TREK continuity with STAR TREK COUNTDOWN (the movie prequel); STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS and STAR TREK NERO. Now, writers Mike Johnson and Tim Jones have adapted the screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman into comic form.
True to form, the adaptation is just that – an adaptation. However, if this first issue is any indication, this adaption is going to be fantastic. Already, the first issue captures the feel of the opening scenes of the movie while adding depth to some of the character history. Johnson and Jones not only capture the feel of the movie, but the emotional impact of George Kirk’s sacrifice and the turmoil of James Kirk’s birth.
The art team on this book is fantastic, with smooth lines, bold color and fantastic effects. The still-motion feel and the scenes they chose to draw are perfect snapshots for each panel. The result is a total lack of narrative boxes, which only emphasizes the seamless flow of the story.
If you haven’t seen the movie and are nervous about this new incarnation of STAR TREK, then pick up this issues of the adaptation. I guarantee you won’t regret it and I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a sudden urge to watch the movie. If you’ve seen the movie and don’t like comic adaptations, then I recommend that you give this one a try; by the time IDW’s team is finished with it, you’ll want it on your shelf right next to the movie.
If you’re just a Star Trek fan looking for another hit to tide you over until the next movie or re-run or IDW comic, then this is definitely for you; it’s got enough new material to give you a fresh look at the story and stays true to both JJ Abrams and to the Great Bird of the Galaxy (Gene Rodenberry, for the uninitiated!).
And if you’ve never been into STAR TREK or never known where to start with STAR TREK, then this is perfect for you. It’s a single issues of a single comic series that is telling the same story the newest movie has told. If this doesn’t get you wondering and doesn’t get you interested, I don’t know what could.
Live long and prosper!
~alan m rogers (who really is enough of a geek to end a review with that!)
