Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Enigma

[DarKush]

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds–The Illyrian Enigma’ Comic To Bridge The Gap Between Seasons 1 And 2 – TrekMovie.com

The first issue came out this week. Didn't see a thread for it, so I made one. I read the first issue. I think it's a good start. I am surprised that they are basing a story so directly off the first season finale, and I am curious to see how they will give this story enough weight, while at the same time not making it consequential to read for whatever they are planning for Number One and the Illyrians in the second season. Regardless I do like them fleshing out another corner of the Trek world.

Spoiler

I particularly liked the mention of Archer and his fateful meeting with the Illyrians and the return of the ENT looking Illyrians.

For the comic itself, I thought it read well, it was well paced. I was iffy on the artwork when it came to the crew. I don't know if they have the rights to use the likenesses of the actors, but most of the characters didn't look like the actors portraying them. I also felt that Pike's uniform color was off. It was too yellow. But overall, it's a good start.

 

[tenmei]

I won't be picking up the rest, the art was not great, worse than Resurgence

As I posted elsewhere. I was hoping for art on a level of at least the core Trek title but unfortunately not.

 

[Tuskin38]

I thought the art looked fine

but most of the characters didn't look like the actors portraying them.

Eh? I could tell who they all were.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I think it's a good start. I am surprised that they are basing a story so directly off the first season finale, and I am curious to see how they will give this story enough weight, while at the same time not making it consequential to read for whatever they are planning for Number One and the Illyrians in the second season.

I was thinking about this, too. I think it's highly unlikely that Una will be freed and restored to duty by the end of issue #4; that's something the television series, rightly, has dibs on. So, what's the story here going to be? I think, however, Una's story plays on screen, it's going to involve some sort of Macguffin, and while I don't think this miniseries will give readers that Macguffin, we'll probably see the backstory of at least part of the eventual Macguffin, so when the Macguffin is revealed in season 2 (or later), comics readers can go, "Hey! I get that!" That makes it sound like this story is unimportant, and I don't think that's true. More like, it's an Easter Egg.

For the comic itself, I thought it read well, it was well paced. I was iffy on the artwork when it came to the crew. I don't know if they have the rights to use the likenesses of the actors, but most of the characters didn't look like the actors portraying them. I also felt that Pike's uniform color was off. It was too yellow. But overall, it's a good start.

I really liked Pike's conversation with April. I thought that was well done.

I was also interested by the bigoted engineer. I wonder if he's going to have some sort of change of heart by the end, or if he'll even be part of the solution for escaping the trap.

As I posted elsewhere. I was hoping for art on a level of at least the core Trek title but unfortunately not.

I thought the art was fine. It told the story. I recognized the characters. It was effective.

I'm probably a little more forgiving than some, because I know the budget on this project isn't going to be very large. There's not a lot of money in comics to start with, and a licensed comic is going to have a built-in cost (to the IP holder) because it's a license.

 

[Elwro]

Now, this was a really entertaining read! I found the art to be... basic; entirely serviceable (I have low expectations;-)). I'm enjoying the fact that it follows so directly from the series. Hooked!

 

[Johnny Luck]

Yeah, I enjoyed this first issue even though it was mostly talking heads. The art was decent.

Curious though if we'll see/hear any connections from this mini in any upcoming Season 2 episodes since Beyer is one of the co-writers.

 

[DarKush]

Read the second issue and I'm still enjoying this story. While I find the art iffy when it comes to likenesses (they are spot on when it comes to Ortegas, to a lesser extent Uhura, but are usually off with Pike, outside of his hair), the colors pop.

Spoiler

I also liked the second issue's focus on Spock's internal turmoil, and how most of the crew never sees it. One thing that I felt needed more exploration though was when the Illyrian captain said that there were other members of his species in Starfleet and Pike said that he didn't care about that, and while he might have just been so desperate to help Una, the idea that there are Illyrians masquerading as humans or other species in Starfleet gave me Changeling vibes, or even Ash Tyler. I hope they follow up on that. I also was iffy on how quickly Pike dismissed a call from Admiral April. That felt a bit too emotional to me, especially with April being Pike's friend. Maybe April would've helped Pike out if he heard him out.

 

[Elwro]

The mystery just became more mysterious :-) A very nice comic, though the writing could've used a second editing pass. I'm hooked.

Still can't believe they're not going through this in the actual series.

 

[Elwro]

To be honest, I'm a little underwhelmed by #3; the plot has barely advanced. It seems the creators had enough content for three issues (perhaps).

I still can't believe this plot is not on the show itself! I really hope they don't go for the mass amnesia / it's all ClAsSiFiEd / it was all a dream options, but apart from that, what choice is there?

(Well, to keep silent about all this on the show, of course. Hm.)

 

[DarKush]

After reading the third issue I'm not sure where this story is going.

Spoiler

It appears that maybe the Vulcans and Illyrians are connected somehow.

 

[Elwro]

Well, that was a bit underwhelming. Still, worth a read!

 

[DarKush]

Finished the fourth issue. I thought it was a decent end, though it felt a bit rushed to me.

Spoiler

I did like how it kept the story for not affecting what will happen to Una in Season 2, therefore not making this necessary reading to understand whatever is going to happen (which is in keeping with Trek fiction), however I also felt a bit cheated because they planted some nice seeds, only to like trample over the just sprouting plants to end the story. I would've rather they did a nice story that had nothing to do with the Illyrians and their history that might not ever be touched on in SNW the series, or even in future comics or novels. But I did like how the story presented Pike and Spock with a choice and they choose the needs of the many over the needs of the one.