COMIC REVIEW – Star Trek: Waypoint #2

Assembling the single greatest collection of writers and artist in the cosmos, IDW Group Editor Sarah Gaydos had her pick when it came time to finding talent to contribute to her Star Trek: Waypoint anthology. After the first issue split time between The Next Generation and The Original Series, issue two focuses solely on TOS, but not in a way readers might expect.

In an upcoming interview with TrekMovie, authors Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore described their contribution to this issue as “offbeat”. Fans familiar with the wackiness, fondness and fandom authors Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore possess for the franchise will not be surprised with the result. The writing duo’s story is certainly unconventional, as the pair went back to the very beginning of published Star Trek comics for their inspiration – the world of Gold Key Comics.

Flaming warp nacelles, a backpacked “exploration” team and squaring off against robots to save a civilization from the Klingons are what readers will have to look forward to while reading “The Menace of the Mechanitrons”, which captures all the charm of the original Gold Key stories. While Ward and Dilmore were more than up to the task of writing the tale, the real test came in the presentation of the issue.

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Thrust back 50 years upon opening to page one, readers will immediately notice the faded colors in which the story is told. Colorist Jason Lewis supplies the issue with the absolute correct feel, while longtime Star Trek artist Gordon Purcell’s captures the quirky visual storytelling style. For fans of the original Gold Key Comics, “Mechanitrons” will certainly be a nostalgic ride to a time when the world was more innocent. For fans not familiar with the comics, it will give them a glimpse into how the illustrated stories of the Final Frontier were once presented.

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Poignancy marks the second story of issue two, as writer Sam Maggs presents a tale from the point of view of Yeoman Leslie Thompson, one of the many Enterprise crew members who were turned into dehydrated cuboctahedrals in the episode “By Any Other Name.” Rather than walk readers through her story up until this moment, he presents it in clever way that should leave an emotional impact on readers.

Joining Maggs on issue two is artist Rachel Stott, who previously illustrated the Star Trek/Planet of the Apes mini-series in 2015, as well as colorist Mark Roberts.  Her character likenesses are spot on, and she moves seamlessly from the classic episodes to uncharted Starfleet Academy territory.

Two issues into its eight-issue run and the bi-monthly Star Trek: Waypoint has yet to disappoint. With a a Deep Space Nine story on the horizon for January’s issue #3, it is evident that the miniseries is just getting started.

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A question for the group. Did anyone think that the woman who was looking at the monument in the last panel of the second story was a young Katherine Janeway?

Indeed, I believe it was (the point being that Thompson’s sacrifice in the duty of Starfleet inspired the young Janeway). Quite poignant I thought, especially as it demonstrates how our actions can touch the lives of others even if we don’t think that’s the case.

i have not been keen the waypoint comics, hopefully they will get better real soon

Eight issues? I heard it was six,but would love it if it’s eight….or more. I really like these comics and especially the ongoing one,which changed it’s name to Boldly Go,for some reason.

I’d love to see more Waypoint comics. So nice to see the whole canon of Trek available for creative teams to use! Thought the Gold Key story was especially strong, with great art from Purcell and Lewis. Want to see them do the animated show next!

yes agreed that would great to do the cartoon version,nice idea