STAR TREK NERO #1
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Now, months later, the same creators that gave us “Countdown” have reunited with this week’s “Nero” #1. However, in stark contrast with their earlier work—a sprawling epic through much-loved Trek lore—“Nero” is single-minded. There is a Spartan approach to the narrative that proves engaging.
Following the heroic destruction of the U. S. S. Kelvin, Nero is beset with a crippled warship on the mend, a mutinous crew who want nothing more than to return home to this era’s Romulus, and an all too familiar Klingon commander, dead set on capturing this new price for his imperial masters.
Unlike last month’s “Spock Reflections,” which saw Federica Manfredi on finishes, this is pure, unadulterated David Messina art and, to tell the truth, one would be hard-pressed to notice the difference. Granted, upon closer examination, it’s clear that Messina utilizes a cleaner line than Manfredi, but their character work is quite similar, well within the studio’s wheelhouse—and that’s not a bad thing, either.
In fact, it’s a salient decision on the part of IDW editorial. Now all the assorted comics that are tied into this new film have a singular, unified presentation; meaning that new readers—those unfamiliar with the ins-and-outs of the medium—should have little to no trouble in finding the material if so desired.
Where the art stands out is in Messina’s use of backgrounds to strike a mood that is all at once intriguing and unsettling. The artist is given the unenviable challenge of exploring Nero’s vessel in a level of detail that we’ve never seen before. What’s more, the writers knowingly give him the room to maneuver in order to meet this challenge as the Narada is as much a character in this drama as Nero himself is.
As readers, we’re curious. We want to go down those darkened corridors, to explore this environment, but Messina gives us just enough reason to second guess ourselves. The onetime Romulan mining ship, turned Borg redesign is not an inviting place, and Messina makes damn sure we know this with his superb use of textured surfaces and light sources so sharp as to sever. One might want to invest in a tetanus shot after reading this issue.
You can tell that Messina relishes making the unknowable real. This is a book dripping in atmosphere so thick as to choke a Benezite, and that’s not something we tend to see in run-of-the-mill Trek fare.
As with the series that preceded this one, the writing credits are shared amongst the screenwriters themselves, along with Mike Johns and Tim Jones on scripting duties. Whereas “Countdown’ was a prequel intended to “pass the baton” across generations, this one is content with exploring Nero as a through-line character, delving into the two-decade-plus plot hole that exists between the destruction of the Kelvin to Spock Prime’s belated arrival in this new timeline.
I mentioned earlier that there is a sparseness to the script. There is no question that this is intended to mirror the title character’s disposition as Nero is not someone who will sit there and proceed to monologue to the reader his intentions. Instead, he allows his actions to speak for him.
For instance, Nero gives those dissenters amongst his crew the chance to return to Romulus via a shuttle. He wishes them well, and then—with a nonchalance that’s chilling—proceeds to execute them. With that one sequence we’re given all the character we need. Nero is calculating, but he’s also casual—blue-collar even. He isn’t Khan. He’s not standing proud upon his shattered bridge with the Bard dropping from his tongue. He’s calm, collected.
In addition to addressing these issues, the writers manage to introduce a mystery element as the Klingons remove the remains of Captain Richard Robau for purposes that “may still prove… useful.” I’m quite curious to see where this plot thread is heading.
It would not be a “Countdown” comic if we weren’t given our share of notable guest stars, and this issue does not disappoint in this regard. Readers are reintroduced to the original Klingon commander, Kor, as well as the commandant of Rura Penthe. I have to give the writers credit: Someone did their homework on this one as the Klingon commandant’s name, Koth, was never given in the film; this wouldn’t come along until much later in the Star Trek Customizable Card Game.
While the series touches upon ground covered in the original script—which was shot and then edited out—it is not clear how much of this particular issue is an adaptation versus original content. What is clear is that “Nero” is an entertaining read with no time being wasted in set up.
Art: 5 - Excellent
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