Star Trek #400

[Charles Phipps]

Celebrate IDW’s 400th issue of Star Trek comics with this monumental issue highlighting fan-favorite eras of the acclaimed series. This collection of minis brings together Star Trek comics veterans in an equal celebration of IDW’s Star Trek comics past and future. Join little Keyla Detmer—as seen in Star Trek: Discovery—Adventures in the 32nd Century #3—on a new expedition, visit the Kelvin Universe, witness a heartfelt tale by TNG’s very own Wil Wheaton, and more by Chris Eliopoulos, Declan Shalvey, Rich Handley, and Mike Johnson, with art by Luke Sparrow, Seth Damoose, Megan Levens, Angel Hernandez, and Joe Eisma!

 

[Charles Phipps]

So, the Will Wheaton story "A Matter of Choice" is really the centerpiece of the issue and I have to say it reminds me that I always wished Will Wheaton had done more books (still waiting on "Memories of the Future" volume 2--George RR Martin is getting a run for his money). He really has a lot of talent and this story shows a very interesting perspective on the nearly-immortal Wesley Crusher about to die of old age.

It's kind of interesting to compare it to the 2nd Season plotline of Q being about to die. Wesley has lived eons outside of time thanks to the Traveler's powers and has been using that time to protect reality from unraveling. So rather than just recruiting Kore to be an agent of the Aegis, she's his full-on replacement as he only has 150 years left back to live.

We get Wesley reflecting a lot on his choices and I really give it four stars.

 

[Markonian]

Seemed all character based, no ship action.

 

[Charles Phipps]

Seemed all character based, no ship action.

Some other story thoughts:

"Captain's Log"

This is probably my second favorite story from the issue aside from the Wesley one. Here, there's an extensive homage to the TOS era of Starfleet that we assume is Captain Kirk giving one of his usual speeches about the grandiosity of Starfleet. In fact, the twist is it's Captain SULU reflecting on his days as a Starfleet officer onboard the Enterprise and I think that actually really makes the story.

"Soldier On"

This is a more intimate story in a way as it's a flashback to Miles O'Brian during the Cardassian Border Conflicts before he joined the Enterprise. It's where he almost bumps into Garak but instead accidentally catches a Cardassian spy. It's a nice bit of continuity for an underdeveloped part of Star Trek lore.

"Meanwhile"

A one page story about Kelvinverse Scotty sleeping on the job and getting annoyed by other people doing it. Its cute but harmless.

"The Starfleeter"

Chibi-Anime versions of Detmer and L'Rell have a friendship moment. It's very very weird.

 

[Tosk]

There's one line in Soldier On that I just cannot make heads or tails of. I can only fathom that it's a typo or writer goof.

Elim does away with a Cardassian who almost spills the beans.
He then returns to report to his superior (Who appears to possibly be Enabran Tain but nothing in the story explicitly confirms this) and says, "I'm sorry to report that Tain met an unfortunate end."

There is no twist or later reveal that explains this.

 

[Charles Phipps]

There's one line in Soldier On that I just cannot make heads or tails of. I can only fathom that it's a typo or writer goof.

Elim does away with a Cardassian who almost spills the beans.
He then returns to report to his superior (Who appears to possibly be Enabran Tain but nothing in the story explicitly confirms this) and says, "I'm sorry to report that Tain met an unfortunate end."

There is no twist or later reveal that explains this.

I'm taking the assumption that the Cardassians name was Tain and he was the friend that Elim was referring to in his past betrayals.

And yes, we know that Tain is Elim's name.

So its a mistake (probably) or the odd idea that Elim knew multiple people named Tain.

 

[Tosk]

And yes, we know that Tain is Elim's name.

Is it? I kind of figured that Garak was maybe Mila's surname at most, or a made-up one at least. It's hard to imagine Enabran letting his secret bastard carry his surname around.

 

[Charles Phipps]

Is it? I kind of figured that Garak was maybe Mila's surname at most, or a made-up one at least. It's hard to imagine Enabran letting his secret bastard carry his surname around.

I always assumed Garak was a pseudonym that sort of became his mask.

 

[Tosk]

It's all true.