Best IDW comics?

[JD]

Right now I'm working my way through the NF: Turnaround miniseries, and once the guy who runs a local comic shop finds Intelligence Gathering #5 I'll be reading it too. So now what I'm wondering is which miniseries I should get next?

I've already read the first issue of Mirror Images, and first two of Enterprise Expierment, but I thought I'd check here before deciding whether or not to pick up either the trades or other single issues of those series.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Right now I'm working my way through the NF: Turnaround miniseries, and once the guy who runs a local comic shop finds Intelligence Gathering #5 I'll be reading it too. So now what I'm wondering is which miniseries I should get next?

I've already read the first issue of Mirror Images, and first two of Enterprise Expierment, but I thought I'd check here before deciding whether or not to pick up either the trades or other single issues of those series.

Sorry to deviate from your question, JD, but I have one for you. How is "Turnaround?" While I eagerly devour each new book as it is released, I don't usually collect comics. However, "Treason" appeared to reference this miniseries so I'm considering hunting it down to fill in gaps in my continuity. However, what I heard from "Treason"- something about a prototype time ship- seems a little far-fetched. A time ship? Surely not Federation? That would be a very jarring idea, difficult to incorporate into my precious continuity! I know you said you're still working through it, but how is it so far? Would you suggest I hunt it down?

 

[Allyn Gibson]

How is "Turnaround?" While I eagerly devour each new book as it is released, I don't usually collect comics.

If you like New Frontier, you'll like it. If New Frontier isn't your cuppa, this isn't the place to start. You really need to be conversant with the status quo in the series to read this. PAD makes no concessions to writing a story that anyone can jump into.

However, "Treason" appeared to reference this miniseries so I'm considering hunting it down to fill in gaps in my continuity. However, what I heard from "Treason"- something about a prototype time ship- seems a little far-fetched. A time ship? Surely not Federation?

Not... quite. It's not a time ship, per se. Rather, it's an experimental warp drive that works by folding time instead of space. And it's a rather minor element of Turnaround.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

How is "Turnaround?" While I eagerly devour each new book as it is released, I don't usually collect comics.

If you like New Frontier, you'll like it. If New Frontier isn't your cuppa, this isn't the place to start. You really need to be conversant with the status quo in the series to read this. PAD makes no concessions to writing a story that anyone can jump into.

However, "Treason" appeared to reference this miniseries so I'm considering hunting it down to fill in gaps in my continuity. However, what I heard from "Treason"- something about a prototype time ship- seems a little far-fetched. A time ship? Surely not Federation?

Not... quite. It's not a time ship, per se. Rather, it's an experimental warp drive that works by folding time instead of space. And it's a rather minor element of Turnaround.

Thanks! Firstly, I'm familiar with all 21st century Star Trek books, so, yes, I've got the status quo at the time in mind. Second, if the time ship business is as you describe, I may well go and find these comics. Thank you again!

Sorry for hijacking your thread, JD. Let's get back to answering your query!

 

[8of5]

I've already read the first issue of Mirror Images, and first two of Enterprise Expierment, but I thought I'd check here before deciding whether or not to pick up either the trades or other single issues of those series.

I found Mirror Images disappointing, it seemed to Really stretch the story to fill four issues, there was a lot of empty space. I did like the middle TNG side story though, for a bit of fun on the side.

I didn't like The Enterprise Experiment much either, it was big in ambition, and left a lot of dangling plot points.

Spoiler: (such as)

Edosians being some sort of super-race, and Starfleet using cloaking technology?!

It also had a few too many awkward references to episodes, and a bunch of flashbacks; apparently there to give the main characters a bit more depth or something, but mainly coming across as a distraction. Plus I really don’t like Gordon Purcell's art which didn't help, while Mirror Images at least had the fantastic David Messina.

Have you picked up any of the Assignment: Earth series? That was brilliant, better even than Klingons: Blood Will Tell I'd say.

If you like New Frontier, you'll like it. If New Frontier isn't your cuppa, this isn't the place to start. You really need to be conversant with the status quo in the series to read this. PAD makes no concessions to writing a story that anyone can jump into.

I don't agree, the only New Frontier I'd read before Turnaround was the book in the Gateways crossover, and possibly the mirror universe story (though I think I might have read that just after Turnaround). I'm sure a familiarity with the characters and setting make it much more fun, but I didn't struggle to jump in there and enjoy the story on it’s own. In fact I liked enough to actually start reading the series, I just finished the first four novellas.

 

[Captain Randy Hall]

Right now I'm working my way through the NF: Turnaround miniseries, and once the guy who runs a local comic shop finds Intelligence Gathering #5 I'll be reading it too. So now what I'm wondering is which miniseries I should get next?

I've already read the first issue of Mirror Images, and first two of Enterprise Expierment, but I thought I'd check here before deciding whether or not to pick up either the trades or other single issues of those series.

Agreed that you should start with something you're already familiar with. The art wasn't magnificent, but the story was written by Peter David, who also is the author of the novels.

I purchase a lot from IDW Publishing. While they only have rights to Classic Trek and The Next Generation, they've done a lot with what they have.

So far, my favorite series is Klingons: Blood Will Tell. At first, I thought it was going to show everything we already knew just from a different angle. When I picked up the series, it was GREAT. We had a timeline that followed Klingon history and tied all of them together in time for Star Trek VI. We found out what happened to many characters and got some inside information.

The issue of that series with Tribbles was fun. The Klingon made to look like an earthling got nasty treatment, but if you look at one page, you'll see a black lieutenant walking through the corridor. Those of us who saw DS9 know just who that is. Like I said, a great read.

I hadn't enjoyed the Next Gen series until the "Last Generation" story, which was drawn by Gordon Purcell. A fun read with a big ending.

The Alien Spotlights are also cool. There's only one issue for each space-faring races, but that means you won't have to invest in a lot of comics, unless you buy the trade paperback.

As you know, Purcell teamed up with Dorothy Fontana to give us "The Enterprise Experiment," which brought back Arex, the Romulan Commander and other folks.

This is probably more than what you're looking for, but I get a kick out of these series. I hope this will live long and prosper at IDW.

 

[Botany Bay]

I'd avoid Year Four and The Enterprise Experiment - the latter was a real disappointment given the involvement of the legendary D.C. Fontana.

I'm about to start reading Blood Will Tell, if that's not a huge improvement I won't be bothering with any more IDW stuff.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I'd avoid Year Four and The Enterprise Experiment - the latter was a real disappointment given the involvement of the legendary D.C. Fontana.

I'm about to start reading Blood Will Tell, if that's not a huge improvement I won't be bothering with any more IDW stuff.

I liked "Blood Will Tell". It was one of the few Trek comics/graphic novels I picked up. An interesting take on Klingon/Federation history, and the artwork appealed to me.

 

[Paris]

The IDW stuff has been great . David Messina has become, in my mind at least, the quintessential Trek comic-artist. The Klingon Blood Will Tell mini, along with the Mirror Universe mini and the Alien Spotlights (the Borg one in particular) have been some of my favorites. I also dug the New Frontier book, as I read that series and quite enjoy it, but a few continuity questions pop up. Still, I hopeful that PAD does more through IDW, as it seems to be a few years in between new NF novels.

 

[Stevil2001]

My favorite IDW trade is definitely the first volume of Alien Spotlight. A nice variety of subjects, stories, and art styles. Assignment: Earth and Klingons: Blood Will Tell are probably my other two favorites.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Star Trek: Crew, about a young Number One, is a million kinds of awesome. Each issue is a one-and-done, each is dense with story, and John Byrne has some real affection for the classic series, telling stories that wouldn't have been at all out of place in 1966.

 

[JD]

Based on what you guys have said, I'm thinking I'm gonna go with Assignment Earth, Klingons: Blood Will Tell, and Alien Spotlight for starters.
Just so you guys know, I'm already pretty familiar with the stories of all of the series. I followed the solicitations and stuff as they came out, I just haven't gotten chance to get many of them yet.

Hmm, I was thinking I was gonna get Enterprise Expirement, but based on what you guys have said I think I will skip it.

What about Intelligence Gathering, did anyone else like it? I read the first four issues and I did like most of them quite a bit, although I do remember not being very fond of the one where Geordi and O'Brien are on the other Federation ship.
Is Last Generation any good? I've been very interested in it since I first read about it.

As for the other stuff I've read, I forgot about a couple of The Space Within (meh, not gonna bother going on), Tribble and Klingon Alien Spotlights (loved them both), and all three Bryne Romulan comics (also loved them).
Hmmm, Assignment Earth... Romulans... Crew, am I noticing a trend here?

 

[8of5]

What about Intelligence Gathering, did anyone else like it? I read the first four issues and I did like most of them quite a bit, although I do remember not being very fond of the one where Geordi and O'Brien are on the other Federation ship.
Is Last Generation any good? I've been very interested in it since I first read about it.

If you've read the first four Intelligence Gathering issues you might as well get the final chapter; it was an ok ending to an ok series. I thought the one you didn't like was one of the better of the series myself though :P

The Last Generation was ok, I didn't really like the ending that much, but the issues leading up to that weren't bad at all. I enjoyed it much more reading through in one go than when i did them as they came out.

 

[JD]

Yeah, I am getting issue 5 of IG, the owner of the comic shop I went to yesterday just needs to find it in his backstock for me.
And I was gonna be getting the trades.

 

[Christopher]

Hmm, I was thinking I was gonna get Enterprise Expirement, but based on what you guys have said I think I will skip it.

It's fairly interesting. It's new Trek by D.C. Fontana, which is a big deal in itself, and there's some good character writing. And it's nice to see Gordon Purcell illustrating TOS comics again. Its main drawback is that it's one huge exercise in nostalgia and continuity porn. The whole thing is about drawing connections among formerly unrelated elements from TOS/TAS and even some things from later series. Which is okay as far as it goes, but I would've been more interested in seeing Fontana add a new concept to the Trekverse rather than just revisiting old ones.

 

[Captain Randy Hall]

>>Based on what you guys have said, I'm thinking I'm gonna go with Assignment Earth, Klingons: Blood Will Tell, and Alien Spotlight for starters.
Just so you guys know, I'm already pretty familiar with the stories of all of the series. I followed the solicitations and stuff as they came out, I just haven't gotten chance to get many of them yet.<<

Sounds like good reading to me.

>>Hmm, I was thinking I was gonna get Enterprise Expirement, but based on what you guys have said I think I will skip it.<<

I enjoyed it because it did return some long-lost characters, Arex and the female Romulan Commander, for starters.

>>What about Intelligence Gathering, did anyone else like it? I read the first four issues and I did like most of them quite a bit, although I do remember not being very fond of the one where Geordi and O'Brien are on the other Federation ship.

Is Last Generation any good? I've been very interested in it since I first read about it.

>>Hmm, I was thinking I was gonna get Enterprise Expirement, but based on what you guys have said I think I will skip it.<<

I enjoyed it because it did return some long-lost characters, Arex and the female Romulan Commander, for starters.

That's another one that I liked (again, Purcell). In fact it's the only TNG series I've liked. Cool finish, I thought.

>>As for the other stuff I've read, I forgot about a couple of The Space Within (meh, not gonna bother going on), Tribble and Klingon Alien Spotlights (loved them both), and all three Bryne Romulan comics (also loved them).

Hmmm, Assignment Earth... Romulans... Crew, am I noticing a trend here?<<

Sounds like you're been "Bryned." He's got some people who are more interested in what he says on his website, but I just follow good art and good story and leave it to others to judge his opinions.

I actually liked Assignment Earth, which gave Byrne to add something to the Trek mythos. The only thing that bothered me some is the fact that Byrne ran two pages short in the finale.

That's kind of a surprise from someone who's been in the comics business for decades. He came up with a light filler to finish it off.

I actually liked "Enterprise Experiment" because it has Gordon Purcell and Dorothy Fontana, though the comic did drag in spots.<<

Trek on!

 

[KRAD]

Alien Spotlight is brilliant, even with the drag effect of my Klingon issue.

Seriously, though, I've loved every issue I didn't write, and I'm incredibly proud of the one I did. A really good look at the cultures of the Trekverse.

 

[JD]

That's another one that I liked (again, Purcell). In fact it's the only TNG series I've liked. Cool finish, I thought.

That was referring to TLG right? I'm sorry, but with the way that was written I wasn't entirely certain.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I've read 'em all and certainly wouldn't have missed any of them, but if I had to recommend some, the "Alien Spotlight" issues are great for variety of storytelling (esp. loved how "Andorians" looped in lots of info from the DS9 Relaunch and ENT's "The Aenar"); "Klingons: Blood Will Tell" was an excellent premise, carried off very well; and I've been thrilled to see Arex and M'Ress pop in for scenes in the TOS issues.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I've read 'em all and certainly wouldn't have missed any of them, but if I had to recommend some, the "Alien Spotlight" issues are great for variety of storytelling (esp. loved how "Andorians looped in lots of info from the DS9 Relaunch and ENT's "The Aenar"); "Klingons: Blood Will Tell" was an excellent premise, carried off very well; and I've been thrilled to see Arex and M'Ress pop in for scenes in the TOS issues.

The Andorian one was my personal favourite of the bunch.

Spoiler: End of Andorian issue

"I am a true Andorian and I am prepared to die! Are you?"

Great ending