Comic Prequel: Star Trek Countdown to Darkness

[USS Triumphant]

While I can appreciate the allegorical aspects of that episode, and appreciate the "Literary Science Fiction" feel to that story (as if it was a short story written by Ray Bradbury in a Science Fiction Anthology magazine), I can't help but think those half-black/half-white faces wouldn't quite work in a major motion picture.

But, yeah -- I agree that the story told in "LTBYLB" could be a great movie, but if executed in a slightly different manner.

Really, there was a lot of stuff in the Countdown leading up to the last movie that wasn't in the film or even referenced. The cover of this comic might just indicate that something to do with LTBYLB is in the comic.

But yeah, that would be a great movie. And I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Shilliam Watner]

I enlarged the comic cover and you can definitely see the Enterprise on the left side of the cover headed towards (or coming from) what appears to be a object above the Entrrprise shaped just like the doomsday machine. Go check it out and enlarge it. There is no doubt!!

 

[ralph]

I saw it too. I saw something that looks like a nascelle and a disc, but, in my opinion, it´s not Enterprise.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

Ok, KingDaniel. But how would they explain it in a film? In ST2009 Spock Prime explained about Nero by vulcan mind meld and many people didn´t understand. Unless it has many flashbacks.

What needs to be established? Mitchell and Kirk were friends in TOS, they crossed the Great Barrier and Mitchell's eyes went funny and he got Telepathic powers. There's really nothing of Mitchell's history that needs to be explained, and they don't even need to make Mitchell and Kirk old friends.

He could just be sitting at a station on the Bridge without any introduction other than Kirk calling out his name and rank and asking for a status, and whatever causes Gary Mitchell to become the Villian happens.

My thinking is that if it is Mitchell, he'll be on the ship commanded by Peter Weller, and that's the one that is affected and causes Mitchell to turn into the god-like person.

I still think the movie will somehow draw from the book "Heart of Darkness", and it will entail Mitchell becoming like a god to an alien race, with Kirk and crew assigned to find him and stop him.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

^
^^ I wouldn't mind seeing another retelling of Heart of Darkness -- this time in a major science fiction motion picture. It's been almost 35 years since the last major retelling (Apocalypse Now), and it would be interesting to see the story told against a sci-fi (i.e., "futuristic") backdrop.

However, I'm not sure if I want a Star Trek film to venture into the territory of retelling that story. If not done subtly enough, it may seem too obvious that's what they are trying to do (put a Star Trek spin on Heart of Darkness), and that could end up seeming trite.

 

[Kruezerman]

Perhaps Gary survived the phaser blast? I mean, he was in between forms before he died, maybe that form kept him just enough alive so that he could escape?

That's my theory.

 

[Procutus]

I'm actually getting intrigued by this prequel comic. Assuming that it will be available through Comixology.com, I may have to check this out.

I guess if Cumberbatch really IS Mitchell, then this four-part story may just give that away.

 

[Set Harth]

I still think the movie will somehow draw from the book "Heart of Darkness", and it will entail Mitchell becoming like a god to an alien race, with Kirk and crew assigned to find him and stop him.

I love the smell of phasers in the morning!

 

[The Wormhole]

I guess if Cumberbatch really IS Mitchell, then this four-part story may just give that away.

Logically speaking, the identity of Cumberbatch's character will be offically revealed before issue 1 of this series hits shelves.

 

[Classic Fan]

I love Benedict. Just as an actor and a person, he has this presence that is intoxicating.

I'd be disapointed if JJ was doing a Khan rehash, doesn't need doing IMHO, Montalban did it perfectly the first time, perfectly the second time. Although, theres no telling what JJ will do. However, a Gary Mitchell retelling would be pretty awesome.

I enjoyed the countdown to the previous movie, got my Star Trek mojo back aftert losing it in the early 2000s. Hope this is as good.

Also, if it is a doomsday machine story would be pretty sweet too. We could have Weller as Commodore Decker and Cumberbatch as the physical manipulative manifestation of the doomsday machine that works as a mind of honey trap for planets and/or civilisations that the planet killer has been programmed to seek out and destroy.

Sorry, got away from me there.

 

[ralph]

In IMDb cast list, there is a Captain Abbott - Beau Bilingslea. StarFleet captain? Civil captain?

 

[M'Sharak]

Beau Billingslea? Awesome.

 

[FarStrider]

Beau Billingslea? Awesome.

Jet Black in da' House! Well, this movie has gotten even cooler. . .


~FS

 

[Therin of Andor]

"Previews" has a clear image of the cover of issue #1. It is Kirk. No Doomsday Device, no glowing eyes, no Cheron visage, no Gary Mitchell in sight.
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/916?stockItemID=STK520312

 

[Kruezerman]

"Previews" has a clear image of the cover of issue #1. It is Kirk. No Doomsday Device, no glowing eyes, no Cheron visage, no Gary Mitchell in sight.
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/916?stockItemID=STK520312

What's with his chest then?

 

[drumvan]

"Previews" has a clear image of the cover of issue #1. It is Kirk. No Doomsday Device, no glowing eyes, no Cheron visage, no Gary Mitchell in sight.
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/916?stockItemID=STK520312

What's with his chest then?

just looks like shadowing to me. his pecs are "into darkness"

 

[BillJ]

That is some shitty cover art.

 

[Therin of Andor]

That is some shitty cover art.

Going by past mini-series, this will be one of five(?) variant covers for issue #1.

 

[Amasov]

The Enemy Within: The Motion Picture?

 

[Dukhat]

"Previews" has a clear image of the cover of issue #1. It is Kirk. No Doomsday Device, no glowing eyes, no Cheron visage, no Gary Mitchell in sight.
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/916?stockItemID=STK520312

Isn't it amazing what people in this thread thought they saw?

"It's Cumberbatch!"

"It's Lokai!"

"It's Kirk with a ripped shirt!"

"It's some new starship!"