Does Everyone on this board read the Ongoing comics?

[Desert Kris]

King Daniel's story sounds similar to mine. I was looking forward to getting back into following Trek a bit more closely, by keeping up with material that is set in the altered universe of the new movie. I was very, very disappointed by the last second pulling of the four novels.

So, when they announce the ongoing comic series, I had hope for a bit, and was even receptive to it's initial concept and construction (starting out with a small collection of TV adaptations to showcase differences creeping into the stories, mix in some totally original stories, and gradually show how the classic stories are becoming more and more different)

So I looked for the comics when I saw reports here that they were starting to come out. It became harder at the regular bookstores, because some clever clog decided to throw the comics in with the rest of the magazine. Yet, no regular bookstores had them. At the remaining comic book store in town, I asked them about the title, and they didn't even seem to be aware of the series existence!

By the time I started to see the individual issues, the TPB collections were coming out. My first look at the starting stories was from volume 1 of the TPB collection, and I was dismayed to see that it only included 4 comics, and a total of 2 stories, both adaptations of classic episodes reimagined. I regarded how similar the adaptations were to the original versions, and that there were no new stories (only 2!) for the regular cost of a TPB. I found that I did not desire to follow the series, and I went looking at other books that would be a more productive spending of my money.

It's not as if it has been a perfect storm to put me off the series (I'll peak at the new individual issues that are finally coming in) but the distribution of the book coupled with the construction of the series' unfolding narrative left me feeling like it wasn't a worthwhile investment. I wish I could say otherwise. I'll still consider getting those novels, if they decide to publish them.

 

[The Wormhole]

The comic series is really underwhelming. I mainly continue with it since I have to make regular stops my local comic store anyway, and when I'm there I shrug and say "what the hell, it's not that big a dent in my wallet."

For the most part, they are just sraight adaptations of the episodes but with the characters drawn to resemble the new actors. The latest issues have been somewhat better, with their take on The Trouble with Tribbles being essentially a new story. While their Mirror Universe story currently out is different from Mirror, Mirror, it is a bit of a retread of In a Mirror, Darkly. The Keenser origin story they did last month was rather good and a rare highlight from the series.

I think people are taking Orci's comments about there being hints about Darkness in the series a bit too seriously. While it's possible that things like Cupcake's name or (in the light of the recent plot synopsis) the renegade officer who may or may not be Section 31 in The Return of the Archons might play a part in the movie, not everything in the comics is going to be paid off in the movie. Indeed, IDW's upcoming prequel series Countdown to Darkness is the one where we will see some serious clues about the movie's plot.

 

[SalvorHardin]

I've only read the Mirror Universe one so far. I liked it.
And I plan to read the Countdown to Darkness issues next year.

 

[Pauln6]

the stories are a bit lightweight with minimal character development in the first year but they were sort of damned if they did and damned if they didn't. The two issue format doesn't allow time for sufficient storytelling and development but if they had taken longer, people would have complained about the re-tellings even more. I do think only 4 issues in the paperback is a bit of a cheat though.

However, they are now adding more original spin to kernels from TOS episodes, they are sneaking in some character development, and they are building up a recurring cast. Overall, the comics are an enjoyable read and it will be fun to look back after the movie and see what teasers they put in there.

 

[Christopher]

I think people are taking Orci's comments about there being hints about Darkness in the series a bit too seriously. While it's possible that things like Cupcake's name or (in the light of the recent plot synopsis) the renegade officer who may or may not be Section 31 in The Return of the Archons might play a part in the movie, not everything in the comics is going to be paid off in the movie.

Sure, one shouldn't expect specific plot points or direct story connections. But J.J. Abrams is famous for his love of puzzles and his fondness for inserting hidden messages and clues into his works as a game for the audience (like the symbols that show onscreen at the end of each act of Fringe, which are actually a substitution cipher with each symbol representing a letter, spelling out a word that's a clue to the episode's mystery). So I'm sure there are some minor hints here and there, though maybe more just little Easter eggs for attentive readers than anything that gives away who the movie's villain is or what the plot is or whatever.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I think people are taking Orci's comments about there being hints about Darkness in the series a bit too seriously. While it's possible that things like Cupcake's name or (in the light of the recent plot synopsis) the renegade officer who may or may not be Section 31 in The Return of the Archons might play a part in the movie, not everything in the comics is going to be paid off in the movie.

But we know that. The comics are featuring as many red herrings as easter eggs and we won't know, till we've seen the movie, which is which. Fun!

At the remaining comic book store in town, I asked them about the title, and they didn't even seem to be aware of the series existence!

Do they not have counter browsing copies of the monthly Diamond Orderpak and the weekly giveaway newspaper, "Comic Shop News"?

 

[bullethead]

I've kept up with the Ongoing comics, since it's the only AbramsTrek stuff around, but it's definitely been a meh to good range on the storytelling. The first few books weren't all that great since they were basically the same stories with a few tweaks, but now we're really seeing some major divergences from Prime universe stories, which is pretty nice.

The only problem is that these comic issues are pretty short, so the two issue per episode thing isn't all that great. That said, the one issue stories work a lot better, since they're a lot more tightly focused on a single character, which makes it easier to write them.

 

[lurok]

No.

 

[newtontomato539]

Yes. Yes. Yes!

More Bad Robot Trek please.

and the Starfleet Academy prose novels are great.

I can't wait for the cancelled prose novels to finally come out.

I don't get the hate for the Bad Robot Trek prose and comix. The only Prime Trek hate is Bantam (great short stories and novels.) and Gold Key (great short stories.).

 

[F. King Daniel]

Something I'm curious about, that a comic reader can help with: Is "Section 31" actually called that at any point in the comics? Or is it fan assumption that this shady group within Starfleet is them? They may not be the only game in town. Project Sine, from Shatner's novels, for example.

 

[bullethead]

Something I'm curious about, that a comic reader can help with: Is "Section 31" actually called that at any point in the comics? Or is it fan assumption that this shady group within Starfleet is them? They may not be the only game in town. Project Sine, from Shatner's novels, for example.

They're never named, but they're the logical choice since they're doing some of the retarded schemes that novel-verse Section 31 is into.

 

[F. King Daniel]

LOL, thanks.

 

[The Wormhole]

And really if you're going to feature shady bastards within Starfleet, you might as well go with the shady bastards within Starfleet that canonically exist.

 

[Drago-Kazov]

Okay, let's clear up a misconception. Roberto Orci has repeatedly and consistently said that the comics, even the ones he's personally co-written, are not canonical, because that's not how Star Trek handles its tie-ins. The one time he said anything different was when TrekMovie.com's interviewer kept browbeating him to declare that the comics were canon because that was what the interviewer apparently wanted to be true, and Orci said "yes" facetiously just to get the interviewer off his back about that subject. He recanted it in the thread comments later that same day, reiterating his true stance that the comics are not canonical.

It is apparently true that Orci and Bad Robot are trying to keep the tie-ins consistent and compatible with the films, and are reportedly including bits in the comics that serve as clues for the movie. But Orci's consistent policy that they aren't canonical indicates that the filmmakers won't hesitate to contradict them if that serves the stories they want to tell onscreen.

Thanks for clearing this up.

 

[Agenda]

I prefer not to read the comics because I want the movie to speak for itself.

 

[norse_sage]

I've read the first two trade paperbacks of IDW's Nutrek, with volume 3 in shipping.
I agree that they are not all they could have been, the ending of "Vulcan's Revenge", which was the new take on "Balance of Terror" was particurlarly lacklustre. Too bad, because a story like "Vulcan's revenge", only better handled than in the comic, is what I would have liked to see in Star Trek 2 - if given the option.

However, I actually think the comic has indeed given some clues of the story in "Into Darkness", they just won't be obvious until we've seen the movie and have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.

In the very first arch, they dealt with "Where no man has gone". Gary Mitchell is an old friend of Kirk, but Dehner is not on the Enterprise in this timeline, so Mitchell alone is turned into a demigod. Furthermore, in this timeline he is not killed by being buried under rubble, he is shot out a torpedo tube to the planet below - all indications being that he is dead. But this does seem eerily similar to someone else's apparant death and eventual resurrection in the prime timeline, doesn't it?

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the nine minute prologue will actually be a retelling of the IDW comic/Abrams Trek version of "Where no man has gone before", with the main feature dealing with something that never happened in the primetime - Mitchell lived, and (for whatever reason) wants to see the world burn.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Can't say that I do. Heck the only comic books I get - are those on FCBD. It would be cool if there was a Trek comic next year.

 

[Therin of Andor]

It would be cool if there was a Trek comic next year.

The IDW mini-series leading up to the movie is to be called "Countdown to Darkness" and, presumably, "Star Trek Ongoing" will be... ongoing.

 

[The Wormhole]

However, I actually think the comic has indeed given some clues of the story in "Into Darkness", they just won't be obvious until we've seen the movie and have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.

In the very first arch, they dealt with "Where no man has gone". Gary Mitchell is an old friend of Kirk, but Dehner is not on the Enterprise in this timeline, so Mitchell alone is turned into a demigod. Furthermore, in this timeline he is not killed by being buried under rubble, he is shot out a torpedo tube to the planet below - all indications being that he is dead. But this does seem eerily similar to someone else's apparant death and eventual resurrection in the prime timeline, doesn't it?

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the nine minute prologue will actually be a retelling of the IDW comic/Abrams Trek version of "Where no man has gone before", with the main feature dealing with something that never happened in the primetime - Mitchell lived, and (for whatever reason) wants to see the world burn.

I'll admit, the bit about Dehner might be a clue about the movie, especially since Alice Eve has a similar hairstyle in the pictures we've seen of her from the movie and she's been confirmed to be playing a someone from TOS.

However, the rest of it would mean that in a way, Into Darkness is a Direct sequel to the comic. And I don't see how such an approach would be considered a good idea. And besides, IDW is doing a prequel comic to the movie, would such a thing be necessary if they were picking up from the WNMHGB adaptation?

 

[Therin of Andor]

the bit about Dehner might be a clue about the movie, especially since Alice Eve has a similar hairstyle in the pictures we've seen of her from the movie and she's been confirmed to be playing a someone from TOS.

And she was mentioned, in that two-parter, as having been one of McCoy's ex-girlfriends.