Preview--IDW's Star trek ongoing #1

[Pauln6]

Picked up issue #1 today. Like most things, it's not fanboy proof, but I thought it managed to be faithful both to the original TOS episode and Star Trek XI. It does play up on how things are different and the same this time out (I won't give away a spoiler, but there's one regarding Dr. Dehner's status on Enterprise).

That's cool. I browsed it (will get my copy on Saturday) and didn't even notice her in it. I've been ranting about NuTrek's failure not only to address the sexism of the sixties but backsliding by featuring even fewer women. I may have to eat my words when I read the comic properly at the weekend.

 

[Caesar753]

Just read #1. What a disappointment. I didn't like the idea of re-telling TOS stories to begin with, but I picked up the first issue and gave it the benefit of the doubt. The writing was nothing special, nor was the art. Why exactly were they leaving they galaxy and what on earth did they hope to find there? I thought the point of JJ's reboot was to bring a fresh perspective to Kirk, et al., so why are they re-telling bad stories from 45 years ago?

 

[Christopher]

I thought the point of JJ's reboot was to bring a fresh perspective to Kirk, et al., so why are they re-telling bad stories from 45 years ago?

Because tie-ins don't serve the same purpose as the primary work. Because it's a way of telling comic-book stories that don't get in the way of what the movies are doing. Because the comic-buying audience is probably more receptive to Trekkie nostalgia than the moviegoing audience.

 

[indianatrekker26]

Just read #1. What a disappointment. I didn't like the idea of re-telling TOS stories to begin with, but I picked up the first issue and gave it the benefit of the doubt. The writing was nothing special, nor was the art. Why exactly were they leaving they galaxy and what on earth did they hope to find there? I thought the point of JJ's reboot was to bring a fresh perspective to Kirk, et al., so why are they re-telling bad stories from 45 years ago?

I have to agree. It did read just as a bland re-telling of the episode. The artwork was very nice. I was just hoping they'd go in further new directions with these old stories than they did.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Picked up issue #1 today. Like most things, it's not fanboy proof, but I thought it managed to be faithful both to the original TOS episode and Star Trek XI. It does play up on how things are different and the same this time out (I won't give away a spoiler, but there's one regarding Dr. Dehner's status on Enterprise).

That's cool. I browsed it (will get my copy on Saturday) and didn't even notice her in it. I've been ranting about NuTrek's failure not only to address the sexism of the sixties but backsliding by featuring even fewer women. I may have to eat my words when I read the comic properly at the weekend.

Spoiler: About Dehner's status

Dehner actually doesn't make an appearance, but she's mentioned, and an...interesting explanation is given why she isn't on Enterprise.

 

[Caesar753]

I thought the point of JJ's reboot was to bring a fresh perspective to Kirk, et al., so why are they re-telling bad stories from 45 years ago?

Because tie-ins don't serve the same purpose as the primary work. Because it's a way of telling comic-book stories that don't get in the way of what the movies are doing. Because the comic-buying audience is probably more receptive to Trekkie nostalgia than the moviegoing audience.

Sorry, I don't buy any of those arguments. Good writers can tell self contained stories that wouldn't interfere with any future movie. I think comic fans are more discerning than movie goers and demand a better product with more substance. Comic fans (at least the ones I know) want quality, cutting edge stories that push the medium forward. This comic is just recycling. If I wanted to re-experience Where No Man Has Gone Before, which I don't, I would just watch the episode. This comic didn't add anything to the story and was just a squandered opportunity.

 

[BillJ]

This comic didn't add anything to the story and was just a squandered opportunity.

I tend to agree. It feels more like they simply slapped a coat of Abramsverse paint on Where No Man..., there was nothing that felt fresh here.

Much like Star Trek 2009.

EDIT: It is a nice coat of visual paint!

 

[Therin of Andor]

Good writers can tell self contained stories that wouldn't interfere with any future movie.

Which Pocket Books attempted to do, with the four novels they commissioned, but JJ's people asked that those novels be placed on hiatus.

Since the new movie sequel is still in pre-production, there are simply hundreds of ways that the new movie may trample upon what any writer - "good" or otherwise - might come up with in a self-contained story in a tie-in comic or novel. Remakes of existing episodes (they don't intend to use in the next movie) is one compromise they came up with. The "Young Adult" prequel novels is another.

 

[Christopher]

Because tie-ins don't serve the same purpose as the primary work. Because it's a way of telling comic-book stories that don't get in the way of what the movies are doing. Because the comic-buying audience is probably more receptive to Trekkie nostalgia than the moviegoing audience.

Sorry, I don't buy any of those arguments. Good writers can tell self contained stories that wouldn't interfere with any future movie.

I'm not arguing the merits of the comic-book stories, since I haven't read them. You asked why the comics would take an approach that seemed incompatible with "the point" of the movies. I was addressing the underlying assumption of that question without any intent to address issues of story quality. I'm just saying that it's a mistake to treat the movies and their supplementary tie-in materials as equal, or as parts of a single uniform whole. They're different works that serve different purposes: the movies set the course and take the chances, and the comics follow their lead and try not to make waves. And they're not made by the same people. Yes, "the point of JJ's reboot" is "to bring a fresh perspective to Kirk, et al." But these comics are not "JJ's reboot." They are Mike Johnson's supplement to JJ's reboot, with input from Roberto Orci. It's not like the filmmakers themselves are writing the comic. They're busy working on the various movies and TV series they all have going among them. They have one member of their group, Orci, overseeing the comics as a creative consultant. That's it.

Comic fans (at least the ones I know) want quality, cutting edge stories that push the medium forward.

And you can get that in original comics, or in tie-in comics that are set after the ending of the TV/film series they're adapting. But tie-ins to an ongoing series tend to be subject to tighter restrictions that make it difficult to do anything cutting-edge and envelope-pushing. Because their job is to follow while the screen series leads.

 

[timothy]

all so it will bring in new fans who have never seen the original episodes.
I am hoping after they do "where no man has gone before" they will do new stories set in the first season. I enjoy a good retelling.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Meh. Other than a few tweeks to make it better fit the Abrams-verse, there was nothing new or interesting here. Hopefully, as the story goes along, it will separate itself more from the original episode.

 

[Fer]

Yeah, I agree that in a lot of ways it followed the original too closely, however...

Spoiler: Divergences in Star Trek #1

We're seeing a ripple effect towards the end of the story. Dehner isn't there to be in charge of taking care of Mitchell this time. So without anyone there to speak for Mitchell, Spock takes it on himself to find out what's going on and does a mind meld with Mitchell. Because of this he learns that Gary hasn't just been enhanced like we thought, he's actually been replaced. He wasn't just believed dead and then recovered-- he actually is dead, and something else has moved in to his body.

I'm hoping that this will be expanded on in the second issue, which should mean the overall story would diverge even more.

 

[nickyboy]

I got it today from King's Comics. Just tracking down the remaining covers! I enjoyed it, and my girlfriend read it and thought it was great and she was hoping issue 2 was out next week. She will not normally have anything to do with trek but she loved the new movie so she was willing to give it a read so it is attracting new audiences

 

[The Wormhole]

Meh, not really terribly impressed. It essentially is just Where No Man Has Gone Before in the Abrams timeline. The main differences aside from all the main TOS cast being there are relatively minor, like Dehner's absense. I did enjoy the joke on page 1 where Scotty had trouble remembering the stardate for his log and then he just shrugs it off with "does anyone listen to these anyway?"

So, the issue ends with them setting course for Delta Vega. By any chance is this planet the center of the Abramsverse? Because it seems the Enterprise is always within proximity to that planet.

 

[Pauln6]

If Dr Dehner is absent, wouldn't they default to Dr Noel, the ship's resident psychiatrist?

 

[Christopher]

If Dr Dehner is absent, wouldn't they default to Dr Noel, the ship's resident psychiatrist?

Not only was the original "Where No Man" set a year and a refit before "Dagger of the Mind," the current comics are set seven years earlier still -- and in an alternate universe. There's no reason to assume Helen Noel would even be aboard.

 

[Pauln6]

If Dr Dehner is absent, wouldn't they default to Dr Noel, the ship's resident psychiatrist?

Not only was the original "Where No Man" set a year and a refit before "Dagger of the Mind," the current comics are set seven years earlier still -- and in an alternate universe. There's no reason to assume Helen Noel would even be aboard.

That's true but if a psychiatrist forms part of the medical staff, use whoever IS on board at this time. Plus, we had no reason to suppose that Mitchell was on board until they wrote in a scene telling us that he was.

 

[Therin of Andor]

That's true but if a psychiatrist forms part of the medical staff, use whoever IS on board at this time.

Helen Noel may not have a high enough esper rating to be useful to the plot. In any case, she got stood up at a Christmas party in the new timeline and missed joining the ship.

 

[Pauln6]

That's true but if a psychiatrist forms part of the medical staff, use whoever IS on board at this time.

Helen Noel may not have a high enough esper rating to be useful to the plot. In any case, she got stood up at a Christmas party in the new timeline and missed joining the ship.

I'm betting the new Turnabout Intruder plot involves Helen Noel and Gaila (now a vengeful cyborg after suffering grievous wounds in the fight with Nero) seeking to even the scales with Kirk.

Maybe all his his cast-offs can form the League of Evil Exes? Cupcake? Really?

 

[Fer]

Maybe all his his cast-offs can form the League of Evil Exes? Cupcake? Really?