Thursday, September 16, 2010

Graphic Novel Review: STAR TREK: SPOCK-REFLECTIONS

Beginning just before the release of the movie STAR TREK, IDW began publishing Star Trek comics that are notable not only for their artwork and stories, but for their appreciation and adherence to the Star Trek’s universe history. For instance, STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN was the Star Trek story that should have been the next Star Trek movie.

STAR TREK: SPOCK-REFLECTIONS is a supplemental tie-in to the STAR TREK movie. The story follows Spock as he secretly travels from Romulus to Earth and back to Romulus. Along the way, the reader sees flashbacks from Spock’s life illuminating why he is now on Romulus attempting to bring the teachings of the Vulcan philosopher Surak to the Romulans. Though the book is about Spock and his reflections and is a loose tie-in to the movie STAR TREK, the story brings together elements from various other Star Trek movies and wraps them up nicely.

The story unfolds at a slower pace than many other Star Trek stories, but that fits because the focus is on the character of Spock and not plot. There doesn’t have to be great battles, large explosions, or massive firefights. Instead, the events unravel one at a time, at the end revealing a glimmer of what has made Spock who he is.

Like STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN, STAR TREK: SPOCK-REFLECTIONS contains some beautiful illustrations. The layouts done by David Messina, find a nice balance between a classical Star Trek style and the new sleek and flashy Star Trek look. It’s a nice combination of old and new.

Star Trek fans will probably enjoy STAR TREK: SPOCK-REFLECTIONS as well as anyone who has an interest in Spock.

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