Much like the countdown comic for the Star Trek 2009 movie, Countdown to Darkness is a prep book for the upcoming Star Trek movie. Mike Johnson and Roberto Orci are reunited in this new four part mini series that is similar to their work “Star Trek- Countdown”.
If you have read the ongoing Star Trek comics that are set in the new timeline then you will enjoy this continuation. The ongoing comics also have little nuggets of things that might or might not happen in the new movie. To quote Mike Johnson-
“There are bunch of little hints that we’ve put in the ongoing Star Trek comics series that Bob is overseeing. None of them are the kind of thing that can spoil anything in the movie, but the idea is that, like the original Countdown, you can go back and read them and say “Hey! They totally set that up in the comics months before!” It’s been sneaky fun putting them in there.” MJ (Interview 2013)
I was pretty excited to snag a copy last night. I must say that as always the artwork and story line are spot on with the characters. The dialog is true to each person without unnecessary deviations. It has a nice little twist at the end that even brings in elements of the movie preview.
Spoiler alert starting now:
We start out with Spock having quite a nightmare about the destruction of Vulcan. He awakes and Uhura attempt to comfort him. He pushes her away and retreats to the bridge. (I am sensing some trouble with the lovebirds here). Next up is Kirk who really needs some shore leave and companionship. Both of them end up on the bridge hours before their shifts.
The crew is on their way to way to observe a Class M planet called Phaedus. This planet has a pre-technological culture that mimics Earth Rome. Problems arise when scan show a high frequency energy field that should not be there. Captain Kirk, Spock, Cupcake and Sulu take a shuttle down to investigate and are fired on by an unseen weapon. After crash landing they discover a very creepy alien presence and meet up with a surprise from the past!
The good:
Art work and story line- Always awesome.
The aliens on Phaedus are pretty creepy and Kool
The nice little twist at the end and the reference to the movie (see if you can find it)
The bad:
It looks like Kirk is needing some love. I never liked the Carol Marcus character and she is in the new movie. Is there a David in the future?
Spock and Uhura’s continued relationship. I am not really a fan of this either. In the last movie she is bossy and pushy. I hope it is not a central focus in the new movie.
Verdict:
I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. I am ready to move on from the Spock/Uhura fling and back to the action. Other than that, it looks to be a great lead up to what I hope is an awesome movie!
