REVIEW: Sisko's Respite Is Interrupted in IDW's STAR TREK #13

Image: IDW Publishing.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 - Greetings, and welcome to a review of Star Trek issue #13, freshly released this week by the esteemed IDW Publishing, picking up the narrative threads from the gripping events of issues #11 and #12, which unfolded as part of the monumental "Day of Blood" crossover event that commenced its epic journey back on Free Comic Book Day in May.

In this latest installment of the ongoing Star Trek series, we embark on a new odyssey entitled "A Savage World of Glass and Bone." Curiously, the cover simply refers to it as "Glass and Bone."

The Creative Team:

• Writers: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing

• Artist: Marcus To

• Colourist: Lee Loughridge

• Letterer: Clayton Cowles

• Publisher: IDW Publishing

• Release Date: October 25, 2023

Synopsis: 

Captain Benjamin Sisko's quest to defeat the killer of gods is at an end, and the Prophets beckon him home to the Celestial Temple. He's earned his rest, but when Starfleet requests his help to stop a familiar foe, the Tzenkethi Coalition, from launching the largest fleet in their history, Sisko and the Theseus' crew set out once again to save the galaxy. But there's a reason this species of spiritually rich, reptilian lizard birds has twice defeated Starfleet in battle. They're xenophobic, ruthless, and innovative... and confronting them on their home turf, a planet thought to be an organism itself, is as good a death sentence as any.

We start off with Captain Sisko in monologue which is broken by Admiral Janeway in what is a pretty good interaction. There are some drinks to celebrate the previous issue’s success before it’s interrupted by Admiral Sato requesting a private audience. Readers are then treated to a personal log entry from Data, along with more heartfelt reminiscences from Paris and Scotty. As an Aberdonian myself, witnessing Scotty in any context is a delightful treat.

Sato's revelation to Sisko regarding the reassignment of Science Officer T’Lir leaves the Captain in discontent until the classified nature of the decision is explained, hinting at a potential revisit in the future. The Theseus has been sent to a totally uncharted area of the quadrant. The scariest enemies are always hiding in the black spaces, which alone is intriguing enough.

A Starfleet Intelligence operative is already on the planet, having lived there for weeks. However, the situation is teetering toward an alarming shift. Despite the heightened Tzenkethi presence, this operative has managed to remain incognito. The planet itself is a macabre spectacle covered in bones, so no surprise there given the title of the story. After Ensign Sato, Captain Sisko, and Lieutenant Tom Paris investigate the planet, they bump into Harry Kim!

Stunning art throughout the book, a great story, and a thoroughly enjoyable read make me excited for where the comic is heading in issue #14, which will be released on November 22 of this year. Click on the Amazon link to get the latest issue or subscribe to the entire series.