The first of a new series in the Essential line featuring 2000AD’s legendary war machine, Rogue Trooper! Featuring the character’s origins and presented in full color, it’s the ideal starting point for new readers.
Rogue Trooper is the last of the G.I.s – genetically-engineered infantrymen designed to withstand the noxious atmosphere of Nu-Earth, a planet ravaged by the conflict between Norts and Southers. The lone survivor of the Quartz Zone Massacre, equipped with the bio-chips of his fallen clone brothers, he crosses the war-torn landscape in search of the Traitor General, the man responsible for their deaths – and he will not rest until he has his revenge!
Story: Gerry Finley-Day Art: Dave Gibbons, Colin Wilson, Cam Kennedy, Brett Ewins Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Dave Gibbons, Bill Nutall, Tom Frame, Tony Jacob
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
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Captain Kathryn Janeway and her crew are back for one last adventure in celebration of Voyager’s 30th anniversary! Picking up where the series finale left off, Voyager has just returned to Earth. Everyone is looking forward to reuniting with their friends and family after the crucibles they’ve faced—but there is a deadly secret in store, one that takes the crew far from home. Voyager delves back into the breach, all those aboard determined to make it back to their loved ones no matter what, even if there’s hell to pay. Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 pulls the reach of home away from the crew as the ship is hijacked.
When it comes to Star Trek, I’ll admit I’m more of a casual fan. I’ve seen all of the films, multiple times, but when it comes to television series, I’ve seen a lot but never an entire season of any of them, let alone the entire series. I watched when Star Trek: Voyager premiered on television and kept up for a while, but slowly dwindled in my viewing. I never saw the finale and while I know of the concept and main characters of the ship, I don’t know the full details of the adventure.
So, I went into Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 with a relatively fresh take knowing the basics. Even with those basics, it’s an enjoyable read as the issue toys with the concept of the series while bringing back some big bads for the fans.
Written by Susan Bridges and Tilly Bridges, Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 has the crew finally home but not is all right. While they look forward to reconnecting with their families and getting back to Earth, there’s also the specter of their trip and the rules and regulations broken during it all. The future is unknown for some of the crew and there’s many questions to be answered with Starfleet. But, all of that is on hold as a mysterious force has infiltrated the ship with plans to take it over.
There’s no need to wait for another issue to find out who’s behind everything as Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 reveals all ending the issue with the crew once again pulled away from home. The villains, I can’t really say much about them, but seems like fans of the television series will have more of a connection with them. That’s the only real negative about the issue, it does require a little knowledge for the reveal of the villain to hit home and have a major impact. Without that, it doesn’t quite have the dread as I think it was going for.
The art by Angel Hernandez is good. Hernandez is joined by Charlie Kirchoff on color and Neil Uyetake handles the lettering. It all looks solid with the characters on the page looking like the actors on the screen. The comic does a solid balance of the more slice of life type moments, some good tension, and then a bit of action towards the end. There’s a visual build throughout and the art nails down the unease of what’s going on throughout the issue.
Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 is an entertaining debut. While you don’t need to be a fan of Voyager to really get it, it does help. Still, even those with just a vague familiarity with Star Trek and Voyager will be able to hop in and appreciate the story of a crew so close to getting home but that moment of happiness being stolen away.
Story: Susan Bridges, Tilly Bridges Art: Angel Hernandez Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Neil Uyetake Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Prepare for a heartrending Star Trek comic that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Starfleet’s fearless and doomed crew members finally get their own story as main characters… and no one is safe. Featuring an all-new cast of characters, what is the true purpose of their deadly mission and who will survive? Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 is a fantastic start taking the classic punchline of “Red Shirts” and turning them into an expendable Dirty Dozen.
If there’s some things you can count on when it comes to science fiction, it’s that Star Wars’ Stormtroopers can’t hit anything and their armor is worthless while Star Trek’s Red Shirts die by the dozen. Writer Christopher Cantwell puts the spotlight on a group of Red Shirts recruited for an undercover mission to root out a spy.
Like classic films and shows that bring together a rag-tag bunch of screw-ups, Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 introduces us to each one by one highlighting their personalities and making sure we understand what sort of conflict they’re bringing to the mission that’s sure to go off the rails. But, Cantwell does more than that and delivers winks and nods and the inside joke of how expendable Red Shirts are and how unlikely you’ll meet one over the age of 30. The comic deftly uses the joke and turns it into a badge of honor making out its band of misfits to be more badasses than the color of their shirt denotes.
The art by Megan Levens is good with each character being unique and standing out. With color by Charlie Kirchoff and lettering by Jodie Troutman and the art feels like it’s a good match for the concept that’s both serious and not. The delivery method of how the crack unit gets to the surface is packed with humor but also a hell of a lot of action that you can imagine on the big screen and delivers a smile on one’s face. Like the overall concept of the comic, the art takes itself seriously and not at the same time.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 feels like it’s in on the joke. It has moments that feel like it’s played totally straight and serious and others where it haves fun with its expendable concept. The combination creates some great entertainment where you’re not sure if you want the mission to get all cool, stealth, and full of action, or go completely FUBAR and watch the Red Shirts die in creative and hilarious ways. But, the first issue shows, you can actually have both.
Story: Christopher Cantwell Art: Megan Levens Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Jodie Troutman Story: 8.5 Art: 7.6 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Prepare for a heartrending Star Trek comic that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Starfleet’s fearless and doomed crew members finally get their own story as main characters… and no one is safe. Featuring an all-new cast of characters, what is the true purpose of their deadly mission and who will survive? Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 is a fantastic start taking the classic punchline of “Red Shirts” and turning them into an expendable Dirty Dozen.
If there’s some things you can count on when it comes to science fiction, it’s that Star Wars’ Stormtroopers can’t hit anything and their armor is worthless while Star Trek’s Red Shirts die by the dozen. Writer Christopher Cantwell puts the spotlight on a group of Red Shirts recruited for an undercover mission to root out a spy.
Like classic films and shows that bring together a rag-tag bunch of screw-ups, Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 introduces us to each one by one highlighting their personalities and making sure we understand what sort of conflict they’re bringing to the mission that’s sure to go off the rails. But, Cantwell does more than that and delivers winks and nods and the inside joke of how expendable Red Shirts are and how unlikely you’ll meet one over the age of 30. The comic deftly uses the joke and turns it into a badge of honor making out its band of misfits to be more badasses than the color of their shirt denotes.
The art by Megan Levens is good with each character being unique and standing out. With color by Charlie Kirchoff and lettering by Jodie Troutman and the art feels like it’s a good match for the concept that’s both serious and not. The delivery method of how the crack unit gets to the surface is packed with humor but also a hell of a lot of action that you can imagine on the big screen and delivers a smile on one’s face. Like the overall concept of the comic, the art takes itself seriously and not at the same time.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 feels like it’s in on the joke. It has moments that feel like it’s played totally straight and serious and others where it haves fun with its expendable concept. The combination creates some great entertainment where you’re not sure if you want the mission to get all cool, stealth, and full of action, or go completely FUBAR and watch the Red Shirts die in creative and hilarious ways. But, the first issue shows, you can actually have both.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 is out in comic shops on July 17.
Story: Christopher Cantwell Art: Megan Levens Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Jodie Troutman Story: 8.5 Art: 7.6 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
When it comes to Star Trek, I consider myself a fan. I’m definitely a more casual fan, having seen all of the films multiple times but when it comes to television shows, it’s more catching things here and there. It was never must-see tv for me. When it comes to the comics, that’s much of the same as well. I’ve enjoyed some here and there but it was never part of my regular reading. Having decided to roll the dice with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The Illyrian Enigma #1, not only am I hooked on this series but might need to go back and see what I’ve been missing with the television series as well.
With Una accused of unlawful genetic modification by Starfleet, Captain Pike sets out in search of evidence that could prove his first officer’s innocence.
Written by Kristin Beyer and Mike Johnson, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The Illyrian Enigma #1 keeps things simple in a lot of way. It has a laser focus. It does an excellent job of laying out the situation and giving us an idea as to who the important characters are for this story. But it does so in a solid way where things aren’t “explained” directly to the reader in long winded speeches that are out of place, instead it all flows organically as characters discuss things with each other.
The situation also gets at what makes Star Trek works so well. The social and political themes the series dives into have always been part of its core and this is no exception. At the center of the story is the fear of the unknown and prejudice against others. It’s simple yet very effective. The parallels to the real world are clear and simple taking on prejudice without much subtlety.
With just a cursory knowledge of the characters, mostly through trailers and promotional images, I could easily recognize the cast. Megan Levens‘ art captures the actors well making them all quite easy to figure out who’s who. Charlie Kirchoff provides the color and Neil Uyetake handles the lettering. The action is limited in the issue but the various debate between the characters is presented in an interesting and engaging way and you get a sense of the emotional charge of it all.
It’s not that hard to recommend Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The Illyrian Enigma #1 for those that have already been watching the television series. It feels like a solid extension of it and that’s from someone who has never watched an episode. But, even for those that have never seen Strange New Worlds, the story is excellent with the socio-political underpinnings that makes Star Trek great.
Story: Kristin Beyer, Mike Johnson Art: Megan Levens Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Neil Uyetake Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
As we strive on in our journey of life, people often don’t take a chance to reflect. We get swept up in our everyday troubles and never really take a chance to smell the flowers. We’re always looking for our next ship to arrive, rather than enjoy the current destination. We never really ruminate on how we got where we are.
It’s not until you get older that you start to see it’s the journey that makes you. It is what makes you resilient. It’s what prepares you for the road ahead. In Star Trek: The Mirror War – Troi #1, we find a fan favorite’s voyage thus far, in the Mirror Universe.
We find Troi back on Earth as she reflects on what got her here, and exactly what she had to sacrifice, as we begin back on Betazed, where we find her giving up her people as a pawn piece to the Empire. We soon find out just how skilled a mind she is, as she meticulously manipulates Picard and the crew of the Stargazer to take out the insurrectionists defying her rule as administrator. The final stroke that imbued her to Picard is her betrayal of her closest advisor, showing that she would do anything for power. By the issue’s end, this version of Troi will do anything to grab power, including murder.
Overall, Star Trek: The Mirror War – Troi #1 is an intriguing take on my personal favorite from the Star Trek: The Next Generation, one that proves that sometimes a mind is more dangerous than any man made weapon. The story by Nijkamp is intractably woven. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, this issue shows what a missed opportunity it was for this series to have never gotten a chance to play in this universe.
Story: Marieke Nijkamp Art: Megan Levens Color: Charlie Kirchoff Letterer: Neil Uyetake Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Following the successful launch of the fan-favorite Paramount+ original series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in May, IDW Publishing and Paramount Consumer Products have announced an all-new tie-in comic book miniseries, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds–The Illyrian Enigma, debuting in December and set between the show’s first season and its eagerly anticipated second season.
The four-issue Illyrian Enigma reunites the acclaimed co-executive producer for Star Trek: Strange New WorldsKirsten Beyer and prolific Star Trek author Mike Johnson. Fan-favorite artist Megan Levens and colorist Charlie Kirchoff also join the creative team, bringing this far-flung space adventure to vibrant life on the comic page.
In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds–The Ilyrian Enigma, Commander Una Chin-Riley—first officer and helmsman of the U.S.S. Enterprise— stands accused of unlawful genetic modification by Starfleet. Sparing no time, Captain Pike and his crew set out in search of evidence to prove her innocence!
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds–The Ilyrian Enigma #1 will be available with four cover variants, including Cover A by Megan Levens, Cover B by Jake Bartok, and two retailer incentive editions by Liana Kangas and Malachi Ward, respectively.
As a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, I was more than happy to find out that there was a film adaptation. I remember the first time I read the books that took me to Middle Earth. I was 8 years old and was enraptured in that world and those characters. Of course, the film adaptation I found at that age was the Ralph Bakshi film of 1970s which left much to be desired. It wasn’t until 2001, that I got to see something that resembled the books.
Peter Jackson imbued the love all we fans had for the series. 20 years later, and I am still in love with those movies, and have even more hope for the new Amazon series. My favorite of Peter Jackson’s movies from that series was The Two Towers as we see our heroes defend the people of Rohan against Sauran’s forces. In the 11th volume of Star Wars Adventures, we get Rise Of The Wookies, where we see Chewie defend his home planet much like the Fellowship and Riders of Rohan.
In “Ghosts of Kashyyyk”, we find Chewie in the Millennium Falcon leading a Resistance squadron back to his home planet, Kashyyyk, where The First Order has set up a base. Chewbacca goes on a solo recon mission where he finds that First Order has some Wookies as captives which leads to him jailbreaking them and taking Storm Troopers as a prisoner. In our second story, ”Secret Agent Droids”, our favorite droids, C-3PO, R2D2, and BB-8, thwart the First Order’s plans to block all communications from a desolate planet. In our third story, “Tales From Wild Space”, we meet a young upstart, Emil, who discovers a long lost library, who ends up getting mind-controlled, but not before he is rescued by his droid. In “Loyalty Test”, the First Order arrives on the planet, Vaddexa, where Hux and Kylo Ren, get to test each other’s loyalty. In “Squad Goals”, Poe and Rey, go on a training drill, one that tests Rey’s piloting skills. In The last story,” The Battle for Horizon Base”, Finn leads the charge against the First Order, who is trying to take over an important focal point, and eventually recruits more to the Resistance.
Overall, a fun romp throughout the Star War universe. The stories by John Barber and Michael Moreci are compelling. The art by the creative team is enchanting. Altogether, a set of stories that reminds you why you fell in love with these characters in the first place.
Story: John Barber and Michael Moreci Art: Derek Charm, Jake M. Wood, Tom B. Long, Matt Herms, David Buisan, Arianna Florean, Charlie Kirchoff, Mario Del Pennino, Valentina Taddeo, and Tony Fleecs Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Reccomendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Macroverse is a digital comics platform app designed to read comics on mobile devices. Comics are formated using “Tapstory” which creates an experience built for that reading experience.
With a flurry of new additions to the platform, there’s even more coming soon and debuting in the coming months. Check out what you can be reading soon.
RPM
(W) Mick Foley, Shane Riches (A) Jose Holder (C) Michael Wiggam Coming Soon
Revere Windsor, a direct descendant of the legendary Paul Revere, is hired by a mysterious corporation to safely move a priceless package from Boston to Miami. Born with hyper-kinetic depth perception, Revere sees and reacts to the world faster than anyone, making him the best at what he does. Partnered with the corporation’s beautiful liaison, Revere pushes head-on against international criminals and shadowy government agencies.
From the mind of Mick Foley, multiple New York Times #1 bestselling author and 4-time World Heavyweight Champion, this high-octane midnight ride is a fuel-injected package of unflinching speed and unrelenting action.
TapStory and Letters by Steven Perkins and Macroverse Creative. Edited by Keven Gardner.
Sherwood Texas
(W) Shane Berryhill (A) Daniel Hillyard (C) Charlie Kirchoff November 19
Re-imagining the legend of Robin Hood as a modern day Spaghetti Western, Sherwood, TX, is set inside the world of biker gangs, drug wars, and human trafficking.
After the same biker gang who murdered his father leaves ROB HOOD for dead, he returns seeking his own brand of justice and revenge. Hood is joined on his quest by Padre Elvin Tuck, Will Scarlet, and Little John, as they take on the crooked Sheriff of Nottingham, Texas and his partners in crime, The Nobles biker gang and their leader John Prince.
Key Art by Andrew Robinson. Edited by Keven Gardner. TapStory and Letters by Steven Perkins and Macroverse Creative.
Black Birch
(W) Eduardo Cintron (A) Juan Doe December 2020
For generations, the families in the small town of Black Birch have bred children for economic gain. The community thrives until rules are broken and traditions come undone. A bloody sequence of events ensue, giving Hazel Hooke the opportunity to determine their future. After all, it’s a family business.
TapStory and Letters by Adam Martin, Eben Matthews, and Macroverse Creative.
McBain
(W) David Tischman (A) Kody Chamberlain, Brian Stelfreeze Coming Soon
Country music superstar Trace Adkins is LUKE MCBAIN, a man who returns to his small Southern hometown after 14 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Luke’s brother, Paul, is running the McBain family business that controls the town. Paul’s made himself rich, but local shops have closed and jobs are gone; people are angry and scared. And no one can do anything to stop it. Except Luke, the only one who knows Paul’s secret. Reunited with his beautiful ex-love, Callie, Luke McBain does what he’s always done–make the hard choices and fight for what’s right. Even if it means he may go back to prison. Starring an action hero who won’t stop until the job gets done, Luke McBain pits brother against brother for the soul of an American small town.
Trace Adkins has sold over 10 million albums. He competed on Celebrity Apprentice. You’ve seen him in The Lincoln Lawyer. Now Trace Adkins is Luke McBain– an American hero for our times, in a story of right and wrong in the tradition of Billy Jack and Walking Tall.
TapStory and Letters by Steven Perkins and Macroverse Creative. Edited by Keven Gardner.
Insider.comhas released a new comic exploring Donald Trump‘s first term, Never Show Weakness: Trump in Power.
Written by Anthony Del Col, art by Josh Adams with Nik Virella, colors by Charlie Kirchoff and Irma Kniivila, and lettering by Taylor Esposito, the comic is a two-part look at two key events that have defined who he is as a leader. The comic takes a look at Charlottesville and then the George Floyd protests in June of this year focusingon some of the factors leading to his actions and reactions.
This is the fourth comic Del Col has created with Insider. Previous releaes have included a look at Trump’s impeachment, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Royal Family, and Trump’s response to COVID-19.
The newest comic is available as a traditional comic and motion comic.
