In the shadow of the Burn, the Federation was left fractured, vulnerable, and nearly lost. Now, its fate hangs in the balance. As the Babel Conference unravels, Captain Sato must protect Starfleet’s ideals while enemies close in on every side. Meanwhile, James T. Kirk embarks on a dangerous mission that will test the limits of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice… Star Trek: The Last Starship #6 delivers a dramatic finale to the opening chapter as the Federation’s promise of peace and stability is threatened to be upended.

Star Trek as a whole has done an amazing job of examining our reality, politics, social issues, and society as a whole. It’s strongest when its stories are thinly veiled discussions about our lives. Star Trek: The Last Starship #6 delivers exactly that in an excellent finale to the opening chapter.

Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the previous issue revealed the Babel Conference was about to collapse as a new order is proposed that would replace the Federation. Star Trek: The Last Starship #6 dives right into that, focusing on this new reality and potentially what it means, ending on a down note. While the series as a whole has had a theme of hope and fighting for what’s right, the issue absolutely ends with the death of the promise of the Federation.

It’s hard to not read this first six issues, especially this final issue, and not see its commentary on the reality of today as a fascist order upends the flimsy rules and reality that has guided the world for decades. Much like our world, this new order is guided by wealth and “capitalism,” instead of the more socialist ideals of the Federation and previously of Earth.

This new order also comes at the end of a threat, an attack by technology on technology, again something we’re seeing play out in our real world as the tech bro oligarchs march lock in step with their jackbooted buddies, all to gain wealth and power and attempt to install a new world order.

The art by Adrian Bonilla continues to be interesting with a style that’s hard to describe but really intriguing to look at. With color by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic shines as James Kirk struggles to save the day. We get a better idea of the struggle he’s going through as we can physically see his new body impacted by the weapon deployed against the crew. There’s something visually interesting going on as the pages turn and we see Kirk torn apart as the dream of the Federation is torn apart, giving us a a perfect match of art and theme.

Star Trek: The Last Starship #6 is an issue full of action and drama that is both a low point but also doesn’t miss the hope and dream that drives the concept of Star Trek. The series has been fantastic so far and with this being the opening chapter, I’m excited to see what comes next.

Story: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Adrian Bonilla
Color: Lee Loughrdige Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Federation’s delegates have gathered. The Babel conference is on. Together, they aim to save Starfleet and bring peace to all quadrants. But while Captain Sato and the crew of the U.S.S. Omega have only experienced the passage of time as four months within their transwarp bubble, for the rest of the galaxy, it’s been 23 years. For 23 years, the delegates have been left to their own devices, to stew in their own machinations and to make new allegiances…and while the U.S.S. Omega may have brought them all together, the Burn has forced them apart. Not all want to broker peace, and someone who was once closest to Starfleet may become its greatest adversary… Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 starts the rebuilding of the Federation… or does it?

The Federation is in tatters after The Burn. Planets are wrecked, ships destroyed, economies barely holding on, famine increasing. The Federation, the status quo that was, held together numerous societies and planets in a mutually beneficial relationship that lifted them all up but it was all built on sand. Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 lays a lot of that out as delegates have gathered to rebuild the Federation after the calamity but makes it clear there’s little chance of it going back to the way it was.

Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the issue focuses on some political tension as Captain Soto does what he can to help bring things to order and get the discussions moving. It’s clear that this won’t be easy and his rather positive view of the world betrays the reality that exists and the challenges that are now faced.

There are a lot of questions and maybe these only exist for casual Star Trek fans. One society discusses famine which seems odd in a setting where replicators exist and food can just be created. But, that might be answered easily for those more familiar with Star Trek and these societies. But, what’s interesting is the various topics and issues impacting each delegation and the answer to their problems… which isn’t really feasible.

There’s of course twists and turns as the future is debated. The end of the comic and what’s proposed feels like a new direction and proposed future with a vision that feels like it echoes the real world. Our world order has been strained and on the verge of collapse with new proposals and visions proposed. We face what Star Trek faces or is Star Trek doing what it does best in reflecting our real world struggles?

The art by Adrián Bonilla is solid and keeps up the interesting visual style of this series. There’s an almost pop art look with a bit of scratchiness to the look helped by Lee Loughridge‘s colors and Clayton Cowles‘ lettering. The series has a very unique style to it that helps it stand out from what else is out there. The colors pop and designs feel new but familiar. There’s also a sense of dread throughout the comic, just something is off, and that’s emphasized by the art. There’s a strangely ominous feel throughout the issue like something is going to happen and you can see that in the body language of the characters.

Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 is a solid issue that does what sci-fi excels at, examining our world. It also moves the direction of Star Trek forward in a major way and ends with an ominous last page (that probably hits a lot better for long time fans). It’s another great issue for the series that’s redefining the direction of Star Trek.

Story: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Adrián Bonilla
Color: Lee Loughridge Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle