Tag Archives: Scott Tipton

Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 Review

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in All, IDW Publishing

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Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1

Review by Paul Bowler

Terror strikes the Promenade in Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 leading Constable Odo to investigate a web of mystery and deceit across the station. As the crew of DS9 try to establish the cause of the explosion, Odo uncovers a wealth of suspects and motives to look into, and it quickly become apparent nothing is quite as clear cut as it first seemed…

Stalwart Star Trek writers Scott Tipton and David Tipton brings us the first Deep Space Nine comic book series in a decade, with this new four-part Star Trek series from IDW Publishing. Set against the backdrop of the darkest days of the Dominion War, the issue opens with Garak and Bashir taking one of their frequent lunches on the Promenade, but their meal is cut short when an explosion rips through the eatery. Garak saves Bashir, but casualties are high, and Odo’s brief interview with the owner who survived the blast soon finds the finger of blame pointed squarely at her rival – Quark!

Scott Tipton and David Tipton always manage to capture the tone of the Star Trek series and the character they are writing about perfectly. Indeed, they’ve done a fantastic job here in brining this slightly shadier corner of the Star Trek universe and the world of DS9 and her crew to life in the most sublime way imaginable. Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 immerses you in an intriguing tale of lies and vengeance, one where everyone seems to have a motive for murder, revenge, or just plain old greed.

Greg Scott’s distinctive, noir style artwork is well suited to the sombre, brooding atmosphere of this storyline. Page layouts are unfussy, concise and focus tightly on characters and their interactions, and all the main cast of DS9 are well represented throughout. Scott ensures scenes also reflect the essence of this Star Trek series extremely well, with colorist Felipe Sobreiro using a muted pallet of deep tones and hues to great effect to punctuate the action with subtle flourishes as Odo’s investigation progresses.

Constable Odo must find out if the attack could be terrorism, politically motivated, revenge, or just a case of someone trying to get rid of the competition. A terse exchange with a fellow cremate and vigilantism brewing in the air certainly doesn’t help matters either for Odo’s investigation as the spotlight of suspicion falls on a usual suspect to provide an intriguing cliffhanger to the issue.

So, if like me, you are a big fan of DS9’s somewhat darker, edgier tone, you are going to find a lot to enjoy here with this new series from IDW. With its gripping story by Scott Tipton and David Tipton and moody artwork by Greg Scott, Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #1 is great issue and a welcome comic book return for the crew of the space station on the edge of the final frontier.

Publisher: IDW

Writers: Scott Tipton & David Tipton / Artist: Greg Scott

Colorist: Felipe Sobreiro / Letterer: Neil Uyetake

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

 

Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1 Review

17 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in All, IDW Publishing

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Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1

Review by Paul Bowler

Get ready to boldly return to the Mirror Universe in Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1 as Captain Jean-Luc Picard resolves to seize command of the Empire’s deadliest new warship, the ISS Enterprise! It is a quest fraught with deception, intrigue, and murder – with allies and enemies vying for power at every turn. Picard aims to use the Enterprise to restore the Empire to its former glory, the challenge he faces is immense, but fortunately he has a cut-throat crew on his side that will do whatever it takes to succeed!

IDW Publishing’s new six part Star Trek: The Next Generation Mirror Broken mini-series, written by David Tipton and Scott Tipton, and illustrated by J.K. Woodward, kicks off in fine style with this exciting first issue. The Tipton brothers are a winning team when it comes to writing Star Trek, having already brought us many popular Star Trek comic books, including the Star Trek / Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive crossover series and the FCBD Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken special (which was also the prequel to this mini-series).

The Tipton’s take on the Mirror Universe is a fascinating and insightful one, particularly as their was never a TV episode featuring the STTNG crew in this alternative dimensional pane. Star Trek TNG: Mirror Broken shows how the aftermath of the STTOS crews’ adventure in the episode Mirror Mirror (1967) that led to that universes Spock’s more logical and tolerant rule over the Terran Empire, was ultimately overrun during the Klingon / Cardassian alliance that was eventually forged during the TNG / DS9 era. With most of its fleet in ruins, the balance of power in Alpha Quadrant has shifted, and the Terran Empire has been driven back to Earth.

Captain Picard and the crew of the ISS Stargazer are among the few remaining starships of the fleet left defending the Empire. Following a run in with a Cardassian vessel, the Stargazer visits the Mars shipyards of Utopia Planitia, where Captain Picard learns about a new warship that’s secretly being constructed for the Empire, and it’s a ship that could shift the balance of power in his favour!

Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken presents us with a sleeveless, pumped up, and ruthlessly ambitious Captain Picard. Even the familiar Picard phrases have a far more sinister, edgier, inflection to them. Picard has been playing the long game, and it looks like the Captain’s steely patience is about to pay off. We also meet some of the other TNG crewmembers in this issue, including the alluring Inquisitor Troy, the efficient Commander Data is ever present with his seemingly stoic penchant for Borg-like perfection and adaptations, there’s a decidedly cunning version of Barclay as well, and the downtrodden La Forge seems equally as cunning as Picard.

Well known for Fallen Angel, longtime Star Trek artist, J.K. Woodward’s art is a perfect choice to illustrate IDW’s STTNG Mirror Broken and realize a darker version of the Next Generation crew in the grittier reality of the Mirror Universe. From the scene setting opening flashback, to the brooding introduction of Picard, J.K. Woodward’s stellar artwork instantly transports you right into the heart of this Mirror Universe saga. The likenesses of all the characters are stunningly realized, the bridge of the Stargazer feels alive with activity during the fight with the Cardassians, and the scenes with La Forge, Picard, and Data on Mars crackle with suspense.

As this year is the 30th anniversary of Star Trek The Next Generation, it makes this Mirror Universe comic book epic all the more exciting, and its great to see these Mirror Universe versions of Picard and Co reunited for this daring escapade to take the Enterprise for themselves and make the Terran Empire great again. Star Trek The Next Generation: Mirror Broken #1, with its intricately crafted storyline by David Tipton and Scott Tipton, and stunning art by J.K. Woodward, certainly gets this IDW mini-series off to a terrific start, and a must read for all Trek fans this new comic book day. Make it so!

Publisher IDW Publishing

Writers David Tipton & Scott Tipton / Art and colors by J.K. Woodward

Letters AndWorld Design / Cover by J.K. Woodward