With strong contributing roles for Jean-Luc Picard, Data, Geordi LaForge and Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the finale brings the final showdown between Spock and Nero, both of whom will play key roles in the eagerly awaited movie.
Spock's Gambit and The Return of Worf
Star Trek Countdown #4 opens with a battle between Nero's newly augmented warship, the Narada, and a squadron of Klingon starships led by General Worf. The battle goes ill for the Klingons and Nero beckons Worf to surrender and become his prisoner. Worf, in typical fashion, has other ideas and leads a boarding party aboard the Narada.
Elsewhere, Spock bids farewell to Picard, Data and LaForge and leaves Vulcan to journey to the Hobus star while the Next Generation characters, with the Enterprise-E, engage Nero in battle. Disabling the Enterprise, Nero leaves to intercept Spock who executes his plan to halt the Hobus star collapse.
Thoughts on Star Trek Countdown #4
There's a lot to like about this final issue of Star Trek Countdown. In the rush to the finish, writers Mike Johnson and Tim Jones get a lot right in the process.
With his last movie appearance in Star Trek Nemesis, Worf – a proud, highly developed character – was reduced to little more than a punch line. In what is possibly his final canonical appearance, much is done to restore Worf to being the Klingon badass he was meant to be. Indeed, all the Next Generation characters have been portrayed strongly in this story and given the respect they deserve.
The use of a narration by Spock over the final sequences of the issue evokes a strong sense of the risks and sacrifice he is prepared to endure, and stays true to the power and nobility of the character.
Nero's single-minded thirst for revenge is aptly displayed, as is the cunning and resourcefulness of the character. These traits, along with the deadly nature of the Narada, will factor significantly when Nero makes his big screen appearance in the new Star Trek film.
Artist David Messina finishes on a strong note with his depictions of the space battles as well as the interiors of Nero's ship. Messina in general has done very well in incorporating the imagery from the new film into the story, firmly planting the link between this Next Generation setting and the setting for the new movie.
Final Word – Star Trek Countdown
In its attempt to set the stage for J.J. Abrams' new feature film, Star Trek Countdown delivered an entertaining story with great writing and impressive visuals. In fact, one could imagine this story being turned into a great feature film in its own right, which would certainly serve as the proper big screen send-off for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The only criticism that could be delivered is that four issues were not enough space to serve the story that feature film writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci conceived. However, if the worst criticism is that the reader is left wanting more, then it's a critique all involved with this production should be able to live with.
Live long and prosper.
