Star Trek: Khan #1 by Mike Johnson and Claudia Balboni

This graphic novel tells the story of how the Khan of Wrath of Khan becomes the Khan of Into Darkness.

The books opens with the trial of Khan following the events of Into Darkness. Through the course of Khan's testimony, we read of his transformation from Indian superman to European thin-bin.

While I get why the storytellers felt the need to explain why the two Khans look different, I don't understand why it should matter. If I understand the alternate timeline proposal, isn't this a new set of stories? Wouldn't it be perfectly fine for Khan to be a different person?

Or (and I'm using this review as an open exploration) is it still the same Khan from the Eugenics Wars and the timeline only changed into the future with Kirk's dad?

In any event, this graphic novel is an interesting read. I enjoy filling in the gaps from the new movies as with Countdown and Countdown to Darkness.

It's a clever tool to retell and flesh out certain characters. The illustrations are terrific.

Diehards of the Original Series will probably not like these new stories but fans of the new Alternate timeline movies might enjoy the fill-in-the-blanks these comics provide.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by IDW Publishing.

Star Trek Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)

This graphic novel is the first of a series of comics meant to hold you over between films.

You have the same characters from the J.J. Abrams Star Trek film mixing with the story from the pilot of the Original Series.

Captain Kirk has brought two of his friends from the academy. As they are ordered into the brink of the galaxy, they discover a beacon which has a warning.

As per the pilot, once they cross the barrier of the galaxy, one of Kirk's friends, Gary Mitchell gets the weird silver eyes and begins to manifest certain god-like qualities.

This is where volume one leaves us and we await the continuing saga. All the while, fans will be racking their brains over where this will leave us for the next movie.

The artwork is pristine and it feels right at home with the IDW comic family.

This graphic novel was provided for review, at no cost, by IDW publishing.

Star Trek

J.J. Abrams has directed a beautiful motion picture called Star Trek. He and his writers decided to re-boot the story and take us back to Kirk and Spock; before the original series.

When a Romulan miner goes through a wormhole, he goes back through time to destroy a planet (I won't spoil too much). Because of this change in history, Jim Kirk's father is killed before he's supposed to and we're given an alternate history.

Many Star Trek fans are not happy with this new spin, but the film's creators wanted their own take on the franchise and this was how they could do it.

Chris Pine plays James T. Kirk. Having never heard of this guy before, I was a little worried. But fear not. Pine does a fantastic job at the brashness of Kirk. He will make a fine starship captain. Except, it seemed as if he was getting beat up all through film.

Zachary Quinto plays Spock. We get to see what it was like for him to grow up on Vulcan and being teased for being half-human. He is the one who designed a training exercise that Kirk cheats at to win. They aren't the best of friends we've known them to be at the beginning of this film. Once again, Quinto does a nice job at Spock and making it some of his own.

Eric Bana is the villain, Nero. We don't get much of his story or see much of him. But we was terrific as the bad guy.

Karl Urban plays Dr. McCoy (Bones) and you believe him as soon as you meet him. The voice and his paranoia is perfect. Great job by Urban.

Finally, Simon Pegg plays Scotty. He's a funny guy and I was surprised at how his character joined the Enterprise family. I didn't really care for his small assistant as if Pegg needs someone to help him with comedy.

Star Trek is a great summer ride. It's fun and funny. Lots of action and crisp looking shots. If you aren't a Trek fan, you should still give this re-boot a try. You'll probably end up enjoying it.

Star Trek: Countdown

Star Trek Countdown is a graphic novel telling the story of what happens before the major motion picture, Star Trek.

We learn that the villain of the movie, Nero, is a Romulan miner. They discover a star that is going nova (utter destruction) and, with the help of Ambassador Spock who now lives on Romulus, attempt to persuade the Romulans to ask for Vulcan assistance or meet their doom.

The Romulans refuse and their planet is destroyed. That's right; the planet from Star Trek Nemesis is destroyed.

Nero takes his Borg-amplified ship to seek out and destroy Spock. While in pursuit both ships get pulled into a black hole.

Thus begins the movie.

Star Trek: Countdown is a fun adventure all on its own. It gives fans a little background to this new villain while building on the anticipation for the film.

It also answers some of the questions concerning Captain Picard and Data/B4.

I'm not sure what non Star Trek fans would think of this...the artwork is great! So there's that much for them.