The countdown to the motion picture event of 2013 begins here, in this blockbuster 4-issue prequel mini-series that sets the stage for the upcoming Star Trek film! Like the best-selling Star Trek: Countdown in 2009, this all-new series leads directly into the next movie, with a story by Star Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson (Star Trek ongoing series), and drawn by the original Star Trek: Countdown artist, David Messina! Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness is the can't-miss lead-in to the new adventures of the Enterprise crew!
This follows up on IDW's ongoing series set in the JJ-verse, and lays the groundwork for the new movie, filling in some of the gaps between the two movies. The best part though, and a true WTF moment right on final page is the reveal of what I assume will be the series antagonist, a player in the Trek Universe we've heard much about but never actually seen in canon (unless one episode of the animated series counts, and it does not). Read Full Review
Finally, in a plot twist worthy of note, when the final page of Countdown to Darkness turns, the unnamed crewman in the red shirt remains alive and well, an unexpected state given the action at the end of the book. With a live “red shirt” going into issue #2, what other plot innovations will Orci and his team introduce as the series progresses? And what will it all have to do with Into Darkness? As they say in TV, stay tuned. Read Full Review
The book ends with a quick shot of shenanigans about to go down in London at the hands of Benedict Cumberbatch, which is something we've seen implied from all the trailers – thus making it a direct lead-in to Star Trek: Into Darkness. If you still can't wait for the film, check out our dueling reviews – will you hate it like Bibbs, or love it like Fred? Read Full Review
Star Trek Countdown to Darkness starts out strong. The story gets rolling after a few introductory pages and seems to set us off on an exciting mystery. The art is handled well, but at times the interpretations aren't close enough to their real-life counterparts. This is one for Trek fans new and old. Read Full Review
Trekkies can not miss this one for the world. Everyone else… well depends how much you like Star Trek. Read Full Review
Countdown Into Darkness isn't a bad read by any stretch, but it's more straightforward and formulaic Trek than I was expecting given how the original Countdown played out. Hopefully the ties to the new movie will become more apparent as this story develops. Read Full Review
Still, I'm interested to see the next issue, seeing as the artwork is still the same high quality as the last "Countdown" series (which makes sense, seeing as the artist is the same), and infinitely preferable to most other Star Trek comics (Yes, I'm looking at you Doctor Who/Star Trek crossover. Even as a distant memory, you pain me). I try never to judge a series by its first book, so we'll see what the next issue holds. Read Full Review
Still, it ultimately does what most licensed comics do -- provides a story that looks and reads good enough for a general bookstore audience, but doesn't really meet the much higher standards of monthly comics most CBR readers will be used to. It's an issue of accessibility as much as technical ability, but that's explanation rather than excuse. It is what it is. Not as good as the real thing, but better than nothing. Read Full Review
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