The celebration of the 50-year anniversary of Star The Animated Series continues as the mad scientist Fontana plops Kirk, Spock, and company in a strangely familiar American high school in the middle of a strangely familiar love triangle between Artie, Bessie, and Verona. The crew must now tangle with a mad scientist and teen emotions…while searching both river and dale to find a way back to their own universe!

This comic book is an ambitious entry that ultimately struggles to deliver a cohesive and engaging narrative. While this comic book attempts to capture the charm of the original animated series, it falls short in several key areas.

The story in this comic book aims to blend the whimsical elements of the animated Star Trek universe with a new, intriguing plot. However, the narrative feels disjointed, with pacing that shifts awkwardly between scenes. The transitions are abrupt, making it difficult for me personally to follow the story’s progression or become fully immersed in the plot.

The character development is another area where this comic book falters in my opinion. Despite featuring beloved characters from the Star Trek universe, it fails to delve deeply into their personalities or motivations. The interactions between characters lack depth and often feel superficial, which diminishes the emotional impact of the story.

The writing itself in this comic book tries to inject humor and nostalgia, but the execution is inconsistent. Some of the humor feels forced, relying on familiar tropes rather than offering new insights or clever twists. While there are moments that capture the spirit of the original animated series, they are overshadowed by a lack of narrative cohesion.

The artwork itself in this comic book is visually appealing, effectively capturing the aesthetic of the animated series. The illustrations are lively, bringing a sense of vibrancy to the comic. However, even the strong visuals cannot fully compensate for the weak storytelling. The art serves as a reminder of the potential charm that the comic could have achieved with a more polished narrative.

The pacing in this comic book is pretty uneven, with scenes that either drag on without sufficient tension or resolve too quickly to create meaningful engagement. This inconsistency impacts the overall flow, which has left me personally feeling disconnected from the story. The lack of clear narrative direction further complicates the reading experience.

Despite its shortcomings, this comic book does offer glimpses of potential. The concept of revisiting the animated Star Trek universe is intriguing and holds promise for nostalgic fans. However, the execution needs refinement to fully capture the essence of what made the original series beloved.

I Give This Book 2 / 5