BOOM! Studios
Writers: Scott and David Tipton
Artist: Rachael Stott
Colourist: Charlie Kirchoff
Release date: April 8, 2015
Price: $3.99
Always been very suspicious of team ups between franchises. They are often bred from the underdeveloped minds of some fans that just want to get off on the idea of their favourite characters existing in the same universe, at the same time, mostly in conflict with each other. And, unfortunately, like much fan generated fiction, it seems designed to sate a nerdy need, a geeky twitch, like an embarrassing all consuming obsession some 50-year old men have had since Iron Man’s nose, Conan’s nipples and Spider-man’s team up with Red Sonja.
That said, this convergence of the two historically mega Sci-Fi properties is very professionally delivered. Scott and David Tipton know their enterprise ensemble and make a very good fist of their characterisations. I could certainly ‘hear’ Kirk, Spock and McCoy et al here. I could also recognise the various Ape icons, Cornelius, Zaius and the other primates too.
Taylor is dutifully depicted with bombastic idealism, very much channelling the Charlton Heston character – ‘You Maniacs! You blew it up!’ – in look and feel, the rugged frontiersman of the old west, echoing the tea part politics of the NRA and John Carter of Mars. American old west politics writ large, then.
In this light, the motivations of Kirk and the Federation unintentionally stripped naked for all to see them for what they are, liberalistic interfering, some might say. The prime directive interfering to maintain the status quo of the ape planet raising more questions here than actually answering them, leads to a very workman like conclusion where the Enterprise crew prevent the Klingons from exploiting the ape civilisation for its own ends.
The art by Rachael Stott is dynamic, if a little stiff at times, especially where it should not be, during the battle scenes. But if you have been reading the series, your geek fix will be filled. And if that is your bag, consider yourself sated.
Beam me up, Scotty. And set a course for Futurama.
Reviewer: CybexAl
Reviews Editor: Stephen Hooker