In this review of Star Trek #29, Ben Sisko’s mad quest to restore the universe leads him to an unlikely savior.
Star Trek #29
Written by: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
Art by: Tess Fowler
Main Cover: Ramón Rosanas
Variant Covers: Tess Fowler, Jake Bartok
Page Count: 22 pages
Release Date: February 19, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Star Trek #29 picks up with the ageless Benjamin Sisko still living in the alternate past of the planet Bajor. In fact, while he’s living through Bajor’s history, he’s also creating it. After the renegade android Lore caused the entire universe to have never existed, Sisko and his memories are all that’s left. But that might still be enough to bring everything back.
Sisko puts his plan into motion assembling the Bajoran Celestial Temple with the ten orbs of the Prophets, which are powered by the faith of every Bajoran. Sisko is then visited by the image of his son Jake, who challenges Sisko on his obsessive drive to complete the Temple, and of conscripting all of the Bajorans to the task.
The pair argues free will versus faith. Sisko contends that the Bajorans don’t actually exist so it shouldn’t matter, but “Jake” asks Sisko if he knows what he is actually building. Sisko’s plan takes centuries of dedicated focus, but he finally launches his chariot (space craft) into the Celestial Temple (wormhole).
Once inside the Temple, Sisko is greeted by the Bajoran Prophets in the guise of his friends, family and crew. Sisko asks the same question of the Prophets that “Jake” once asked him: do the people who no longer exist matter? Sisko’s mom, who is also a Prophet (more on that below), answers bluntly why would they?
Sisko blows a cosmic gasket and exclaims that he isn’t a key to lock the wormhole to protect the Prophets, he is a captain; and as such, he has a duty to his crew, and to others who need his help. Aware that he cannot leave the Temple, Sisko tells his mom that he is sending his ship to the other side of the wormhole to find their new Emissary: Kahless II, the vengeful Klingon clone.
Analysis
Star Trek #29 is another necessary side quest. This is the requisite pause before the epic action of the “Lore War” event begins, and another trip through Sisko’s many trials as he argues with himself (in the guise of his son), in an apparent attempt to reclaim his humanity. Sisko’s obsession has all but consumed him over the centuries as he has (almost) fully embraces his role as Emissary.
Sisko first encountered the Bajoran Prophets (wormhole aliens) long ago at Deep Space Nine, where they called Sisko “Emissary”. This wasn’t random chance or good timing. The Prophets don’t perceive time in a linear fashion; one of them possessed Sisko’s mother Sarah, before he was conceived. Thus the Prophets created their Emissary, fulfilling their own prophecy. But now the reasoning behind that choice comes to light (an apt phrase, I think).
Sisko’s humanity reemerges due to an interesting set of circumstances: first “Jake” appears, then we cut to a page from the manuscript of the book “Of Bajor,” from 1955, credited to Benny Russell (yes, the author of “Far Beyond the Stars”). Benny outlines over the course of a single written page, how Sisko then saw his mother in a new light. How Sarah was so afraid of death that she created an heir; not out of love, not for a legacy, but simply to protect the Prophets from dying.
Ultimately it’s difficult to blame the Prophets for acting out of fear, as it’s a very relatable response. Sisko’s outburst at this discovery, (while on the cosmic scale), is also relatable. Sisko is a father, a husband, a friend and a Starfleet Captain. All of these are human experiences. And finding out your birth was partially due to such parental selfishness would be a shock to anyone.
Writers Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing thankfully condense this sweeping epic poem of Sisko’s arduous journey, allowing for tidbits of exposition, rather than burying the reader beneath the weight of Sisko’s complicated past. Sisko’s humanity is key to this story and to this series. His very unorthodox selection of Kahless II as the new Emissary brings a welcome twist with lots of potential.
Guest artist Tess Fowler continues to enhance the story of Sisko’s thousand year odyssey with her sketchy art style. Despite not embodying the typical IDW house style, Fowler’s art serves a purpose, by effectively depicting Sisko’s surreal existence, and at times even appears to mimic a child’s drawings. Fowler’s storytelling is succinct, without the need to focus on every wrinkle, rivet or strand of hair.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Star Trek #29 is another solid issue full of interesting character beats, and a final reveal that promises some challenging and exciting stories to come.
