In this review of Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1, after seven long years, the U.S.S. Voyager is finally back in the Alpha Quadrant, but what should be a joyous occasion rapidly devolves into a nightmare as the crew is once again propelled into a dangerous region of space as prisoners of an old enemy.
Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1
Written by: Susan and Tilly Bridges
Art and Main Cover by: Ángel Hernández
Variant Cover: David Nakayama
Page Count: 28 pages
Release Date: September 3, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 opens with Kathryn Janeway’s final Captain’s log aboard the U.S.S. Voyager, providing a brief recap of the events experienced during the crew’s long and perilous journey back from the Delta Quadrant. As Voyager approaches space dock, Janeway and her crew anxiously await their arrival with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
A complement of four Starfleet Admirals arrive on the bridge to congratulate the crew, while also retrieving the copious amounts of scientific data that Voyager has collected during its travels. Admiral Kittum requests access to all of the ship’s logs from Lieutenant Commander Tuvok (who suddenly grows ill), as Janeway officially transfers command of Voyager over to Admiral Paris (Tom’s dad).
Janeway retreats to her ready room for one final cup of replicator coffee when Harry Kim informs her that everyone on the bridge has been locked out of Voyager’s systems. Janeway barely has time to register this news before realizing that the ship is in flight. As the bridge crew scrambles to regain control, Janeway and Admiral Paris ponder whether Admiral Kittum and the others are actually Changelings in disguise.
Janeway, Paris, Chakotay and Tuvok head to sickbay and are greeted by Tom Paris, B’elana Torres, baby Miral and the holographic Doctor. Admiral Paris’ unusual behavior surprises Tom and B’elana, but the Doctor’s blood screen indicates that Paris is not a Changeling. Janeway quickly explains the situation to Tom and B’elana as the Doctor informs Tuvok that his neurodegenerative disease is growing worse.
Janeway contacts Kittum, demanding to know where he is taking Voyager, but the admiral tells her the mission is classified. The Doctor informs Kittum that they might be in danger from an airborne virus due to the unique nature of Miral’s birth. Kittum refuses to come to Sickbay, but allows the Doctor to access Engineering and provide treatment.
In Engineering, the Doctor administers a placebo and takes samples from the three admirals as he stalls for time to allow the Voyager crew to retake the ship. Back in Sickbay, the Doctor’s tests on the admiral’s blood samples reveal that they are in fact Species 8472 in disguise.
Tuvok takes off, ordering a security team to meet him at Engineering, while Tom Paris, Chakotay, Janeway (in sleeveless action hero mode) and Admiral Paris follow close behind. Tuvok and the security team confront the “admirals”, who revert to their original forms and attack. Tuvok and the others open fire, but their phasers have no effect on the genetically altered aliens, (and Admiral Paris is one of them).
Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 ends with the U.S.S. Voyager and its crew trapped in Fluidic Space where Species 8472 are planning a full-scale attack on Earth.
Analysis
Despite just arriving in space dock, Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 soars right out of the gate with a wild, twisting plot that mixes action, emotional scenes, shocking reveals, and a plot that allows most of the core cast a chance to shine (sorry Icheb and Seven).
Writers Susan and Tilly Bridges unspool a fast-moving plot that borrows elements from established canon to craft an all-new story which once again pulls the Voyager crew away from home and into a dangerous situation. The reveal of the four Starfleet Admirals as genetically altered Species 8472 references plot points from the Season Five episode “In the Flesh”, while Tuvok’s illness comes from the Voyager series finale.
The writing in Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 is filled with spot-on, character-accurate dialogue and despite the necessary requisite exposition, the story moves at a brisk pace with head spinning reveals, plot twists and cool character moments.
Artist Angel Hernandez has already amassed a substantial portfolio of stellar Star Trek comic art for IDW. His style looser and more sketchy in Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1, but his art fills almost every page with an astounding amount of recognizable backgrounds, while still nailing character likenesses.
Hernandez also cleverly hints at the admirals’ initial deception by cloaking them in heavy shadow during the Doctor’s visit to Engineering, and later when Admiral Paris stands in complete silhouette during the corridor firefight. Those shadows also help to emphasize the sinister, underlying nature of Species 8472’s plan.
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #1 is an engaging, full-throttle thrill ride with unexpected plot twists, gorgeous art and cool character moments. This reviewer recommends that you beam aboard for this ride.
