In this spoiler-free review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact #1, a training exercise on a remote planet for both Academy and War College cadets turns into a struggle for survival.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact
Writer: Layne Morgan
Art and Main Cover: Coralí Espuna
Variant Cover: Liana Kangas
Page Count: 32 pages
This is a spoiler-free review
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact #1 begins with a communique from cadet Genesis Lythe as she begins to recount events on a recent Starfleet Academy training mission. Cut to earlier, where a team consisting of familiar players from both Starfleet Academy and The War College beam down to a remote planet for a controlled planetary survey exercise (or ‘PSSE’), where the situation goes predictably awry.
Assigned as team leader, Genesis’ skills are put to the test when events occur beyond the parameters of the training mission on what is supposed to be an abandoned world, (and Caleb Mir spots something out of place). The simmering tensions between the Academy and War College predictably boil over as the team finds themselves cut from all assistance due to the approach of a dangerous weather system.
Meanwhile Chancellor Nala Ake and her crew on the orbiting U.S.S. Athena attempt to reestablish contact with the cadets to no avail as the storm prevents both transporter and shuttle access. The character voices ring true for the most part, although Caleb comes off as less of his roguish charming self and more of a team player.
Writer Layne Morgan provides tension not only between the two academies but within each group as well. Arguments over protocol as things go sideways. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact #1 could almost be considered a “bottle episode” with one primary setting and a growing conflict between rival groups. Granted the story provides some stunning visual backdrops, but even without a starship battle, the story is engaging.
Some plot elements aren’t entirely clear as readers are only provided with the away team’s point of view, but that final seven page sequence featuring the cadets seems to hold promise for the rest of the series (and is visually stunning).
Artist Corali Espuna introduces a more stylized design aesthetic to the more traditionally “realistic” look for IDW Star Trek series, but there is a nice sense of energy in the figure work and facial expressions (even behind those EVA suit helmets). The characters don’t necessarily fully reflect their actor counterparts, but they are still easily recognizable (however Nala Ake for one appears to be almost cadet age).
Colorist Nora Serrano shifts the palette for each scene to fit the tone, providing a distinct and vivid array of colors from warm to cool across the entirety of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact #1. Serrano’s colors truly enhance Espuna’s linework.
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact #1 is a curious start for this new miniseries with a promising mystery on its hands (plus some possible classic Star Trek improvisation to come). The story and art are solid, reflecting the tone of the live action series. Probably a story for most Trek fans, but definitely for those enjoying the Starfleet Academy every week on streaming.
