In this review of Star Trek: The Last Starship #7, the crew of the Omega encounters a terrifying replacement for dilithium aboard a Federation research station. What fate awaits the Federation?
Star Trek: The Last Starship #7
Written by: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Art: Hernan Gonzalez
Main Cover: Francesco Francavilla
Variant Covers: Dennis Menheere, Francesco Francavilla
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: May 20, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Returning from Bajor, Star Trek: The Last Starship #7 begins as the Omega emerges from a week in transwarp into what remains of Federation space, seven years having passed. The Emerald Chain now has more ships and member worlds. Admiral Sekat, head of Starfleet Command, has passed away, leaving the crew without orders.
Shortly after the Omega’s return, they receive a transmission from Deep Space Hope, a Starfleet outpost researching the Burn. Since it is manned by Ni’Varrans, the message being broadcast, “Come and see the miracle”, is highly unusual. They aren’t prone to such emotional statements, so Sato sets course for the station.
The Omega arrives at Deep Space Hope and immediately detects a graviton spike coming from the station. Sato, Vi, and Dr. Zed beam down to investigate. Vi is able to access the station’s records and discovers that the station has abandoned its dilithium research, but has been successful in creating a Romulan Singularity Drive – a miniature black hole that is the source of the energy readings.
The black hole is being fed a steady stream of the station’s Ni’Varran crew as a fuel source. The Ni’Varrans have gone mad, as they willingly sacrifice themselves to the black hole, helping it to grow larger. One of the station crewmen grabs Sato and mind melds with him, but right before Sato goes mad, Agnes beams over and begins assimilating everything in the station.
Analysis
Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s decision to time skip a few years since the last issue is an interesting choice. The jump of seven years into Star Trek: The Last Starship #7 gives enough time for the galaxy to fall further out of Federation control, but still allows for the same basic issues to remain. Dilithium and the Emerald Chain continue to be problems, so no major change there.
However, their decision to kill off the head of Starfleet Command is a big one because it allows the writers to give the Omega free reign. They truly are the last starship because there’s nobody left to tell them what to do.
We don’t find out for sure if dilithium has continued to be used in the time Sato and crew were traveling through transwarp space, but there doesn’t seem to have been another major event, other than what’s happening with the research on Deep Space Hope. It’s a rather horrifying scene when Sato arrives to see Ni’Varrans jumping into the black hole and being torn apart. I liked the horror vibe present in this part of the story.
Agnes coming along at the last minute to assimilate everything could be good, if we’re to believe what she says about there being no other way to save everyone. Given all the twists and turns we’ve seen so far, I’m inclined to think that maybe she doesn’t have the best of intentions. I like that we’re kept guessing, though.
Immediately upon opening Star Trek: The Last Starship #7, you’ll notice a different look to the artwork. Artist Hernan Gonzalez draws this issue in a style that relies heavily on hatch work. It looks rough and gritty compared to Adrian Bonilla’s smoother illustrations. I actually prefer this style for this particular part of the story, as it fits nicely with the darker situations the crew faces. From what I understand, Gonzalez will be drawing the remaining issues in this run and I’m excited for it.
Lee Loughridge has been the colorist for recent issues and returns in this one, so the color approach remains consistent, despite the change in artist. There’s some great use of color, with most of the early part of the issue being darker and cooler tones. When the story shifts to Deep Space Hope and the black hole, the colors warm up, conveying the power of the singularity drive. The use of Borg green when Agnes is around is another good use of color to tell the story.
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: The Last Starship #7 uses a time jump to put the Omega crew into an even more chaotic environment than previous issues and is a perfect set up for the remaining story as we countdown to the finale. Have fun, comic lovers!
