Star Trek: Red Shirts by Christopher Cantwell

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Book Name: Star Trek: Red Shirts

Author: Christopher Cantwell

Comic Series: Star Trek

Original Story, Adaptation, or Something Else: Collection of Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 - #5

Published Date: Expected publication May 12, 2026


Official Synopsis: The doomed Starfleet crew members, the red shirts, must track down spies on an isolated planet in this graphic novel. Stranded on the snow-ridden planet Arkonia 89, the crew of the U.S.S. Warren has a small window in which to pin down spies seeking to steal classified secrets and keep Starfleet data out of their nefarious hands. They face threats not only from their faceless enemies but from the brutalizing elements and wildlife of a planet far from home. In this complicated story of betrayal, loss, and redemption, the red shirts’ lives and Starfleet’s sanctity are on the line…and no one is safe. This heartrending story by writer Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant) and artist Megan Levens (Star Trek) marks a new beginning for the Star Trek universe, featuring Starfleet’s most intrepid and doomed crew members: red shirts. Now, finally, they get their own story.



Review: I am not a Star Trek fan. I don't dislike the franchise; in fact, I seem to have enjoyed most everything I have watched from Star Trek. I just don't follow it, and it has been years since I've watched one of their movies or shows. I have never read any of the Star Trek comics and picked this up out of curiosity as the synopsis sounded good, and a desire to be more open to comics that are new to me.


That being said, I am glad I read this as the story was great, the art was fantastic, and overall, I enjoyed it very much. The story is a good team on a mission plot with elements of sci-fi (of course), espionage, and heaps of action. Once the action begins, the red shirts involved start dying in surprising ways at unexpected times, heightening the tension and leaving the reader guessing who will survive.

My favorite part of this collection was the writing. It was able to connect with me, even as a non Star Trek fan, and I was able to enjoy it as an espionage-soaked, action-filled sci-fi adventure. The characters were clearly established, and the main characters were able to be fully developed in only a limited number of pages. I would even read this again, even after knowing the surprises and twists that it holds.

What Works: The writing is excellent, and the art does an outstanding job of supporting the story.

What Doesn’t:

Final Thoughts: The great story and art make this collection recommended for all comic fans!

Rating: 7 of 10 phasers



MISC

Version Read: Electronic

How Acquired: NetGalley Advance Reader Copy

Special Notes: This was an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.


About the Author:

 


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