Star Trek: Lower Decks (2024-) #5

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2024-)

by Ryan North, Jack Lawrence (artist)

Suspicious after the Cerritos docks for its second baryon sweep in the same year, Mariner sneaks into a command meeting. There, the Department of Temporal Investigations tasks the crew with finding a time traveler who is rewriting Federation history at an alarming rate. Mariner finds her friends and tells them what’s really going on…only for the timeline to change around them! Obviously, something has gone wrong with Command’s mission, and per usual, it’s now up to Mariner, Tendi, Rutherford, and Boimler to save the day.

Genres: Star Trek, Comics, Science Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2025

About the author

Hi, I'm Ryan! I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and since then have written several books. You can read my Wikipedia page for more, or check out my author site at RyanNorth.ca!

I'm the author of the webcomic Dinosaur Comics (that's the comic where the pictures don't change but the words do, it's better than it sounds and I've also done crazy things like turn Shakespeare into a choose-your-own-path adventure, write a comic for Marvel about a girl with all the powers of a squirrel, or mess up walking my dog so badly it made the news.

I'm working on more stuff as we speak, hopefully it's good

Reviews

[The Void Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

### **Book Review: *Star Trek: Lower Decks (2024) #5* by Ryan North**
**Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)**

Ryan North knocks it out of the galaxy with *Star Trek: Lower Decks (2024) #5*, delivering a thrilling time-traveling escapade that feels like an episode ripped straight from the beloved series. This installment perfectly captures the spirit, humor, and quirky charm of the animated show while pushing the boundaries of its storytelling into exhilarating new territory.

#### **A Riveting Plot Unfolds**
In this issue, the Cerritos crew is thrown headfirst into a time-bending crisis. Suspicious about a second baryon sweep in just one year, Mariner's curiosity leads her to uncover a mind-boggling mission from the Department of Temporal Investigations. The stakes are high: a rogue time traveler is wreaking havoc on Federation history. And just as Mariner ropes her fellow ensigns into the mystery, the timeline abruptly shifts around them, creating chaos and leaving our Lower Deckers as the last line of defense against total historical collapse.

The pacing of the story is taut and engaging, keeping readers hooked as the Cerritos crew navigates a perfect storm of bureaucracy, chaos, and comic mischief. It strikes the ideal balance between action-packed sequences and the character-driven humor fans have come to adore.

#### **Why It Shines**
What sets this issue apart is how seamlessly it continues the *Lower Decks* TV series’ legacy. The dialogue is snappy, the interactions are delightfully in character, and the narrative offers hilarious nods to classic *Trek* time-travel tropes—all while maintaining its unique, irreverent tone. Each character gets their moment to shine, but Mariner’s unrelenting determination and quick-witted antics stand out, as always.

Additionally, the artwork deserves special mention. The visual elements complement the zany energy of the plot, with dynamic paneling that keeps the action flowing smoothly. It’s like watching the series unfold on the page, but with the added benefit of Ryan North’s clever writing bringing even more depth to the story.

#### **Final Thoughts**
This issue is a standout addition to the *Lower Decks* universe, and Ryan North’s storytelling magic is on full display. Fans of the TV series will revel in the faithful continuation of their favorite characters’ antics, while newcomers can easily jump into the fray and be swept away by the humor and high-stakes drama. If you love a good time-travel story or are simply here for the shenanigans of Starfleet’s scrappiest crew, this is a must-read. Bravo to Ryan North for making us laugh, cheer, and marvel once again.

Happy reading and live long and prosper 🚀📚

[Samuel Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My...les O'brian

This comic was my favorite one of the series so far. Maybe my favorite lower decks comic to date. I always love when Trek plays around with the timeline, and this did that with classic lower decks charm. Our (or i guess i should say MY) favorite characters having to save the timeline from some unknown sabatour and doing it in style. I hope they never stop making these books. It was VERY heartbreaking when I found out they canceled the show, but if we can keep getting these little installments, it will definitely soften the blow. Loved how they brought back the portal from the SNWs crossover. I did feel like they should've came up with a better reason for the 'new voice interface' than 'star fleet did it for safety'. The timeline is being altered! Just say that one of the changes in the timeline made the creators of the portal put in an interface! I mean, it's right there! All in all, this was an amazing comic, and the setup for the next one made me scream aloud in excitement. Please never stop making these🙏 They are perfect, and thank you!