Star Trek: Boldly Go, Vol. 2

Star Trek: Boldly Go

by Mike Johnson, Tony Shasteen (Illustrator)

As the Federation and Romulans convene in the wake of the Borg attack, the precarious peace is threatened by the murder of a key diplomat... and a Starfleet cadet is the prime suspect! Don't miss this all-new adventure, guest-starring Jaylah from STAR TREK BEYOND, and the cast from the hit STARFLEET ACADEMY series! Collects issues #7–12.

Genres: Star Trek, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Media Tie In, Ebooks, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Mike Johnson is a comic book writer.

An almost lifelong Trekkie, he has scripted more Star Trek comic books than anyone else to date.

Reviews

[Jesse A]

I love these series. This book has a few annoying little plot points that keep it from 5 stars but the art is always great and the stories always fun.

[Mohan Vemulapalli]

The second volume of "Star Trek: Boldly Go" contains a collection of loosely related stories that show case the Kelvin timeline's Enterprise crew in their continued adventures while waiting for the completion of the new U.S.S. Enterprise. Of note are a pair of two issue story arcs which feature an investigation into a diplomat's assassination and the return of Kirk's Lady-Pirate friend and her precocious daughter. Expect decent story telling and artwork, updates on most of the Enterprise crew, a group of feisty cadets including a reappearance of Jaylah and the usual romantic antics on Kirk's part.

[The Wintermute System]

Man, I am really enjoying this series. Yeah, I know, I know: there's something missing from ToS, but I took Nu!Trek for what it was. I wasn't really expecting to like the movies as much as I did, so that was a nice surprise.

That being said, this series fits nicely within the context of the movies - tying in plot points, nailing the characters, expanding the world a little - but also has some fun plots that make sense on their own, art that fits the world and also makes the characters look both like their actors when applicable which adds to them feeling distinct, and nicely lush colors - again when appropriate. The shading is sometimes understated, but fits the art so nicely that I can't really imagine it any other way, anyways.

Nicely done all around, very enjoyable, so much so I'm disappointed there's only one volume left. Bummer. I'm taking a brief break from Spawn and Savage Dragon because those series are bumming me out, too, for different reasons. (Go with Spawn, it's heavy, sometimes depressing, but well done and doesn't try to humiliate women sexually like SD dragon does. Just take breaks if it's too much!)

[Trin]

Even more fun than the first volume. Love getting to see what's up with everyone post-Beyond, and the adaptations of "Journey to Babel" and "Whom Gods Destroy" included here are smart and enjoyable. Also, Uhura finally looks somewhat like herself!

[Kieran McAndrew]

Star Trek: Boldly Go Vol. 2

In the wake of the Borg incursion, a conference is held between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire at Babel. When the Romulan delegate is poisoned, suspicion falls on an Andorian Starfleet cadet.

A great storyline, which shows how cadets react to one of their own being arrested, followed up with a reintroduction to Garth of Izar. The artwork and colouring are lovely and engaging.

[James]

A good reboot of the story. Scotty is still fun. Teleporters are scary.

[Kacey]

Another delightful story from the AOS universe! I love that the cadets from the Starfleet Academy series were brought back on this one, and that Jaylah joined their group. We didn't get to see as much of their dynamic in this one, but it was enough to show how they were all loyal to each other. And showing how breaking a few of the rules can be okay sometimes.

I also really liked the story of Kevin. I remember those little guys and seeing one of them again at the end. Now I really want to watch it again to see Kevin on the screen! The pull of warring loyalties was a good storyline to follow.

The last story felt so classic of OS Star Trek. It wouldn't be the first time someone impersonated Kirk and tried to take over his ship! I know that if this got the time of a television show episode, more of the progression would've been seen, but for what it was, it was still good. Though I don't remember the space pirate from any of the other volumes, that too felt a little like OS Star Trek. I can see either of the Kirks going for that kind of a woman.

So yeah, great stories and great characters. I am glad that AOS has a chance to continue, even if it's just in comic book form. Though that can be better at times, since comics can take things in directions that television and movies can't, and the imagination has more room to expand. Can't wait to see what the crew gets up to next time!

[Punk]

Levens's art in issues 7 & 8 has strong Saturday Morning Cartoon Vibes, but everyone's recognizable. We're still on the USS Endeavour (NCC-1805) on the way to Babel for a peace conference with the Romulans, which nicely continues the storyline from the first volume and gives us a reboot take on the TOS episode Journey to Babel. Our five cadets and Jaylah are along for the ride as well.

Meanwhile Spock and Nyota are back on their New Vulcan Sabbatical, as they insist on calling it, and Uhura's teaching at the Vulcan Science Academy and...having visions. Okay. At least there's a somewhat believable explanation for it. Shasteen's on art for these issues and while Uhura's face looks more like Uhura it's still not quite there, which is especially jarring considering his Spock looks so much like Zachary Quinto it's verging on photorealism.

Then there's an issue on Kevin! He's at Yorktown working on the Enterprise, and it's a pretty fun story, though it would have been nice to learn more about him as a character. Also I really want to know what happened to the other Teenaxian that beamed aboard clinging to Kirk.

In the final issues, Levens's art gets even more cartoony with Louise on colors, and Kirk has a reunion with some people I've never met—some lady space pirate with a kid.

In good art news, there are some beautiful covers by Cryssy Cheung inside.

Contains: Death of a parent. Because I guess it just wouldn't be reboot without it.

[Jasmine]

Now. This was, of course, lots of fun. I will pretty much read any Star Trek and love it. And I loved seeing Jaylah and her crew (so good always I love them!).

HOW-EV-ER. There's a throwaway line where they're asking Dr. McCoy permission to do something medical as part of a murder investigation. And he says;

"What you're suggesting could get me kicked out of Starfleet. Not to mention that it's dangerous. And highly unethical. Okay I'm in."

I do NOT think that is a good writing of the character. Something that'd get Dr. McCoy kicked out of starfleet? Sign him the hell up, griping the entire way. Something dangerous? Unless it's a transporter, he'll be right there, also griping, ready to do some kind of crazy never-before-conceived-of surgery on a new alien they just identified. Unethical? Wait hold up now noooooo, one thing Dr. McCoy is NOT is cavalier with his patients, their rights, or the general practice of Medical Ethics. He's a doctor, not a spy, damnit. If that's the way they're taking the character now, I don't like it.

So that wasn't good. The arc with Uhura earning the respect of everyone on New Vulcan with her intelligence and control and then saving the day with her emotions was great though.

[47Time]

Another easy and fun read. This series is a good choice for anyone looking for a quick story in a complex scifi universe. The stories don't seem to provide much progress for the universe overall, but are entertaining. I guess they're targeted at a younger audience, but fans should enjoy them too.

In light of the Borg attack when the Federation and Romulan Empire had to work together, they organize a summit to discuss future diplomatic relations. There is still a lot of distrust between the factions. It only gets worse when a Romulan ambassador is killed.

A ship is seen departing the summit hastily. While Kirk follows it in the Endeavor, a Federation cadet named Shev Akria is suspected of the murder, though he claims he is innocent. The Romulans demand he be released in their custody, but the Federation delays this as much as possible. Shev's friend, cadet Jaylah frees him and helps him hide. All of this allows Kirk to find the real assassin in the runaway vessel.

The last story in the volume features a shape-shifting Federation captain thought dead years before. He tricks Kirk and takes his place on the Endeavor. Kirk reunites with an old lover who helps his regain control of the ship.

[Liz (Quirky Cat)]

Boldly Go Volume 2 isn’t as strong or as heavy hitting as the first volume, but it’s still pretty interesting on the whole. Instead of getting a volume with one main plot (like the first), we’ve been handed a series of shorter stories that help to broaden the world. Remember, this series is specifically based off of the most recent Star Trek movies, and thus shares characters and continuity.



As mentioned above, this volume is a collection of short stories from the Star Trek universe; the first one considers some of the consequences from the first volume (proving they’re not going to just drop that plot, much to my relief), the second focuses on Spock and Uhura, as well as a couple of other short stories (including Kevin, of course).
Considering what the first volume hit us with, it’s safe to say I felt a little underwhelmed while reading this one. I think I likely would have enjoyed it more, had my expectations not been raised so high. Trying to look on the bright side of things; we did get to see the Federation team up with a few other races in an attempt to plan a strategy against the Borg. Granted, they didn’t get very far, but I’m just relieved that this proves the whole previous plot isn’t going to just get dropped (I feel like once the Borg are introduced, they should stay introduced).
As for all of the other shorts included in this volume, while some of them were odd or didn’t necessarily draw me in, it was nice to see the world a bit more fleshed out. Being that this series is based off a continuity where we’ve seen relatively little, it’s nice to know more about, well…everything.
Spcok and Uhura are working to help the Vulcans adjust to their newly located colonized planet. While it’s quite different from the one they’re used to, there’s a certain sense of eagerness to get it (and thus Vulcan society) back to where it had once been. Unfortunately this planet had been previously inhabited (long before the Vulcans considered it a potential home, no worries), and what they did to the planet left lingering threats and dangers.
Fans of the Spock/Uhura ship will probably enjoy that short, as it also teases a bit more about their relationships’ future. It was sweet but also handled with a light touch, which is a good call (leave some of the mystery for the movies).
All in all volume two was a decent read. I just hope it gets its teeth back for volume three. It’d be a shame to see two weaker volumes in a row, especially after the opening it had.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Steven Shinder]

One could feel the effects of the Borg story from the previous volume in the Romulan two-parter begins this collection. For the two issues after that, the background art is much better, but the character art is a little bit lacking for the humans. The aliens are on point. The Spock and Uhura story was pretty sweet. And the Kevin story was amusing. I got a good kick out of the "Hail Steve" moment. And then it was cool seeing characters from Starfleet Academy. Including Jaylah throughout this collection was a nice touch that helped make this feel like a continuation from Beyond. Overall, I think I enjoyed this volume more than the first one.

[Dakota Morgan]

A little underwhelming after Boldly Go's first volume, but that's typically the case when we're given shorter, self-contained stories rather than an in-depth continuation of the first volume's Romulan plotline. That said, these stories are fun and fast and wonderfully Star Trekian. A peace conference with the Romulans goes awry, Spock and Uhura investigate a mystery on the Vulcan's new homeworld, and then there's a story about the tiny Teenaxi people that is mostly played for comedy. Not bad. I chuckled.

[Mickey]

Four episodes

The Andorian Babel one was fine. Not much of a murder mystery but the trick of mind-melding with a dead person was interesting.

Uhura's adventure on New Vulcan was pretty standard Trek stuff. Good.

There is an odd little story about the creatures from the opening scene of "Beyond."

More standard Trek drama with the Garth of Izar revival. I can't remember the TOS episode this is based on, but I remember the title. Anyway this story has a very TOS vibe, with shapeshifting, a Conrad-ian captain gone rogue, and a pirate girlfriend for Kirk.

[Rob Vitagliano]

This volume has two stories that are basically rehashes of Original Series episodes, "Journey to Babel" and "The Garth of Izar." Of course, there are Kelvin-verse twists, and the stories are neat. I also enjoyed the Spock and Uhura on New Vulcan story, which was more of a standalone. My favorite was book 10, which featured the little aliens from the beginning of Star Trek: Beyond, in a much better story than I ever would have expected.

I decided I like Tony Shasteen's art in this series the best. The covers by George Catsouldas are absolutely terrific as well.

[Ed]

This second set of issues isn't quite as good as the first. The first arc (issues 7 & 8) is the highlight. I really like what the Kelvin timeline comics have done with the Romulans. The next two issues (9 & 10) are a standalone Spock/Uhura story and a Scotty story, respectively. Both are pretty good. Issues 11 & 12, though, don't work as well for me. There's a lot of set up for a pretty slight climax.

[Thomas]

What I really liked about this collection isn't the Kelvin timeline depiction of the crew but the addition of the cadets from IDW's Starfleet Academy series. Some of the stories are okay, some are excellent so that makes a nice, middle three stars. The Spock and Uhura story set on New Vulcan is a wonderful character piece.

[Sora]

The artwork was good. And there was a least one story in there that felt complete. The others felt like they were at least missing one of the following: beginning, middle or end. All of which are critical. Also these Star Trek novels physically fall apart so easily! I get that they are not cheap because of the art and story but really for a book to fall apart so easily is not great.

[Tom]

This one is more directly connected to Star Trek Beyond, consisting of one- and two-shots with a selection of side characters. There's a little movement on the Spoke/Uhura relationship, but otherwise no overarching progression. It's cobbled together, but each of the parts is reasonably satisfying in its own right.

[John Yelverton]

This is an extremely well done collection of stories which speculates about what is going on with the crew of the Enterprise while they wait for the construction of the Enterprise-A to be complete following the events of "Star Trek Beyond."

[Jennifer]

meh. We're back in the mode of kind of retelling TOS stories and I don't think the takes are very interesting. Also, no disrespect to the Starfleet Academy but I don't really care enough about the cadets to enjoy seeing them again and again.

[Vince]

Fun. I've enjoyed pretty much everything Mike Johnson and his team are doing with the New Trek comics. This book carries on after ST:Beyond. Four stars.

[Casey]

"My name embodies the honor and glory of my position as Grand Audarch of the Teenaxi people. I am...STEVE." This volume was worth buying for that panel alone.

[Arjun Rajkumar]

Nice volume with three story arcs! Each with a quick and fast pace. Good to read more about the background of the academy, formation of new Vulcan and as always first contact with different species.

[Molly]

Mais uma boa história do universo Star Trek!

[Terry Collins]

Better than Volume One, with some clever stories and solid art. Looking forward to Volume Three!

[JJ Broenner]

Another excellent volume, enjoyed the story and felt like I was watching on screen. Well drawn art and well thought out story lines occurring simultaneously.

[Rebekah]

I liked this 2nd volume more than the first. The writing reminds me of the episodic way the shows are written, in the best way.

[Art]

This whole Kelvin Universe series is definitely interesting. It is going off in its own direction, but still managing to bring in echoes from the original timeline. Pretty good.

[Warren Tutwiler]

Read the individual issues.