Trekker: Chapeltown

Trekker #4

by Ron Randall

From the back cover:

Relentless bounty hunter Mercy St. Clair travels to the raw, final frontier world of Chapeltown, seeking answers into her past. There, she is caught up in an explosive, deadly struggle between forces that vie to shape the future. She also confronts revelations that will change the course of her young, extraordinary life forever.

Trekker: Chapeltown collects the prologue tale, "The Vostock Payoff," the pivotal "Chapeltown," and additional bonus stories "Hand of Kindness" and "Tricks of the Trade," as well as a gallery of pinups and an extensive "Making Of..." section. This volume is an excellent introduction to Mercy's world for new readers and an exciting feast for long-time fans.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

Ron Randall has been working professionally as an illustrator and storyteller for over twenty years. He has worked for all major US comic publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image and many others, and commercial clients include Disney, Nike, Lucas Film, SeaWorld and Playstation. He has provided exceptional art for some of the biggest brands in comics, from Star Wars to Predator to Venom.

Reviews

[Jonathan Netherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron Randall understands what made Bronze to Modern Age comic books so iconic and readable, and distills that quintessence into the newest editions to his Trekker series. This is an easy book to pick up and devour in one sitting! The plot twists may be classic but that's what makes this reading like comfort food for the eyes and soul.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow day at work, and I figured I might as well read one of the Kickstarters that I contributed to.

Now, to be 100% honest there's a lot of Trekker that I haven't read, and the good news is that this isn't a "catch-up" volume with tons of exposition for new readers. It is fairly obvious this is continuing plot threads laid down in prior volumes. Enough background is given so that even a casual reader will be able to understand what is going on, and the relationships.

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I enjoyed Mercy and Molly's relationship. Look it might seem casual, and too pat to some. But, if you've ever been in a relationship where the other party suddenly figures out, "Oh yeah, that's the person I want/I'm supposed to be with," Mercy's light bulb moment about Molly worked for me.

Enjoyed the introduction of a the new off-world setting and new players. Ron Randall is a steady professional who's depiction of action is well done.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started in the 80s, fizzling out in the 90s, and resurfacing in the 2010's, this is a little bit of a rebirth for Mercy Watson. Though some newer stories appeared in the Complete Trekker Volume 1, I believe this is the first newly written volume kickstarted. That said, it follows from those original stories from the 80s. The whole thing is pretty linear. That said, this particular volume really focuses on main character Mercy St. Clair trying to get a new start of sorts. Though it is slightly more modern in some ways, the coloring seems more to modern sensibilities, there are particular occurrences that seem less controversial in the 2010s than in the 80s, this story still wouldn't seem particularly out of place if it was released 20 years ago, after the other original stories. I'm glad these series has been revived. I never read the originals until I found these new stories on Kickstarter, and it all holds up really well.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume takes Mercy away from the mean streets and urban environment into the frontier, changing the mood from hardboiled/noire to more Western. Not sure if it is an entirely comfortable fit, but the stories are fun though several plot threads are strung and gently, they are barely advanced by the end of the volume, which is slightly annoying.

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy St. Clair returns in new adventures that take her from the urban spires of New Gelaph to the untamed frontiers of Chapeltown. The space western is a classic genre mashup that does not always impress me but Ron Randall uses the new setting to great effect. In regards to a major development in our Trekker's life I just have to say...FINALLY! Can't wait for the next instalment!

[Tarawyn Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not very well-versed in the world of comics but I really enjoyed this. I've wanted to read Trekker for years but didn't know where to start and this was a great introductory volume. I especially liked all of the process pages at the end.

[Scott Uhls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the story of our ray gun queen! However, this one was a bit more sexualized and I was not a fan. There was this whole thing about pheromones and hooking up… anyway, still a good little western, and I wish it was longer, but I could have done without the Jakinite stuff.

[Douglas Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last Trekker collection that I hadn't read but it was worth the wait.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great scifi comic. Like if Zoe Washburrne from Firefly became a bounty hunter and moved from the Core Planets to the outer rim.

[Ashley Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun, I especially loved the last part when real-life people got to have a role in a Mercy tale.

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ron's space opera gets more complex and continues to be awesome!