Writer: Tim Sheridan
Artist & Colorist: Robby Cook
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Design & Production: Johanna Nattalie
Editors: Heather Antos & Cassandra Jones
Cover Artists: Robby Cook
Publisher: IDW
Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Abseiling the warp core lands Mariner in the doghouse. While lecturing her daughter, Mariner’s mom lapses into a sitcom-worthy flashback. Fifteen years ago, Captain Carol Freeman was a risk-taking ensign. After taking time off to start a family, Carol transferred to the USS Illinois to resume her career. But girls (and young mothers) want to have fun.
Ensign Freeman hopes rerouting the site-to-site transporters through the axillary phaser array can help her evade Captain Inman and Dr Pulaski’s restrictions. Will Ensign Freeman resume her late-night skiing on the holodeck? Or will Carol’s unsanctioned repairs land the adventurous ensign in hot water? Let's grab our transporter inhibitors, leap into Star Trek: Lower Decks #8, and find out!
Story
Ensign Freeman didn’t want to shortchange her family. Nor did she want to endanger her ship. Still, she's older than other Lower Decks personnel and chafes at Captain Inman's parental curfews. So, Ensign Freeman takes advantage of the USS Illinois’ quiet patrol along the Romulan Neutral Zone to reroute the site-to-site transporters. When Inman’s First Officer activates the axillary phaser array, Carol and her friends watch the rest of the crew disappear.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #8 contrasts the types of people who achieve power. Some, like Captain Inman, seek to repress their subordinates and attack when they feel threatened. Others, like the visiting Dr Katherine Pulaski, have the rank and wisdom to be effective leaders but don't relish making decisions that will protect or injure others. Finally, there is Carol Freeman, who prioritized her family over her career. After resuming her Starfleet duties, the ensign savors her journey through the ranks instead of racing for command.
When a Romulan Subcommander delivers an ultimatum, the ensign disagrees with Captain Pulaski’s tactics. So, Carol takes responsibility for rectifying the situation and retrieving her missing crew. Star Trek: Lower Decks #8 is an enjoyable story filled with humor and spunky characters. As characters race against a deadline to find a solution, Tim Sheridan plants a mystery for future stories to explore.
Art
Robby Cook positions Carol and her daughter in her gray Captain’s office aboard the USS Cerritos before returning her to the USS Illinois' beige and tan bridge. While yellow and red uniforms bring the characters forward against the yellow-and-black LCARS wall displays, a green Romulan ship appears on the monitor. Yet even beneath the glowing red ceiling panels, Dr Pulaski's blue uniform and plumage-like hair demand your attention.
A scene in the transporter room recalls Pulaski's distrust of molecule-scrambling travel. Her reactions flit between irritation and smiles as she orders and observes her subordinates. A conference amid Red Alert evokes Captain Picard's fondness for Senior Staff Meetings in Star Trek: Lower Decks #8. Carol's constant arguing and outrage herald her need to rise through the ranks and assume the Captain's chair.
Clayton Cowles beams black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons. Letters embolden for emphasis and shrink for lowered voices. Balloons deform when an ensign demonstrates his unsuitability for command. White letters in red banners denote the passage of time as a triple divorcee shepherds a young wife and mother through the ranks. Thanks to IDW Publishing for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Captain Freeman’s daughter frustrates her. Mariner seems to bounce between childish irresponsibility and sterling service in the best traditions of Starfleet. But then Carol Freeman remembers a time when, like Mariner, she wasn’t as sensible and respectable as she is today. Star Trek Lower Decks #8 ponders how mistakes help us grow while reminding us that life is about more than status and achievements.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
No comments:
Post a Comment