Fans of Star Trek who believed that IDW’s recent comic series expanded on the franchise’s rich lore should prepare for monumental shifts in 2025. Upcoming storylines hint at significant alterations to the mythology surrounding Benjamin Sisko, a move that might stir controversy but aligns with the franchise’s storytelling tradition.
A Transformative Revelation About Benjamin Sisko’s Bajoran Prophecy
The teaser for Star Trek #28 captures the essence of this groundbreaking plot:
Lore has destroyed the multiverse, and its fate now lies in Benjamin Sisko’s hands. But after the U.S.S. Theseus slingshots into the Celestial Temple, Sisko finds himself without his crew… or any technology… on a Bronze-age Bajor. If Sisko is to save life itself from the Orb of Destruction, he must first save himself…
Writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing have earned the trust of fans by masterfully weaving profound emotional moments into the expansive tapestry of Star Trek. The crucial question remains: how will this narrative reshape perceptions of Trek canon?
Throughout their ongoing series at IDW, Kelly and Lanzing have embraced a vision of Star Trek that challenges and recontextualizes its foundational elements. Their innovative contributions have been well-received by the fanbase, leading to anticipation about Sisko’s upcoming adventure in ancient Bajor. However, skepticism exists among some long-time fans.
Challenges in Accepting Changes to Sisko’s Trek Legacy
Star Trek #28 – “Old Sisko”Variant Cover by Tess Fowler
The casual loop concept, a staple in science fiction, has previously been effectively employed within the Star Trek narrative framework. However, fans’ hesitance isn’t rooted in the trope’s applicability to the Trek universe; rather, it pertains to broader concerns about franchise storytelling.
For many enthusiasts, the primary worry hinges on whether the plot does justice to Sisko’s character and adheres to the trajectory established by Kelly and Lanzing. Should the storyline succeed in honoring Sisko and expanding his narrative arc, the implications for lore, regardless of how expansive they may be, will likely resonate with fans.
This approach risks rendering the Star Trek universe more insular, which contradicts the series’ broader mission of exploration and expansion. Critics point to the current trend in franchises—like Star Wars—where iconic characters seem inextricably linked to every pivotal moment in franchise history, rather than existing within a vast universe enriched by innumerable narratives.
The validity of these concerns is subjective. However, it’s essential for fans to keep an open mind until Star Trek #28 reaches the market. The narrative synopsis could indeed cloak a more profound revelation, or it could stand alone. Regardless, if the story honors Sisko and advances the thematic elements Kelly and Lanzing have developed, the lore’s ramifications will be justifiable.
IDW’s Star Trek: A Redefinition of Lore for a New Generation
Anticipating the Lore War in March 2025
Captain Sisko’s temporal journey in Star Trek #28 reflects a crucial element of an even more expansive reimagining of the Trek universe, prompted by the devastation wrought by Lore, Data’s sinister sibling. The Lore War, set to be the franchise’s marquee crossover event in 2025, encapsulates nearly three years of innovative storytelling by Kelly and Lanzing. While this could symbolize a culmination of their efforts, it simultaneously offers an exciting opportunity to redefine the landscape of Star Trek comics for the future.
The creative team possesses the freedom to revert the narrative trajectory to its original state or to transform the fabric of the Trek universe entirely, contingent on IDW’s willingness to allow such latitude. As 2024 marked a notable resurgence for IDW’s Star Trek, the forthcoming year appears poised to elevate the series further, making it indispensable for both comic enthusiasts and dedicated fans of the franchise.
Star Trek #28 is set to hit the shelves on January 22, 2025, courtesy of IDW Publishing.
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