Picard on a humanitarian mission
When I saw Picard: Countdown in Egmont’s offer, I was first very happy, then I started to worry. After all, it could be just slicing coupons! Or a continuation of the Discovery vibe that didn’t appeal to me at all. I liked the Picard series very much, but I saw elements in it that, due to too naïve solutions, would have the potential to waste both the character of Jean-Luc and the atmosphere of the whole. In order not to keep you in suspense, I will report as soon as possible that the picture mission has been successful! It’s not bad, there are emotions, Earl Gray is gone, there is our favorite captain (hidden under the admiral rank).
Now, some cold water. This comic is a prequel to Picard , showing what happened during the Romulan evacuation from supernova threatened planets. And remember that the task was very complicated, and the people rescued were reluctant and distrustful of the Federation. The crew of the USS Verity has become so tired that in the series we see outsiders who do not take responsibility for others, and not efficient representatives of Starfleet. We saw flashbacks , it’s time to check the details. Don’t get me wrong, The Countdown is such a separate story that you can read it without knowing the new installments of the universe – but it won’t be as much fun for those unfamiliar with the Picard series .And it is completely unsuitable for the first contact with Star Trek .
In vino veritas
Admiral Picard was retired to produce wine. Two Romulans with an unclear past, but very useful agricultural and, let’s say, military skills worked with him. Now you will see the beginnings of this account. As those who watched the series know, winemakers are exceptional specialists, there is nothing average about them. Do you think that the decision to emigrate to Earth was easy for them? One thing you can be sure of – mutual respect must have arisen between them and the admiral.
The Romulans are a race that carefully protects their secrets and cultivates tradition, so the necessity of evacuation, organized by the Federation, was extremely painful for them. Distrust, suspicion, and finally self-interest ultimately led to a catastrophe. The characters Picard meets seem unequivocally negative, Jean-Luc’s rationality and diplomacy will be put to a dramatic test. Yes, this is one of the more serious episodes.
In terms of volume, this is what Countdown is – another episode of the series. At a pace typical for her, she shows an event that had a significant impact on the fate of the Verity crew and on the relations between the Federation and the Romulan Empire. The next season will throw us many years later into a universe far less open and optimistic than that of Jean-Luc’s youth.
A comic book for a nerd
Comics from the latest Star Trek series stick to realistic, sometimes heavy lines (here by Angel Hernandez), making a very “cinematic” impression. The countdown is full of details, including technical ones. This meticulousness finds a charming end in the afterword that tells about the development of the USS Veritas project, a new class ship, larger than the well-known Enterprise, having much in common with the armada of war. You will read about the commitment of Star Trek fans with whom the creators of this multiverse are in constant contact. It will also be about the game, because thanks to this medium the tradition and technological achievements of the Federation survived the lean years, when from the mainstream perspective it seemed that the whole story would remain a nostalgic memory.
The interiors of Veritas and the pages of the Countdown are full of much darker colors than you would expect from watching any (except Borg) episodes of The Next Generation. This palette (selected by Joana Lafuente) has a lot in common with the Picard series , you can see here a common, consistent idea to refresh Star Trek . “It’s not weird,” after all, Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, who worked on both new starter series, are responsible for the script. In the comic you will also find an interview with the writer, which clearly shows how deeply she “sits” in this world.
A skillfully told story that complements what we know from the Picard series . Interview and afterword, thanks to which you will learn the details of working on the latest installments of the Star Trek multiverse . A plot that could just be another episode of the series. Fans will be pleased!
