Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness - Our Verdict

Words: Story by Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson, script by Mike Johnson
Art: Pencils by David Messina, inks by Marina Castelvetro, colors by Claudia Scarletgothica
Buy It: from Titan for £9.99

The Blurb: This exclusive graphic novel prequel to this summer’s blockbuster Star Trek movie, Star Trek Into Darkness, sees new characters and conflicts threaten Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise, in a story overseen by Star Trekmovie writer/producer, Roberto Orci.

Our Verdict: We were beamed onto cloud nine with the arrival of Star Trek Into Darkness in cinemas, giving us a summer blockbuster of out-of-this-world proportions. So it's always lovely to get a bit of prequel goodness in comic book form.

The story kicks off as the USS Enterprise arrives at the planet Phaedus to survey the development of the intelligent race on the surface. But their simple mission is soon thwarted when a unexpectedly high-tech jamming signal forces Kirk to violate the prime directive and head to the planet to investigate. On arrival, he and Spock discover that Star Fleet has already interfered thanks to the machinations of a well-meaning former Enterprise captain, Robert April.

What follows is an enjoyable romp, as April takes desperate measures to save the natives from self-destruction by way of civil war. It's a nice story, introducing a couple of interesting new characters with plenty of references to the original series and JJ Abrams' subsequent 2009 movie with some pleasing art.

What it doesn't do, however, is give any hints, clues or set-up for Into Darkness, save a single panel cameo from Benedict Cumberbatch's villain, John Harrisson. This, ultimately, is disappointing in a prequel. But on the flip side, we do get a little insight into the mindset of Spock following the destruction of the planet Vulcan - arguably one of the most interesting aspects of the movie.

GG♥SF Verdict: ♥♥♥♥♥ - an entertaining read that fans, in particular, will enjoy.

Star Trek - Countdown to Darkness Movie Prequel (Movie Tie-In Cover) by Mike Johnson & David Messina, 10th May 2013, £9.99, Titan Books.

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“I am Locutus of Borg” Tops SFX Star Trek Poll

After collecting over 1,000 votes in their Best 50 Star Trek Moments Ever poll, our friends at SFX have decided the all-time greatest Star Trek moment.

The stunning “I am Locutus of Borg” cliffhanger climax to Star Trek: The Next Generation’s The Best of Both Worlds, Part One was voted to the top spot by fans, narrowly beating the famous and oft-quoted “KHAAAAAAAAN!” from The Wrath of Khan.

The death of Spock, also from The Wrath of Khan, took third place, while "There are four lights" from The Next Generation, Chain of Command, Part Two holds fourth. Kirk's grilling of O'Brien from the Deep Space Nine episode Trials And Tribble-ations came in fifth.

Elsewhere in the poll, the Deep Space Nine series triumphs over the 2009 JJ Abrams Star Trek movie, with three entries in the top ten (at 5, 6 and 7) – the 2009 film’s highest placing is at number 12.

SFX's special edition editor Ian Berriman says: “This was Star Trek’s first proper cliffhanger ending, and it left fans with an agonising wait of several months to find out what happened next – it was pretty hard to see how Picard could come back from being turned into a Borg!

“When it first aired, there were rumours circulating about problems with Patrick Stewart’s contract negotiations, so it did seem possible that he might be written out.”

Check out the full list in SFX's special edition 'The A-Z of Star Trek', which goes on sale today.

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New Star Trek Into Darkness Posters

Check out the new Star Trek Into Darkness posters released to whet our appetite (as if we weren't excited enough already).

Spock (Zachary Quinto) takes the heat and Uhura (Zoe Saldana), well, she just looks hot.

Directed by J.J. Abrams and co-starring Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch, Star Trek Into Darkness UK release date is 9 May 2013.

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The Cumberbeast Talks Star Trek

Benedict Cumberbatch's Star Trek villain 'John Harrison' has been cloaked in much mystery, but the actor couldn't help giving a few hints about the character in a recent interview with MTV.

“The whole thing, not just his backstory, but his agenda, his plan, his secret, all that is what, for me at least, makes him such a frightening and cool villain," said the actor.

“Also, the real villains - when they’re not just two-dimensional, angry vengeful types - don’t see themselves as the bad guy. They are the good guy and have complete rationale and motivation.

“He’s a terrorist; he operates as a terrorist. He has extraordinary physical powers, but also mental powers. He can sow an idea, which is as powerful as gunshots or close-hand combat, which he’s masterful in.

 “He tears into the fabric of both the world and the Enterprise family, and he leaves behind him a trail of devastation. It’s quite exciting to watch.”

Producer JJ Abrams, meanwhile, has praised the star, revealing it was the BBC series Sherlock which inspired him to cast The Cumberbeast.

"One day, Damon Lindelof texted me and said, 'You should check out Sherlock'. And I watched Sherlock, and was completely blown away, there was this absolute undeniable feeling about it," he said at a recent press conference.

"Certainly it was important to hear the words come out of this actor's mouth, and so we got Benedict the pages and he sent an iPhone-taped audition to us, but it was almost a little bit of a formality."

Abrams went on to suggest that Cumberbatch's presence had raised the standard of performances across the board.

"Being on the set with him... I think everyone was bringing their absolute A-game. I think, frankly, in a way, [his] presence sort of elevated everything," he added.

"Time and again, every scene, Benedict brought a surprising, unexpected, grounded, real and often terrifying aspect to the role. So we are incredibly grateful, all of us."

Star Trek Into Darkness will be released on May 14, 2013.

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Alice Eve's Star Trek Role Revealed

Those who were wondering who Alice Eve would be playing in Star Trek: Into Darkness can wonder no more. 

 **SPOILER WARNING: In case it wasn't obvious enough, we're about to reveal who Alice Eve is playing in Star Trek: Into Darkness. If you don't want to know, don't read on.** 

The actress is set to take on the role of Carol Marcus in the forthcoming sequel. 

The character originally appeared in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as a federation scientist working on the top secret Genesis Project. 

Marcus' original storyline saw her live with her son David, who she raised alone after he was fathered by Captain James T Kirk (the dirty rascal), but it is yet to be revealed how closely her character will follow her original storyline. 

The news follows the revelation that Benedict Cumberbatch will play the "ruthless" John Harrison in the film, though internet speculation suggests that JJ Abrams may be messing with us as there's no major character in the canon of that name. 

Star Trek: Into Darkness is due for release on May 17, 2013.

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