Star Trek: Red Shirts #2 - Review of the Comic Book

      Villordsutch reviews Star Trek: Red Shirts #2…

      “Red Shirts” in the Star Trek universe have, to put it gently, become somewhat of a running joke. These cannon fodder characters are now merely memes for nerds worldwide. However, these individuals in the red uniforms are the ones who stand in front of Kirk, Bones, and Spock. Without these fallen heroes – those turned into mineral cubes and such – there would be no whales in San Francisco harbor! So yes, they are rather significant. Now, Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant) and Megan Levens (Starsigns) aim to demonstrate this.

      Picking up from issue #1, the intrigue deepens on Arkonia 89. Someone has been spying on a remote Starfleet science base that has been discreetly observing stellar winds for almost a year. When the Security Team from the USS Warren is sent in, things quickly take a turn for the worse: two Red Shirts are lost in a stealthy confrontation during the team's arrival. As efforts are made to flush out the spies, it becomes evident that Arkonia 89 is far from a welcoming planet.

      To be upfront: I was uncertain about my feelings towards Red Shirts. A five-issue mini-series could easily have devolved into slapstick farce, with Starfleet members fumbling about and nameless crew dying without significance. This is not the case here. Nor is it a “safe” comic. Red Shirts delivers a gritty narrative filled with pain, gore, and brutal character deaths. This story focuses on a Starfleet Security Team carrying out a grim, hazardous job—one only those in red could undertake.

      I initially had a complaint about the series, but it was a harsh twist of Starfleet fate that quickly resolved it. At the start of issue #1, we meet twelve characters and their personalities. My aging brain sighed, “I’m never going to remember all of these!” However, by the beginning of issue #2, two faces already had red marks through them. I won’t reveal anything—but suffice to say, the list of names is shrinking rapidly, and more red ink will be spilled in issue #3.

      Red Shirts has surprisingly become a standout for me. There’s mystery, bloodshed, and redemption for Starfleet's often-criticized Security Officers. If Christopher Cantwell maintains this pace, it could easily emerge as one of the notable Trek comics — and I would love to see it continue beyond this mini-series. Megan Levens’ art contributes significantly, capturing the essence of Trek. She seems to embrace the chaotic side of Starfleet—whether with the unforgettable opening of Issue #1, where Ensign Chip Miller encounters a Mugato, or the more brutal “disruptor rifle to the face” moment in this issue, reminiscent of an old Tales from the Crypt comic.

      Red Shirts is exceptional: a well-deserved redemption for all those who have perished in red. My only real issue is the large number of characters on the page—but, as mentioned, that concern is quickly being addressed.

      Rating: 8/10

      @Villordsutch