STAR TREK VOYAGER: SEVENS RECKONING #4 (of 4)

 

STAR TREK VOYAGER SEVENS RECKONING #4 - The Endless Echo of Hate

Publisher: IDW

Writer: Dave Baker

Artist: Angel Hernandez

Colorist: Ronda Pattison

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Reviewer: Michael Nunneley

After encountering an unknown alien vessel stranded deep in the Delta Quadrant, Voyager's newest crewmember, Seven of Nine, has become part of a rebellion...one that has put her life at risk and caused countless Ohrdi'Nadar to lose their lives. But Septa, the leader of the Ohrdi'Nadar, is using the lower class Vesh as slave labor and is treating them cruelly because it makes the Vesh secrete a pheromone the extends hers & the Ohrdi'Nadar's lives. The Prime Directive can be cold and blunt when it comes to intervening in the affairs of other worlds - will Seven feel the consequences of defying that order or will her rebellion yield good fruit. This is the conclusion of Seven's Reckoning.

Dave Baker's storytelling in this one is very philosophical and therefore, very Star Trek. The ending, IMO, was very sudden - especially because of the expression on Seven's face. The conversation felt like it needed another panel or two. But don't think I blame Baker for this because I don't. I know from a friend that writes for IDW that they are very strict about their 23 page limit for their books. Which, IMO, stifles storytelling. That's one of the reasons Omen Comics average around 35 pages per book - so the writer can tell the story like it needs to be told. I'm betting that the ending would have been better without said restrictions. As I've said before regarding Hernandez' work, it is very good and his work in this issue is no exception. Hernandez' art is also highly complimented by Pattison's colors. Though, if I'm being honest, I was a bit disappointed with Janeway's likeness in this book in one panel in particular. I only mention it because it took me out of the story for a moment. Uyetake was perfect as usual. He's pretty dependable.

All in all I liked this series. Was it the greatest ever, no. But the story provided insights into Seven's character that I had not known because of the mistreatment of the Vesh. Seven's heart goes out to the Vesh because when she was a Borg all drones were equal - no one better than another, for her to see a class system built on slave labor was an affront to all that she knew up to that point - "almost intolerable" she says. As she puts it so well in the book, "Liberation is paramount". (I love it when they say Paramount on Star Trek!). And, speaking of quotes, there is a great one by Janeway on the Prime Directive: "The Prime Directive is cold, blunt and often ineffective in matters that require a precise solution, but it is of maximum importance that we adhere to our guiding principles. They will shepherd us through our darkest hours." And, in closing I'd like to say something a bit reminiscent of "We are Groot" I say, "We are all the Dawn Bringer!" If you're a Seven of Nine fan this series is def worth checking out.

Score: 3.75/5