Star Trek vs. Transformers #1 Review

Hi Everybody. It's been nearly two years since I posted anything on this dusty old blog, but here I am, once again with the urge to rant about comic books. I can't promise updates will be consistent, but I'm going to do my best. Anyway, guess what I found at Barnes & Noble the other day? That's right, a crossover between Star Trek and Transformers. If you're at all familiar with my reviews of old, you'll know that crossovers are my absolute jam. I love seeing how two different franchises interact with one another and what story opportunities that can create. I'm going to assume that most of you have a passing familiarity with both Star Trek and Transformers so I'll forgo any lengthy introductions for the time being and just get right down to business.

We open with the USS Enterprise resending to a distress call from a mining colony under attack by the Klingons. However, some unusual interference is blocking the Enterprise's scanners, so Kirk, along with Spock, Sulu and M'ress, an alien cat lady because some sadist out there wants to make sure we never forget Star Trek V, beam down to the surface to see what's up.

Upon reaching the planet, Kirk and company are shocked to find the miners under attack by what appear to be 20th century aircrafts, which we the readers, judging from the logos, can identify as Decepticons. However, the question of why a bunch of fighter jets from three hundred years ago and how, as Spock observes, they can apparently fly with no one piloting them will have to wait as the bigger priority is the safety of the colonists. During the battle, a familiar red and blue semi-truck emerges from a cave. Kirk, mistaking the truck for reinforcements of the attacking planes, shoots it with his phaser at full power. Injured from the blast, the Truck reverts to it's robot form, that of Optimus Prime. Kirk is understandably astounded by the very sight of the giant robot, but still tries to offer his assistance. Optimus says something about not wanting to drag the humans into his war again before, for lack of a better term, passing out. Seeing that their enemy is weakened, The Decepticons, specifically Starscream, Soundwave and Megatron, take this opportunity to strike, with Soudwave unleashing a devastating sonic blast against the Starfleet officers. Kirk, finally seeing what he's up against, orders a photon torpedo strike against the Decepticons, forcing them to retreat for the time being.

Elsewhere, the Decepticons are surprised to learn that one of their own, Trypticon, is currently being used as a makeshift base by some Klingons. Despite initial hostilities between Megatron and the Klingon commander, Kuri, the two villains realize that, given their shared hatred of humans, a partnership between them may be mutually beneficial, especially once Kuri learns that Kirk is involved. Back on the colony, Scotty and Dr. McCoy have been called down to examine the wounded Optimus while the others explore the cave from which he had initially emerged. However, the Enterprise crew does not get too far before their ambushed by a team of Autobots demanding to know what they've done with Optimus. What Works: I really enjoyed the art style, particularly how it recreates the style of Star Trek the Animated Series. They even remembered to include the purple armor for the Klingons, an infamous animation mistake as a result of the color-blindness of one of the people working on the series. The art styles mesh together very well despite being at least a decade removed from one another. Speaking of the Klingons, I actually really like the scene between The Klingons and The Decepticons. It's simple, yet effective and shows that Megatron may be arrogant, but he's still smart enough to recognize that these organics can be of use, particularly now that their dealing with this unfamiliar element in The Enterprise. What Doesn't: Thus far, it's too early in the mini-series to find any glaring flaws. Overall: 3.5/5

While mostly set-up, this was an effective introduction to this crossover that services fans on both sides.