In Review: Star Trek: Picard: Stargazer #1

Synopsis: After a tantalizing offer to return among the stars arises, Captain Jean-Luc Picard takes to the bridge of the U.S.S. Stargazer. But when trouble rears its head on a once peaceful, pre-warp planet from his past, Picard enlists the help of an old friend.

The Story

Set after the events of Picard Season 2. This story begins with Picard having Seven of Nine test his new scenario for the infamous Starfleet Kobyashimaru test. Only instead of the usual somewhat kinetic test. Picard has created a test calling on the cadet to try and come up with a diplomatic solution. Having tried the test out Seven tells Picard that she does not feel like Starfleet material and is better suited to the Fenris Rangers.

Having spent some time at his home making wine. Picard gets a call from Starfleet and is given an offer he can’t refuse. He is asked to assist the Captain of the U.S.S. Stargazer on a mission to investigate a pre-warp planet that he discovered many years before when he commanded the old Stargazer. Picard tells the new Stargazer’s Captain about the mission that he led many years ago, which brought him into direct conflict with a Romulan commander.

When Picard and a team beam down to the planet. He finds that the planet isn’t what it used to be.

The Artwork

Angel Hernandez does a solid job with the artwork and sets the tone for what looks like it could be a really interesting story. I particularly liked the series of panels where we saw the younger Picard onboard the original Stargazer. Of course, this was back when Picard had hair, and Hernandez does a pretty good job of illustrating that. I also loved the action beats that play out toward the end of the comic where Seven is reintroduced as she bookends this first chapter by saying that there are some jobs that Fenris Rangers are better suited for.

Overall

Mike Johnson brings us a fun story, which ties Picard’s first command with a new adventure set on a world that he’d only been able to scan from orbit given that it was a pre-warp world. I love how this story ties Picard’s past with his present and really enjoyed the flashback sequence. Additionally, I also quite enjoyed the difference in methods between Picard’s more diplomatic approach and Seven of Nine’s more kinetic approach to a problem. It will be fascinating to see if each character learns something from the other as this story unfolds.