In Review: Star Trek: Year Five #17

Synopsis: On this month’s Star Trek: Year Five. At last – the super-secret origin of Gary Seven! Who was Gary Seven before AEGIS turned him into a time-traveling secret agent? What, exactly, does AEGIS want? Answers are revealed and secrets are exposed in this fully painted stand-alone spy thriller from showrunners Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly

The Story

At last. We have an origin story for Gary 7, who over the nearly 6 decades has been one of Star Trek’s most loved characters. This story begins by showing us a typical day in the life of Caleb Howell. An agent who is trained to perfection and a part of some mysterious plan. As he returns from his run. Howell is picked up by AEGIS and told about his new role as Gary 7. An agent of AEGIS and a protector of the Earth.

However, it seems that his role is much bigger than that of the everyday agent. To begin with, he has the ability to travel through time and space. And over the first 35 years of his career. Gary 7 plays a key role in various aspects of human history. We also see the events that lead to Gary 7 and Captain Kirk’s first meeting.

But AEGIS’s plans for the earth are a lot different and more sinister than we can possibly imagine. Gary 7 is now tasked with the job of murdering Captain Kirk. This is seen by AEGIS as the only way to prevent future conflicts with Klingons and Borg. To kill one of the Federations most decorated Captains in the early days of his career.

The Artwork

Overall. The artwork in this single issue is fantastic. Artist J.K. Woodward brings his A-Game to this. If there is an art book of his work out there. Please let me know. Because I want it.

By and large, much of the art in this issue has a rather painted look to it. I especially loved the artwork that introduces Gary 7 to his partner Isis. Who we get to see transform into a cat. This is a really nice sequence of panels within the book. In fact. Much of the art where we see Gary at AEGIS is brilliantly done. Great stuff.

Overall

Writers Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly brings us a great origin story for Gary 7. Ever since he first appeared in the Star Trek Original Series episode ‘Assignment Earth’. Gary 7 has been a mysterious character that we have been revisiting in comics and novels. But interestingly. He has never turned up in any of the other shows.

Overall. This is a great stand-alone story, which fits perfectly into the current story arc of the comic.

I can’t wait to see what adventures await in 2021 for the Star Trek: Year Five comics.

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