Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #4
Story by Roberto Orci & Mike Johnson
Script by Mike Johnson
Art by David Messina
Ink Assist by Marina Castelvetro
Colors by Claudia Scarletgothica
Letters by Chris Mowry
Cover by David Messina
IDW Publishing
Release date: April 10, 2013
Cover price: $3.99

The final issue of Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness is here!

The 4-issue miniseries is meant to bridge the gap between of J.J. Abrams’ 2009 film Star Trek and its direct sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, coming to theaters this May. And while the series has been a fun ride, this final issue has left us with even more questions than before.

In Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #4, we finally learn the intentions of the long-presumed dead Robert April, who’s now attempting a negotiation with the Klingon Empire to stop the civil war on the planet Phaedus IV. In previous issues, we learned that April, a former Federation starship captain, had faked his death and disobeyed the Prime Directive in an effort to aid one side of the warring factions on Phaedus. Once Captain Kirk and his Enterprise crew arrived at the far-off planet for a routine check, April used their appearance to further his agenda. Now, we find out what April’s ultimate plans are and what Kirk will decide to do with this AWOL colleague.

In the 2009 film, the villains were time-traveling Romulans; with Countdown To Darkness, we finally get a glimpse of the Klingons, and since this miniseries is a lead-in to the new film, this all but confirms that the popular race will be in involved in the plot somehow. It’s unclear yet whether the Klingons will be the actual villains or if it be another case of rogue operatives provoking a war. In this miniseries, the Klingons look neither like the humanoids introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series nor do they appear as the ridged-headed warriors in the original movies and subsequent television series. Here, we see that they are bearded, which is a familiar characteristic, but they are also helmeted with faceplates, so it’s hard to ascertain their true features.

Regarding villains – what’s happening with John Harrison, played in the sequel by Sherlock‘s Benedict Cumberbatch? We know from the trailers that he’s definitely the “bad guy” and he’s a former Starfleet officer, just like Robert April. There’s a reason we were introduced to April in the comic – he knows something, he knows what’s coming, but how does he know so much after being away for so long? Most importantly, what does he know?

If you’re as excited about Star Trek Into Darkness as I am – or even half as much, for that matter – then definitely read Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness. Yes, it will leave you wanting more, but oh does it really whet the appetite. Star Trek Into Darkness comes to standard and IMAX theaters on May 17, 2013. The trade paperback edition, which collects all four issues of Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness, is available now; if you’ve been getting the single-issues, see purchase links below to get the issues you need.

– Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #1
– Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #2
– Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #3
– Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #4