Comic Review: Star Trek- Romulans: Schism #2 (IDW Publishing) by Ed Rondo

In technology we trust....

Star Trek- Romulans: Schism #2 continues the high pace cat and mouse game between the Romulan’s/ Klingon’s and the Federation already established in Issue #1. Our Heroine, the former Number one under Captain Christopher Pike, who is now a Commodore and in command of the U.S.S Yorktown, is before the Federation Council in a last ditch effort to try to persuade the council members into finding an alternative method to using the stolen Romulan cloaking technology, in order to bring about a less brutal solution to the escalating crisis near the Neutral zone. Falling upon deaf ears, The Commodore and the crew of the U.S.S Yorktown are dispatched to a Federation listening post along the border of the Neutral Zone, where they will get a chance to see if the technological gamble the Federation has taken will prove effective in preventing war.




Meanwhile on Romulus, the current Praetor embarks on a tour to inspect the newest ship in the Romulan fleet, one that might possibly tip the scales in favor of a Romulan victory over not only the Federation, but the Klingon’s as well. All the while, a fleet of Romulan ships near the Neutral zone finally make their presence known, hoping to force the hand of the Federation into a fully fledged conflict.

If anything, I think the general theme of this issue would be “faith in technology”. The way the Romulans and the Federation are being shown to have bestowed total confidence in each others technological achievements, reminds me of another famous Star Trek TOS episode “A Private Little War”. In that episode the crew of the U.S.S Enterprise discovers the Klingon’s interfering with development of a peaceful race, by providing them with advanced weapons technology, in order for them to defeat their enemy. This soon turns into an arms race, and Captain Kirk must provide the other side with firearms just as equal in order to level the playing field. It’s nice to know that Mr. Byrne is never at a loss at showing how these themes are still as valid today’s as they were 40 years ago.

As usual the artwork is meticulous & exquisite, full of enough details to make any Trek fan giggle like a school girl with glee. The color scheme for me is what sets the tone. It’s spot on for the time this is set in, and invokes a sense of nostalgia each and every time.

However, my only complaint would have to be the following: Does anyone else think it’s about time The Commodore (and former Number One) got a name? I mean it’s fine if this is not addressed here, but if it was, that would be some pretty sweet icing on an already decadent cake.

Writer: John Byrne
Artist: John Byrne

On sale October 7th

8/10

Ed Rondo
Senior Critic