DECEMBER 22, 2023 – “The Defiant crew makes way for its next bounty: Berlinghoff Rasmussen, infamous time-traveling thief and con man. Berlinghoff has escaped custody on Starbase 214 and has his sights set on tech from the forbidden planet and final resting place of Captain Christopher Pike, Talos IV. With top-secret orders from Starfleet, Worf and his crew are to intercept the target without being detected by anyone... including the Federation.”

As we dive into Star Trek: Defiant issue #10, things get pretty wild. Spock's dealing with some trippy visions of Captain Pike, steering the crew toward Talos IV. But hold on tight because the story takes some unexpected detours, blurring the lines between what's real and what's just messing with our heads.

I want to say before getting into it I am LOVING this story so far!

Writer Christopher Cantwell weaves a tale that's not just entertaining but also makes you think. The characters, who've devoted their lives to Starfleet and Federation ideals, get a run for their money. Despite the story's breezy vibe, it drops some heavy ideas that add a layer of depth and complexity to the whole shebang.

Now, let's talk about the art – Mike Feehan and Pow Rodrix absolutely crush it. The visuals are detailed and impressive, bringing the issue to life. Different styles seamlessly blend, making the whole series a treat for the eyes. Scenes aboard the fake Defiant? Pure chaos and tension, capturing the characters dealing with some serious pressure. Colourist Marissa Louise and letterer Clayton Cowles complete the presentation.

Spock's heartfelt goodbye to the Pike vision is a real tearjerker in the midst of all the craziness. And the dissolution of General Order 7? Adds a juicy twist, exploring what goes down after the Talos IV drama. It's like a love letter to the OG Star Trek pilot episode, giving a nod to "The Cage" while tossing in fresh twists and turns.

But wait, there's more – turns out the crew is stuck in a fake version of the ship. Cue the suspense as iconic characters like Sisko, Janeway, and Riker pop up, trying to pull command codes out of the senior officers. Rasmussen's trying to take control with a little help from the Talosians, giving us a front-row seat to the characters' reactions under some serious pressure.

Now, here's where things get interesting. While we're soaking in the nostalgia for "The Cage," Rasmussen as a villain feels a bit out of left field. The clash between morality and Starfleet rules gets its moment in the spotlight, but Rasmussen's character doesn't quite steal the show, getting a bit lost in the homage to the classic episode.

In a nutshell, Star Trek: Defiant issue #10 keeps the series' cool retro vibes and keeps the adrenaline pumping. The story gets complex, the artwork is a visual feast, and as the current arc heads towards its grand finale, we're all itching to see where the Defiant crew's heading next. Get ready for a ride!