Finally Home? 'Star Trek Voyager: Homecoming' Says "Hold my Coffee"

If you’ve listened to the podcast all the way through for the past five years, then you’ll know that I have an internal struggle between which Trek  is my favorite: DS9  or Voyager.

Damn, do I love both, but I have been known to lose hours to Voyager marathons that I did not intend on throwing. Why am I somehow halfway through six episodes after watching an episode of season five?

So, the minute I heard that Susan and Tilly Bridges were working on a Star Trek Voyager miniseries, one called “Homecoming” no less, focusing on the aftermath of the crew’s return home from the Delta Quadrant, I very quickly said, “Computer, ALL the coffee!” Not black, please, I need some cream and stevia.

We had the pleasure back in July of talking with Susan and Tilly about their inspiration for the five-part series. It was a great conversation, and you should go listen to it right now. We even got to meet them at San Diego Comic-Con where they talked about the book some more. But nothing prepared me for just how good the first issue was going to be.

Last week, I noted that I would have liked if Strange New Worlds “The Seeds of Salvation” had gotten to the good stuff a little quicker (it’s still a great comic, and you should absolutely pick it up and check out my review). Well, “Homecoming” wastes no time letting us know where this story is going. No sooner is Voyager back home, handing the keys back to Starfleet Command after seven years in the Delta Quadrant, than they’re back in the middle of a major crisis onboard the ship…one that Susan and Tilly have had a good time hinting at over the past few months.

And even if that crisis isn’t that hard to figure out based on some of their interviews and panels, it’s still an exhilarating ride that gives you one or two surprises you weren’t given and breadcrumbs to find.

Crisis aside, there are two bits of “Homecoming” issue one that I particularly love. The first is none other than B’Elanna Torres. The last time we saw her, she had just given birth to her daughter Miral. Congrats, Tom and B’Elanna! But when the proverbial shit hits the fan aboard Voyager, B’Elanna gets right back to work, with Miral in tow in a babywearing sling. As a stay-at-home dad for both of my kiddos, and no stranger to baby carriers and slings, I loved seeing this moment with B’Elanna so much.

Meanwhile, Tuvok starts to exhibit more symptoms of his Bendii Syndrome. I’m glad this wasn’t overlooked, and without spoiling anything regarding what’s going on aboard Voyager, I’m intrigued early on how his illness may play directly into the next four issues. This is something that could have easily been “mind-melded” away at the beginning of the book, but instead, The Bridges are weaving it right into the story.

If I had to gripe about one thing and one thing only (and it’s such a small thing I feel bad even bringing it up), Janeway does something in the opening act of the issue that I think was just a touch out of character regarding Voyager. This ship, this crew; they’ve become her family. A family she was very protective of for seven seasons. I wish there was more hesitation on her part during what is honestly such a minor moment that when first reading the book, you may honestly think nothing of it. But it's something I’ve thought about again during the past couple of days.

Overall, “Homecoming” is exactly the fast-paced book I was hoping it would be, and even being teased with a few plot points, it still managed to surprise the hell out of me. Next month can’t get here soon enough for issue two. Needless to say, Voyager is in great hands with Susan and Tilly Bridges. 

Star Trek Voyager: “Homecoming” issue one hits your local comic shop this Wednesday. Make sure to pick it up and support comic writers and artists!