U.S.S. Cerritos and crew are touring the galaxy as their mission requires. And, this being Star Trek, they encounter strange situations. Ghost ships, disappearing star systems, time travelers changing history, you know normal events. But the fun lies in how the lower deck crew, specially, Mariner, Tendi, Rutherford, Boimler, and T’Lyn, reacts during this adventures. I especially enjoyed seeing the portrayal of certain well known characters as bloodthirsty crazy folks and the Lower Deck folks saying, “Nope, not doing that!” and up and leaving. Of course that was being broadcast galaxy wide so Captain Janeway and others could see it! Fun times!

Thanks Netgalley and IDW for the chance to read this title!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Oh, Lower Decks, you were taken from us too soon.

This is a collection of the first six comics from the series. Although it doesn't quite capture the magic of the show, the comics are entertaining. There is a good mix of original story and callbacks to previous Treks. Both artists featured do a great job keeping the original style while bringing their own twist. If you're a Lower Decks fan, you'll enjoy these.

I received an advanced copy of this graphic novel for review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first graphic novel in a while. I'll admit they're not my favorite format, HOWEVER. You can't present me with a Lower Decks GN and not expect me to jump on it! I LOOVE Lower Decks (all the new Star Trek shows tbh) and I've missed it since the finale. This was perfect! It really is just like the show, and I think being so familiar made it easier for me, as a person who struggles with graphic novels, of having preexisting characters and something so familiar for me to connect it to? Sort of?

Anyway, we follow the Cerritos crew on a few (mis)adventures. The art was fantastic, and I can't wait for the next one!

It’s good, but it definitely is better as a TV series than a book. I’m glad that Lower Decks is getting at least some of the attention it deserves though.

This collection of the Gower Decks graphic novels perfectly captures the tone of the television series. This collection of stories is just as sharp and laugh out loud funny with great writing. Reading this was like having a new original episode play out in my head. I will definitely be looking out for future issues.

A perfect continuation of what became my favorite flavor of Star Trek. Lower Decks has always been a loving tribute to what came before it and The team of North and Charm perfectly recapture what made the series so great to begin with. They are true fans themselves and that love for the material comes through in every line of dialogue. Also the crew meets a T-Rex so really you can’t go wrong.

As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I can trace my love of both science fiction and science itself directly back to my father introducing me to Star Trek at a young age. While The Next Generation will always be my favorite, and Picard will always be my captain, I’ve developed a deep affection for Lower Decks. The show is a love letter to Trek in all its eras—funny, self-aware, occasionally irreverent, but always true to the heart of Trek’s science-fictional spirit. You can imagine, then, my disappointment when news of its cancellation came last year.

That’s why I was eager to dive into Second Contact, the first collected comic arc from Ryan North. The book doesn’t seem tied to the show’s timeline in any measurable way, and it doesn’t pick up where the series left off. So instead it plays like a collection of side quests: fun, lively, and largely inconsequential. And honestly, for the most part, that works just fine, because North really nails the voices of these characters we’ve come to love.

The volume contains three stories. The first is a throwback to The Original Series era. It’s fun and nostalgic, though its central conflict fizzles out with a resolution that feels too easy.

The second story contains the strongest concept—a rapidly expanding cosmological threat that could consume the universe. It’s classic Trek sci-fi, though once again the story undercuts itself by resolving without any real consequence.

The third story is a playful dive into some temporal shenanigans, complete with a saboteur messing with history. This one has great character beats, but like the others, the ultimate conflict more or less resolves itself.

This collection suffers from a classic case of “Indiana Jones syndrome”—where the protagonists’ actions don’t truly affect the outcome—and this is by far the collection’s biggest weakness. The joy here lies less in the plots themselves and more in spending extra time with Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, and Rutherford, watching them banter and stumble their way through adventures.

If you’re already a Lower Decks fan, you’ll enjoy revisiting these characters in a comic that captures their voices and energy. If you’re looking for resonant themes, clever plotting, or meaningful stakes, you may walk away disappointed. This is comfort food Trek: familiar, light, and fun, even if it leaves you wanting something a little more substantial.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun graphic novel that will be a great way to introduce young readers to the world of Star Trek. The graphics were so beautiful and well done. The story was fun and adventurous. This will be a great read for young readers.

“Star Trek: Lower Decks, Vol. 1: Second Contact” by Ryan North & Derek Charm

5⭐️/5⭐️

Gosh, I’ve really missed the show Lower Decks. This graphic novel, detailing three different missions the crew of the Cerritos embark on, feels like a natural extension of the original show. It’s witty, with layers of references to all corners of the Star Trek franchise, and really captures what made the Lower Decks show so special.

Also, any reference to DS9 is going to warm my heart. I *loved* seeing Jadzia again! She’s probably my favorite Trek character (aside from Sisko), and I was absolutely tickled to see her show up in one of the stories.

Man, this was SO MUCH FUN. As a massive fan of the show, it was amazing to have THREE new Lower Decks stories after the cancellation. The show, and the amazing characters that I've come to love, get to live on this way. I adore the snarky footnotes on the bottom of each page, the inside jokes referring back to the world of Trek. My heart is full.

Lower Decks may very well be my favourite branch of the Star Trek universe and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

After the series ending, it was great to be back with Boimler, Mariner, and the crew of the Cerritos for more misadventures and gleeful goofiness.

I'm excited to see more of this story, and to remain entrenched in the Lower Decks world.

As a fan of the Lower Decks TV show, I really enjoyed this comic collection! There was lots of plot packed in to the 146 pages and the characters felt just like the TV show. It was funny, too. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a worthy continuation of the adventures of the crew on the Cerritos. The humor and wit is very in line with the Lower Decks television show, and the art is wonderful. Much like the show, there is also plenty of references to other Star Trek properties and previous stories. For fans of the show who are sad to see it end, this comic will provide you with a warm return to the crew.

It is Lower Decks. A beautiful graphic novel with a very interesting story.
I love the show and this graphic novel carries over with the same fun filled adventures that the show gives us.
The art work is beautiful and the writing is wonderful.

After being devastated with the show coming to an end, this was the perfect dip back into the Cerritos with my favourite Star Trek crew. It carries the weight and levity of the show, now in a more portable form!

Thanks to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC. I didn't watch the series and it's my first Lower Decks graphic novel!

Just like watching an episode of the show! All of the dialogue here made me realize how fast and how much they talk in the series. It took me longer than usual to read because there was honestly a lot to read but I really enjoyed it. Super fun for anyone who is a fan of Lower Decks.

As a massive Star Trek fan I enjoyed reading this tongue in cheek spin off, it’s a great example of the typical characters and a light mockery of the whole premise. But it does it very well.

This is an enjoyable and very well done visual of Lower Decks and Star Trek in general, it's a little broken up as the idea is to show a range of 'second contacts' so the through story is a little elusive. However it is a lot of fun to read and I would recommend it to any Star Trek or graphic novel fan.

What a blast! Ryan North is just a fantastic choice as a writer to pair with the loveable chaotic misfits of Lower Decks. Highly entertaining, with humour, heart, and nostalgia.

Art by Derek Charm and Jack Lawrence perfectly captures the characters from the show.

Recommended!

I really enjoyed this one. It was funny and entertaining, and the art style was true to the show. There are a bunch of forth wall breaks at the bottom of the pages which I found amusing. I think this series has a good balance of humor and science fiction elements that I don't think a lot of other properties are able to do as well. Plus, I know that those who have seen more Star Trek than I have would enjoy it that much more.