Review by Frank Plowright

Shaxs is Security Officer on the Cerritos, a man with a traumatic past on Star Trek: Lower Decks, but one that’s mined for comedy like all else about the series. Shaxs’ Best and Worst Day combines two solo stories.

Ryan North writes these as he does the other Lower Decks graphic novels, dense with jokes, many via additional footnotes and completely in the irreverent tone of the TV show. Likewise Derek Charm’s cartooning deviates very little from the TV show animation, so ever before considering the actual stories you’re heading a good way toward satisfaction.

The best day has readers thrown into the middle of ongoing events, with Shaxs separated from other Cerritos crew when coming to the aid of Captain Worf and the Defiant where they’re dealing with a revolution on the Klingon homeworld. The reason it’s Shaxs’ best day is because it’s utter mayhem and slaughter, and he likes nothing better. Were this drawn in a more realistic style what he gets up to would have stomach-turning consequences, so be thankful it’s cartoon style decapitations, limb-lopping and injuries to eyes. Shaxs in beserker mode handing out the slaughter is a lot of fun.

In the second story Starfleet has been transformed into the opposite of what it stands for and has become an instrument of oppression and subjugation. This has been instigated by Lore, and the full circumstances are detailed in the Lore War graphic novel. So why is it Shaxs’ worst day? Well, until a few pages in, along with everyone else, he’s become what he hates most, a fascist. The realisation hits him hard, but there’s a chance at redemption… All he has to do is single-handedly bring down a fascist Starfleet.

What this story ties into is more complex than the opener, but North brings home the bacon again with a funny adventure that would just about stand up as a genuine Star Trek plot. Charm has the opportunity to draw characters from assorted other crews and a variety of starships as much of the action takes place in space. North has a few surprises planned along the way all leading to a killer last page from Charm.

Love Lower Decks? You’ll love Shaxs’ Best and Worst Day.