Entering into Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny by writer Stephanie Williams and artist Greg Maldonado, I expected a clever time-travel twist with a little historical pop, but what we really get is a story that ends up being more grounded and impactful. As a novice to the Star Trek universe, I am always impressed by the franchises use of sci-fi to tackle real-world issues head-on, and this one-shot is no exception. Dropping Uhura into the realities of 1960s America isn’t just a narrative gimmick, it’s a powerful reminder of what Star Trek has always done best.
In the 23rd century, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura explores far-flung star systems with her crew on the Enterprise as part of her mission to communicate and build bridges with life found across the Galaxy. But in the 20th century, humankind was working to build understanding among themselves, with African Americans on Earth championing the Civil Rights Movement and using their voices and acts of protest to end racial segregation and discrimination.
Now, by way of the Guardian of Forever, Uhura is yanked back through time to 1963. There, she’ll join all those fighting for equality and justice and reconnect to why her work as a communications officer is perhaps the most important work of all.
If you have read my reviews of previous Star Trek comics, you know I am a fairly new to the world of the universe. I am learning with each new read that I have been missing out. One thing I have always respected with Star Trek is the series has never shied away from racial and cultural identity, in fact they tend to use it as a core principle in many of their stories. To boldly go where no one has gone before.
Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny takes Lieutenant Uhura into the turmoil of the past, directly into racial segregation and discrimination of the 1960s. What Williams does with what the generic public see as funny books to craft a poignant story of the horrible and impactful time.
Honestly, entering the story I was half expecting to read a Black History Month story where Uhura meets important figures of the 1960s as an homage to those times. However, what Williams gives us is a more impactful one-shot where Uhura gets the brunt of what her ancestors had to deal with on a daily basis. Not shying away from the treatment hoisted upon those who people thought were lesser, only because of the color of their skin.
Williams writes with passion and purpose. A meaningful and thoughtful story that blends the future of Star Trek and the bumpy history of the world we all live in. Stephanie breathes life into a story that could’ve felt only on the surface to craft something especially deep and meaningful. I didn’t expect to get as much out of this one-shot as I ended up getting.
In addition to William’s outstanding story, it’s the illustrations by Maldonado, inks of Anthony Fowler Jr., colors of Charlie Kirchoff, and lettering by Jodie Troutman that brings the entire story to life.
Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny is not only an outstanding story from the Star Trek universe, but also an impactful tale that is deep and meaningful. It’s another one of those comics that you don’t need a lot of history of Star Trek to get something out of the comic.
Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny #1 hits local comic shops on February 25, 2026 from IDW Publishing.
Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny #1 Preview
