SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 - The first issue of Star Trek: Picard’s Academy comic was released on September 13th. I was honestly hesitant to read it at first. I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Star Trek comics and I didn’t think Picard’s Academy would be much different from any of the others. I was so wrong.

I was at the comic book store and saw this on the shelf. I was attracted by the vibrant colors and fun art style on the cover. I figured that it was only $4 and I might as well try it considering the art style is one I love. I wasn’t expecting much but I figured it would be a fun read. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but I absolutely LOVED the comic. 

The comic follows Jean-Luc Picard before he became the federation legend. We get to see him as an ambitious Starfleet Academy student, with plans to graduate early and at the top of his class. In order to do this he needs to pass the evasive maneuvers exam on top. However, one thing he didn’t factor in is that the evasive maneuvers exam is a group project and he has to actually make friends with “ugh, people” if he wants to pass. 

The way they portray Picard as a know-it-all prick is absolutely perfect. He’s like Wesley Crusher but worse. My favorite line in the whole comic comes from the third page when Picard is describing K’ccyt, one of his classmates, “[K’ccyt] also likes to hang out at the gym. Nice. Always drinks his women-respecting juice. Also huge.” I’m personally not entirely sure what women-respecting juice is, but I highly encourage everyone to drink it. 

Boothby, the groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy that we see in Star Trek: The Next Generation also makes an appearance. Picard visits him asking for advice (and coffee?!) and we get to see inside his plant-filled home. 

I get that a fun slice-of-life comic isn’t for everyone and some people want their Star Trek to be solely concerned with the trials and tribulations of outer space. However, I highly encourage anyone looking for a nice fun read to give Star Trek: Picard’s Academy a try. The snarky humor and beautiful artwork had me begging for more by the end of these 30 pages. Check out a few pages in the gallery below!