The idea that the red shirted crew members in Star Trek are the doomed and expendable ones is a pervasive and seemingly universally known fact that’s referenced in all kinds of media. The thing is, the red shirts, as they’re known, are always going to be more likely to be in danger, because they’re the security guys, the front line. The boots on the ground.

According to Reddit user figure_04, however, percentage-wise, it’s actually safer to be red than gold shirted!

Still, the myth (and it arguably is one) is still powerful, and it’s the basis for this new Star Trek mini-series, from IDW. In Red Shirts #1, we’re introduced to a diverse cast consisting solely of, yes, Red Shirts, sent on a dangerous mission to bait whoever is spying on Starfleet via a remote weather sensor.

The issue kicks off with a bit of an overwhelming rundown of each character, including their name, a breakdown of their details and a short profile.

It makes the first page of the comic all that more shocking; this is a Star Trek tie-in that doesn’t skimp on the violence at all. That first page is really in-your-face, in more ways than one, and sets the tone for the story to follow.

With red shirts known to be in such danger, and with such poor life expectancy, why would anyone choose to join their ranks? Well, Red Shirts #1 delves into that a bit too.

And just who is spying on Starfleet? By the end of this first issue, you’ll also be given some insight into that. Before then, however, you’re treated to a dark, fast paced and tense story with a group of interesting, sometimes quite dubious characters; it’s a far cry from the colourful, optimistic sheen of the original series, the period in which it’s set.

It’s an excellent start, and the casual way in which more than one cast member is gone before the issue concludes also gives us an idea that it’s going to truly put these red shirts in the line of fire. The lesson here is: don’t get too attached to anyone; I suspect that the vast majority of these red shirts are doomed. Exactly as you’d expect!

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