This year Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary and, thankfully, in 2026, Star Trek comics, under the guidance of IDW and line editor Heather Antos, are in the best place they’ve been in years.
Which means we, the fans, get a fun, giant-sized 60th anniversary collection of stories that span nearly every iteration of the franchise. The celebratory volume contains ten short stories from those who have already dipped their toes into the Star Trek waters like writer Ryan North (the fun Lower Decks series from IDW) and Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant), to surprising newcomer and comics legend Brian Michael Bendis.
The issue opens with a fun Harry Mudd tale set after his last appearance on The Original Series in the episode, “I, Mudd.” The Enterprise had left Mudd trapped on a planet of androids all resembling his neglected wife. This fun story by David Gerrold and JP Buzio follows Mudd as he plots his escape with predictably awful, but funny, results.
Another highlight for me was a Sulu story written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Gaydos. Fans may remember that Bendis and Gaydos brought Jessica Jones to life in Marvel’s Alias, and it was a surprise treat to see these veterans reunite for this tale. Bendis shows us all why Hikaru Sulu is a hero and deserving of the Captain’s chair. Gaydos’ art and color work here grabbed me from the very first panel. The mix of almost photorealistic character work with psychedelic colors reminiscent of Steranko grant this episode a unique visual look that made it truly stand out. I loved the callback to Sulu the shirtless swordmaster from “The Naked Time.”
Ryan North and Derek Charm teleport readers back to the 1970s and the Star Trek Animated Series era. North cleverly ties The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation here that only adds to the comedy of the story. Derek Charm expertly captures the visuals of that show, including some of its more outlandish bridge crew. In an ode to everyone’s favorite Klingon security officer, Worf, writer David Walker tells a touching story of Worf’s childhood that sheds light on how Worf’s Klingon identity was forged on Earth far from his people. This short story serves as interesting connective tissue to Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard and I encourage all fans of that series and of Worf to read this story.
One of my absolute favorite new Star Trek series, much to my surprise, was Lower Decks – a series I wish was still beaming new episodes to us on Paramount+. Somehow, the creators of this animated series managed to 1) make Star Trek hilarious and 2) capture its spirit at the same time.
Thankfully, IDW has given us a new episode of sorts directly from Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan with art by the always wonderful Mike Allred. (Check out his Silver Surfer run with Dan Slott, a modern classic!) McMahan wastes no time as the story begins with the Cerritos already in action. I don’t want to spoil too much for those who haven’t finished Lower Decks, but this left even more eager for new episodes and adventures. I truly miss this crew and loved seeing how the Cerritos’ new Captain was faring in the center chair.
The collection ends with “Manifest Destiny” by Christopher Cantwell and Isaac Sanchez that offers a tantalizing preview to the all-new Star Trek number 1, featuring the crew of the Enterprise G. Ever since the finale of Picard: Season 3, fans have been clamoring for a series that centered on Captain Seven and her crew. Though Paramount doesn’t seem to be granting this wish anytime soon, IDW is more than happy to fill this void and I can say this story starts off great and I’ve already added the new series to my pull list. “Manifest Destiny” serves as a direct prequel that leads into the new series and gives readers the sense of the stakes and scope of Captain Seven’s new mission. Readers are given a double preview of the new series with a few pages from the upcoming book.
This collection is a must for Trek fans and fans of IDW’s Trek in particular. I left this book even more excited for the upcoming Star Trek series, especially with Cantwell at the helm. Another solid outing from IDW. Go and pick it up.
Creative Team:
“Escape from the Planet of Mudd”: David Gerold (writer), JP Buzio (artist), Christine Frazen (colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)
“The Engineer’s Dilemma”: Dana Gould (writer), Megan Levens (artist), Charlie Kirchoff (colorist), Jeff Eckleberry (letterer)
“Sulu”: Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Michael Gaydos (artist/colorist), Jodie Troutman (letterer)
“The Sesquipedalian Gambit”: Ryan North (writer), Derek Charm (artist/colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)
“A Bright New Future”: Dave Baker (writer), Nicole Goux (artist/colorist), Jodie Troutman (letterer)
“The Perfect Klingon”: David Walker (writer), Escorza Brothers (artist/colorist), Jeff Eckleberry (letterer)
“The Search for Season Six”: Mike McMahan (writer), Michael Allred (artist), Laura Allred (colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)
“Where the Map Runs Out”: Meghan Camarena (writer), Mari Rolin (artist), JP Jordan (colorist), Jeff Eckleberry (letterer)
“The Search for Archer”: Chris Fenoglio (writer/artist/colorist), Jeff Eckleberry (letterer)
“Manifest Destiny”: Christopher Cantwell (writer), Isaac Sanchez Gonzalez (artist), Igor Monti (colorist), Jodie Troutman (letterer)
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Click here to purchase.
