Captain Kirk will soon return to theStar Trekuniverse, and fans can thank the most unlikely group of heroes. IDW’sStar Trek: The Last Starshipputs Kirkin one of the most catastrophic moments in galactic history, forcing him to fight for the Federation’s ideals. Now,the book’s writers have revealed a beloved superhero franchise influenced the book.
AIPTcovered IDW’sStar Trekcomics panel at San Diego Comic-Con. In attendance were Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, writers ofThe Last Starship.In explaining the origins ofThe Last Starship,Lanzing revealed thatTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Roninwas a massive influence on the book.
The Last StarshipWill be the Flagship of IDW’sStar TrekComics Line
The Last StarshipWill be a Worthy Follow Up to the Franchise’s “God War”
This summer, IDW wrapped up one of thegreatest eras inStar Trekcomics historywith the publication ofStar Trek: Omega.The one-shot brought to an end an epic, two-year story that ran through two titles:Star TrekandStar Trek: Defiant.The story touched on every corner of the franchise.
WhenStar Trek: Omegaarrived, it left fans wondering where IDW would go with the line next. Earlier, the publisher had announced a trio of miniseries, includingRedshirtsand aVoyager30th anniversary comic. Then, last month, IDW revealedThe Last Starship,which will become the new flagship of the publisher’sStar Trekline.
Star Trek: The Last StarshipExplores an Unseen, and Dark, Time in the Galaxy
Why Captain Kirk Has Returned Will Become One ofStar Trek’sGreatest Mysteries
Star Trek: The Last Starshipis set during one of the darkest moments in the franchise’s timeline: that of the “Burn.” The Burn happened when all the galaxy’s dilithium exploded, making warp travel much more difficult. Unsurprisingly, galactic civilizations, including the Federation, fell apart. As revealed inStar Trek: Discovery,the galaxy became a lawless place.
The “how’s” and “why’s” of Kirk’s resurrection will be one ofThe Last Starship’sdriving forces, but Lanzing and Kelly, who also wroteStar Trek, have stated that his return is not simply for nostalgia’s sake.
The Last Starshipwill insert Kirk into this era. The “how’s” and “why’s” of Kirk’s resurrection will be one ofThe Last Starship’sdriving forces, but Lanzing and Kelly, who also wroteStar Trek, have stated that his return is not simply for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, Kirk will have a purpose in the 31st century.
Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are no strangers toStar Trekcomics, having written not onlyStar Trek, but also overseeingStar Trek: Year Five, also from IDW Publishing.
And that purpose will be to fight for the lofty ideals the Federation embodies. With those same ideals crumbling around him, Captain Kirk must show they still matter, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy. With death, starvation and piracy the new norm, Kirk will have his work cut out for him.
Star Trekis Drawing Inspiration FromTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last RoninWas a Watershed Book in the Franchise’s History
ForStar Trek: The Last Starship,Lanzing and Kelly are drawing on a most unlikely influence, at least at first glance.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Roninwas published by IDW in 2020 to great acclaim.The Last Roninwas a runaway bestseller and helped inaugurate a new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics.
The Last Ronintook some big creative swings with theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfranchise.
The Last Ronintook some big creative swings with theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfranchise. Set in a dystopian future New York ruled by the Shredder’s grandson,The Last Roninis a dark and uncompromising view of the Turtle’s future.The Last Ronintapped into the franchise’s darker elements, and it paid off for all those involved.
Kirk Must Not Only Adjust to a Future Time, But a Galaxy in Chaos
And now theStar Trekfranchise is taking its cues fromThe Last Ronin.The Last Starship,likeThe Last Ronin,is set during a dark time, in this case “the Burn.”The Last Roninfollowed Michaelangelo as he fought not only the Shredder’s grandson, but also to maintain the legacy of his fallen comrades.
Kirk will be in a similar situation whenStar Trek: The Last Starshiparrives in stores this Fall. Captain Kirk is a Starfleet and Federation legend, and he is in a prime position to fight for the beliefs and ideals of those organizations. Yet before he can, he must adjust to a world that is not his own.
The Last StarshipWill Still UpholdStar Trek’sCore Values
Star Trek’sLofty Ideals Never Go Out of Fashion
Not all ofThe Last Starshipwill be gloom and doom. At its heart, theStar Trekfranchise is about optimism and hope, andThe Last Starshipwill not lose sight of this. WhileStar Trekhas produced some dark and brutal episodes, these themes of progress and exploration still flourish, and thanks to some unlikely heroes, they will again.
Source:AIPT
Star Trek: The Last Starship is on sale September 24 from IDW Publishing!
