Star Trek’snewest series,The Last Starship,exposes everything that is brilliant, but also broken, about this iconic franchise. Last month, IDW Publishing announced a new, ongoingStar Trekcomic, titledThe Last Starship.Set in the 31st century,it brings Kirk back from the dead, but some have been left wondering if this is a good idea.
In addition to writingStar Trek, writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly also oversawStar Trek: Year Five,also published by IDW.
ScreenRantand other media outlets reported onthe announcement ofThe Last Starship,which will be written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Adrian Bonilla. The premise: Captain Kirk is revived in the 31st century, at the time of “the Burn.” As chaos descends, Kirk must fight to preserve the galaxy.
IDW Has Boldly Gone Where FewStar TrekComics Have Gone Before
Star Trek: The Last StarshipWill Be the Line’s New Flagship Title
IDW, who have held theStar Trekcomic rights for nearly 20 years, raised the bar for future franchise comics. In 2022, the publisher launched the adjective-lessStar Trek, followed byStar Trek: Defiant.Together, the two books told a grand story that drew on nearly every iteration of the franchise.
This rejuvenated line ofStar Trekcomics came to an end inStar Trek: Omega,but IDW was not going to sit by and rest on its laurels. The publisher announced three miniseries, includingRedshirtsand aVoyager30th anniversary comic. Yet, fans were left wondering if IDW would attempt another ongoing.
Intended to be the new flagship of IDW’s line,The Last Starshiplooks as if it will continue the wide-reaching scope that was a hallmark ofStar TrekandStar Trek: Defiant, by taking Kirk and placing him in a time unexplored in the franchise.
The answer soon proved to be yes with the announcement ofStar Trek: The Last Starship. Intended to be the new flagship of IDW’s line,The Last Starshiplooks as if it will continue the wide-reaching scope that was a hallmark ofStar TrekandStar Trek: Defiant, by taking Kirk and placing him in a time unexplored in the franchise.
Star TrekHas Never Shown the Burn, Until Now
Such a Monumental Event inStar TrekHistory Deserves to Be Seen
“The Burn,” first mentioned in season three ofStar Trek: Discovery, was one of the most catastrophic events in the franchise, but it was only glimpsed in flashbacks. By the timeDiscoveryarrived in the 32nd century, the Burn was just a memory.Discoverycompletely missed the Burn, and moved on from it by season four.
Such a major event in theStar Trektimeline begs to be explored. The Burn happened when all dilithium in the galaxy exploded, rendering warp travel extremely difficult. In the wake of the Burn,the Federation and nearly every galactic powerfell apart. The Federation went from over 250 worlds down to only a handful.
Star Trek: The Last Starshipfinally gives fans a deeper look at the Burn, and what it entailed for galactic society. Season three ofDiscoveryshowed that piracy and lawlessness reigned over the galaxy. Bringing Kirk into this volatile situation creates some grand story opportunities, but also exposes some serious problems with the franchise.
Captain Kirk is the Perfect Choice to Explore the Era of the Burn
But Is Bringing Kirk Back to Life A Good Idea?
Captain Kirk is aStar Trekicon, and considered one of the greatest captains in Starfleet history. As captain of theEnterprise,Kirk saved the galaxy numerous times, andThe Last Starshipbrings him back to do it one last time. Kirk is a symbol of hope for the people of the Federation, and he can be again.
Paul Wesley
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Using Kirk as a tool to explore the events and time surrounding the Burn is a stroke of genius.Kirk will have been dead several centuriesby the timeThe Last Starshipbegins, making him a “fish out of water.” Kirk must adjust to not only a new timeframe, but also a new zeitgeist brought about by the Burn.
Bringing Kirk back inStar Trek: The Last Starshippoints to a flaw in the franchise: that it is locked into using the same characters over and over.
Bringing Kirk back inStar Trek: The Last Starshippoints to a flaw in the franchise: that it is locked into using the same characters over and over. Indeed, the last 20 years ofStar Trekcontent seem to support this conclusion.Discovery, Strange New Worldsand the three Kelvin films brought back familiar faces from across the franchise.
Star Trek: The Last StarshipWill Honor the Past While Looking Forward
Kirk Will Be Aided in His Mission by a New Generation ofStar TrekCharacters
At the same time, bringing Kirk back during the Burn subverts this trend in theStar Trekfranchise. Kirk is the most recognizable face in the history ofStar Trek, which would seem to actually reinforce the “everything old is new again” view. YetThe Last Starshipwill have one foot in the past and eyes on the future.
IDW and the creators ofStar Trek: The Last Starshiphas ensured that it will not simply be another exercise in nostalgia. Kirk will be aided in his mission by an entirely new cast of characters. While it is possible other familiar faces will show up, the emphasis seems to be on new and excitingStar Trekheroes.
While it is possible other familiar faces will show up, the emphasis seems to be on new and excitingStar Trekheroes.
Furthermore, certain story elements ofStar Trek: The Last Starshipwill help keep it fresh. Kirk will be a “man out of time,” and watching him struggle to come to terms with his resurrection, as well as the Burn, will make for some compellingStar Trekstories. In addition, the mystery of who revived Kirk will drive the series.
Star Trek: The Last StarshipHas the Potential to be a GreatTrekComic
Star Trek: The Last Starship’sCreative Team Has Real Franchise Bona Fides
Star Trek: The Last Starshipwill have to walk a fine line between creating new stories and retreading the past. Lanzing and Kelly, however, have proven themselves with their extensiveStar Trekcomics work.Star Trekstruck a balance between nostalgia and the new, and there is every indicationThe Last Starshipwill do so as well.
Star Trek: The Last Starship#1 is on sale September 24 from IDW Publishing!
