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STAR TREK: THE LAST STARSHIP – Kirk Rises, the Federation Burns, and Hope’s on Life Support

The Curator
Jun 18
3 min read

STAR TREK: THE LAST STARSHIP – Kirk’s Back from the Grave and the Federation’s in Flames

Set phasers to existential dread because IDW is blasting us headfirst into a cosmic hellscape with STAR TREK: THE LAST STARSHIP. Dropping this September, this ain't your dad’s prime directive — it’s a no-holds-barred resurrection saga helmed by dynamic duo Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (Star Trek: Year Five), with Adrián Bonilla melting your eyeballs with linework and Heather Moore splashing the cosmos in color.

Here’s the kicker: Captain James T. Kirk is back from the dead. No explanation, no time to breathe — just in time to watch Starfleet crumble into stardust during The Burn, that catastrophic galaxy-wide implosion of every warp core in existence. Billions vaporized, peace shattered, and the Federation reduced to a ghost of its former self.

Now imagine Kirk, the legend, stumbling into this anarchic new frontier — a lawless void where unity is a forgotten dream. Armed with a new ship, a green crew, and a mission carved out of madness, he’s got one shot to revive the ideals of Starfleet in a universe that’s given up hope.

Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 - Cover A by Francesco Francavilla

"Forget everything you know about STAR TREK,” remarked co-writer Lanzing. “THE LAST STARSHIP is a new crew, a new era, and a completely different tone; our aim is to be literary, intense, innovative, and most of all, accessible. We're bringing you into the Federation's darkest hour through the brilliant, noir-soaked lens of artist Adrián Bonilla with zero homework required.” The Eisner-nominated writer added, “ Longtime Trek fans will have a deep and fascinating reading experience, to be sure - this is a pivotal moment in Trek history that's never been even glimpsed before - but above all, THE LAST STARSHIP is a dark and complex sci-fi you can hand to anyone. We’ve spent the last eight years celebrating all that Trek has ever been. Now, it's time to rebuild it from scratch and discover all it can be."

“The only familiar face is the one you’d never expect to see in this era: Captain James T. Kirk,” stated co-writer Kelly. “William Shatner’s iconic performance transcends borders - Kirk is one of the great characters of the modern fiction canon with a timeless actor to match. He was also the first STAR TREK character we ever wrote - a leader and warrior poet with boundless tragedy and contradiction. Now, we’re honored to be taking this character into truly uncharted, groundbreaking territory in THE LAST STARSHIP - as the Federation’s greatest pioneer must face down the inferno that threatens to consume his entire legacy.”

Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 - Cover B by Skylar Patridge

STAR TREK: THE LAST STARSHIP #1 features a primary cover by Francesco Francavilla, variant by Skyler Patridge, and a foil variant by Michael Cho. Plus, there will be full art variants for Francavilla’s (1:15) and Cho’s (1:15) stunning covers in addition to a Local Comic Shop Day variant by Malachi Ward. The debut issue goes on sale September 24 with a pre-order deadline of August 18.

The Last Starship isn’t just another Trek tale — it’s Star Trek with grit in its teeth, scorched ideals in its wake, and a resurrected captain who might be more ghost than hero.