Captain Kirk Is Great, But Some of Star Trek's Best Characters Never Made It to TV

In its 59-year history, the Star Trek franchise has featured some of the most iconic heroes in science fiction, such as Captain Kirk. These larger-than-life characters have inspired generations, and ensure that the franchise continues to draw new fans. Their stories are so big, in fact, they spill over into other media, including comic books.

The rights to produce Star Trek comics have bounced from publisher to publisher since the show’s premiere in 1966. Companies such as Gold Key, Marvel, DC and IDW have crafted comics set in the Star Trek universe, and nearly every show has been represented in the medium. Along the way, the writers and artists working on these Star Trek comics created their own characters, some of whom are equally as compelling as those on-screen. In that spirit, here are the 10 coolest characters from the various Star Trek comics.

10Cadet Matthew Decker Kept a Heroic Legacy Alive into the 24th Century

First Appearance: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy #1

In the annals of Starfleet history, the name “Decker” carries history with it, and Cadet Matthew Decker was poised to carry the legacy. The descendant of both Commodore Matthew Decker and Captain Will Decker, Matthew (named for his ancestor) faced intense pressure to live up to the precedent set by his forefathers. His roommate at the Academy was Nog, the first Ferengi in Starfleet. Decker was not happy with this, and spent some of Starfleet Academy’s first issues working through his prejudices. In time, Decker and Nog became good friends.

Commodore Matt Decker appeared in the second season TOS episode "The Doomsday Machine."

Cadet Decker was created just for the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy comic book, published by Marvel. This was the House of Ideas' second crack at Star Trek, after an 18-issue series from the early 1980s, and its Starfleet Academy book was ahead of its time. It also allowed a stealth crossover, of sorts: fans learn that Decker collects old Earth comic books. The crown jewel of his collection is Marvel Comics #1, from 1939. Little flourishes such as this gave Cadet Decker a surprising level of depth.

9Descheeni Is One of Star Trek’s Coolest New Characters

First Appearance: Star Trek (Volume 2) #1

Lieutenant Descheeni, currently starring in IDW’s flagship Star Trek title, is one of the coolest new characters to the franchise. A Navajo woman serving aboard the USS Theseus under the command of Captain Sisko in the 24th century, Descheeni has gradually become a larger player in the ongoing “god war” story line. As the series progressed, Descheeni got to show her stuff, impressing even Commander Data. Much like Cadet Decker, Descheeni has a geeky side, citing Jack Kirby as one of her favorite historical figures.

The Star Trek franchise has bungled its Indigenous representation on several occasions, but Descheeni represents a good turning point.

The Star Trek franchise has bungled its Indigenous representation on several occasions, but Descheeni represents a good turning point. In the past, any allegories about Indigenous issues were handled in a ham-fisted fashion, falling on stereotypes and bogus information from fraudulent “consultants.” While Indigenous Star Trek fans wait for more positive representation on screen, Descheeni is showing the producers how it is done. Star Trek needs more Indigenous heroes like Descheeni.

8Ensign Sato Has An Awesome Connection to Starfleet History

First Appearance: Star Trek (volume 2) #1

The Andorian Ensign Sato, the Communications Officer for the USS Theseus, has deep ties to Starfleet. Her ancestor is none other than Hoshi Sato, who also served as a Communications Officer aboard the Enterprise NX-01, under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer. This means there has been a Sato in Starfleet since the founding of the Federation, and this history informs her character. Sato wants so desperately to live up to her family’s legacy, even if it means making questionable decisions, such as allying herself with Section 31.

Ensign Sato, despite her Andorian heritage, is one of the most relatable characters in IDW’s Star Trek comic.

Ensign Sato, despite her Andorian heritage, is one of the most relatable characters in IDW’s Star Trek comic. Her desire to do right by the family name produces a great deal of anxiety in her, but this has not hampered her ability to do her job. Part of Ensign Sato’s appeal is her arc: watching her go from a bundle of nerves to a calm and confident officer. She still has a ways to go, but Sato has all the makings of a legend all her own.

7“The Abductors” Bridged Star Trek and UFO Lore

First Appearance: Star Trek: The Untold Voyages #5

The alien “Greys” are a key component of UFO lore, and yet they never appeared in the Star Trek franchise until the late 1990s, and only then in the comics. In the story “Odyssey’s End,” Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise encounter a mysterious race bearing a strong resemblance to the Greys, who call themselves “the Abductors.” Writer Glenn Greenberg reaches deep into Star Trek lore, giving the Abductors a connection to another race: the Preservers. First mentioned in the Original Series, the Preservers were an ancient race who traveled the galaxy, tampering with evolution.

“Odyssey’s End” so perfectly integrated the Greys into the Star Trek universe that it was a wonder no one had done it sooner. In true Star Trek fashion, Kirk and company were able to convince the Abductors of the error of their ways, and to embark on a more benign path. Should the producers of the current batch of Star Trek shows decide to do their own take on the Greys, they should look to “Odyssey’s End” and the Abductors.

6Ensign Bear Claw Brought a Much-Needed Edge to the Star Trek Comics

First Appearance: Star Trek #1

Another win for Indigenous representation, Ensign Bear Claw had all the makings of a great officer, but was held back by his bigotry towards non-humans, as well as his confrontational nature. Bear Claw was the son of a prominent Starfleet captain, who was killed in the line of duty by Klingons. As such, he carried a deep hatred for Klingons, which brought him into conflict with his crewmate Konom (more on him later).

Ensign Bear Claw was also at the center of one of the greatest Star Trek comics ever told: “Who Killed Captain Kirk?” Written by Peter David, who has written many great Trek novels and comics, and drawn by Tom Sutton, the story saw Bear Claw as the prime suspect in an attempt on Kirk’s life. While Bear Claw was obviously innocent, it was enough to end his service aboard the Enterprise.

5Valas Was the First Romulan to Serve in Starfleet (At Least in the Kelvin Timeline)

First Appearance: Star Trek: Boldly Go #1

Valas, native to Star Trek’s Kelvin timeline, was the first Romulan in Starfleet, but her career ended in disgrace. The daughter of Romulan dissidents who defected to Earth, Valas entered Starfleet Academy with high expectations. Valas served alongside Captain Kirk, eventually becoming his First Officer. However, her career came to an end when she seemingly defected to the Romulans, joining the Tal Shiar. It was a sad end to what could have been a great career.

In the Prime timeline, Elnor, played by Evan Evagora, was the first Romulan in Starfleet.

However, in Valas’ final appearance, there was a hint of more going on under the surface, and that she may have been playing a deeper game. Sadly, Boldly Go was canceled before this plot point could be resolved, thus leaving Valas as a traitor to the Federation who betrayed her parents’ ideals.

4RJ Blaise Proved More Than a Match for Captain Kirk

First Appearance: Star Trek #4

Captain Kirk’s maverick command style earned him the status of legend–and the ire of the higher-ups at Starfleet, which is where RJ Blaise comes in. Blaise was actually not a member of Starfleet, but instead reported to the Federation Diplomatic Corps. She was assigned to the Enterprise to make sure Kirk stayed in line. Over the course of her 11 appearances in the second volume of DC’s Star Trek comic, Blaise and Kirk butted heads, but also fell in love. Kirk and Blaise would have an on-again/off-again affair.

Chris Pine as Captain Kirk in front of the cast of Star Trek Beyond

Star Trek Reveals Bittersweet Ending for Kelvin Timeline's Captain Kirk

As the Kelvin Universe is destroyed in Star Trek #26, Captain Kirk gets a bittersweet ending, one that reflects the sacrifice made by his late father.

Blaise was ne of the last original, recurring characters in the Star Trek comics for many years. When DC renegotiated the Star Trek license in 1989, Paramount put more restrictions on what exactly the publisher could and could not do. DC was told to reign in the original characters, in order to free up the spotlight for Kirk, Spock and the rest. While an understandable condition, it still hampered DC’s Star Trek comics.

3Nymira Kept the Orions’ Grand Comeback Going, In the Comics

First Appearance: Star Trek: Defiant #3

The Orions were a regularly mentioned, but rarely used, species in the Star Trek franchise, but more recent shows have fleshed them out considerably–and the comics got in on the act too with Nymira. Introduced early in Defiant’s run, Nymira was a Corporal in the Orion Army and a field medic as well. A reluctant member of Worf’s rebel crew, she in time came to accept her new friends, and even seemingly sacrificed herself to save them from the “Conspiracy” parasites.

Nymira was one of the most compelling characters to come out of IDW’s rejuvenated line of Star Trek comics, and she provided some fascinating insights into Orion culture.

Recently, IDW announced that Nymira would return in an upcoming arc of Star Trek: Defiant, which is a cause for celebration. Nymira was one of the most compelling characters to come out of IDW’s rejuvenated line of Star Trek comics, and she provided some fascinating insights into Orion culture. What impact she will have on the comics moving forward remains to be seen, but her return is most welcome.

2T’Lir is the First “God” to Serve in Starfleet

First Appearance: Star Trek #1
IDW gave their line of Star Trek comics a shot in the arm in 2022, launching a massive, years-long storyline that examined humanity’s relationship with its “gods,” and T’Lir provided a focal point for this exploration. The last survivor of the Organians, T’Lir took the form of a Vulcan, and joined Starfleet. The mystery of T’Lir’s origin was one of the driving mysteries behind the first year of Star Trek comics, and the revelation of their true identity was shocking.

T’Lir is a historical character on two levels: they are the first non-binary Vulcan seen in the franchise, but also the first “god” to serve in Starfleet.

T’Lir is a historical character on two levels: they are the first non-binary Vulcan seen in the franchise, but also the first “god” to serve in Starfleet. Starfleet takes all types, but a full-on, god-like being had never been a member before. T’Lir lied about their god-like status to join, but it was not long before the secret was out. T’Lir’s powers and intellect have saved the Theseus on several occasions.

1Konom Beat Worf to Starfleet by a Century

First Appearance: Star Trek #1

DC kicked off its legendary Star Trek comics run by introducing the franchise’s first pacifist Klingon, named Konom. Forced into the Klingon Defense Force by his parents, Konom would eventually defect to the Federation, and become an honorary Starfleet officer. He was stationed aboard the Enterprise under Captain Kirk. This could have been a bad situation, as Kirk was still angry at the Klingons over the death of his son, but it was a testament to Konom’s personality that he won the captain over.

Konom was a historic character in Star Trek history, beating Worf to Starfleet by a hundred years.

Konom was a historic character in Star Trek history, beating Worf to Starfleet by a hundred years. While Paramount’s policy is that Star Trek comics and novels are non-canon, Konom nevertheless deserves a mention for being a trailblazer.