Star Trek Admits It: Harry Kim Will Die Before He's Ever, Ever Promoted

Harry Kim fans' hearts can't take much more of this; the Star Trek franchise has once more confirmed that death is preferable to promotion for the beloved Voyager character, as the latest issue of IDW's Trek comic series features Kim being killed off at the hands of Kahless, the complicated clone Klingon Emperor-turned-genocidal-warlord-turned-possible-hero.

Star Trek #31, written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, with art by Davide Tinto, features a tragic moment that many readers believe is a darkly tongue-in-cheek nod to the longrunning joke about Harry Kim's seemingly-unending time as an ensign.

While it is likely that Harry's death won't be permanent, the scene still opened old wounds for many Trek aficionados, who have been calling for the character to be given a more prominent story arc, and, if nothing else, a higher rank, for literally decades now.

Star Trek Kills Off Harry Kim, Again, Proving The Franchise Will Do Anything To Avoid Promoting Him

Star Trek #31; Written By Collin Kelly And Jackson Lanzing; Art By Davide Tinto; Available Now From IDW Publishing

Harry Kim's death scene in Star Trek #31 even lampshades, or directly calls out, his constant denial when it comes to a promotion from Starfleet; in his brief skirmish with Kahless, Kim mentions that a victory against the legendary Klingon warrior will finally ensure his ascent up the ranks, only for him to promptly be dispatched. This is actually moment of levity in the issue, albeit a grim one, but it ultimately provides yet one more concrete example of the fact that Harry Kim, as Rodney Dangerfield would put it, “gets no respect.”

Of course, this comes in the midst of the topsy-turvy reordering of the entire Star Trek Universe as part of the "Lore War" storyline, and in this instance, and this is a "corrupted" version of Harry, yet while most readers will agree this death is temporary, it still speaks to the larger rut the character has been stuck in for decades. Unfortunately, the longer Harry goes without being given a legitimate upgrade, in rank, or in terms of story, the more he will be reduced, as a character, to his status as a Trek franchise punchline.

Star Trek's Current Era Is Ending; Could The Future Finally Be Harry Kim's Time To Shine?

Star Trek #32; Available June 4, 2025 From IDW Publishing

Fans of Star Trek Voyager know well that Harry Kim proved his worth as a Starfleet officer repeatedly over the years, yet over the course of the show's seven-season run, it became a noted curiosity that he was never rewarded with a promotion. Decades later, this is still a running gag in Trek, to the point where the Lower Decks animated series depicted the "danger" of promoting Harry Kim. IDW's Star Trek comics, meanwhile, have dabbled with a stronger version of Harry's character, but ultimately, as the series wraps up, its writers couldn't resist getting in on the joke either.

When Star Trek: Voyager ended in 2001, fans felt the show could have carried another season, and now, more than 20 years later, its happening.

 

 

 

Star Trek #32 will be the conclusion to Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing's impressive Trek comics run, and so fans can be confident that Harry Kim won't play a major role in the climax of the "Lore War" arc, having been done away with in Trek #31. The character's devoted fans must now turn their hopes toward the upcoming relaunch of the series, and the slate of new Star Trek titles coming later this year, to find out if the franchise finally puts some respect on Harry Kim's name, and some extra pips on his collar.

Star Trek #31 is available now from IDW Publishing.