Star Trek’s New Series Exposes Everything Brilliant and Broken About the Iconic Franchise

Star Trek’s newest series, The Last Starship, exposes everything that is brilliant, but also broken, about this iconic franchise. Last month, IDW Publishing announced a new, ongoing Star Trek comic, titled The 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.

ScreenRant and other media outlets reported on the announcement of The 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 Few Star Trek Comics Have Gone Before

Star Trek: The Last Starship Will Be the Line's New Flagship Title

IDW, who have held the Star Trek comic rights for nearly 20 years, raised the bar for future franchise comics. In 2022, the publisher launched the adjective-less Star Trek, followed by Star Trek: Defiant. Together, the two books told a grand story that drew on nearly every iteration of the franchise.

This rejuvenated line of Star Trek comics came to an end in Star Trek: Omega, but IDW was not going to sit by and rest on its laurels. The publisher announced three miniseries, including Redshirts and a Voyager 30th anniversary comic. Yet, fans were left wondering if IDW would attempt another ongoing.

The answer soon proved to be yes with the announcement of Star Trek: The Last Starship. Intended to be the new flagship of IDW’s line, The Last Starship looks as if it will continue the wide-reaching scope that was a hallmark of Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant, by taking Kirk and placing him in a time unexplored in the franchise.

Star Trek Has Never Shown the Burn, Until Now

Such a Monumental Event in Star Trek History Deserves to Be Seen

“The Burn,” first mentioned in season three of Star Trek: Discovery, was one of the most catastrophic events in the franchise, but it was only glimpsed in flashbacks. By the time Discovery arrived in the 32nd century, the Burn was just a memory. Discovery completely missed the Burn, and moved on from it by season four.

Such a major event in the Star Trek timeline 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 power fell apart. The Federation went from over 250 worlds down to only a handful.

Star Trek: The Last Starship finally gives fans a deeper look at the Burn, and what it entailed for galactic society. Season three of Discovery showed 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?

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 centuries by the time The Last Starship begins, 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 in Star Trek: The Last Starship points to a flaw in the franchise: that it is locked into using the same characters over and over. Indeed, the last 20 years of Star Trek content seem to support this conclusion. Discovery, Strange New Worlds and the three Kelvin films brought back familiar faces from across the franchise.

Star Trek: The Last Starship Will Honor the Past While Looking Forward

Kirk Will Be Aided in His Mission by a New Generation of Star Trek Characters

At the same time, bringing Kirk back during the Burn subverts this trend in the Star Trek franchise. Kirk is the most recognizable face in the history of Star Trek, which would seem to actually reinforce the “everything old is new again” view. Yet The Last Starship will have one foot in the past and eyes on the future.

IDW and the creators of Star Trek: The Last Starship has 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 exciting Star Trek heroes.

While it is possible other familiar faces will show up, the emphasis seems to be on new and exciting Star Trek heroes.

Furthermore, certain story elements of Star Trek: The Last Starship will 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 compelling Star Trek stories. In addition, the mystery of who revived Kirk will drive the series.

 

Star Trek: The Last Starship Has the Potential to be a Great Trek Comic

Star Trek: The Last Starship's Creative Team Has Real Franchise Bona Fides

Star Trek: The Last Starship will have to walk a fine line between creating new stories and retreading the past. Lanzing and Kelly, however, have proven themselves with their extensive Star Trek comics work. Star Trek struck a balance between nostalgia and the new, and there is every indication The Last Starship will do so as well.

Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 is on sale September 24 from IDW Publishing