Wednesday 29 November 2017

Boldy Go: IDIC part 2 preview

It's a double Star Trek comic week from IDW. As well as the first Discovery comic, we also have issue fourteen of the Kelvin timeline comic Boldly Go, which is also part two of the ginormous multiple alternate reality six-part event, I.D.I.C.. This issue brings back the gender-swapped reality we've seen previously in the Star Trek ongoing series, plus the humanised Spock/Klingon Kirk from the previous issue, a robotic crew, tigers, and more!

IDW are also having fun switching up the artists with each issue of this series, so this time art comes from Megan Levens (who previously illustrated issues seven and eight in the series). The book is written, as ever, by Mike Johnson.

The book is available in four different covers, with the A cover by Tony Shasteen focusing on the female-led crew of the gender-swapped reality. Piotr Kowalski provides the B cover (coloured by Jason Lewis), which depicts our familiar crew, awash with the glow of, I presume, the convergence of realities. There are two retail incentive covers, one is a battered McCoy still from Star Trek Beyond, and the other is the second in a series from Yoshi Yoshitani. You can see all the cover, and a five-page preview, below:


Tuesday 28 November 2017

Discovery: The Light of Kahless #1 comic preview

Out this week is the first ever Star Trek: Discovery comic, issue one of the four-part Klingon prequel, The Light of Kahless. This first issue expands upon the flashbacks seen fleetingly on-screen, to explore the youth of the Klingon messiah T'Kuvma.

The book is written by Star Trek novelist, come Discovery writer, come Discovery media tie-in coordinator, come now comic-book writer (!) Kirsten Beyer, and Mike Johnson, the writer of nearly all of IDW's Kelvin timeline comics. The art comes from Johnson's regular collaborator on the nuTrek comics, Tony Shasteen.

This issue is available in four different covers, with Shasteen providing the A cover, featuring T'Kuvma aglow. The B cover is a photocover, also T'Kuvma. There are also two retail incentive covers, with J.K. Woodward providing yet another rendition of T'Kuvma, but Declan Shavley, and Jordie Bellaire (colours), breaking the mold, with the first of what will be a series of ships covers for the series, this issue giving us the USS Shenzhou.

Continue below to check out all the covers, and a five-page preview from the issue. Look closely and you might be surprised to find the odd hairy Klingon!


Kelvin timeline props and costumes at auction this weekend

This weekend Prop Store are holding a big auction of props and costumes from the first two Kelvin timeline movies. With some four-hundred lots giving, it's a chance for us to get a really good look at many props and costumes, both familiar and seen only fleetingly on-screen. I've picked out some of my favourites, so continue below to check them out.

The phasers really stand out to me, and Prop Store have got quite a few, including some with working lights and moving parts (you can see a video demonstrating some of those further down). There are a couple of lots that include a break apart version of the phaser (as seen in Into Darkness), which magnetically clips together.


Saturday 25 November 2017

Latest stuff to Trek up your home

I've gathered together a few of the latest bits and pieces to add a touch of Star Trek to your home today. We'll start with the subtler end of things, a new Star Trek rug of great distinction from ThinkGeek: The Federation Presidential seal, ready to make your office feel like a room in the Palais de la Concorde.



First look at new Eaglemoss ships, and news of new best-of reissues

Eaglemoss have released their latest round of solicitations, giving us our first look at two new ships in The Official Starships Collection. Continue below to check them out, plus the latest images of other new ships, and details of a new reissue series.

Coming as issue 117, due out first in the UK in January, is the 22nd century Ferengi ship (from Enterprise's Acquisition).


Friday 24 November 2017

Latest previews of Cherry Tree's Borg Cube PCs

Cherry Tree have been showing off their newly launched Borg Cube PCs. As you might recall from the announcement earlier in the year, they will be offering two different models, at different sizes - The smaller of the two, the Micro (6 inchs each side) has already launched, and now the larger Borg VR Cube (14 inches each side) is ready for orders too.

To show off the model, Cherry Tree have put together this rather dramatic video preview:



Spectacular new USS Enterprise shaped coin, and other new Star Trek coins

I've got a bunch of Star Trek coin updates for you today, including several different TNG 30th anniversary releases. But we'll start with something really out there.

A few weeks ago the Royal Canadian Mint released, and almost immediately sold out of their latest Star Trek coin - I say coin, but what this really amounts to is a huge silver low relief model of the USS Enterprise. To enforce its coininess, you will find on the underside of the saucer a face value of one-hundred Canadian dollars, and the head of Queen Elizabeth II, plus the year and country of origin.


Designing Starships: The Kelvin Timeline preview pages

Eaglemoss' third Designing Starships book, The Kelvin Timeline, has just been released. As with previous books in the series this volume collects and expands upon articles from the behind the scenes sections of The Official Starships Collection magazine.

You can see preview pages below (via Hero Collector and the Eaglemoss shop), which give a glimpse at some of that content. With the blurb below promising coverage of over a dozen ships (and not nearly that many Kelvin timeline ships having yet been released as models in the collection) we should have lots of new and in depth stuff to enjoy:
Star Trek: Designing Starships Volume three is the story of how some of the most talented designers in Hollywood created STAR TREK’s starships from the first sketches to the finished models that appeared on the screen.

This hardback book covers over a dozen new ships from the modern STAR TREK movies, from the enterprise to a fleet of Federation ships that was barely seen. Along the way, it covers the thinking behind Klingon and Romulan ships and the heavily-armed U.S.S. Vengeance.

IDW's February Star Trek comics

IDW have announced their February solicitations, which include two new Star Trek comics, plus an omnibus book. Continue below for all the details

Boldly Go #17: I.D.I.C., Part 5
Written by Mike Johnson, with art by Marcus To.
It’s the penultimate chapter of “I.D.I.C.,” the blockbuster Star Trek comics event! Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations has introduced us to myriad versions of the beloved Enterprise crew... but the villain behind it all now threatens to wipe out all realities!
The book will be available in four different covers, with issue artist Marcus To providing the distinctive multiple reality portraits A cover. The B cover is yet to be revealed, but will be by Fico Ossio. Then there are also two retail incentive covers, one by Yoshi Yoshitani, featuring Uhura, and a photo-cover, an explosive still from Star Trek Beyond.


Monday 20 November 2017

New images of Eaglemoss XL Voyager and ring ship Enterprise

A couple of Eaglemoss Starships Collection updates today, including a new look at the ring ship Enterprise. But we'll start with a good look at the fifth ship in the XL collection, the USS Voyager.

The following images have recently been added to the listings on the US XL subscription site, giving us a great look at this model, which to looks like perhaps the best upscale in the series so far - It's packing in much more detail than the smaller regular issue; could this be the best model of Voyager ever produced?


More Discovery pins from FanSets

FanSets have continued their speedy exploration of Discovery with their third wave of character and ship pins already; continue below to check them out. But first, lets check out the last two EpisodePins for a while.

For episode eight, Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum, they really outdid themselves, with a wonderfully detailed pin depicting the final moments of the mission of Pahvo. The best design in the series so far I think.


Sunday 19 November 2017

Bridge Crew at IMAX, 360 trailer, and behind the scenes

Ubisoft have recently announced a special edition of their Star Trek virtual reality video game Bridge Crew for IMAX VR Centres. Continue below for the details of that, plus a fun 360 degree trailer for the game, and a look behind the scenes at some of the new Klingon designs featured, and more!

So Ubisoft have created a "streamlined version of the game that has been redesigned and optimized for IMAX VR", called Star Trek: Bridge Crew - Rescue at Perseph. I think that probably amount to one mission from the game. Here's the mission as IMAX describe it:
Your mission: work together to rescue stranded Vulcan scientists escaping from a damaged space station. Just like in Star Trek, teamwork and coordination are the keys to success, and be sure to keep your eyes out for any potential Klingon interference...
This available at IMAX VR Centres in Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai, and Toronto, and should be finding it's way to the UK, and other locations as they open. What makes this experience special? Well here's how IMAX pitch it:
With IMAX VR you're getting the most advanced VR headset and motion-tracking technology powered by blazing fast computers in a state-of-the-art facility purposely designed to let you suspend reality. The result? A VR experience that's light years ahead of anything else available.

Features of the IMAX VR experience include: Room-tracking technology that allows players to explore virtual space more than has ever been possible. Single-player and head-to-head multiplayer competition. A combination of the most advanced VR headset technology for unmatched immersion and image resolution. Control devices that give lifelike haptic feedback, adding a deeper layer of realism.

Saturday 18 November 2017

Discovery: Drastic Measures cover and other Discovery fiction updates

The cover for the second Discovery novel, Drastic Measures, has been revealed by StarTrek.com. Written by Dayton Ward, the book, which is due out in February, is set to feature younger versions of Philippa Georgiou and Gabriella Lorca, as they get caught up in the Tarsus IV massacre, ten years before the TV events of Discovery. Suitably the stock photos of the two characters used to make up the cover have been altered to de-captain their uniforms!


Wednesday 15 November 2017

Discovery #10: Despite Yourself trailer

CBS have released a trailer for episode ten of Discovery, Despite Yourself, to get us in the mood for the series return, in January! Continue below for a detailed look:



Monday 13 November 2017

Review: Discovery #8 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

I have pretty mixed feelings about Discovery's eighth episode, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. There's an awful lot going on in this episode, maybe too much... As we return to the more serialised story after two fairly standalone episodes we also seem to be returning to Discovery's familiar air of mystery; who is playing who? What is everyone's real motivation? Continue below for my thoughts (spoiler filled) on those unfolding mysteries.

Saturday 11 November 2017

Help decide the next Eaglemoss ships, plus high res photos of new and forthcoming Starships Collection releases

Lots of Eaglemoss updates today, including news and images of Discovery ships, and future Eaglemoss publications. But starting with a chance for us to help decide what comes next in The Official Starships Collection.

USS Titan and USS Aventine, by Nils Walter
Following the glorious sell-out success of the USS Titan and USS Aventine, two ships from the Star Trek novels released as Starships Collection bonus issues (brought to the collection at least in part thanks to demand demonstrated by petitions started right here on The Trek Collective), Eaglemoss have launched a survey so that we can help pick further ships to be released as bonuses.

There are seven ships to choose from, hailing from quite a variety of backgrounds:
  • The SS Bonaventure from TAS.
  • USS Bonaventure from the Ships of the Line calendar.
  • USS Enterprise-F from Star Trek Online.
  • Klingon D4 class designed by John Eaves for Enterprise (and seen in Ships of the Line since).
  • USS Enterprise-D with saucer separation.
  • Assimilated version of USS Voyager.
  • USS Altair, a Doug Drexler concept ship which has also appeared in Ships of the Line, but dates back to being a concept for Voyager.

Discovery 2018 episode details, and Into the Forest I Go images

CBS have announced details of the second block of Discovery episodes, which will complete the first season. The last six episodes will start with episode ten, Despite Yourself, available from the 7th of January, that means the final episode of series one should arrive on the 11th of February. They have also released a blurb for episode ten:
While in unfamiliar territory, the U.S.S. Discovery crew is forced to get creative in their next efforts to survive opposing and unprecedented forces and return home.
Meanwhile, episode nine, Into the Forest I Go, the final episode until that January return, will be available this weekend, and CBS have released their usual batch of stills from the episode. Continue below to check them all out:


Thursday 9 November 2017

Danilo's 2018 Star Trek calendars, including glorious Gold Key calendar

UK Star Trek calendar publisher Danilo have got three calendars out this year, featurings TOS, ships, and Discovery. Continue below for previews of them all.

Danilo don't publish a TOS calendar every year, but have done some before, and previous releases, like their US counterparts, have generally been pretty familiar TOS photos and screencaps. But this year they've gone an entirely different and totally delightful route, with an entire calendar of Gold Key Comics cover art! I hope this does well, as there's great potential in it continuing as a series, using Gold Key again, or art from hundreds of other Star Trek comics over the years.



Discovery mid-season finale, Into the Forest I Go trailer

We are approaching the final episode in this half (or three fifths) of the season of Discovery, and the trailer for Into the Forest I Go makes it looks like it's going to be an exciting last (for now) episode. Check it out:



UPDATE: Here's the blurb for the episode (thanks Alex Sz for reminding me I'd missed it!):
Bypassing Starfleet’s orders, Lorca uses the U.S.S. Discovery crew’s ultimate asset, the ship itself, in an effort to end the war with the Klingons once and for all.

Tuesday 7 November 2017

Anovos reveals Discovery phaser pistol prop replica

Anovos have revealed their first Star Trek Discovery prop reproduction, a phaser pistol. Like the uniforms they have already announced, the phaser is a highly accurate reproduction of the original prop - In this case with the exact same 3D printed construction as the hero props on the show. Continue below for all the details and lots of images.


Monday 6 November 2017

Review: Discovery #7 - Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad

Week after week each episode of Discovery just seems to get better. Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad, episode seven, is by far the most standalone in the series so far, and so very very Star Treky. Continue below for my spoilery thoughts on last week's episode.

Sunday 5 November 2017

Behind the scenes of Discovery: Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad

The crew from Star Trek: Discovery have had lots to share from the production of the latest episode, Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad, so continue below for lots of behind the scenes goodies from the episode.

Let's start with Harry Mudd's gloriously whacky Andorian helmet, which was made by Walter Klassen FX, who shared these beauty shots of the piece on Instagram:


Saturday 4 November 2017

QMx's 1:6 scale Khan figure

QMx have revealed the details of the latest release in their 1:6 scale Star Trek articulated figure range, a Space Seed version of Khan Noonien Singh.

Like all the figures in this series, the twelve-ish inch tall figure includes an unnervingly realistic head sculpt, minutely detailed clothing, accessories, hands for various poses, and a display base. Khan has a slightly more limited range of accessories than previous figures, but he makes up for that in quirkiness, with a crushed phaser included, plus the rod he and Kirk fight with in engineering (an moment you could of course recreate if you can get your hands on one of the already released Kirk figures). Continue below for lots of images of the new figure:


Trailer and stills from Discovery #8: Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

The next episode of Discovery is Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum, which from the trailer looks like another great episode to look forward to, and will get us a welcome visit to a planet! This episode is also written by Kirsten Beyer, and with it's apparent Saru focus, this could be the episode that has been often mentioned and highly praised by other members of the production staff. Exciting stuff.



The episode's blurb is also rather intriguing, and names the planet:
The U.S.S. Discovery is tasked with a high priority mission to planet Pahvo and learn the science behind the Klingon’s cloaking technology.

Friday 3 November 2017

Discovery comic covers

The first issue of The Light of Kahless, the first four-part Star Trek: Discovery comic miniseries seems to have been delayed a little, not quite making it's expected October release. But to keep us satisfied why we await its eventual arrival, some of the cover artists for the series have started to reveal their work. Continue below to check them out.

Due to feature as one of the variant covers for the third issue of the series is this stunning piece by always-amazing cover artist George Caltsoudas (shared on Twitter):


Eaglemoss Discovery model photos, and other Starships Collection updates

Eaglemoss' new Star Trek: Discovery - The Official Starships Collection spinoff series is due to start early next year, and the Eaglemoss online shop has recently been updated with lots of new photos of the first two models in the series, the USS Shenzhou, and USS Discovery. Continue below to check them out, and other Eaglemoss updates.

The first issue of the Discovery Starships Collection will be the USS Shenzhou. Here are the new photos, showing off the model from many angles:



Find Star Trek comics, toys, statues, and collectibles at TFAW.com!