TNG aliens come back to life

Inspired by some awesome restoration projects, I've gathered together some of the latest TNG behind the scenes bits and bobs I've come across to take a look at a few of TNG's aliens; including some memorable one-shot wonders, and some more established species too. Continue below for some real treats.

What sparked this exploration was seeing some amazing work done recently by Tom Spina Designs, who specialise in restorations and display models and have worked on several Star Trek projects over the years. Their newest creation is a beautiful display of one of the Solanagen-based lifeforms from the episode Schisms. Working with an original costume and mask, they recreated new hands to finish off the alien and then gave it a suitably creepy pose for display. Check it out:

Discovery round-up: Su’Kal previews, behind the scenes photos, travel poster, and Killy's log!

This week brings us episode eleven of Discovery season three, with the promise of the return to the Burn mystery in Su’Kal. Continue below for previews of the new episode, and a round up of all the latest bits and bobs from last week's mirror universe escapade, including a great new travel poster, fun new log entry from Captain Killy, and lots of behind the scenes photos.

First up, here's the blurb and trailer for Su'Kal (trailer also up on StarTrek.com if you prefer to Instagram below):

Discovery ventures to the Verubin Nebula, where Burnham, Saru, and Culber make a shocking realization about the origin of the Burn as the rest of the crew faces an unexpected threat.

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Discovery round-up: Terra Firma, Part 2 previews, and loads of mirror universe badness in behind the scenes and set photography from part 1

This week brings us part two of the current Discovery mirror universe story Terra Firma, and as ever CBS released an assortment of previews ahead of the episode going live. They've also gone to town with imagery and more looking at last week's part one; the on-set photographer must have been enjoying themselves! Continue below to check out all that golden armoured goodness!

First up, here's the blurb and trailer for this week's new episode (which can also be viewed on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

Georgiou uncovers the true depths of the plot against her, leading her to a revelation about how deeply her time on the U.S.S. Discovery truly changed her. 

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Seven's Reckoning #2 covers and preview pages

Out this week is the second issue(ad) of IDW's new Voyager comic miniseries, Seven's Reckoning(ad). The issue, titled Concrete and Iron are no Match for Flesh and Bone, is written by Dave Baker, with art by Angel Hernandez, colours by Ronda Pattison, and continues the story of Seven of Nine (new to the Voyager crew at this point) and her interactions with a new alien race Voyager has encountered. 

This issue is offered in three different covers: Hernandez and Pattison also provide the A cover(ad), featuring Seven and one of the Ohrdi'nadar; or there's a photo B cover(ad), featuring Captain Janeway; or if you can find it, the rarer retail incentive cover(ad) by Jeffrey Veregge, which also features Seven, discovered an alien artifact.

Continue below to check out a five page preview, and all the covers for this issue.

Lower Decks finally coming to the rest of the world. Plus cool behind the scenes artwork from the series.

Lower Decks is finally coming to viewers outside of the US and Canada! CBS have at last announced Amazon Prime Video(ad) will be the new come of the animated comedy Star Trek series in Europe, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, "and more". All ten episodes of the first season will arrive on the 22nd of January in 2021.

Continue below for more Lower Decks updates.

Discovery round-up: Terra Firma, Part 1 previews, The Sanctuary behind the scenes, alien make-up, set photos, travel poster, and more!

Lots of Discovery bits in my latest round-up, including plenty of behind the scenes goodies related to last week's The Sanctuary, as well as aliens from earlier in the series, and some great set photos. Plus another fun new travel poster, the latest Instagram log, and more! But first, the preview's for this weeks new episode, Terra Firma, Part 1. Starting with the blurb and trailer (which is also up on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

The U.S.S. Discovery crew journey to a mysterious planet in hopes of finding a cure for Georgiou’s deteriorating condition. Stamets and Adira make a stunning breakthrough with the newly acquired Burn data.

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Eaglemoss' Build the Enterprise-D series launches in 2021

Eaglemoss Hero Collector are launching their Star Trek: The Next Generation - Build the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D part-work collection(ad). Following a trial run of the first few issues last year, the series is due for its proper start in February, with sign-ups starting now.

Over 120 issues (!), the collection will build a 70cm long model of the Enterprise-D, with die cast metal parts, and lighting throughout (including nacelles, impulse engines, deflector, windows, and navigation lights). The model can also saucer separate, with independent power supplies in each part so the lights will still function while separated. Everything comes pre-painted, and either clicks or screws into place. Each issue also comes with a magazine (see below for details of that).

Here's a little video showing the model in action:

Round 2 Models reveal brand new USS Voyager model kit, plus pre-built USS Enterprise and USS Discovery

Round 2 Models have lots of exciting upcoming releases, including a brand new USS Voyager model kit coming next year, and a new line of pre-built models, so far featuring the classic USS Enterprise, and the USS Discovery. Continue below for all the details of those, and more.

Round 2 Models recently did a YouTube product reveal for a couple of new kits coming in 2021, and one of those was a completely new 1:1000 scale USS Voyager! Check out the prototype:

Discovery round-up: 3x08 The Sanctuary previews, plus latest behind the scenes, travel poster, and more

This week brings us episode eight of Discovery season three, The Sanctuary. CBS have releases lots of images to preview it, plus a trailer. Continue below to check out those, plus a round up of all the latest Disco bits, including behind the scenes photos, a new travel poster, the latest Log entry, and more.

First up, here's the blurb and trailer for the new episode (trailer also on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery crew travel to Book’s home planet to help rescue it from Osyraa, the formidable leader of the Emerald Chain. Meanwhile, Stamets and Adira continue their search for valuable information on the origin of the Burn.

So many Star Trek pins! All the latest from FanSets, QMx, Numskull, and Forbidden Planet.

Looking for some Star Trek pins? Then continue below for all the latest designs from FanSets, including multiple Badgey pins, a Christmas design, new character and ship pins, and more! Plus a new range of TOS pins from Numskull, 32nd century Federation merch from Forbidden Planet, and QMx combadge reissues.

As previously reported, FanSets are continuing their annual tradition of a festive Star Trek pin with a Christmas themed Badgey this year, freshly released this week:

Cool Star Trek miniatures, props, and artwork up for auction from PropStore

This week PropStore are running their Treasures from Film and Television auction, which includes props, costumes, miniatures, and artwork from numerous series, including a lot of really cool Star Trek stuff. Continue below to check out the highlights.

The most eye-catching item on offer is a miniature of the refit USS Enterprise, used in The Wrath of Khan, The Search For Spock, and The Undiscovered Country. The model is used for close-ups of the engineering hull, with a battle damaged section (patched-up) on one side, and one torpedo tube. The other torpedo tube lights up rather satisfyingly, as do many oft he windows. Which you can see in action in this video:

What is this crazy Ferengi TNG board game from the 90s?

In my never-ending search for all things Star Trek I sometimes come across something completely new to me, the odd curiosity, or indeed just plain odd things. Today I would like to present my latest discovery: Canada Games' Star The Trek Next Generation "action game", The Final Frontier(ad)- Why is this odd? Because it contains tobogganing Ferengi marbles!!

I mean, just look at these things! I'm not sure if these little guys are built around marbles, or ball bearings, or just a little wheel. But however they work, that's a whole bunch of Ferengi in zooming poses rolling around on their bellies!

Discovery round-up: 3x07 Unification III previews, alien make-up, starship images, western poster, and more!

This week Discovery season three continues with the provocatively titled Unification III, and as ever CBS have released an assortment of preview video and images to tease the new episode. I've also got my usual round-up of all the latest other Disco updates and behind the scenes; which this week includes a look at Orion, Cardassian, and Andorian alien prosthetics, yet more Grudge the cat love, some nice new images of the 32nd century Starfleet ships, Reno's thoughts on the Disco-refit, and a wild west poster! Continue below to check out all that and more.

First up though, here's the blurb and trailer for Unification III (trailer also on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

While grappling with the fallout of her recent actions, and what her future might hold, Burnham agrees to represent the Federation in an intense debate about the release of politically sensitive – but highly valuable – Burn data.

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Check out the new Star Trek train sets from Lionel

Lionel's new Star Trek O gauge train sets have arrived, and to mark their release Lionel have released loads of new images, and even a video of the main set in action. 

The centrepiece of their range is the Star Trek: The Next Generation Lionchief Set(ad), which included an Enterprise-D themed locomotive with three carriages, each representing a different room on the ship (sickbay, a holodeck, and Ten Forward). The holodeck carriage includes a simulation feature which animates the image of the interior, in a rather meta fashion showing a train running inside the holodeck! 

All this comes with Star Trek and train sound effects, lighting, and a set of tracks to run it around. Plus a remote, although you can also control it via a bluetooth app. You can see it in action in this video they've released:

Noble Toys launches new Bendyfigs range, including TOS characters

The Noble Collection have launched a new toy division, Noble Toys, and among their first releases are a range of seven inch tall bendy action figures, creatively called Bendyfigs! Their initial collection includes characters from several different sci-fi and fantasy franchises, includes Star Trek: The Original Series. Continue below to check them out.

Four Star Trek characters are available, Captain Kirk, Spock, Doctor McCoy, and Uhura. Each comes with a Starfleet delta pegged display based, and they all have a couple of accessories too. Spock here gets a communicator and tricorder:

IDW's Star Trek comics for February

IDW have revealed their Star Trek comics for February, which spanning TOS, TNG, and Voyager include two new books, and reprint of a classic. Continue below for all the details.

Year Five(ad) #20: The Raptor's Wings

Written by Brandon Easton, with art by Silvia Califano.

As the crew of the Enterprise moves toward an uncertain future, one of their own will be pulled into a violent past! While investigating a mysterious structure on Vulcan, Spock vanishes. As the crew tries to find him, Spock must fight to survive as he navigates the painful past of his home planet. The final voyages of the original crew continue in this time-hoping adventure from writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron, Thundercats) and artist Silvia Califano (Star Trek: Year Five, X-Files: Case Files)

From the title, covers, and snippets in the blurb here, I think we're going to see some of the Vulcan/Romulan schism. through the eyes of time traveling Spock. Cool! 

The book is offered in two covers from the regular artists for the series, and both have been revealed already. The main cover by Stephen Thompson features a traditionally Vulcan-clothed Spock under a looming Romulan emblem (TrekMovie released the final cover, but you can see the line art on Previews). There's also a retail incentive by J.J. Lendl, which gives us a retro poster for the story, and also features Spock, among Vulcan and Romulan iconography.

Discovery 3x06 Scavengers previews, plus Barzan behind the scenes, cool Federation HQ poster, and a touching Saru personal log

This week's new episode of Discovery is Scavengers. As usual CBS have released lots of promo for the episode, even more images and clips than normal in fact. Continue below to check out all those, plus lots of behind the scenes from last week's episode, including a close look at the Barzan make-up, Saru's log entry, and a cool Federation Headquarters poster.

Here's the blurb and trailer for the new episode (trailer also up on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

After receiving a message from Book, Burnham and Georgiou embark on a rogue mission to find him, leaving Saru to pick up the pieces with Admiral Vance. Meanwhile, Stamets forms an unexpected bond with Adira.

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Star Trek Online introduces new Titan and Shenzhou variant starships, plus mirror universe ships, Klingon updates and more

Star Trek Online are honouring the USS Titan, with the introduction of a new successor class to the Luna class, the Titan class. Continue below to check out this cool new ship, plus lots of other STO updates, including a new variant of the Walker class, mirror universe ships, updates of other classic designs, and the latest in the ongoing Klingon saga that is currently the focus of the game.

The new Titan class, a "Science Destroyer" is meant to be the 25th century descendant of the USS Titan's Luna class. Here's how STO describe it:

Named after the legendary ship commanded by William T. Riker, the Titan Class Science Destroyer is a little like Riker himself. It's a balance between exploring the galaxy, and gearing up to fight when necessary. As a Science Destroyer, the ship has two modes it can switch between, Science and Tactical. It also is equipped with a console designed to disable enemy systems, effectively taking them out of the fight for a brief time. She also can be loaded with an advanced subspace communication device, allowing you to summon the aid of your faction's flagship at a moment's notice.

Seven's Reckoning #1 covers and preview pages

This week brings us the first issue(ad) in IDW's first ever Star Trek: Voyager comic miniseries, Seven's Reckoning(ad), which unusually for an IDW Trek comic has an individual issue title, The End of the Way of All Things. The series is written by Dave Baker, with art by Angel Hernandez, colours by Ronda Pattison. 

The story is set shortly after Seven of Nine joins the crew, and this first book in the four issue series sets the scene, introducing an intriguing new alien race. It's also full of rather enjoyable crew banter, including Tuvok's reflections on Captain Janeway's new haircut! 

This issue is offered in three different covers: Either the A cover(ad), featuring Seven and Janeway, which is also by Hernandez, with colour from Charlie Kirchoff. Or the B cover(ad), which is a photo-cover, featuring Seven of course. Or my personal favourite, the beautiful, but alas rarer, retail incentive cover(ad) by Jeffrey Veregge, who brings together key iconography of Seven's history in a striking image.

Continue below to check out a five page preview, and all the covers for this first issue.

Volante beam down new Voyager and DS9 uniform inspired jackets

Volante Design, makers of coats in the style of Starfleet uniforms, have added two new designs to their range, inspired by the uniforms seen in Voyager and DS9. Continue below to check them out.

Their take on the Voyager uniform is Starfleet 2369, it is offered in womens or mens cuts, and of course the choice off department colours; command red, operations yellow, or science blue. It's made from 100% cotton, with water-resistant stretch cotton sateen accents, and features two external pockets, one internal, plus a special badge backing pocket to hold the magnetic back of any combadge you might choose to wear with it.

Discovery 3x05 Die Trying previews, plus behind the scenes, crew logs, and a travel poster

Out this week is the fifth episode in Discovery's third season, Die Trying. As ever CBS have released a bunch of promo material to tease of what is to come, along side behind the scenes images from the previous images, a particular amusing entry in the social media crew logs, and a nice travel poster for Trill. Continue below to check out all that and more.

Here's the blurb and trailer for the new episode (trailer also up on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

After reuniting with what remains of Starfleet and the Federation, the U.S.S. Discovery and its crew must prove that a 930 year old crew and starship are exactly what this new future needs.

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Will the U.S.S. Discovery finally find a new home? Check out this sneak peek of the new episode of #StarTrekDiscovery. Watch it at 12am PT on @cbsallaccess.

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Get ready for Christmas with festive new Star Trek pins, jumpers, and face-masks

Christmas approaches, and several Star Trek licenses have started getting into the festive spirit, with a wide range Star Trek themed apparel to choose from this year. Continue below for plenty of Christmas jumpers, and the inevitable Christmas face masks. But first...

FanSets have revealed the artwork for their Star Trek Christmas pin for this year, which features none other than a jolly Christmas badgey. The first of I am sure many badgey badges to come! He'll be available in December.

DS9: Too Long a Sacrifice #4 covers and excerpt

This week brings the fourth and final issue(ad) of IDW's murder mystery DS9 comic miniseries, Too Long a Sacrifice(ad). 

The book, and indeed the whole series, is written by Scott and David Tipton, with art by Greg Scott and colourist Felipe Sobreiro. As with other issues in the series, there is a choice of three covers. Either the A cover(ad) by Richardo Drumond, featuring many of the prominent characters that feature in the story in an exciting movie-poster style arrangement. The B cover(ad) is a photo cover, this time giving us Garak. And there's the rarer retail incentive cover(ad), with art by JK Woodward, highlighting Odo and Worf.

Continue below to check out all those covers, a five-page preview, and the new-look cover for the omnibus edition of the series.

Year Five #16: Vote Mudd part 2 preview

Out this week is the sixteenth issue(ad) of IDW's TOS comic maxiseries Year Five(ad), and part two of the Vote Mudd story arc, featuring Harry Mudd's run for Federation President. This arc also features Andor, androids, and the Aegis, in the form of Gary Seven and Isis. A packed story, with it seems much more to come in future chapters of the ongoing Year Five story.

This book is written by Jody Houser, with art by Silvia Califano, and colour from Charlie Kirchoff. It is offered in two covers, either the main one(ad) by Stephen Thompson (also coloured by Kirchoff) featuring a Mudd rally; or the retail incentive(ad) by JJ Lendl, the latest in their travel poster sub-series of covers, which in this instance also hides a sneaky portrait of an Andorian!

Continue below to check out the covers, a five-page preview, and a look at some of the artwork from this series.

New Star Trek Tridemensional Chess Set coming from The Noble Collection

The Noble Collection have revealed a new Star Trek Tridemensional Chess Set. Available for pre-order now, ahead of a December release, the set is a fairly faithful replica of the original prop seen in several episodes of The Original Series, complete with red toned acrylic boards, and distinctive designed black and white pieces. Continue below to check it out.

Discovery 3x04 Forget Me Not previews, plus lots of Disco behind the scenes, cast photos, posters, and more!

This week's fourth episode Discovery season three is Forget Me Not, which sees the Disco crew visit the Trill. As ever CBS have released an assortment of previous for this episode. Continue below to check that out, along with loads of behind the scenes bits for last week's episode, new cast photos, fun posters, and more!

Here's the blurb and trailer for Forget Me Not (trailer also on StarTrek.com if you prefer):

Burnham and Adira visit the Trill homeworld in hopes of unlocking the secrets trapped within Adira’s mind. Back on the U.S.S. Discovery, Saru’s efforts to help the crew reconnect with one another take a surprising turn.

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What's next for the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery? Find out in this sneak peek of the new episode of #StarTrekDiscovery. Stream it in a few hours at 12am PT on @CBSAllAccess.

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Dan Curry starship concept art up for auction

Heritage Auctions are currently listing a number of items sourced from Dan Curry, Star Trek visual effects supervisor from early TNG, through DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise. The work spans all of those series, and what is mainly on offer are collections of concept art, for various Star Trek starships, locations, and weapons. Continue below to check out some of these fascinating bits of Star Trek history.

The highlight of the collection in my view is the only model on offer, a rough concept for a "Borg Battle Drone". The model is displayed with a little plaque that describes what the ship is:

When conceiving this fighting platform I imagined it would be controlled by biological drone brains connected to the Hive Collective physically imbedded into the space craft.

It was important to reflect the Borg pragmatic approach to engineering.

Function is supreme with no regard to aesthetics. New structures are added as needs arise.

An even more gruesome version of the Borg had it been brought to life! Heritage Auctions attribute this design to TNG, though it's not clear which episode it might have been created for (if any that ever got to production). They also point out the the concept of a growing adapting Borg ship was eventually realised in Enterprise's Regeneration.

Year Five #15: Vote Mudd preview

This week brings us fifteenth issue(ad) of IDW's TOS comic maxiseries Year Five(ad), which launches a new story arc focused on Harry Mudd's run for Federation president. 

This series was delayed a few months earlier in the year due to Covid, so what might have come a couple of months ago as a warning of political events to come, has instead managed to land right on top of the US presidential elections, with Mudd slipping into Trump's analogous shoes all the more vividly as a result - Although Mudd is decidedly more charming, if also a little menacing, and this is a delightfully playful issue thanks to his long history with Kirk at this point in the timeline. 

Interestingly the image of Mudd is that of Rainn Wilson, as seen in Discovery, no doubt helping to side-step the issues of actor likeness that have long tripped up appearances by the character in previous comics. 

This new story arc is written by Jody Houser, with art by Silvia Califano, and colour from Charlie Kirchoff. The book is offered in two covers, either the main one(ad) by Steve Thompson (also coloured by Kirchoff), or the retail incentive(ad) by JJ Lendl, which this issue take the form of pro-Mudd graffiti - Lendl's covers for the first part of a story arc normally give us the title, so we can probably take that to be Vote Mudd, or maybe Vote Mudd For Federation President. 

Continue below to check out the covers, a five-page preview, and a look at some of the artwork from this issue.

Discovery 3x03 People of Earth previews, and other Disco updates

This week's episode of Discovery is People of Earth, as ever CBS have released an assortment of images and previews for the episode. There's also lots of updates around last week's episode, including behind the scenes photos, and the latest of the new social media logs. Continue below to check out all the Disco latest. 

To start, here's the blurb, and trailer (also on StarTrek.com if you can't view on YouTube), for the new episode

Finally reunited, Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery crew journey to Earth, eager to learn what happened to the Federation in their absence.