Eaglemoss launches Star Trek comics collection

Eaglemoss, publishers of Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, are moving into another area of the Star Trek universe with the launch of Star Trek: The Graphic Novel Collection. The fortnightly series will deliver a hardcover editions of comics drawn from the entire fifty year history of Star Trek comic publishing. The books will feature spine-art building up a single image, plus new introductory texts:

With this collection you can revisit all the classic characters and incredible art from the STAR TREK comic archives. Every edition has a specially-commissioned introduction to provide context to the story. Every book contains a number of collected comics and a bonus reprint of one of the comic archive’s classic stories.

I expect that description, from their website, indicates this Star Trek collection will follow a similar format to Eaglemoss' DC collection, in which each issue includes a big multi-issue story, plus an extra issue drawn from somewhere else in the comic series. That would certainly be a pretty good way to delivery the many single issue Star Trek comics, while also giving each book a big story to focus on.

The art of City on the Edge of Forever

If you've read my review of the recently concluded five-part comic adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original telelplay for The City on the Edge of Forever, you'll know one of the highlights from the series for me was the amazing sumptuous painted artwork by J.K. Woodward. Including a new look for the Guardians of Forever, 1930s New York, some glorious time travel and drug induced moments, and our familiar TOS heroes and settings, Woodward had a lot to play with, and delivered his most impressive Star Trek work so far.

And now you can get hold of some of that amazing art, as Woodward is offering several pages of original art via Comic Art House. So far there are pages from the first two issues of the series on offer. I've picked out some of my favourites below, and you'll find even more on Comic Art House.

Review: Harlan Ellison's The City on the Edge of Forever, The Original Teleplay.

The recently concluded five-part comic adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original telelplay for The City on the Edge of Forever is almost unique in Star Trek comics history. To the best of my recollections there has been just one other episode adapted into comic form, the TNG finale, All Good Things..., and while most of the movies have also been adapted, aside from the odd deleted scene they have not strayed far from the on-screen presentations. The City on the Edge of Forever though, is like an episode of Star Trek from an alternate reality. My thoughts on the series continue after the jump below.

From the first few pages we are introduced to a much darker version of The Original Series, with the antagonist of the story, Beckwith, a drug dealer on the Enterprise, having signed on to starship duty to gather riches from exotic worlds and retire early to a life of luxury - A stark contrast to the good natured humans of the Starfleet we have come to know over the decades since this script was first written.

Beckwith takes the place of McCoy in the story as we know it from the television episode, and in doing so changes the tone throughout. Now we are not on a mission rescue a friend, we are out to stop a dangerous distasteful criminal (and in either case correct the timeline).

The mysterious and ethereal Guardians of Forever

This also gives us a great contrast with Edith Keeler, who in this version of the story is perhaps a little further along in her mission of peace in the world, already giving public addresses; well on the way to the future peace-maker that would ultimately lead to US defeat in the second world war - Or at least we can understand that from the episode, as the comic is more ambiguous about her future, with Spock inferring her significance in history from a riddle the Guardians give him and Kirk before they follow Beckwith, rather than having read the precise history they must avert off a tricorder screen, as in the episode. At any rate, Keeler is the good in reflection to Beckwith's evil, something that makes the ending all the more ambiguous when Beckwith tries to save Keeler from her death.

City of the Edge of Forever #5 preview

Out this week is the fifth and final issue in the comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for City on the Edge of Forever. Continue below for a five-page preview of the final chapter:

IDW's January releases, and other Star Trek comics news

IDW have announced their solicitations for January, which include three Star Trek titles: The start of a new 5 Year Mission series in the nuTrek ongoing comics, the second issue of the Planet of the Apes crossover, and the omnibus of City on the Edge of Forever. Continue below for full details of them all, as well as some other Trek comic updates:

Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive #2
Written by Scott Tipton, David Tipton, with art by Rachael Stott.

The colossal crossover nobody ever expected continues! Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew have landed on the Planet of the Apes—but how?! And how are the Klingons involved? Plus: Taylor meets up with Kirk and Spock, but will he greet them with open arms? Or flying bullets?

IDW also note that "each issue features an essay on Star Trek and Planet of the Apes by comedian and über-fan Dana Gould".

This second issue has three covers, and I think IDW have really exceeded themselves this time, with a stunning cover from the series artist Rachael Stott, a great subscription variant cover by Joe Corroney, and a gloriously nostalgic Gold Key style photo variant cover.

Continue after the jump for a look at the other January releases, and more comics news:

City on the Edge of Forever #4 preview

Out this week was the fourth (and penultimate) part in the comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for City on the Edge of Forever. Here are five pages (continuing after the jump) to tempt those of you that haven't picked it up yet:

Comic panels: Gold Key, Gary Seven, and more

An assortment of comics news today, starting with the first look at IDW's third hardcover omnibus of remastered Gold Key Comics: Now listed on Amazon for release in February next year, is Gold Key Archives, Volume 3. Here's the very snazzy new cover, and blurb:

Boldly going... where it all started! Presenting the first comic book adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew! Fully remastered with new colors, Volume 3 collects issues #13-18, including stories such as "Dark Traveler," "The Enterprise Mutiny," "The Hijacked Planet," and more.

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es.

We can expect the "and more" to be Museum at the End of Time, Day of the Inquisitors, and The Cosmic Cavemen - Remastered to the same quality as the previous two books, this will be a real treat. (See previous reports for previews of book one, and book two.).

"Full thrust, for pity's sake!"

Speaking of early classic comics: While Gold Key were publishing in the US in the sixties and seventies, there was also a string of comic strips printed in magazines in the UK. These rarely seen comics are little known, and had some truly stunning artwork - It was hoped that following IDW's publishing of the US newspaper comic strips over the last couple of years, they would continue the series with a couple of books collecting the UK strips.

Alas these books have yet to surface, and according to a recent blog by Star Trek comic collector Rich Handley (who worked on the newspaper strip reprint books) it seems IDW might not be going ahead. Rich has called for a campaign to alert IDW of the demand for these, including encouraging fans to write to IDW to let them know. I echo Rich's request; these amazing and rare comics deserve to be seen by a wider audience. Come on IDW, make it happen! I've posted a few sample panels from the UK comics on my tumblr, check them out, beautiful stuff.

Continue after the jump for more comics news, including a possible Gary Seven photo-comic, the latest previews from City on the Edge of Forever, and some details on the Planet of the Apes crossover.

City on the Edge of Forever #3 preview

New this week from IDW is part three of their comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for City on the Edge of Forever. The halfway mark in the series sees Kirk and Spock doing their 20th century thing, as you can see in the five-page preview below (continues after the jump):

Comic bits: November releases, and other updates

It looks like a slim month for Star Trek comics in November. IDW's latest solicitations list just one new release, part five of the nuTrek/DS9 crossover The Q Gambit. Here's the solicitation (via Previews):

Star Trek (ongoing) #39: The Q Gambit #5
Written by Mike Johnson, with art and cover by Tony Shasteen. Also available in a subscriber variant photo-cover.

It's the penultimate chapter of the "The Q Gambit"! Captains Kirk and Sisko must work together to fight back against the forces of the Dominion! Meanwhile, Spock attempts to free the Enterprise and her crew from the clutches of the nefarious Dukat! And just what is Q planning for everyone involved? The fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance in this all-new story produced in association with STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

In other comics news, John Byrne has give some hints (on his forums) at future issues of his New Visions photo-comics series:

Finished the fifth issue, today. The stardate I used places it firmly within the third season. Hope I'm not making it TOO easy for the trolls!

On to 6, probably next week. Thinking about a swing in the other direction, there. A story set between the second pilot and the first episode. Just hope there are enough shots of Mark Piper! If nothing else, a chance to play with a "transitional" bridge, maybe.

Both of these issues should be showing up early in 2015. Which is also when we can expect the omnibus release of City on the Edge of Forever. Amazon now list a hardcover release for February next year. They give this short description:

For the first time ever, a visual presentation of the much-discussed, unrevised, unadulterated version of Harlan Ellison's award-winning Star Trek teleplay script, "The City on the Edge of Forever!" See the story as Mr. Ellison originally intended!

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.fr.

Work is still ongoing on that series, J.K. Woodward has recently posted several behind the scenes glimpses at his art from the series, on his Instagram. Check them out after the jump:

City on the Edge of Forever #2 preview

Out this week is the second issue of comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for The City on the Edge of Forever. Continue on after the jump for the rest of a five-page preview, in which the Enterprise landing team quickly learn the perils of time travel.

Comic panels: Q Gambit, Flesh and Stone, City on the Edge, and New Visions previews!

Here's a smorgasbord of Star Trek comics updates and previews, something from all the current titles from IDW in fact. First up, via Tumblr, IDW editor Chris Ryall, posted this exciting two-page spread from the second issue of the The Q Gambit, the DS9 crossover story in the nuTrek ongoing series, which started this month. No text on this yet, just pure Tony Shasteen artwork:

Also posted by Ryall was this page of art, pre and post colouring, by The Sharp Brothers, from this week's medical crossover one-shot, Flesh and Stone (see a five-page preview in my previous report):

Continue after the jump for the latest updates from The City on the Edge of Forever and New Visions:

IDW's October Star Trek comics

IDW have released their October solicitations, and it's another bummer month for Star Trek releases, with three new issues, and an omnibus on the way:

Star Trek (nuTrek ongoing) #38: The Q Gambit, Part 4
Written by Mike Johnson, with art and cover by Tony Shasteen, or a subscription variant photo-cover

The STAR TREK event of 2014 continues in Part 4 of “The Q Gambit!” Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise find themselves in a true no-win scenario thanks to the mischievous Q! Trapped in a dark future, at the mercy of the mighty Dominion, this adventure might prove to be their last! Don't miss this all-new story produced in association with STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

Harlan Ellison's The City on the Edge of Forever, The Original Teleplay, Part 5
Written by Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton, and David Tipton, with art by J.K. Woodward. Cover by Juan Ortiz, or subscription variant cover by Paul Shipper.

The final act of Harlan Ellison’s Hugo and WGA Award-winning Star Trek teleplay! Is James T. Kirk willing to sacrifice the woman he loves, to save the universe as he knows it?! You may have seen the episode, but you only think you know how it ends! From the mind of literary legend Harlan Ellison!

New Visions #3: Cry Vengeance
Written, photo-manipulated, and cover by John Byrne.

John Byrne continues his new Star Trek photonovel adventures with two tales for the price of one, as the crew of the Starship: Enterprise faces a menace three millions years in the making, plus something more recent but no less deadly. Presenting a follow-up to the classic episode "The Doomsday Machine," as well as “Robot,” a brand-new tale of murder and mystery.

New Visions omnibus
Written, photo-manipulated, and cover by John Byrne.

John Byrne presents all-new TOS episodes like you've never seen them before! Including the 2013 photonovel Annual, “Strange New Worlds,” as well as the feature-length stories “The Mirror Cracked,” and "Time’s Echo"–done in all-new fumetti style by one of the greatest living comic book artists!

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Note the alien face among the many heads on this omnibus, perhaps a look at something to come in Time's Echo next month.

Comic panels: Latest from New Visions, City on the Edge of Forever, and more

Some Star Trek comics news for you, starting with the latest updates from John Bryne on his New Visions photo-comic series. Talking on his forums Byrne recently outlined his progress on the series:

So far, with seven stories complete, and an eighth started, I had two direct sequels, one "follow up" that is not strictly a sequel, two returning characters (same story), again not a sequel.

Two of the stories presently in the planning stages contain elements from previous episodes, but are, again, not direct sequels.

He also posted another preview panel, this time using parts of a real world location to expand the possible backdrops for the series:

Here's a little sneak peek at something from the finished lead story for the fourth issue. A combination of modeling and heavily manipulated "location shooting."

The second issue in the series, Time's Echo, is due out in August. Meanwhile IDW's adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for City on the Edge of Forever is now underway. Chris Ryall posted the variant cover for the second printing of the first issue, a red version of the Juan Ortiz cover.

Flickring Myth recently posted an interview with the series' writer, Scott Tipton, and artist, J.K. Woodward. Both discussed some of their favourite scenes in the adaptation (Woodward and Tipton respectively here):

Harlan is a very visual writer and he constructs some fantastic visuals in his stories. LeBeque’s hallucination in issue 1, the guardians and their planet, the city itself, Kirk and Spock’s trip through the time vortex are all really fun scenes, but I think the most fun I had was the fight scene in the transporter room that begins issue 2. Wow! what a thrill! and quite time intensive.

There’s a scene coming up in issue 4, I believe, that’s just a conversation between Kirk and Spock that really illustrates the struggle Kirk is going through, It’s some of my favorite writing of Harlan’s and it was cut from the filmed episode, so seeing that on the page will be quite a thrill.

Tipton also talked about an idea for a follow up to the TNG/Doctor Who crossover. Alas IDW don't have the Doctor Who license any more, so it's not as likely to happen now, but we can dream:

...the idea I always wanted to do was a body switch story between Q and The Doctor where Q would find himself trapped in the Doctor’s body and the Doctor was suddenly part of the Q continuum. Q would see the TARDIS, as great a force as it is, as limiting and we could learn a great deal more about what it means to be a Time Lord from that. The Doctor could show us just what it means to be part of the continuum as well, the responsibility, the dangers, the laws(are there any) and the struggle to even comprehend the limitless. I always thought that would be a great character story for both.

Continue after the jump for a look at some of the latest unofficial comics:

IDW's September Star Trek comics

Previews have posted IDW's solicitations for September, which include two new comics, and two omnibuses. Details below (omnibuses after the jump):

Star Trek (nuTrek ongoing) #37: The Q Gambit, Part 3
Written by Mike Johnson, with art and cover Tony Shasteen, or a photo-cover.

The STAR TREK event of the year continues here, in part 3 of "The Q Gambit"! Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise find themselves decades in the future thanks to the mischievous Q. The galaxy has changed beyond recognition... and nowhere more so than on Earth itself! Don't miss this all-new adventure produced in association with STAR TREK screenwriter/producer Roberto Orci!

Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever, The Original Teleplay #4
Written by Harlan Ellison, and Scott and David Tipton, with art by J. K. Woodward, and covers by Juan Ortiz and Paul Shipper.

Harlan Ellison's Hugo- and WGA Award-winning teleplay adaptation continues! As Kirk and Spock bide their time in 1930s New York, Kirk finds himself doing the unthinkable - falling in love with a woman of the past! And all the while, a murderer from their own era draws ever closer, threatening to alter the very fabric of history! Harlan Ellison's Hugo and WGA Award-winning teleplay, visualized for the first time! 

The City on the Edge of Forever #1 preview

Out this week if the first issue in IDW's comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for The City on the Edge of Forever. The story has been prepared for comic book presentation by Scott and David Tipton, with J.K. Woodward providing lavish painted interior art. Continuing after the jump you'll find a seven page preview for the first of this five-part series:

IDW's August Star Trek comics

IDW have announced their solicitations for August, which include three new Star Trek title; a triple-bill of time travel adventures it appears. Details below:

Star Trek (nuTrek ongoing) #36: The Q Gambit, Part 2
Written by Mike Johnson, with art and cover by Tony Shasteen, or a subscription variant photo-cover.

The epic STAR TREK event of 2014 continues here, in Part 2 of "The Q Gambit"! Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are thrust into the future of their new timeline thanks to the mysterious being known as Q. But in this alternate reality, what has become of the space station once known as Deep Space Nine... and the man called Benjamin Sisko? Don't miss this all-new story developed in association with STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

New Visions #2: Time’s Echo
Written, illustrated (photo-manipulation), and cover, by John Byrne.

John Byrne continues his new Star Trek photonovel adventures! In “Core,” from the raging heart of the galaxy comes a message that summons the crew of the Starship: Enterprise on their most bizarre and dangerous mission. A message sent by their own captain… ten centuries earlier!

Byrne has already commented on his forums that the title will be as shown on the cover, Time's Echo, not Core as described in the blurb. He also noted this issue will contain a second short story, and the cover will be amended to advertise the bonus story.


Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever, The Original Teleplay #3
Written by Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton and David Tipton, with art by J.K. Woodward. Standard cover by Juan Ortiz, or subscription variant cover by Paul Shipper.

Harlan Ellison’s Hugo- and WGA Award-winning teleplay, visualized for the first time! Stranded in the past of old Earth, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock search for the focal point that altered the timestream and changed everything about the universe they knew. And once they find her, they could find themselves foiled by a force even greater than the Guardians of Forever—love!

The City on the Edge of Forever's artist, J.K. Woodward, recently posted a process piece on his blog, looking at how he made a single page from issue one of the series, from the first sketch layout and reference photos through various drawing and painting processes to the final page. Should be fascinating if you're at all curious how a comic book comes together.

Comic panels: Previews from City on the Edge of Forever, Lost Apollo, and New Visions

There are lots of Star Trek comics on the way this year, and here are some preview pages from three different series. We'll start with a look at the first three pages of Harlan Ellison's The City on the Edge of Forever, The Original Teleplay, which includes a panel full of dinosaurs!

These samples come via the Forbidden Planet blog, who have an advance review of the first issue (and rate it highly. You can see a few more samples of J.K Woodward's sumptuous pages in my previous report, from when the series was first announced.

Continue after the jump for a look at the latest samples from the nuTrek ongoing series, and John Byrne's photo-comics.