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.

Comics round up: After Darkness, August releases, timeline, and latest covers

Lots of comics new for you, starting with news of a new comic series tie-in to Into Darkness, Roberto Orci tweeted to confirm there will be a four-part prequel series exploring the character of John Harrison, coming in the fall:

Ask and ye shall receive. IDW Pubishing IS going to do a 4-issue John Harrison miniseries this fall!

Before then though, we're heading into events after the film. Here's a first look at After Darkness; the three-part comic sequel to Into Darkness, which will comprise issues twenty-one to twenty-three, of the Star Trek ongoing series. Wired posted these two preview pages (pages 10 and 13 from Part 1):

 

Pre-order: Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Wired also posted an interview with the series writer, Mike Johnson, where he gave a vague outline of where he'll be going next:

You’ll see immediately on the first page of [the story] that it’s very much a sequel in terms of plot. Things happen in the movie that can’t be ignored going forward, and we will see the repercussions play out over the months to come. It’s also a character-based sequel, as we see how the crew reacts to the events of the movie, and what it means for their relationships going forward.

I’m aiming for a combination of two things going forward. First, all-new worlds and stories that expand the galaxy as we know it, and second, a larger epic story about the clash of civilizations. And I’m not just talking about the Klingons vs. the Federation. The map of the Star Trek galaxy is divided into established empires and the great unknown. I want to explore both.”

IDW have also given us some idea of where what's next with the release of their August solicitations, which give us the first details of Star Trek ongoing issue twenty-four, a sequel to Star Trek: The Video Game:

Star Trek (ongoing) #24
Written by Mike Johnson. Art by Claudia Balboni. Cover by Tim Bradstreet, with retail incentive sketch and photo covers.

The adventures of Kirk, Spock and the Enterprise crew continue in an all-new adventure that follows the events of the hit film STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and the new STAR TREK video game! A classic enemy returns in this story overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci. Beware... THE GORN!

 

IDW have also released an interactive timeline, explaining the timeline divergence, and placing all the ongoing comics.

They suggest the following chronological order for the ongoing series:

• 2256: #20 - Red Level Down
• 2257:
• #18 - Uhura origins
• #19 - Scotty origins
• 2258:
• 2009 movie
• #15 and #16 - Mirrored
• #1 and #2 - Where No Man Has Gone Before
• #3 and #4 - The Galileo Seven
• #5 and #6 - Operation: Annihilate
• #7 and #8 - Vulcan's Vengeance
• #9 and #10 - The Return of the Archons
• #17 - McCoy origins
• #13 - The Redshirt's Tale
• #14 - Keenser origins
• 2259:
• #11 and #12 - The Truth About Tribbles!
• Countdown to Darkness
• #21, #22, and #23 - After Darkness

If you've missed the ongoing series so far, IDW are going to try and tempt you with their latest 100 Penny Press release (reprints of their comics for one dollar), which is Star Trek (ongoing) #1. Details of that and other upcoming reprints, after the jump:

Latest German Star Trek releases

It seems someone turned on the Star Trek tap this week in Germany, as all of a sudden there's a flood of new Trek stuff on the way. Starting with the usual source of things Star Trek in German, Cross Cult have released their latest cover art, for Christopher L. Bennett's TNG Typhon Pact ebook, The Struggle Within. No German title title yet for this one, which features Picard and Jasminder Choudhury - The second appearance by the latter book-only character, who we last saw on Den Frieden Verlieren (Cross Cult's edition of Losing the Peace):

Cross Cult have also released a new portrait for their New Frontier range; the new look Katerina Müller will appear along side the rest of the New Frontier cast on the spine of a future Cross Cult translation.

In other news from Cross Cult, my regular source of all news German, UnrealitySF's Jens Deffner, has pointed out an interesting little bit hidden at the end of the latest Cross Cult catalogue; a book called, Die Zukunft von Star Trek liegt im Roman, which Jens translates to The future of Star Trek lies with the novels.

My first thought was it might be Voyages of Imagination, but at 320 pages, it's less than half as a long as that brilliant guide to Star Trek books. So what might it be? Jens speculates it might be a collection of essays and interviews, such as those that have been printed in some of Cross Cult's novels. My dream is that it might be some sort of guide to the various relaunch series, with illustrations of new ships, species, and characters (so those of us who don't read German can enjoy it too). Whatever it turns out to be, it's coming in July!

Cross Cult arn't the only Trek publishers in Germany, Jens also pointed me to the latest from Panini, who regularly print DC Comics there, and will in April be releasing German versions of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover. They will be releasing both paperback and hardcover versions, with the hardcover version limited to 222 copies:

 

Finally there are also so new home video releases coming, in the form of a new steelbook release of the Star Trek (2009) bluray, and a very stark black and red packaging for the prime timeline films on DVD, which they've dubbed, the Stardate Collection:

These are out in May, as are new bluray releases of each of the first ten films; these are just German cover version of the same Region B designs already available in the UK, France and Italy.

IDW June titles

Comics Continuum have posted details of IDW's June releases, which include, for the second month, just one new Star Trek comic, plus an omnibus. The new story is Star Trek ongoing issue twenty-two, the second issue set after Star Trek Into Darkness:

The fallout from this summer's blockbuster movie Star Trek Into Darkness continues here, in the fan-favorite ongoing series overseen by Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci! Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise face a dire new threat rising in the wake of the movie's momentous events!

Written by Mike Johnson, with art by Erfan Fajar, and the cover by Tim Bradstreet:

You can also see the sketch version of the cover on Bradstreet's Facebook page. The omnibus is the paperback reprint of the excellent Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover series - Which we already knew about from online listings, although it is coming a month earlier than initially suggested:

IDW Publishing and DC Comics are proud to present the greatest tale of the 23rd century! Or is that the 31st century? Eisner-nominated writer Chris Roberson and Star Trek and Legionnaires veteran artist Jeffrey Moy collaborate to bring you the most bizarre partnership of any century! The crew of the Starship: Enterprise and the Legion of Super-Heroes come face to face as they deal with a changed history and timeline that neither knows the cause of. Traveling to the past and the future to find answers, both teams must work together to set things right.

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

IDW omnibus covers

New covers have appeared for some of the forthcoming omnibus books from IDW:

Beginnings, book four in their Classics series, uses the same artwork as the previous release of the same book by DC. I expect the artwork will be used on the final IDW book, although anticipate the titles will be changed to match the same format used on the previous books in the Classics series:

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

The paperback version of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes is identical to the previous hardcover edition, which itself was a reuse of the issue 1/promo art for the series:

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

And the John Byrne Collection cover has appeared with the titles arranged a bit differently from the recent solicitation version. Commenting on his forum Byrne noted this might not be the final placement of the titles, and also noted there may be some embossed and glazed parts to the cover. I hope this layout is more indicative of the final form than the solicitation version, it looks neater:

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

IDW April solicitations, plus more omnibuses on the way

TrekMovie have posted details of IDW's Star Trek comics coming in April, and it's a bumper month, with extra re-releases timed to ride the publicity wave as the release of Star Trek Into Darkness approaches. Read down for news of other omnibuses releases coming later in the year as well. But first, coming in April:

The Star Trek ongoing series hits it's twentieth issue in April, which means it has surpassed all but one of Marvel's Star Trek comic series in length now, having just pushed the 19-issue Starfleet Academy series down to being the seventh longest running Star Trek series. To get the number five slot it will need beat Marvel's 32-issue DS9 series. Then it's in for a really long wait, to get to the first DC TOS series' 56 issues, Gold Key's 61, and the second DC TOS and DC TNG series' equal 80 issue records!

Star Trek (ongoing) #20
Written by Mike Johnson, art by Claudia Balboni, cover art by Tim Bradstreet, plus sketch and photo covers.

The all-new origin stories of the Enterprise crew conclude with this special issue that focuses on TWO Trek Stalwarts: Sulu and Chekov! Witness their first meeting at Starfleet Academy, and learn how their paths intertwined all the way to the bridge of the Enterprise! Overseen by Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci, this issue sets the stage for Sulu and Chekov’s new adventures in the blockbuster film sequel!

Also out in April is a Star Trek ongoing Treasury Edition large-format omnibus. This is the second Star Trek Treasury Edition from IDW, the previous included the first half of John Byrne's Romulan saga. I wonder if the choice of issues here is significant; we're told the ongoing comic series has been laying out hints towards Star Trek Into Darkness, and this collection does include the most obvious could-be-hint of the series so far, at the end of the new The Return of the Archons.

Star Trek Space-Spanning Treasury Edition
Written by Mike Johnson, art by Stephen Molnar, cover art by Tim Bradstreet

IDW continues to boldly go where no comic book company has gone before—producing beautiful treasury editions of comics deserving of a BIG format! Collecting three issues that tell two complete stories, featuring one story inspired from the original series as well as one completely new tale! Great stories by ace Trek scribe Mike Johnson and stupendous art by Stephen Molnar featuring THE RETURN OF THE ARCHONS and THE REDSHIRTS STORY!

Elsewhere in the nuTrek world, Countdown to Darkness finishes in April, and gets a prompt omnibus release:

Countdown to Darkness #4
Written by Mike Johnson, art and cover by David Messina, plus 1/5 photo-covers, and a CGC graded cover.

This is it! Don’t miss the shocking conclusion of this official prequel to next spring’s STAR TREK film sequel! Overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci, this climactic issue leads directly into the upcoming blockbuster as Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew fight for fate of the Galaxy!

Countdown to Darkness omnibus
Written by Mike Johnson, art and cover by David Messina.

The countdown to the motion picture event of 2013 begins here, in this blockbuster 4-issue prequel mini-series that sets the stage for the upcoming STAR TREK film! Like the best-selling STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN in 2009, this all-new series leads directly into the next movie, with a story by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson (STAR TREK ongoing series), and drawn by the original STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN artist, David Messina! STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN TO DARKNESS is the can’t-miss lead-in to the new adventures of the Enterprise crew!

Here's the first look at the combined Countdown to Darkness cover quartet:

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

Also out in April is the new John Byrne mega-omnibus, including all his IDW Star Trek work:

John Byrne Collection omnibus

Comics legend John Byrne has taken on four Star Trek titles, all collected in this oversized hardcover collection. Assignment Earth recounts the adventures of interstellar agent Gary Seven, Crew recounts a tale from the very beginnings of the United Federation of Planets, Leonard McCoy: Frontier Doctor is a collection of tales from this famous member of the Frontier Medics Program, and mystery, intrigue, and war abound in Romulans: Pawns of War.

Awesome new cover by John Byrne for this:

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

A couple of new Star Trek omnibuses coming later in the year from IDW have also appeared on Amazon recently:

The DC release of Beginnings

June will see Star Trek Classics Volume 4: Beginnings, the fourth book in IDW's Classics omnibus collection. Like all the books in the series so far is repeat of a Star Trek comic omnibus previously released - In this case DC Comics' Beginnings, which collects the first ever six-issue TNG comic miniseries. Here is the blurb from Amazon:

Reprints the very first comics adventures from The Next Generation and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Set during their earliest voyages, join Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Troi, Yar, and Laforge as they learn about eachother and encounter: A de-powered Q who seeks refuge aboard the Enterprise as he attempts to learn what it means to be mortal; A world where warriors see battle as a child's game; A world with dark secrets that threaten both the ship and crew, and more.

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

Shortly after, in July, is another omnibus re-issue, this time it's IDW's own Star Trek/Legions of Super-Heroes crossover series. This was released as a hardcover omnibus last summer, so if you prefer your books a bit floppier (but not as floppy as the individual issue releases) then this is your chance to get the paperback version of the very enjoyable series.

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #6 preview

Also out this week is the final issue of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover. Comics Continuum have posted previews of all IDW's comics this week. Here are the first seven pages of the sixth, and final, issue (continues after the jump):

IDW June solicitations

StarTrek.com have posted IDW's Star Trek solicitations for June, which are:

Star Trek (ongoing) #10: The Return of the Archons, Part 2
By Mike Johnson, art by Stephen Molnar, and a cover by Tim Bradstreet, plus a sketch-cover

The story, which concludes the “The Return of the Archons” reimagining, follows Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew as they unravel the mystery of a lost Starfleet vessel that may hold the key to the galaxy’s future.

Assimilation² #2
By Scott and David Tipton with Tony Lee, art by J.K. Woodward, with covers by Woodward, Mark Buckingham, and Joe Corroney, the latter being a wrap-around cover featuring the Enterprise crew in the TARDIS.

The Federation’s most-terrifying enemy (that’d be the Borg) strikes an unholy alliance with one of the Doctor’s most-hated antagonists (the Cybermen, of course), resulting in devastation on a cosmic scale.

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes omnibus
By Chris Roberson, art by Jeffrey Moy, and a cover by Phil Jimenez. Plus all direct-market first-printing copies will include a Keith Giffen dust jacket.

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

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #5 retail incentive cover

TrekMovie's review of this week's fifth issue of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes series reveals the latest retail incentive cover, this time featuring Sulu and Chameleon Boy:

Order: Amazon.com, Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #5 preview, plus covers

IDW has posted, on their new tumblr page, all of Phil Jimenez's amazing covers for the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes series, including these newly revealed covers for the last two issues:

 

Meanwhile StarTrek.com has posted a seven-page preview for issue five, which is due next week. You can read that after the jump:

This Month: February 2012

New this month from the Trekverse:

The Rings of Time
This month's novel is a TOS story by Greg Cox, with a time travel plot featuring Colonel Shaun Christopher from the 21st century.

2020 The U.S.S. Lewis and Clark, under the command of Colonel Shaun Christopher, sets off on humanity’s first manned mission to Saturn. But the unexpected presence of a stowaway complicates the mission—as does a startling encounter with an alien probe. But when Colonel Christopher attempts to capture the probe, he suddenly finds himself transported across time and space to a future era of space exploration...

Stardate 7103.4 The U.S.S. Enterprise responds to an urgent distress call from a mining colony orbiting Klondike VI, a ringed gas giant not unlike Saturn. For unknown reasons, the planet’s rings are coming apart, threatening the safety of the colony and its inhabitants. Searching for a way to avert the disaster, Captain James T. Kirk and his crew investigate a mysterious alien probe that has just entered the system. But when the probe is beamed aboard, Kirk abruptly finds himself floating in space above Saturn, wearing an old-fashioned NASA spacesuit, with the Enterprise nowhere in sight...

Two missions. Two crews. And a time-twisting crisis that spans the centuries...

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

Star Trek (ongoing) #6: Operation: Annihilate!, Part 2
The concluding part of the third episode adaption in the Star Trek ongoing series, by Mike Johnson, with art by Joe Corroney.

It's the stunning conclusion of OPERATION: ANNIHILATE! The events of the new timeline unfold in shocking ways as Kirk reunites with his estranged brother to save a colony from extinction. STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci oversees this story that continues the lead-up to the much-anticipated film sequel!

Pre-order: Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #5
Chris Roberson brings us the penultimate issue of his Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover, with art by Jeffrey and Philip Moy.

In the distant past, one team of Legionnaires and Starfleet officers come face to face with the force that erased both of their timelines from existence, while in the altered 23rd century another team confronts the latter-day version of that same force. But now that they know how history was changed, can anything be done to set things right?

Pre-order: Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Enemy Unseen
The second in IDW's Star Trek Classics series, this reprint of a 2001 WildStorm Comics omnibus, includes the TNG stories Perchance to Dream, Embrace the Wolf, and The Killing Shadows.

In a long and distinguished career, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew have faced uncounted foes and vanquished incredible dangers. But what happens when the ememy can't be easily seen–when it lurks in the shadows, disguises itself as polite society, or emerges from the depths of one's own mind? These are the antagonists with which the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise must contend in this volume, the most dangerous kind of enemy–the enemy unseen. Contains the three stories "Perchance to Dream,” "Embrace the Wolf,” and "The Killing Shadows.”

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.co.jp, Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Expeditions Expansion Set
An expansion of Star Trek Expeditions, Wizkids game's first Star Trek game, designed by Reiner Knizia, and arguably the first original story set after the film in the new timeline. This set includes three extra characters; Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov.

Joining the original crew from the base game Star Trek Expansions, is the charismatic trio of Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov! Featuring their own unique talents and skills to the game that give way to even more avenues of gameplay for you to enjoy! The Expansion Set also allows for you to bring a Fifth Player to the table, increasing the size of your away team by one! Requires Star Trek Expeditions Game to play!

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Entertainment Earth.

Tactics
A new Star Trek game from Wizkids, kicks off with a four ship starter set, and a selection of individual ship boosters.

Star Trek HeroClix: Tactics puts you in command of Federation and Klingon vessels and is 100% compatible with the HeroClix core rules system. Tactics is intended as a standalone game system and will exist outside of the Modern and Golden Age tournament environments. What this mean is Tactics operates by the same rules and Powers and Abilities card that your standard HeroClix game is played with, but is meant to be played as its own game.

Tactics features more than 20 pre-painted ships from both the Federation and Klingon affiliations and will be available for sale in both a 4-Ship starter product and single figure boosters.

Pre-order: Amazon.com (starter set), Amazon.com (booster).

Masterpiece Collection: Kirk and Picard
Titan Merchanidise kick off their Masterpiece Collection series of Star Trek busts this month, with Kirk and Picard.

Titan Merchandise is proud to introduce the high-quality, limited edition Star Trek Masterpiece Collection! This amazingly detailed 8-inch tall maxi-bust painstakingly recreates pop-culture legend William Shatner's iconic performance as Captain James T Kirk. Every detail of Kirk's facial appearance, Starfleet uniform, and accessories is captured in this astonishing three-quarter length sculpt.

Titan Merchandise is proud to introduce the high-quality, limited edition Star Trek Masterpiece Collection! This amazingly detailed 8-inch tall maxi-bust painstakingly recreates Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart's signature performance as Captain Jean Luc Picard. Every detail of Picard's facial appearance, Starfleet uniform, and authoritative demeanor is captured in this astonishing three-quarter length sculpt.

Pre-order (Kirk): Entertainment Earth, Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.
Pre-order (Picard): Entertainment Earth, Things From Another World, Forbidden Planet.

Enterprise Plush
ThinkGeek's latest innovative Star Trek product, your very own cuddly starship!

James T. Kirk never raised a child, but if he did, that baby would teethe on a type-2 phaser, learn to dive-roll before he could walk, and his teddy bear would be a plush Enterprise. Would you want your child to be anything less?

But who are we kidding... we're pretty sure you know more than one full-sized human who would love to cozy up with this cuddly replica. In fact, there's probably a Klingon in your life who would enjoying sinking their teeth into the hull of this cute reminder of their enduring shame and defeat.

The Star Trek Plush Enterprise was lovingly designed by the Trek nerds at ThinkGeek. Our goal was to create a plush adorable and snuggly enough for wee geeks but with details that would make a manchild or womanchild of any age squee with delight. Our NCC-1701 measures a little over a foot in length with a saucer section width of about six inches. Give the ship a squeeze to fire the photon torpedoes and see the red LEDs light up on the nacelles.

Pre-order: ThinkGeek.

Drinking vessels
Finally, Entertainment Earth have a variety of Star Trek items for drinking coming into stock this month. A nice mug covered in images of the TOS Enterprise, a travel cup also covered in Enterprises, and a set of glasses with TOS characters and phrases.

For a listing of prose, comics, games, music and DVDs in the rest of the year ahead, see the 2012 schedule page.

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes omnibus

Mark Martinez (of the Star Trek Comics Checklist) has pointed out to me that Amazon.com now has a listing for the omnibus edition of Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes. It uses the issue one/promotional cover, and is due out in July. If you haven't been picking it up issue by issue I recommend it; without even knowing a thing about Legion of Super-Heroes it has been an entirely enjoyable alternate universe adventure so far, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out.

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

Awesome cover for Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #6

Jeffrey Moy has posted, on his blog, his cool retro cover for the sixth, and final, issue of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes series:

Pre-order: Things From Another World.

You can see lots of artwork from the series in Moy's other blog posts, including this nice sketch of the Imperial Elite, as featured in the third issue:

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #4 preview

Comics Continuum have posted previews for this week's IDW comics, which include the fourth issue of the Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover series. Here's the new cover revealed with the preview:

Continue after the jump for the first seven pages:

Cool covers for new and forthcoming IDW comics

Joe Corroney has posted on his Facebook page his cover art for the forthcoming fourth issue of the Star Trek ongoing series, which continues his series of cool retro recruitment posters:

You can see the sketch version of this, featuring Spock and Kirk, here.

Meanwhile this week's release of the third issue of Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes also featured a cool variant cover: This one continuing the Gabriel Rodriguez series with one character from each half of the crossover, but with Mario Alberti providing the charter art on top of Rodriguez's background - This time featuring Uhura and Shadow Lass: