Comic covers: nuTrek and Apes

IDW have once again called upon the talents of Paul Shipper for a new cover, and this time he has returned to nuTrek with a new design for the forthcoming nuTrek ongoing mega omnibus, The New Adventures, Volume 1, which collects the first twelve issues of the series. Ahead of the release at the end of this month, Paul Shipper previewed this new artwork on his Tumblr:

Another of IDW's go to artists is J.K. Woodward, who's latest visit to the Trekverse will be as one of the many artists contributing covers to the forthcoming TOS/Planet of the Apes crossover series, The Primate Directive. That series also starts later this month, but Woodward's cover will be for one of the later issues, and he has been giving a look behind the scenes as he works on it, posting on his Instagram. This is the most recent version, with the background all done. Check out that Instagram feed to see how Woodward worked this up from a pencil drawing.

UPDATE: Another IDW regular, Joe Corroney, also posted some artwork recently, check that out after the jump:

New Star Trek art from Bye Bye Robot

Bye Bye Robot have revealed five new pieces of art in their Star Trek print collection, one for each of the prime-timeline series. The new poster prints come in a variety of styles, with work from four different artists, a mix of returning Bye Bye Robot regulars, and new talent. Continue below to check out all five new pieces:

Jeff Foster continues his impressionist starship images with two new releases: The stealthy purple USS Defiant in Defiant, and Uncharted Territory, featuring the Enterprise NX-01 in a rainbow of colours:

Also returning is Mark Brayer, who continues his retro starship series, with Galileo Seven, featuring the shuttlecraft flying over the angry natives of Taurus II:

New soundtracks coming

Just released is the new Enterprise soundtrack collection from La La Land Records. The four-disc set includes music from throughout the series (see my previous report for full details). If you make your way to La La Lands' listings you will also find excerpt from several of the tracks - It's worth visiting just to enjoy Archer's theme, and that lovely Star Trek themes medley from These Are the Voyages....

But wait, there's more! TrekCore report there are plans for at least three more Star Trek soundtrack releases, coming in 2015. That includes a second Enterprise collection, which is expected next winter.

Previously rumoured releases for this year are now anticipated in 2015 too: The second volume of TNG music (following volume one way back in 2011!), and a Voyager soundtrack collection.

Ships of the Line brought to life

To mark the release of the new updated and expanded Ships of the Line book, the co-editor, artist, and all round starship-tastic guy, Doug Drexler, has released an updated and expanded version of the Ships of the Line: Active Duty video. Have a watch to enjoy several Ships of the Line images animated:



This video was released as part of a StarTrek.com article discussing the new book, and Ships of the Line in general. Continue after the jump for a few snippets explaining how the calendar series and books came to be:

Latest vision for the refit USS Voyager

Starship designer Mark Rademaker, has recently posted several new images in his Flickr gallery, including his latest tease at the possible form the refit slipstream-enabled USS Voyager, from Kirsten Beyer's Voyager relaunch novels:

Cross Cult's Voyager refit design.

Mark does note in his comments that this remains just a possible design direction (and indeed the image is dated 2012, so it could be very out of date). Although it's fairly consistent with the previous teaser images, in the general direction at least; overall sleeker form, new larger nacelles, and an extended dorsal section, which might house a secondary shuttlebay. If you're curious, I've had a look back through my archives, to find the previous teaser images, the first from way back in 2010! Check out the development of the new look Voyager, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here!

I'm itching to see the Voyager refit completed, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait; Mark never disappoints with his ship designs. Until then, we'll just have to live with the slightly less elegant interpretation of the refit, as seen on the German cover for Full Circle.

Another newly released image from Mark shows a cover draft for his cover for the forthcoming John Jackson Miller TNG/Aventine novel, Takedown. Here's the concept and final version, featuring the USS Aventine in action:

Check out Mark's Flickr gallery for more Voyager, Aventine, and other starship images.

New Enterprise soundtrack collection

La La Land Records have announced their latest Star Trek soundtrack release, a four-disc collection of music from Star Trek: Enterprise. The collection will include five hours of music from across the series, featuring the work of Dennis McCarthy, Kevin Kiner, Jay Chattaway, David Bell, Paul Baillargeon, Velton Ray Bunch, Mark McKenzie, John Frizzell and Brian Tyler.

Following the same format as the previous Deep Space Nine collection, there is a disc each focusing on the work of Dennis McCarthy and Jay Chattaway, followed by a bit-of-everyone disc, and the final disc giving more extended coverage to the music from a selection of prominent episodes (which amusingly has resulted in These Are the Voyages being included on the "Fan Favorites" disc).

Limited to three-thousand copies, the collection will go on sale next Tuesday, and the first two-hundred copies will include an autographed card signed by Dennis McCarthy, David Bell and John Frizzell.  Here's the description, posted on the La La Land Facebook page: 

La-La Land Records and CBS proudly present the original television soundtrack to STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, starring Scott Bakula, John Billingsley and Jolene Blalock. This stunning 4-CD collection showcases the powerful work of the notably talented composers who kept this prequel STAR TREK series at warp speed for four exciting seasons. The music expertly runs the gambit from the bold and thrilling to the thoughtful and emotional – it’s essential science fiction music that touches the heart while it opens the mind. Disc One features the music of Dennis McCarthy, Disc Two showcases Jay Chattaway’s work, while Disc Three’s “Veterans and New Recruits” highlights a variety of composers as does Disc Four’s “Fan Favorites,” which includes music from such episodes as In A Mirror, Darkly, Parts I and II and “Regeneration” among others. Produced by Ford A. Thaxton, James Nelson, Mark Banning and Lukas Kendall and mastered by James Nelson, this special release of 3000 Units includes a 36-Page Booklet featuring in-depth notes by writer Jeff Bond, with new comments from McCarthy, Chattaway and others.

Continue after the jump for the full track listing:

Her Universe warms up with latest Star Trek releases

Her Universe have added several new Star Trek designs to their clothing collection recently, and they must be starting to feel the chill of winter, as all the latest releases are long sleeved. There are two new quote-based designs. From Kirk we have "Second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning", with the Enterprise whooshing through. This is available as a long sleeved T-shirt:

While on a hoodie, from Spock we have "I have been, and always shall be, your friend", which also features the Enterprise, as well as a pattern of stars which form the Vulcan hand sign. Check that out after the jump:

TNG season 7 gag reel

In less than a week's time the final season of TNG on bluray will be released, which sadly for now means the end of the Star Trek in high definition project (keep buying them people, we NEED DS9 and Voyager to finish things off!). Perhaps to cheer us up after that thought, Gamma Squad have released an excerpt from the new gag reel that will be included in this final season box set. Enjoy:



Season seven, and the stand-alone release of All Good Things..., will be out in December, as will the complete TNG series boxset (the latter released to the UK market only at the moment, but it is region free).

Attack Wing DS9 and other recent releases

Newly out from Wizkids in their Attack Wing range is the oversized gaming "miniature" of Deep Space 9, which is probably also the best pre-made model of the station ever released. With new released come new images, so here's a look at that model, and how it's packaged (these particular images via eBay):

Another big Attack Wing model is due out next month, their Borg Cube. Continue after the jump for a look at that, as well as the latest of they regular releases:

Klingon Bloodwine

Vinport, makers of Star Trek branded wine, have announced a new exotic import in their collection, Klingon Bloodwine! Here's what they have to say about it:

Klingon Bloodwine
Klingon Bloodwine is a wine traditionally consumed in celebration and victory. Whether drunk while reveling in triumph or simply enjoying life among friends, this could be the finest vintage of Klingon Bloodwine until 2309. Traditionally twice as strong as whiskey and best served warm, this sanguine version of Bloodwine is more human-friendly at 13% ABV and can be served slightly chilled or at cellar temperature (60-65 F.)

The Labels
Star Trek fans everywhere will recognize the label of Klingon Bloodwine, a symbol comprised of the bat’leth or “sword of honor,” a traditional Klingon weapon. The back label includes the victorious Klingon phrase: “Celebrate! Tomorrow we may die!” (yIlop! wa’IeS chaq maHegh!). Also, "Bloodwine" appears across the middle of the back label in the original Klingon language (not transposed into the Latin alphabet).

The Wine
The 2012 Klingon Bloodwine is a medium-bodied red blend of Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot from the Paso Robles AVA in California. Klingon Bloodwine can be enjoyed with grilled meats and mature cheeses, or traditional Klingon fare such as Heart of Targ.

Tasting Notes from the Winemaker
Rich, rustic, fruit focused and complex. Concentrated raspberry and cherry aromas. Notes of spicy vanilla oak round out the nose. On the palate, the wine is savory and rich, with dark berry flavors and ripe plum. Velvety tannins and well balanced acidity lead to a smooth, lingering finish.

They will be shipping this in just a couple of weeks, and it is available either in single bottles, or packs of six.