Hey Paramount, the Latest Star Trek Comics Are Too Good For TV to Be Passing Up

Hey Paramount, IDW’s latest batch of Star Trek comics are too good for TV to pass up. For the last two and a half years, a group of talented creators have taken some huge creative swings, and created some of the best licensed tie-in comics currently on the stands. The comics are so good, in fact, that Paramount should hire the writers to work on the television shows.

The opening shot in the new era of Star Trek comics kicked off in Star Trek #400. The anthology’s final story seeded the “God War,” in which Kahless II declared war on the gods. Later, in Star Trek #1, Captain Sisko returns to stop Kahless. He recruited a top-flight crew of all-stars from across the franchise, including Worf. A spat between Sisko and Worf led to the latter leaving the crew, as chronicled in Star Trek: Defiant. The god war culminates in the Day of Blood crossover event, but the fight goes on, as seen in the forthcoming Lore War.

IDW Caught Lightning in a Bottle With Their New Line of Star Trek Comics

Both Fans and Critics Have Embraced IDW's Star Trek Comics

IDW’s Star Trek titles have not only been wildly entertaining, but have set a gold standard for comics based on the franchise moving forward.

IDW’s Star Trek titles have not only been wildly entertaining, but have set a gold standard for comics based on the franchise moving forward. Critics and Star Trek fans have embraced these comics, and the industry has taken note. The line has been nominated for several industry awards, including the Eisners. Month in and month out, IDW’s Star Trek comics have thrilled fans with their grand, cosmic story that also embodies the spirit of the franchise. Yet comics are only as good as those who create them, and IDW has put top talent on the books.

The line consists of two primary titles, with a variety of miniseries and one-shots enhancing the main story. The first title, and the flagship, is Star Trek, which was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and drawn by some of the industry’s best artists, including Marcus To and Megan Levens. The second book, Star Trek: Defiant, is written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn largely by Angel Unzueta. A four-issue miniseries spinning out of Day of Blood, titled Sons of Star Trek, was written by Morgan Hampton. Finally, Ryan North and Derek Charm crafted a one-shot starring Shaxs, from Lower Decks.

The writers behind IDW’s rejuvenated line of Star Trek comics are some of the best in the industry. Lanzing and Kelly came to the line with not only experience in Star Trek comics, having overseen Year Five, but extensive credits at Marvel, DC and a variety of independent publishers. One of their previous works, Joyride, published by Boom Studios, was a high-concept science fiction adventure that was a wonderful dry run for Star Trek. Defiant writer Christopher Cantwell came to comics with experience in television, and has written Iron Man and Doctor Doom for Marvel.

Lanzing, Kelly and Cantwell Know Star Trek Well--And It Shows

The Writers Have a Deep Understanding of What Makes Star Trek Great

Beyond the accolades and experience the writers brought with them, they all have deep knowledge of Star Trek lore, and this is on display every month. This is reflected in the composition of the two crews. As mentioned earlier, they are culled from across seemingly every incarnation of the Star Trek franchise, even the newer shows such as Lower Decks. Lanzing, Kelly and Cantwell have also peppered the books with some deep-cut Easter Eggs, again from every corner of the franchise. One-off references in episodes have become major plot points in both Star Trek and Defiant.

Cantwell, Lanzing and Kelly also have a deep understanding of the heroes of the Star Trek franchise. The leads of the two books: Captain Sisko in Star Trek and Worf in Defiant, are expertly written. Lanzing and Kelly nail Sisko’s character. Throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s run, Sisko struggled with his calling as the Emissary, and in IDW’s comics, this continues. The Prophets have a plan for Sisko, but they remain coy. Worf’s arc in Defiant has seen him finally take command of a starship, become a bounty hunter as well as reconcile with his son Alexander.

Finally, IDW’s Star Trek comics are more than Easter Eggs and expert characterizations: they also embody the spirit of adventure the franchise is known for. The flagship Star Trek title has featured mind-bending concepts and philosophical digressions on the relationship between humanity and their gods. Defiant explores the human, personal toll the big cosmic events can take. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry intended for the show to be a vehicle to explore aspects of the human condition, and IDW’s comics are carrying on this work.

Paramount Needs to Hire IDW's Star Trek Comic Writers

Lanzing, Kelly and Cantwell Have Proven They Have What It Takes to Make Great Star Trek

With all of this in mind, it makes perfect sense that Paramount should hire Lanzing, Kelly and Cantwell to write Star Trek episodes, or even be show-runners. Lanzing and Kelly were “showrunners” for Star Trek: Year Five, writing a few stories themselves but also entrusting others to play in the sandbox. Cantwell has written and created for television, including the award-winning show Halt and Catch Fire, which he oversaw. Between the three of them, they could craft some memorable and compelling Star Trek stories, if only Paramount would hire them.