The Star Trek franchise is bringing back William Shatner's iconic Captain James T. Kirk in a new comic series titled Star Trek: The Last Starship. This story expands on a narrative thread from the live-action series Star Trek: Discovery, following Kirk as he takes charge of a new vessel during the Federation's most desperate moment.
The Last Starship unfolds in the wake of The Burn, a catastrophic 31st-century event that destroyed every active warp core in the galaxy, resulting in the deaths of trillions. With the Federation in ruins and space descending into pure chaos, a mysteriously restored Kirk must gather a fresh crew to preserve Starfleet's core ideals.
Explore the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive preview of Star Trek: The Last Starship's debut issue:
Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 Preview Gallery
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The Last Starship is penned by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the writing team behind the recent Star Trek: Lore War crossover at IDW. The art is handled by Star Trek veteran Adrián Bonilla, with colors by Heather Moore (Doctor Strange). The first issue showcases covers by Francesco Francavilla, Skylar Patridge, Michael Cho, and Malachi Ward.
This isn't the first revival of the franchise's most legendary captain. 1994's Star Trek Generations connected the original series with Star Trek: The Next Generation, briefly uniting Shatner's Kirk and Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard. While Kirk died in Generations, Shatner later brought the character back through a series of non-canon novels known as "The Shatnerverse." This new series, however, presents a younger, TOS-era Kirk.
"Forget everything you know about Star Trek," Lanzing stated. "The Last Starship introduces a new crew, a new era, and a completely fresh tone; our goal is to deliver a literary, intense, and innovative story that's immediately accessible. Through Adrián Bonilla's brilliant, noir-inspired artwork, we're immersing readers in the Federation's darkest hour with no prior knowledge required."
Lanzing added, "Longtime Trek fans will find a rich and compelling narrative—this explores a pivotal, never-before-seen moment in Trek history. But above all, The Last Starship is a dark, complex sci-fi tale anyone can enjoy. After eight years celebrating Trek's legacy, it's time to rebuild it from the ground up and discover its future potential."
"The only familiar face is the last you'd expect in this era: Captain James T. Kirk," Kelly explained. "William Shatner's iconic portrayal transcends generations—Kirk is a cornerstone of modern fiction, matched by a timeless performance. He was also the first Star Trek character we ever wrote—a leader, warrior, and poet full of depth and contradiction. We're honored to guide him into uncharted territory in The Last Starship, as the Federation's greatest explorer confronts a fire that could erase his entire legacy."
Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 arrives on September 24, 2025.
For more, read Shatner's reflections on mortality and discover how many seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are left.
