As someone who is just getting into Star Trek comics over the past year or so, I have been mainly focused on the spin-offs such as The Last Starship, Red Shirts, Lower Decks, and more. This is because I don’t have a long history with Star Trek, so I felt these would be easiest to jump into. I was correct, but Christopher Cantwell along with artist Dennis Menheere have put together a gripping first issue of the main Star Trek line that has me hooked into Star Trek for the foreseeable future.
The Enterprise-G is on a desperate mission beyond the known Galaxy to relocate the dying Avuran people when its crew finds a perfect new home in a region of unknown space called the Epsilon Corridor. Three pristine Class-M worlds — the Trinity — await the refugees. No signs of civilization. No detectable threats. A colonist’s dream. But the dream fractures fast.
When Captain Seven of Nine and her divided, fast-tracked crew begin exploring the Trinity, they uncover disturbing contradictions: vanished structures, inexplicable artifacts, time skips, and evidence of a presence Starfleet’s century-old probes never detected. Each world houses a different ecosystem, different physics problems, and different secrets — as if they’ve been curated… or quarantined. But from who? Or what?
I guess there is no bad time to get into Star Trek stories, but what better time than the franchise’s 60th anniversary. With so much history, it can be daunting to jump into a Star Trek story, but this first issue of a new series is one that not only entertained me, but has me ready to look back at the many comics produced and dive right in.
Cantwell crafts a tale that wastes no time getting into the action you’d expect from a Star Trek story. We are against the odds from the very first panel with the crew set to save the Avuran people in a matter of moments. You’d think that is what really hooked me, but it’s the way the comic ties in another obstacle, one that is frightening and hard to swallow. A decision made that could have consequences that are hard to even fathom.
The crew of these ships have to make a hard decision on what to do next to help these Avuran people, setting off into the unknown with a lot riding on their shoulders. The expectations put on this crew are heavy and with this comes a bit of emotional stakes. This blend of action-packed storytelling and emotional weight makes for a more impactful story. While there is fear in what lies ahead, there is also hope on the horizon. This is what makes a Star Trek story what they are, it’s in the DNA and Cantwell is able weave the tale within this mission that makes you think while also entertains.
When reading a story based in space, for some reason I tend to lean towards the artwork being more square, straight, rigid, and smooth. However, with a chaotic story such as we see in Star Trek #1, a more gritting and flowing style feels more at home. Menheere brings this unique style to the pages and allows for the story and artwork to work together to tell this impactful tale. I want to point out there is also this amazing page with a great use of lettering by Jodie Troutman that had me in awe.
Star Trek #1 had me questioning why I haven’t been reading the franchise’s main stories over the years. Christoper Cantwell brings his Star Trek expertise in crafting a story that is action-packed and emotionally resonate, while Dennis Menheere illustrates chaotic scenes that prove the unknown is not to be messed with. The premiere issue of Star Trek is a fitting way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the franchise.
Star Trek #1 hits local comic shops on September 23, 2026 (FOC: August 17) from IDW Publishing.
Star Trek #1 Preview
