IDWEEK: DAN TAYLOR ON TREK

[MattBrady]

by Dan Taylor

Editor’s Log—Stardate: 60773.4

As IDW Publishing’s first foray into the Star Trek universe comes to a close—June’s release of issue #6, the conclusion to Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between—we prepare to embark on another voyage—Star Trek: Year Four. Serving as editor on IDW’s Star Trek line and with Star Trek being such an iconic element of the Earth’s pop culture, I have received numerous inquiries from press and fans alike regarding our plans for Gene Roddenberry’s science-fiction franchise, which has spawned six television series, 10 motion pictures with an eleventh installment due December 2008, and countless previously published works in the forms of novels and comic books.

Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell

Premiering in April 2007, the five-issue miniseries focusing on the honorable warrior race of Qo’noS wraps up in August. Providing the Klingon perspective on some of the most memorable meetings between the Klingon Empire and the Federation, Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell, written by Scott and David Tipton with art by Angel's David Messina, offers unique insight into the alien race that grew to become a fan-favorite over the 40-year span of Star Trek’s reign in the upper echelon of the science-fiction genre.

Why Klingons? Why not another alien race such as the Romulans or the Borg? The Klingons have played a major role in the Star Trek universe since they first appeared in The Original Series episode “Errand of Mercy.” Since then, the prestige and mystique of the Klingon race has grown to become a major component of the Star Trek universe. It seemed only fitting to showcase the Klingons in a five-issue series that would be our second Star Trek title. And with so much attention paid to the creation and development of the Klingons—a long history and tradition as well as an original language—we were able to present a special look at how they helped shape the Star Trek universe the way it is today.

But that’s not to say that we won’t be visiting and shining the spotlight on other Star Trek alien races. But before we do, there is...

Star Trek: Year Four

Beginning in July, IDW Publishing will be debuting its third Star Trek title—Star Trek: Year Four. Similar in presentation to Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between, each issue of the six-issue miniseries will offer self-contained stories. Set during the era of the original series, Star Trek: Year Four will pick up where the television series left off and feature stories taking place during the fourth year of their original five-year mission. Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between writer David Tischman is writing the series, which will feature art by Astounding Space Thrills artist Steve Conley.

As has been pointed out, several leading science-fiction writers such as Harlan Ellison and Theodore Sturgeon contributed to the success of Star Trek: The Original Series, which looked at social issues such as sexism, racism, nationalism, global war and theological themes. Writer David Tischman is looking to achieve the same sense of social commentary that was present in many of the episodes during the original television run in the late '60s, while at the same time offering the sense of wonderment and imagination found in quality science fiction stories.

The series will be solely contained within the fourth year of the original five-year mission, and will hopefully lead to a Star Trek: Year Five. Beyond that, we may see stories set during the movie era of the original crew, or perhaps something along the lines of the much-anticipated eleventh Star Trek film being released in December 2008, featuring Kirk and Spock during the early days of their Starfleet careers.

Star Trek: Alien Spotlight

September will see the release of the first issue of a six-issue series that will shine the spotlight on some of the most beloved, revered and feared alien races from the Star Trek universe. Scheduled for the first round of Alien Spotlights are:

o Vulcans—written by Rick Remender (Fear Agent)
o Gorn—written by Scott and David Tipton (Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell)
o Borg—written by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night)
o Andorians—written by Paul D. Storrie (Justice League Unlimited)
o Orion Slave Women—written by Dan Taylor (Hero Happy Hour)
o Romulans—John Byrne (The Man of Steel, Next Men)

While the writers on board for the Alien Spotlights might not be familiar to fans as established Star Trek writers, one thing rings true with all of them—they are Star Trek fans. And having various experiences in the scripting of comic books, they each offer a fresh look at the established alien races that should appeal to longtime fans (who may even have a particular favorite alien being featured) as well as new fans looking for insight into the Star Trek universe.

Will there be more races featured in additional Star Trek: Alien Spotlight issues? That is very much a strong possibility with the diversity of alien races to choose from in the Star Trek universe. As the initial Star Trek: Alien Spotlight series is released, fans are bound to lobby for their favorite races that may not have been featured in the first series—the Q, Bajoran, Ferengi, Cardassians, Tellarites, etc...

The Future of Star Trek Comics at IDW

Everyone involved with the Star Trek titles—writers, artists, colorists and editors—are striving to remain true to the original continuity and canon established by the six television series and 10 motion pictures. While the numerous volumes of Star Trek fiction published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books offers many avenues to explore, the current course is to maintain with the publishing of stories set in The Original Series and The Next Generation lines.

While many fans have expressed their desire to see comic books based on their favorite original Star Trek novels or one of the other television series, focusing on the first two series is a conscious effort to remain true and respectful to the Star Trek property. That is not to say that there will not be a comic-book series based on one of the other Star Trek television series or novels in the future. Personally I feel that it would be great to pick up where Star Trek: Deep Space Nine left off. If IDW’s Star Trek line does well, that may very well be a possibility.

IDWeek to date:

30 Days of Night
Steve Niles
Ben Templesmith
Bill Sienkiewicz
David Slade

[Kamandi2]

These books look nice. I just wish they were $2.99. The only IDW book I can justify buying for that price is Fallen Angel.

[delltechdude]

A good start so far and looks like an interesting year for trek comics

[khuxford]

Wow...Remender sells me on that issue, sight unseen.

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Beginning in July, IDW Publishing will be debuting its third Star Trek title—Star Trek: Year Four. Similar in presentation to Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between, each issue of the six-issue miniseries will offer self-contained stories. Set during the era of the original series, Star Trek: Year Four will pick up where the television series left off and feature stories taking place during the fourth year of their original five-year mission. Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between writer David Tischman is writing the series, which will feature art by Astounding Space Thrills artist Steve Conley.

As has been pointed out, several leading science-fiction writers such as Harlan Ellison and Theodore Sturgeon contributed to the success of Star Trek: The Original Series, which looked at social issues such as sexism, racism, nationalism, global war and theological themes. Writer David Tischman is looking to achieve the same sense of social commentary that was present in many of the episodes during the original television run in the late '60s, while at the same time offering the sense of wonderment and imagination found in quality science fiction stories.

If IDW hopes to recapture "the same sense of social commentary" and "the sense of wonderment and imagination" of the original STAR TREK series, shouldn't STAR TREK: YEAR FOUR be more of an anthology series featuring stories by various science fiction writers?

[smitch]

Originally Posted by Kamandi2

These books look nice. I just wish they were $2.99. The only IDW book I can justify buying for that price is Fallen Angel.

Maybe they think they can get away with it since the DVD sets are so rediculously priced! Everything Star Trek is wacky expensive!

[Nate-Earth 2]

I've really enjoyed the Next Generation: The Space Between series. Every issue, to me at least, feels like an episode of the series itself. The relationships, humor, and situations from the show carry over into stories that, at the same time, bring some freshness to the whole story. I'll definitely be getting their other Star Trek series. IDW is, I'd say, now my number 1 company, outisde of the Big 2, with Dark Horse a close second (Bring back Dark Horse Presents, Damnit!). Great stuff, IDW

[Samy Merchi]

I've only gotten the first issue of Space Between so far, and I thought it was good but not excellent. Some things I would've liked different:

* Maloney's art is a little on the plain jane side. Totally serviceable and competent, but doesn't really "wow" me. Could be more impressive.

* I *really* like the fact that the stories are one-shots to mimic the storyline structure of the TV show. I have only read #1 so far so I can't judge on first-hand knowledge, but based on the interview I assume the "episodes" don't tie into each other in any way. I would prefer to see minor subplots continue from episode to episode, building towards a climax in the final issue, to give the overall LS a measure of connective tissue rather than being six consecutive one-shots. I hope something like this will manifest, but the interview doesn't make me hopeful. I also hope Year Four will have some connective tissue between episodes. Don't get me wrong, I like the episodes being 90% one-shot, but I would like that 10% of connective tissue.

* I'm very disappointed to hear that they plan to go directly to Year Five after Year Four. If Year Four is only going to be one LS, that's one short season! I would've hoped to see more LSes covering Year Four, before moving on to Year Five. I'd like to see at least 20 issues on Year Four (a full season) before moving on to Year Five. I seriously hope IDW will reconsider this. It would seem to make business sense to me, too: I would imagine a direct continuation of TOS would be the biggest seller they could possibly have, so it would make sense to try to milk out the five-year mission for more than two LSes.

* Space Between #1 was pretty heavy on the plot and fairly low on the characterization. It would be the perfect time to explore that dark background of Tasha's that the TV series only had time to hint at, before she quit the show. I would hope to see the upcoming issues focus more on telling stories about character histories/personalities than about the "alien of the day".

Focusing more on the characters, giving each issue a little bit of connective tissue building towards an LS final issue climax, perhaps upgrading the art, and giving us MORE, are my main requests. If IDW goes in that direction, it can count on retaining my business.

[OM]

...I picked up the first two issues of Space Between, and to be honest I wasn't that impressed. The art wasn't bad, but the writing...well, the last time I felt the writer was "off" with regards to the feel of the characters was when Mike Carlin did that initial TNG mini for DC, way back when the show first premeired. Maybe it's the self-contained stories that's at fault here, because there's not enough time for characterizations to come forward of the plot - in fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that's probably what's at fault here.

...Which begs the question: what sort of bulls'hit restrictions has Paranoidmount put on IDW over the way they write the books? Are there any sort of "thou shalt not!" edicts in effect akin to those Richard "Melakon" Arnold put on the books and novels back when TNG came out that kept quite a few good writers from producing good Trek novels? And if so, are they responsible for the self-contained, single-issue stories instead of 2-3 issue arcs?

...Still, despite the initial dissatisfaction with IDW's first efforts - hey, Peter David spoiled me with his work, so sue me! - I will say they're better than any of the pure drek that Friedman's foisted on anything Trek. I will be buying both versions of the Klingon book, although I can't help wondering just how much more fun it would have been had Mike Ford been the one to write it.

[Howard]

Orion Slave Women—written by Dan Taylor (Hero Happy Hour)
Romulans—John Byrne (The Man of Steel, Next Men)

You sure the writers aren't swapped there? It seems so obvious.

[Scorned1]

"OM" I am with you on this one. IDW is just another Wildstorm that just picked up the tradition of producing bad comics. The story and art so far have not impressed me or other trek fans I spoke to. Brannon Braga can write better trek stories than this David Tischman fellow. Maybe Star Trek isn't your thing Tischman. Sure IDW only published 5-6 trek books so far but I weep for the future if this trend continues.

If Darkhorse can keep the prices on their Buffy and Star Wars books to $2.99 why not every other books that IDW is producing? I'll be impress when a real trek or science fiction writer is writing a trek comic because otherwise I'll passed anything that trek produced by IDW.

[yenaled]

I think the Space Between has been fantastic so far. Not too interesting in TOS-era comics but might give them at least a look. Very interested in the Alien Spotlight though.

[Hypestyle]

The IDW production studio should team up with Dark Horse.. I want to see some Star Trek/Predator and Star Trek/Aliens crossovers..

[Ryall]

Originally Posted by Samy Merchi

* I'm very disappointed to hear that they plan to go directly to Year Five after Year Four. If Year Four is only going to be one LS, that's one short season! I would've hoped to see more LSes covering Year Four, before moving on to Year Five. I'd like to see at least 20 issues on Year Four (a full season) before moving on to Year Five. I seriously hope IDW will reconsider this. It would seem to make business sense to me, too: I would imagine a direct continuation of TOS would be the biggest seller they could possibly have, so it would make sense to try to milk out the five-year mission for more than two LSes.

Dan's quote was "The series will be solely contained within the fourth year of the original five-year mission, and will hopefully lead to a Star Trek: Year Five."

By which he means eventually, we'd like to do year five, too. But Year Four, if the first miniseries works, will definitely last beyond those first six issues.

[Green Llama]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

The IDW production studio should team up with Dark Horse.. I want to see some Star Trek/Predator and Star Trek/Aliens crossovers..

LOL! When I first read the blurb about this article I thought they were talking Star Trek/Aliens!

Would a Vulcan mind-meld work on an Alien?

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

The IDW production studio should team up with Dark Horse.. I want to see some Star Trek/Predator and Star Trek/Aliens crossovers..

did you see that Star Trek TNG vs Predator page at Talk@?

I haven't read the new TNG mini from IDW (waiting for all the issues to come out), but can it really be worse then the stuff Wildstorm did?!?

[Greg McElhatton]

That YEAR FOUR cover is beautiful -- is that by Steve Conley as well?

[Silencer]

As a casual Trek fan, I'm enjoying the IDW books. They do hurt my bank statement, though. The alien races books will only cause more harm, but oh well.

I do agree with the "multiple writers" suggestion. They're at least doing it for the one shots, rather than putting all their eggs in one basket. That's cool.

A couple of suggestions for IDW:

You were wise enough to get Remender, but you need to get his Galactica cohorts Pak and Jerwa, too. They're all doing GREAT GREAT GREAT sci-fi work right now.

And Orson Scott Card. I can dream.

[Samy Merchi]

Originally Posted by Ryall

But Year Four, if the first miniseries works, will definitely last beyond those first six issues.

I am extremely gratified to hear that. Thank you, Chris.

[EMeadow]

John Byrne writing a Star Trek book.

That's just one of those "never saw that one coming" moments in comics. Love it!

And also hope IDW gets the oppurtnity to expand beyond TOS/TNG as well. Post series Voyager books would probably do well considering how well the prose books have done.

And keep talking to PAD about doing New Frontier comics!

[Kamandi2]

Originally Posted by smitch

Maybe they think they can get away with it since the DVD sets are so rediculously priced! Everything Star Trek is wacky expensive!

Nah, $3.99 is the standard pricing of IDW books. I think only Tranformers gets the $2.99 price

[Kamandi2]

Originally Posted by EMeadow

John Byrne writing a Star Trek book.

That's just one of those "never saw that one coming" moments in comics. Love it!
!

According to a post by Byrne today on his forums, the Star Trek thing is not a done deal. It's only in the discussion stages.

http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/f...N=2&totPosts=1

[Nightfly]

Personally I feel that it would be great to pick up where Star Trek: Deep Space Nine left off.

Me too.  That'll be when I get excited about Trek @ IDW.

I'll definately be getting at least a few of those Alien Species spotlights

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by Kamandi2

Nah, $3.99 is the standard pricing of IDW books. I think only Tranformers gets the $2.99 price

Transformers is now at the standard $3.99 price as well.

Not enough people showed up for this round of TF the way they did for Dreamwave (though it may have been the same people and it was all speculator numbers) and IDW had to raise the price up to help offset the licensing costs.

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by Kamandi2

According to a post by Byrne today on his forums, the Star Trek thing is not a done deal. It's only in the discussion stages.

http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/f...N=2&totPosts=1

Everything's in discussion stages with Byrne.

Till he pulls a hissy fit and walks off the project.