IDWEEK: STEVE CONLEY ON STAR TREK: SEASON FOUR

[MattBrady]

by Dan Taylor

This summer, IDW Publishing invites readers to join Captain James T. Kirk, First Officer Mr. Spock, Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy and all the Star Trek: The Original Series regulars aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise as they kick off the fourth year of their five-year mission. July sees the debut of Star Trek: Year Four, a six-part series that reintroduces the classic characters to comics. Also coming aboard for the continuing mission is Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between scribe David Tischman and artist Steve Conley—who is no stranger when it comes to science-fiction comics. Conley is the creator of Astounding Space Thrills—both the online Web comic and the comic-book series.

Star Trek: Year Four will follow along the same lines as the single-issue, self-contained stories that are being featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between. In the premiere issue of this all-new series, Captain Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise discover the Strand—a multi-planet construct of a dead civilization and a brilliant genetic scientist obsessed with its technology. Kirk discovers the scientist’s secret, resulting in his genetic creations revolting — and forcing Kirk to make a hard decision, pushing the U.S.S. Enterprise into the crossfire.

Although hard at work on Star Trek: Year Four, Conley managed to tinker with temporal mechanics in such a way that he was able to take the newly arranged time to answer a handful of questions (all without creating lasting effects on the space-time continuum or creating a pedestrian paradox).

Newsarama: First off, Steve, what is your association with Star Trek as a fan, and what was your first introduction to Gene Roddenberry's science fiction juggernaut?

Steve Conley: I watched the original Star Trek series on a loop as a kid. I must've seen each episode dozens of times. I've been a big Star Trek fan ever since. High point for me in my Trek fandom was volunteering at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in the '90s when they had their Star Trek exhibit. Not only did it give me a chance to get a good look at many of the original props, costumes and miniatures, but it also meant having that whole museum practically to myself in the mornings before it opened to the public. Having a lunar lander, the Spirit of St. Louis and the U.S.S. Enterprise all to yourself is a nice way to start a day.

NRAMA: What is it that you think makes Star Trek such an iconic element of pop culture, thriving over such a long life of some forty-plus years?

SC: I think Star Trek has two great things going for it: First off, it was very often excellent science fiction and does what SF does best: re-contextualize contemporary problems in ways that can make the issues clearer (and had gorgeous, green, alien slave girls). Secondly, Shatner, Nimoy, Kelley and the rest of the crew might just be the best ensemble cast in TV history. The chemistry of the actors could be the show's best special effect and I think the Star Trek franchise owes much of its longevity to the amazing momentum the original cast invested in it.

NRAMA: Of the six Star Trek series that have appeared on television over the years (yes, we're counting the animated series that ran in 1973 and 1974), which crew do you best identify with?

SC: Without question, the original Star Trek series is the one for me. It's strong, earnest, unapologetic, and so much fun. I enjoyed The Next Generation and the later Star Trek series as well but, to me, they don't hold a candle to the original.

NRAMA: In working on Star Trek in the comic-book medium, what sort of elements do you hope to bring to the series that just might not be possible with a television or movie budget?

SC: The series writer David Tischman has done an amazing job of capturing the feel for the original series. David's scripts call for some wonderful sequences and he clearly wasn't hampered by thoughts of production costs. I just hope I can do those scenes justice.

NRAMA: Star Trek: The Original Series has appeared in comic books before, with many different artists offering their representation of the property over the years. How are you approaching the art in Star Trek: Year Four to separate the new series from what has been done before while still capturing the feel of the original television series?

SC: There's no real sense of comparing what we're doing to other Star Trek comics projects. I think our goals might be considered more ambitious. Year Four is meant to be just that—a continuation of where the original series left off (I'm including The Animated Series in this as well: Arex and M'ress—members of the Enterprise crew from the animated series—do make appearances). The emphasis is on getting the characters and spirit of the original show correct. I'm thrilled that IDW has assembled a team of people who have a real love for the show and bring that to the work.

NRAMA: Star Trek: Year Four is not your first foray into science fiction comics. You are also the talent responsible for Astounding Space Thrills. What are the similarities and differences between Astounding Space Thrills and classic Star Trek?

SC: I think Astounding Space Thrills and Star Trek are similar in that they are both character-driven series with a love of fun and, at their cores, share a sense of wonder and joy. They're both so much fun to work on.

Star Trek: Year Four #1 by David Tischman and Steve Conley (with variant covers by Joe Corroney) will be available in July. Diamond Code MAY07 3530.

IDWeek to date:

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

Star Trek
Editor Dan Taylor Talks Trek
Scott and David Tipton Talk Klingons

[Scavenger]

I question the title. A lot of Trekkies aren't going to like the presumptuousness of IDW declaring their version as season 4.

[Shackmania]

Originally Posted by Scavenger

I question the title. A lot of Trekkies aren't going to like the presumptuousness of IDW declaring their version as season 4.

And to them I say "Get a life"

[Mick]

The art looks great.

[DeadXMan]

I blame buffy for this

[jrp001]

sounds interesting... I will take a look at the eventual Trade.

I do worry about telling a years worth of adventures(presumably 22 adventures/year -- aka episodes/season) in a 6 issue miniseries...

[HNutz]

Originally Posted by DeadXMan

I blame buffy for this

Is "blame" the right word?

[Tom Daylight]

yeah I can't help but fear that this will pave the way for a deluge of old TV shows to be revived as comic book series. not a dig at the new buffy series, which is excellent, but I often worry that the comic book medium has become bogged down with old ideas, stagnant of the creativity it once thrived upon, devoid of any freshness whatsoever, and the last thing it needs is for the floodgates to open with even more old ideas. and it's not even that creators lack the imagination - it's just that the publishers, and for that matter retailers, are lazy about it.

[Jed Saxon]

Originally Posted by Fetsur

yeah I can't help but fear that this will pave the way for a deluge of old TV shows to be revived as comic book series.

On the one hand there is nothing wrong with this. On the other hand nobody will accept this stuff "as canon" as long as the creator (like Joss Whedon) or a head honcho says so. That's the appeal of the Buffy series. We sold a fair deal of the IDW "Angel" books despite the absence of quality but with "Buffy"? Fans went mad. I think it's the bestselling comic in our shop since I'm working there (which is 6 years). It's really flying off the shelves.

So - I'd kill for Straczynski writing Babylon 5: Season Six to bring on the Teleptath War in all it's glory. Heck - I'd also take Crusade: Season Two and if all this leads to Firefly: Season 2 (and not only a 3-issue limited series) then I really don't mind.

[GenerallZodd]

I'll get this. I hope it sells but fear it won't.

[LikeaPhoenix]

season four picks up almost 40 years after season three had ended ? Now that's a bit hard to swallow, don't you think ? Isn't it a tad bit morbid considering some of the cast members had passed away?? I'm blaming JW for this, e.g., BtVS Season 8 .

Also, call it "panelitis" or whatever, but I'm not too crazy about the 4 panels per page widescreen pages . Now this I blame on the 90's and Michael Turner, e.g., Fathom .

[von Doom, M.D.]

Originally Posted by Shackmania

And to them I say "Get a life"

Why? Do you find it unreasonable to assume that some people might get annoyed when some new kid comes onto the scene and pretty well declares "Yeah, all the stuff that's already come out and explained the gap? We say it's not valid, but this stuff is."

[Lord Ice]

Originally Posted by von Doom, M.D.

Why? Do you find it unreasonable to assume that some people might get annoyed when some new kid comes onto the scene and pretty well declares "Yeah, all the stuff that's already come out and explained the gap? We say it's not valid, but this stuff is."

Think he was quoting what Shatner said to the anal Trekkies when he was on SNL. You might be too young or even not alive yet when it happened.

[Hawkangel]

Ah. And so the Star Trek nerd wars begin with one simple 'Get a Life' comment.
I remember when TNG was on TV and people would produce their 'Get a Life/Get over it' card whenever people liked to watch/discuss the show.
BTW, quoting Shatner's not the equivalent as quoting Rodennberry.

[GenerallZodd]

Originally Posted by von Doom, M.D.

Why? Do you find it unreasonable to assume that some people might get annoyed when some new kid comes onto the scene and pretty well declares "Yeah, all the stuff that's already come out and explained the gap? We say it's not valid, but this stuff is."

Yes. I find it highly unreasonable. And I've been a fan from birth and seen 95% of all live action Trek product. To be offended that someone has re-explained an unexplained area of imaginary time in a fictcious universe is idiculous.

[Shackmania]

Originally Posted by von Doom, M.D.

Why? Do you find it unreasonable to assume that some people might get annoyed when some new kid comes onto the scene and pretty well declares "Yeah, all the stuff that's already come out and explained the gap? We say it's not valid, but this stuff is."

Actually, I was just a funnin' on a fairly well known Shatner line from a Star Trek convention parody on SNL. (If my memory serves)

[Shackmania]

Originally Posted by Lord Ice

Think he was quoting what Shatner said to the anal Trekkies when he was on SNL. You might be too young or even not alive yet when it happened.

Aint it a bitch to get old

[Shackmania]

Originally Posted by Hawkangel

Ah. And so the Star Trek nerd wars begin with one simple 'Get a Life' comment.
I remember when TNG was on TV and people would produce their 'Get a Life/Get over it' card whenever people liked to watch/discuss the show.
BTW, quoting Shatner's not the equivalent as quoting Rodennberry.

Wasn't trying to start a war - just wanted to make a little joke that I thought most would get. After all SNL has been in re-runs for years now so I figured even the young'uns would get it.
BTW, if we have a war about Startrek could it be called Starwars?

[von Doom, M.D.]

Originally Posted by Shackmania

Actually, I was just a funnin' on a fairly well known Shatner line from a Star Trek convention parody on SNL. (If my memory serves)

I'm not THAT young, I just don't like SNL

I was also not trying to sound like a dick, just offering up a counterpoint. Sorry if it came across as otherwise

[chuckycharms]

I don't see what they big deal is. Just don't buy it if you're not into it. I for one think this is a great idea. This proves the great aspect of comics is that we can see a continuation of our favorites things and use the same likeness of the characters instead of having to depend on actors that don't do justice or risk starting new and having the material be really bad. Granted this could be bad, but its got potential. The only thing i disagree with is making it a mini-series, but i guess they don't want to commit anything. It'd be better to make it an ongoing though and have many different stories thru out the "comic season".

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by von Doom, M.D.

Why? Do you find it unreasonable to assume that some people might get annoyed when some new kid comes onto the scene and pretty well declares "Yeah, all the stuff that's already come out and explained the gap? We say it's not valid, but this stuff is."

The question is, "Did they ever try to explain a gap?"

I don't recall any concrete things showing up anywhere. (And the fans can't complain about the novels, the early stuff bounces all over the place and we they didn't get a more comprehensive idea of a timeline going for years.)

But if they do anything that sets up TMP, or even "Phase II" (One Xon appearance will drive them crazy) they'll bow to the altar.

[Kevinjohncon]

Hey, everyone!
As they say, "everything you need to know about life is on Star Trek". Not a trekker to the extreme that I can converse in klingonese, but I owned the concordance of 'classic' episodes that considered the animated series as part of it's canon. my favorite line? Harlan's story of course, City on the Edge of Forever, "I'm endeavoring to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins."
I always wondered how Bela Oxmyx made out by reverse engineering a Starfleet Communicator, perhaps a starfleet not dis-similar to the Mirror, Mirror universe.
I'm looking forward to this series!
-Kon Li

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by GenerallZodd

Yes. I find it highly unreasonable. And I've been a fan from birth and seen 95% of all live action Trek product. To be offended that someone has re-explained an unexplained area of imaginary time in a fictcious universe is idiculous.

How does one re-explain an unexplained an area of imaginary time? If it's unexplained than wouldn't they be explaining it? If they're re-explaining it wouldn't it have been explained.

I need to get a life.

[Samy Merchi]

I for one am really excited and pleased that they decided to call it "Year Four". That lends it an air of legitimacy and gravity. Like it's stories that really matter. If it was just "Star Trek: XYZ" after a zillion "Star Trek: XYZ"s, I'd be all, "so what, we've had a zillion Trek LSes". But this is *Season Four*! That's a completely different thing than any old LS. That's definitely a big reason why I'm excited about this, to finally read a continuation (and, hopefully, a conclusion someday!) to the original five-year mission. Maybe other material has already covered years four and five, but I haven't read any of that material, so I'm 100% open to IDW giving it a new try.

[AbacusComics]

KIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKK!