IDW Assembles a Writer’s Room of Comic Book Visionaries for Brand-New Star Trek: Year Five Series

IDW Publishing proudly embarks on the U.S.S. Enterprise’shomeward journey with Star Trek: Year Five, a monthly comic book series debuting in April 2019. A sweeping space odyssey developed by a brain trust of exceptional writers, Year Five welcomes co-writers Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and artist Stephen Thompson for its opening story arc, and – painting Star Trek for the first time in all his 60 years of professional illustration – Greg Hildebrandt as cover artist for the debut issue.

In Star Trek: Year Five, the crew of the Enterprise have traveled to strange new worlds, defeated impossible foes, and made universe-changing decisions. But with the end in sight, they’ll have to face their biggest challenge yet. Step aboard the Enterprise with Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Uhura on a voyage towards an uncertain future!

“Year Five will be a vital, hard-hitting, character-focused look at Captain Kirk on his last year in command,” says Jackson Lanzing. “His actions will have huge ripple effects, from the outbreak of war in the Alpha Quadrant to an unprecedented strain of trust with Spock. We’ll turn a mirror on our modern society, just as Trek did in the 1960s, and go boldly towards meaningful, heartfelt stories.”

IDW’s continuing Star Trek: Year Five series, under license by CBS Consumer Products, will be nurtured by a collaborative writer’s room (including Brandon Easton, Jody Houser, Jim McCann, and the aforementioned Lanzing and Kelly), working together to craft the overall journey while swapping writing chores specific to each story arc. As Lanzing explains, “We’ll tell an ongoing narrative with a beginning, a game-changing middle, and a definite end… and do so with some of the best writers in comics contributing their unique, diverse voices and ideas.”

“The opportunity to be a part of this monumental legacy is an unbelievable trust. With Year Five, we don’t just want to thrill – we want to channel the power of Roddenberry’s original vision, to tell a story about the future that illuminates our present,” says Collin Kelly. “It’s time for the Enterprise to come home… but first, they’ll have to face an enemy that’s been waiting in the shadows since 1968.”

“I have been a fan of Star Trek right from the beginning in 1966,” says Greg Hildebrandt. “I admired the social, moral, and political statements that were obvious in Gene Roddenberry’s plot lines. I feel that the original was and is one of the best shows ever on TV, and clearly the inspiration for all the Space Operas that have followed. It was an honor to paint this cover art of the original cast. Having never painted Trek before, it was a kick for me at 80 years old.”

Where Are Star Trek’s Cast Members Now

Undoubtedly, the fiction galaxy battle Hollywood movie captured the hearts and minds of many fans across the globe. But, where in the world are the original cast members of Star Trek now? 

1. Jolene Blalock

Jolene Blalock is a breakout star from Star Trek: Enterprise that ran for four seasons. She had a successful modeling career and appeared in several movies, like the Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. 

In 2003, Jolene Blalock met Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation, and got married in Jamaica. 

2. Wil Wheaton

Star Trek: The Next Generation took place after the Star Trek ending: The Original Series. Wesley Crusher, portrayed by Wil Wheaton, was a decisive character who exit the TNG series when he followed The Traveler. 

Wil Wheaton had appeared in Stand By Me, Flubber, and Toy Soldiers. He concentrated on his studies before returning to the industry. Nowadays, he’s able to poke fun on series (The Big Bang Theory) and host a web series (TableTop). 

3. Colm Meaney 

He portrayed Miles O’Brien in the movie Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who is a likable Irish actor. Colm started as an extra in TNG until he became a series regular as the Transporter Chief Miles O’Brien. He became an intergalactic super after TNG ended for an entire space station. 

With his TNG career influence, he also starred in movies, such as the Intermission and Hell on Wheels, a popular Western series, as well as Gangs of London and The Singapore Grip.

4. Brent Spiner

Commander Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, was a well-loved character on Start Trek, who was the only android that served in Starfleet, and he was also a vital Enterprise-D crew member. He appeared in four TNG feature films.

Outside of Star Trek, Brent Spiner appeared in famous television programs, such as Frasier, Star Wars: Rebels, The Big Bang Theory, and Outcast, as well as the sci-fi movie Independence Day and Independence Day: Resurgence. 

For information on how to secure copies of Star Trek: Year Five, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.