Since the premiere of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the universe created by Gene Roddenberry has never stopped expanding. The exploration of strange new worlds and other civilizations has unfolded across movies, television series, video games, novels, and comic books, making Star Trek one of the biggest media franchises of all time.
Since the first Star Trek comic was published in 1967 by Gold Key Comics, the franchise’s comics have been almost continuously in publication. Over the years, they have been produced by various publishers, including Marvel, DC Comics, and, of course, IDW Publishing, which secured the rights in 2006 and has been producing new comics ever since.
Recently, IDW has decided to go where no one has gone before by launching an epic new adventure: a Star Trek Multiverse of sorts. Described by co-writer Jackson Lanzing as “an Avengers-style ongoing crossover that treats Gene Roddenberry’s creation as a living universe,” this new Star Trek series brings together characters from across the galaxy—and all eras and variations of the beloved franchise.
The stardate is 2378, marking the return of an omnipotent Benjamin Sisko from the Bajoran Wormhole. He is sent by the Prophets on a mission that only he and a crew of Starfleet members from every era of Star Trek can accomplish. These new stories take place a few years after the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, after the USS Voyager returned home but before the events of Nemesis, the final Star Trek: The Next Generation movie.
While IDW has published many Star Trek comics in the past, this article focuses on the interconnected timeline of IDW Star Trek comics launched in 2022.
Star Trek IDW 2022, Your Comic Book Guide
A bold new era of Star Trek begins here, with the new ongoing Star Trek Series! Coming from writers Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly and various artists, this new Star Trek comic presents us with a new crew on a new bold mission on their new ship, the USS Theseus. Benjamin Sisko is joined on this mission by Montgomery Scott (from the original series), Data, Worf, Dr Beverley Crusher (from The Next Generation), Tom Paris (from Voyager), and Jake Sisko.
- Star Trek Vol. 1: Godshock
Collects the prequel short story “A Perfect System” from Star Trek #400 and issues #1–6 of the ongoing series.
Following an argument with Sisko in issue #5, Worf splits from Sisko and the crew of Theseus to star in his own spin-off, Star Trek: Defiant! He gathers a team to board the USS Defiant in the hopes of defeating a dangerous individual leading a genocidal cult. The famous Spock, B’Elanna Torres (from Voyager), Lore, and Ro Laren (from The Next Generation) are part of this adventure from writer Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, Namor, Star Wars: Obi-Wan) and artist Angel Unzueta.
The first story in Defiant occurs simultaneously with the Red Path story arc in the main Star Trek series, leading to the Day of Blood crossover event.
- Star Trek: Defiant Vol. 1
Collects Star Trek: Defiant issues #1-5 - Star Trek Vol. 2: The Red Path
Collects Star Trek issues #7–10 and the 2023 Star Trek Annual
Day of Blood! This is Star Trek Comic First-Ever Crossover Event, a 5-part story with the crews of Star Trek and Defiant uniting for a common cause!
- Star Trek: Day of Blood
Collects Star Trek: Day of Blood, Star Trek: Day of Blood–Shaxs’ Best Day, Star Trek 2023 Free Comic Book Day issue, Star Trek issues #11–12, and Star Trek: Defiant issues #6–7.
The issue-by-issue reading order is as follows:- Star Trek: Prelude to Day of Blood (Free Comic Book Day issue)
- Star Trek: Day of Blood
- Star Trek: Defiant #6
- Star Trek #11
- Star Trek: Defiant #7
- Star Trek #12
- Star Trek: Day of Blood – Shaxs’ Best Day
Star Trek and Defiant continues! Benjamin Sisko’s quest came to an end, but the Captain has no interest in retiring and sets out on a new mission following Starfleet requesting his help to stop a familiar foe. As for Worf and the Defiant crew, they are given new roles for the Federation.
- Star Trek: Defiant Vol. 2: Another Piece of the Action
Collects Star Trek: Defiant #8–11 and the Defiant: Annual. - Star Trek Vol. 3: Glass and Bone
Collects Star Trek issues #13–18 - Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 3: Hell Is Only A Word
Collects Star Trek: Defiant #12-16
Sons of Star Trek! Take a little break for a journey to a parallel universe orchestrated by Q’s Son in the company of Nog, Jake Sisko, and Alexander Rozhenko. From the creative team of
Morgan Hampton and Angel Hernandez.
- Star Trek: Sons of Star Trek
collects Star Trek: Sons of Star Trek #1–4.
Coming in 2025…
- Star Trek Vol. 4: Pleroma
Collects Star Trek #19-24 and the 2024 Annual - Star Trek: Defiant Vol. 4: The Supernova Conspiracy
Collects Star Trek: Defiant #17-21 - And a new crossover, Star Trek: Lore War!