Space: the ol’ near-infinite panel gutter. These are the carefully recorded Star Trek voyages of Ensign Avery Kaplan. Her mission? To dutifully observe and analyze the various arms and evolutions of the ex-Borg-iest sci-fi Franchise ever to assimilate the small screen. This week, she and her husband Ollie Kaplan are reviewing IDW’s Star Trek (2026) #1, the publisher’s upcoming flagship title relaunch.
While this article avoids spoilers, it’s entirely justifiable if you want to experience the highly recommended issue for yourself on September 23rd, 2026. Click here to read our June 2026 interview with Christopher Cantwell on the series instead!
Star Trek (2026) #1
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Dennis Menheere
Letterer: Jodie Troutman
Design & Production: Darran Robinson
Associate Editor: Cassandra Jones
Editor: Thea Cheuk
Senior Group Editor: Heather Antos
Published by: IDW
From 2022 to 2025, IDW’s ongoing flagship Star Trek title, written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, told a story that took place just after the 90s era shows. Concurrently with that title, Cantwell penned Star Trek: Defiant, a sister series that crossed over with the flagship on more than one occasion. Now, Cantwell is stepping up to the captain’s seat with Star Trek (2026) #1, a relaunch of IDW’s flagship Franchise title that focuses on the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-G under Captain Seven of Nine.
The short version is this: Star Trek (2026) #1 is an incredibly strong opening, with the potential to blossom into a truly great Franchise story. If you are a Trekkie, and especially if you are a Trekkie who is still crossing your fingers for Star Trek: Legacy, we cannot recommend this issue enough. Contact your Local Comic Shop (LCS) and reserve your copy today, friends! We may are in the gold-press latinum age of Franchise comic storytelling.
Captain Seven and her crew
Of course it is (as always) difficult to discuss an inaugural issue while avoiding spoilers! Suffice to say that the first issue sets up a storyline that includes both action and sci-fi oriented elements. Plus, the personal stakes are immediately established and engaging, particularly where Seven’s storyline is concerned.
The crew of the Enterprise-G in the series is already known. There are several returning characters from Star Trek: Picard Season 3. These include Sidney La Forge, a character who has barely been explored, as well a character who we have seen plenty of time onscreen but who nevertheless has loads of remaining narrative potential, Seven of Nine. There is a character who was introduced in the previous IDW Star Trek flagship series, a returning Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine alum who never got his due onscreen (but has been further developed in previous IDW comics), and several original characters. It’s a great and interesting combination of crew members whose interpersonal dynamics promise to be fascinating as they undertake their mission.
And for readers who, like us, are devoted to Saffi… Well, we can’t say specifically what’s in store, but based on this first issue (and the Star Trek: Zero Point ashcan we picked up at San Diego Comic-Con 2026), we are satisfied with the way the fan favorite relationship is being handled in these comics so far.
In addition to the immediately engaging storyline and well-sketched character introduction, this issue’s striking art will also be heavily discussed. Menheere delivers singular, at times almost impressionistic art; remarkable and emotive depictions of the characters are accompanied by page layouts that sometimes border on the abstract.
Those hoping for “standard,” screen-replicating depiction will be disappointed. To these readers: we would implore you to open your mind to new ideas. This is a comic, after all; can we not boldly explore a fresh aesthetic style?
Equally worth of adulation is Troutman’s expert lettering. She’s lettered plenty of IDW Star Trek comics, always with a confidence and execution that matches the “competence porn” of the Franchise quite well. However, this issue — and one assumes, this series— might be her crowning achievement (so far).
Beyond the farthest star
Let’s not mince words. It may be the sixtieth anniversary of Star Trek, but the onscreen future of our favorite Sci-Fi Franchise looks dubious at best. Meanwhile, IDW is telling many of the stories we wish we had to look forward to watching on TV.
While we lament the lack of a Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Prodigy ongoing, we are otherwise thrilled by the recent and upcoming Star Trek comics coming out of IDW. And after reading Star Trek (2026) #1, we are not only eagerly anticipating the continuation of that series, but also on the edge of our seats waiting for Zero Point.
Friends, contact your LCS and preorder this issue immediately. And no need to temper your expectations — if anything, this review might be underselling it. Six decades after the Franchise launched, the next era of legendary Star Trek storytelling arrives in September, in sequential graphic narrative form.
Star Trek (2026) #1 arrives at your LCS and/or local public library beginning on September 23rd, 2026. Final order cutoff is August 17th, 2026, so be sure and open a channel with your LCS today!
Keep up with all of The Beat’s Star Trek coverage here.
 #1 from IDW.){kind=link}