Paramount and IDW Publishing have announced an extension of their publishing partnership, which conveniently comes as IDW also announces a new Star Trek: Lower Decks ongoing series.
“Star Trek is not just an iconic franchise, but a universe that celebrates diversity and creativity,” said Davidi Jonas, CEO of IDW Media Holdings. “The Star Trek community is one that we’re proud to serve and be part of. The team at Paramount share our love of storytelling, universe expansion and delighting fans. We are humbled and excited to renew our commitment, and plan on years of going boldly forward with our partners and fans.”
Terms and length of the deal were not disclosed, but the news comes as IDW prepares for the release of Star Trek #500 in September, the October release of the choose-your-own-adventure like Star Trek: Lower Decks – Warp Your Own Way graphic novel and the launch of Star Trek: Lower Decks in November, by writer Ryan North and, on the first story, artist Derek Charm. The duo worked on the Lower Decks miniseries Shaxs’ Best Day, which was nominated for an Eisner Award.
“Lower Decks is my favorite Star Trek, and I have seen every single Star Trek there is to see, except for one episode I will never reveal,” North said. “This raises the obvious question: will something in this comic contradict something that I missed in that one episode I never saw? Thankfully the answer is no, because the entire Lower Decks team – both at IDW and Paramount – has been so amazing – supportive, clever, brilliant. We’re making a big funny heartfelt book with huge sci-fi ideas, important character developments, tons of that Trek flavor, and a bunch of jokes, too. If you love Lower Decks, you’ll love this comic!”
The ongoing series will feature “episodic storytelling” with each story featuring art by a different artist.
“Just when you thought we couldn’t go lower… we’re BACK with the first ever ONGOING LOWER DECKS series,” said IDW Group Editor Heather Antos. “Just like the fans out there, we too want more Lower Decks and this time we’re giving it to you tenfold! Ryan North is showing us just how deep of a Trek nerd he is with these stories, and paired with the comedic geniuses of Derek Charm, Jack Lawrence and more on art duties for a rotating cast of ‘episodic’ issues, this series is a mission so fun that even the Lower Deckers themselves won’t want to miss it!”
The first issue will feature variant covers by Megan Huang and Chris Fenoglio
Look for the first issue to beam itself down on Nov. 13.