Kirk Returns in Star Trek: The Last Starship

The Star Trek franchise is bringing back William Shatner's iconic Captain James T. Kirk for an exciting new comic series titled Star Trek: The Last Starship. Expanding on a storyline introduced in Star Trek: Discovery, this series follows Kirk as he assumes command during the Federation's most critical moment.

A Galaxy in Crisis

Set after the catastrophic event known as The Burn - which destroyed all active warp cores across the galaxy and claimed trillions of lives - The Last Starship finds the Federation in ruins. With interstellar civilization collapsing into lawlessness, a mysteriously rejuvenated Kirk must assemble a new crew to preserve Starfleet's ideals.

Preview Gallery: Star Trek: The Last Starship #1

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The Creative Team

The series is written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (recently behind the Star Trek: Lore War crossover) with artwork by veteran Star Trek illustrator Adrián Bonilla. The creative team includes colorist Heather Moore (Doctor Strange), with variant covers by Francesco Francavilla, Skylar Patridge, Michael Cho, and Malachi Ward.

While this marks another chapter in Kirk's storied revival history - following 1994's Star Trek Generations and the "Shatnerverse" novels - The Last Starship features the original series' youthful version of the character.

"We're redefining Star Trek for a new era," explains Lanzing. "The Last Starship presents a literary, intense vision of the Federation's collapse through Adrián Bonilla's noir-inspired artwork. Existing fans will appreciate exploring uncharted Trek history, while newcomers can enjoy a standalone sci-fi masterpiece."

"Captain Kirk remains the timeless, paradoxical leader we first met," adds Kelly. "Now he faces his greatest challenge - preserving everything he helped build as it threatens to crumble around him."

Star Trek: The Last Starship #1 launches on September 24, 2025.

For related content, explore William Shatner's reflections on mortality and discover what's ahead for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.