San Diego, CA (November 9, 2006)—It’s not a rift in the space/time continuum—IDW Publishing is pleased to announce the return of Star Trek to the realm of comic books. The legendary science fiction franchise that’s spanned six television series, ten motion pictures, and hundreds of novels, celebrates its 40th anniversary by naming IDW Publishing as the source for all-new Star Trek comic book voyages.

IDW’s plans for the Star Trek franchise in comics are far-reaching, and will unfold over the next few months. The first Star Trek miniseries will debut in January 2007, in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation®. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D return with an all-new adventure that will span The Next Generation timeline. The six-issue miniseries, Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between, begins by setting the scene during the first year of the Enterprise-D’s mandated mission to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, boldly going “where no one has gone before.”

At the helm of this first venture is writer David Tischman (Bite Club), who is joined by artist Casey Maloney (Children of the Grave). Artists Dennis Calero (X-Factor) and Zach Howard (Shaun of the Dead) will provide 50/50 covers for the first issue, with covers from Spectrum Award-winning artist Jeremy Geddes (Doomed) and veteran painter Ken Kelly (KISS’s Destroyer album art) also on the way.

But that’s just the beginning. IDW Publishing will be producing additional Star Trek titles with a new line of comic book projects in the rich tradition of 40 years of science fiction excellence.

“I couldn’t be happier to be shepherding Star Trek comics in the 21st century,” said IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. “Not only is this one of the most storied franchises in all of entertainment, but its history in comics is a long one, too. And yet, despite the abundance of different Star Trek comics that have come along in the past, we’ve hit on some unique ways to bring new vibrancy and creativity to the line. I look forward to building on the legacy that stretches back to the Gold Key comics I read as a kid and moving the franchise forward into the future. Well, further into the future, that is. Can’t wait to let the fans know more of what we have in mind.”

Star Trek The Next Generation: The Space Between issue #1 (of 6) debuts in January 2007. Diamond Order Code NOV06 3645