Timothy Zahn remains one of the most famous creators associated with the galaxy far, far away. In 1991, he took Star Wars past Return of the Jedi in the first Expanded Universe novel, Heir to the Empire. This novel famously introduced the iconic Grand Admiral Thrawn. Now, Zahn is entering our galaxy, only hundreds of years into the future, with his first Star Trek work ever. We’re honored to exclusively reveal that Zahn joins the final frontier with a new original graphic novel, Star Trek: Roc’s Egg, coming in October 2027. This story, illustrated by Ángel Hernández (Star Trek: Voyager), will take place on board Deep Space Nine. You can read the official description from IDW Publishing below:
Star Trek: Roc’s Egg Synopsis
We’re excited to share the official synopsis for Zahn’s exciting first foray into the world of Star Trek. Here’s what you can expect from Star Trek: Roc’s Egg.
Something is rotten on Deep Space 9. When a mysterious artifact known as a Roc’s Egg arrives on the station—and is seemingly destroyed in transit—a Federation JAG investigation is called in to uncover what really happened. But the deeper the team digs, the stranger the mystery becomes: a secret auction, a station full of wealthy collectors and dangerous criminals, a priceless artifact that may not be what it seems, and a murder waiting to happen. From acclaimed author Timothy Zahn and artist Ángel Hernández comes Star Trek: Roc’s Egg, a twisty new mystery set aboard Deep Space 9 where everyone has something to hide—and the truth may be more valuable than the treasure itself.
Timothy Zahn Is a True Trekker
Despite his long association with Star Wars, Timothy Zahn has been a true Trekker for decades. He’s been a Federation fanboy ever since the original series was on TV, in fact. Here’s what Zahn had to say about trading in the Rebel Alliance for Starfleet as he heads into the world of Star Trek:
My association with Star Trek goes all the way back to 1966 and the original TV series. Now, after sixty years, I’ve been given the chance to add my own small grace note to that rich and vibrant symphony. This is a huge honor and privilege, and one which I will always cherish.
In a statement, IDW’s Heather Antos further shared, “Timothy Zahn’s work defines fandoms. His reputation for shaping some of the most high-profile franchises in space speaks for itself. But for me, this collaboration is especially personal. I’ve been a lifelong fan of his work, so getting to bring his voice to Star Trek is genuinely a dream come true. His incredible gift for intricate plotting, unforgettable characters, and mysteries that keep you guessing makes him the perfect storyteller to take us back to Deep Space Nine—a station where everyone has a secret, everyone has an agenda, and the truth is rarely as simple as it first appears. I can’t wait to see what Timothy does with this corner of the Star Trek universe. And I think fans are going to have an absolute blast trying to solve the mystery alongside him.”
Nerdist’s Take: We Believe Zahn Can Add as Many New Cool Elements to Star Trek as He Did in Star Wars
Countless Star Wars elements that Zahn introduced in his work decades ago have served as inspiration for modern-day Star Wars stories. And as fans of Deep Space Nine, we’re thrilled he’s choosing that series for his Star Trek debut. DS9 is one of the best Star Trek series in the franchise’s sixty-year history. And as huge fans, we’re glad it’s getting this honor. We can only imagine a Timothy Zahn version of the villainous Gul Dukat and the other Cardassians. The sky’s the limit. And hey, maybe some of the elements Zahn shares in the Star Trek: Roc’s Egg will come into play as Star Trek enters new eras in graphic novels, TV shows, and movies.
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