For almost 60 years, Star Trek comics have co-existed with the television series and films. And now the time-honored tradition continues, as IDW Entertainment launches a new 5-issue limited comic series set in the world of Paramount’s brand new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series, titled Lost Contact. It’s written by Layne Morgan and illustrated by artists Coralí Espuna and Nora Serrano. You can take a peek at the two distinct covers for the first issue of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact right here and read the official series synopsis and more, down below:
What a gorgeous cover. We’re not so sure we like the looks of that skull-shaped mountain. But it certainly has us excited to dive into this new Star Trek story. And to get us even more excited for what’s coming our way in this comic tale, we’re excited to exclusively share the official synopsis for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy -Lost Contact. The description of this thrilling new 32nd-century adventure with the Academy cadets on board the U.S.S. Athena is as follows:
Caleb, Genesis, Jay-Den, Kyle, and Tarima are all students of Starfleet Academy, the illustrious school responsible for the Federation’s best. One day, they dream to serve as great leaders on board ships of their own, to study the cultural intricacies of sentient life amongst the Galaxy, or to go where no person has explored before. But today, their mission is simply to execute a survey simulation on a lifeless, low-oxygen planet. Or at least, it seems simple…until a huge storm cuts off their contact with their teachers aboard the Athena…and something impossible appears: an alien. Now, they’ll have to work together and use everything they’ve learned in class about first contact to make it off the planet alive!
For Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact writer Layne Morgan, entering the Star Trek comic universe was an honor a lifetime in the making. And we’ll bet it really shows in this new Star Trek story. Here’s what Layne Morgan has to say about officially joining “the faculty” at Starfleet Academy:
It’s such an honor to be able to play around in the massive Star Trek universe. I think that’s been the most exciting part for me. This is my first time getting to work on a really big IP like this, and getting to do so in a world that is so rich with canon, fans, stories, and passion has been a dream. I love the kids of Starfleet Academy and absolutely loved getting to find little pieces of these new, already rich characters to explore in this story, and the setting and situation to do it in. I tried to find a real problem for them to face that felt like an homage to classic TV I grew up on and is hopefully one that Trek fans will enjoy for that reason, too.
It feels like saying this could so easily be lip service, but it isn’t. Reading the Starfleet Academy show scripts in preparation for this, I was just so excited. It’s exactly the kind of world I love to write in. It felt like LOST CONTACT came so easily out of it. I honestly just can’t wait for other people to share that excitement, and I hope they love the cadets as much as I do.
Additionally, editor Cassandra Jones (she/they) teases that there are plenty of reasons to pick up this comic series. (Angst! Miscommunication! The cadet teen soap adventures of our dreams!) Plus, of course, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact features what we look for in every good comic: incredible art. We love the word “painterly,” and already get a sense of exactly what Jones is talking about just glancing at our exclusive look at the amazing covers for Lost Contact.
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY – LOST CONTACT doesn’t only pay respect to what’s come before in your classic Star Trek yarn, it expands into new territory with our cadet-centric cast (the angst! the miscommunication!) and has a lot of fun playing with form.
Morgan is an expert hand at writing complex interpersonal dramas, and Espuna and Serrano’s art combines to make something both painterly and unique. I truly believe there’s a Star Trek story out there for everyone—so if you love coming-of-age comics or teen soaps, this one is for you!”
The first issue of the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Lost Contact comic goes on sale on April 15, not too long after the series wraps up its first season. But those extra eager for the new Starfleet Academy comic can pre-order it beginning on March 9. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is currently airing on Paramount+, and Lost Contact marks its first official comic tie-in, so don’t miss out on even more goodness from the world of the series, which promises to be like no other Star Trek series before it. This new comic should also be the perfect thing to tide Trekkies over until the second season begins next year.
But, of course, this newStar Trek: Starfleet Academy comic is only the beginning. We can definitely expect more big Star Trek announcements from IDW for the franchise’s big 60th anniversary this year. So be sure to stay tuned so you can boldly go on every exciting new adventure.