Star Trek
Star Trek (DC Comics) was DC Comics' licensed line of comic books adapting and extending the Star Trek television and film universe from 1984 to 1996.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Star Trek (DC Comics) refers to the licensed comic-book publishing line produced by DC Comics under the Star Trek name between February 1984 and February 1996. It is distinct from the broader Star Trek entertainment franchise and specifically denotes DC's period as a publisher of Star Trek comics. The line initially focused on the crew and setting of Star Trek: The Original Series, later expanding to Star Trek: The Next Generation and to stories that connected the two television eras. DC's first principal Star Trek series began in February 1984, during the period following the release of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The stories were set after that film and used the established television and movie characters while also introducing original supporting figures. Because of the chosen post-film setting, the first series was notable for its limited use of Spock, making it unusual among substantial Original Series comic-book continuations. The run also incorporated characters previously associated with Star Trek: The Animated Series, including Arex and M'Ress. The first series ran through November 1988. Across the DC Star Trek program, the principal title ultimately comprised two series totaling 136 issues, along with nine annuals and various special publications. DC also published film adaptations, character-reference material, original graphic novels, and collected editions. A two-issue Who's Who in Star Trek special, released in March and April 1987, followed the period's broader comics trend for profile and reference books and presented character information for the comic-book universe. Its contributors included John Byrne and Todd McFarlane. A second principal Star Trek series began in October 1989 and continued until February 1996. Its stories were set after Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, providing a new publishing phase for the Original Series era. During the same general period, DC developed comics based on Star Trek: The Next Generation, including two series and several miniseries. The Modala Imperative was among the crossover-oriented projects linking the Original Series and The Next Generation, and it was followed by a related Next Generation continuation. The line's business model was that of a licensed media tie-in: DC supplied comic-book production, distribution, editorial packaging, and related formats, while the Star Trek intellectual property remained tied to its external rights holders. The available reference material does not identify the specific licensing agreement terms, individual corporate owner arrangements, or the creative and editorial executives responsible for the entire program. The DC license ended in February 1996, after which this particular DC Comics publishing line was no longer active. Its publications remained represented through trade-paperback and other collected editions, but the Star Trek (DC Comics) imprint itself is a historical, defunct publishing line rather than a current standalone company.
History
DC Comics' Star Trek publishing history began in February 1984, when the company issued a licensed comic series based primarily on the Original Series era. The initial stories were positioned after the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. This setting allowed the comic to continue the film-era adventures of the Enterprise crew while developing material outside the television and movie narratives. The first volume ran until November 1988 and introduced a number of original supporting characters, including Ensign William Bearclaw, Ensign Nancy Bryce, Dr. Chu-Sa, Lieutenant Commander Maria Morelli, Ensign Elizabeth Sherwood, and the Klingon characters Konom and Bernie. It also used Arex and M'Ress, characters associated with Star Trek: The Animated Series. The first volume was accompanied by annuals, movie adaptations, special issues, and other supplementary publications. In March and April 1987, DC published Who's Who in Star Trek, a two-issue reference special modeled on the character-profile formats used by contemporary comic publishers. The special documented characters in the comic-book setting and included artwork by John Byrne and Todd McFarlane. DC also produced original graphic novels and later collected portions of the material in trade-paperback form. The second principal Star Trek series began in October 1989. Its narrative position followed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, creating a new post-film framework for Original Series stories. Taken together, DC's two principal series accounted for 136 issues, supplemented by nine annuals and a range of specials. The line therefore operated as a sustained licensed publishing program rather than as a short promotional adaptation. DC subsequently expanded its Star Trek output to Star Trek: The Next Generation. The publisher released two Next Generation series and several miniseries, including material designed to connect the Original Series and Next Generation settings. The Modala Imperative was one such limited-series project and was followed by a related continuation involving The Next Generation. This expansion reflected the changing composition of the television franchise and enabled DC to address both its established readership and audiences familiar with the newer television cast. The DC period ended in February 1996. The available reference material describes the dates and publication output but does not establish the detailed commercial terms of the license, the identity of the license holder in each period, or a complete list of editorial and creative personnel. Accordingly, Star Trek (DC Comics) is best understood as a historical licensed publishing brand associated with DC Comics, not as an independently incorporated company or as the whole Star Trek franchise. Its legacy consists of the two main series, Next Generation publications, crossover and reference projects, adaptations, graphic novels, specials, and collected editions produced during the license period.
- 1996
DC license period concludes
[1]The DC Comics Star Trek publishing line ends in February.
- 1989
Second volume begins
[1]The second principal series starts in October with stories set after Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
- 1988
First volume concludes
[1]The first principal volume ends in November after developing an original comic-book continuation of the Original Series era.
- 1987
Who's Who in Star Trek released
[1]DC publishes a two-part character-profile special during March and April.
- 1984
First DC Star Trek series begins
[1]DC Comics launches its first principal Star Trek comic series in February, with stories set after Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Products and positioning
A licensed comic-book extension of the Star Trek screen universe, positioned between franchise adaptation and original continuity storytelling. The DC line used familiar television and film characters while creating additional characters, settings, and stories for comic readers, and later broadened its scope to include The Next Generation and crossover material.
comic-book series · 1984
Star Trek volume 1
DC's first principal Star Trek series, published from February 1984 through November 1988. Its stories followed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and introduced original supporting characters alongside the established crew. The volume also incorporated characters from Star Trek: The Animated Series and included associated annuals and adaptations.
comic-book series · 1989
Star Trek volume 2
The second principal DC Star Trek series, published from October 1989 to February 1996. It used a post-Star Trek V: The Final Frontier setting and formed part of the larger program that ultimately comprised 136 issues across the two main series.
comic-book series
Star Trek: The Next Generation
DC's Next Generation-related comic output included two series and several miniseries. These publications extended the newer television era into comics and included stories that connected it with the Original Series material.
reference special · 1987
Who's Who in Star Trek
A two-issue character-profile publication released in March and April 1987. It presented reference information about figures in the Star Trek comic-book universe and was produced in the style of contemporary comics character guides.
limited series
The Modala Imperative
A limited-series project associated with DC's effort to link the Original Series and The Next Generation comic settings. It received a follow-up connected with The Next Generation line.
Brand decisions
1989
Expand the line to The Next GenerationGeneration changeBackground
DC's Star Trek program had established an Original Series-oriented readership, while The Next Generation created a newer television setting for licensed publishing.
Action taken
The publisher introduced two Next Generation comic series and several related miniseries, including crossover-oriented material.
Aftermath
The expansion broadened the DC line beyond the Original Series era before the license period ended in 1996.
Recent events
- 1996
DC's Star Trek license period ends[1]
Other
The DC Comics Star Trek publishing period concluded in February 1996 after two principal series and related publications.
- 1989
DC launches the second principal Star Trek series[1]
Product generation · Product launch
A second principal Star Trek comic series began in October 1989, using stories set after Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
- 1989
DC expands its Star Trek publishing program to The Next Generation[1]
Product launch
DC developed comic series and miniseries based on Star Trek: The Next Generation, including projects connecting that era with the Original Series.
- 1987
Who's Who in Star Trek reference special published[1]
Product launch
DC published a two-issue character-profile special in March and April 1987, featuring contributions from artists including John Byrne and Todd McFarlane.
- 1984
DC Comics begins its first Star Trek comic-book series[1]
Product launch
DC Comics launched its first principal Star Trek comic series in February 1984, with stories set after Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Sources2 sources
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