Is Star Trek a DC Comic?
No, Star Trek is not a DC comic. Star Trek is a beloved science fiction franchise that began with a television series in 1966. Over the years, it has expanded into films, animated series, novels, and comic books. While there have been Star Trek comic books published by various companies, including Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing, DC Comics is not associated with the Star Trek franchise.
The Evolution of Star Trek Comic Books
The Star Trek license for comic books has moved around from company to company, with each one bringing unique elements and stories to the table. Let's delve into the history of Star Trek comic books and see how the story unfolded:
Gold Key (1967-1978)
The Gold Key publishing company held the initial license from 1967 to 1978. These comic books were based on the original television series and introduced early readers to the world of Star Trek.
Marvel Comics (1979-1981)
Marvel Comics took over the license in 1979 and immediately started with an adaptation of 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' and subsequent adventures of the crew. These stories delved into the missions and challenges faced by Captain Kirk, Spock, and their crew on the USS Enterprise.
DC Comics (1984-1996)
DC Comics acquired the license in 1984 and began a series with the original crew, which started after the events of 'Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan.' The series continued with an adaptation of 'Star Trek III: The Search For Spock,' depicting events between the second and third movies. It then moved on to 'Star Trek IV' and later 'Star Trek V' and 'Star Trek VI,' completing the adaptation series. This series ran until 1996, with a brief interruption when the license expired in 1988. However, DC renegotiated and added the Next Generation series to the deal, launching a new series in 1988. This series focused on the original Next Generation crew, starting with 'Star Trek V' and eventually moving on to 'Star Trek VI.'
Malibu Comics (1993-1996)
Malibu Comics took up the license in 1993 for 'Deep Space Nine' and ran a series in parallel to DC's. Malibu also planned to launch a 'Voyager' series, but the company was bought out by Marvel in 1996. Both DC and Malibu participated in a Wildstorm imprint crossover, which included the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.
Marvel Comics (1996-1997)
Marvel Comics negotiated the license for all existing properties in 1996 and launched a number of series under the Marvel/Paramount Comics imprint. These included 'Star Trek Unlimited,' 'Star Trek: Voyager,' 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,' 'Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy Nog and Original Characters,' and 'Star Trek: Early Voyages - Captain Pike’s Crew.' During this period, there was a collaboration with Marvel's X-Men series, including a novel and a mini-series. Marvel's Star Trek line only lasted for 18 months due to declining interest.
DC Comics (1999-2002)
In 1999, Star Trek returned to DC but under the Wildstorm imprint, focusing on one-shots and miniseries. The series covered various properties like the Next Generation, Voyager, and DS9. Notably, 'Star Trek: Elite Force' was based on the video game, and 'Star Trek: New Frontier' was based on Peter David's novel series. The DC license expired in 2002, marking a brief period in the Star Trek comic book timeline.
IDW Publishing (2006-Present)
Since 2006, IDW Publishing has been the current home for Star Trek comic books. They have produced mostly miniseries based on the Next Generation and the new Star Trek movies. IDW also adapted 'Star Trek II' and did a crossover with 'Doctor Who.' Additionally, DC and IDW have collaborated on crossovers involving 'Green Lantern' and the 'Star Trek' crew from the new movie series.
In summary, while Star Trek has seen multiple publishers over the years, including DC Comics for a significant period, it is not currently associated with DC comics. The evolution of the Star Trek comic book series reflects the changing landscape of the comic book industry and the enduring popularity of the franchise.