The Almighty Star Trek Lit-verse Reading Order Flow Chart Mark III

With The Fall now all out, it's about time the handy-dandy reading order flow chart for Star Trek books was updated, and so that's exactly what the chart's original creator, Thrawn, and I have done! If you make your way to the permanent page for the chart, which you can always find via the links at the top of the site, you'll find it now updated with The Fall and all the other recently released and forthcoming titles.

We've also rearranged a few bits, and added a new feature: Each title now also has a collection of coloured dots, which denote which series are involved in any given story, so it's easy to see what is happening in crossovers, and when significant cameos pop up in other series.

With less blocking of releases in the coming year hopefully the next update wont be as far apart as versions two and three were. Until then, we hope this is useful to readers old and new!

Starships Collection updates

A few bits of news from The Official Starships Collection, starting with the first look at issues twenty-one and twenty-two, the USS Enterprise-E, and Krenim temporal weapon, images of which are now starting to show up on online retailers. These two will be out in May and June in the UK and Ireland, or July in the US.

Entertainment Earth have also added a listing for a binder to go with the series, so if you want something to hold your magazines in, you don't have to subscribe to the entire collection to get the binder now. They expect to have them in stock from June.

The Collection's website has also been updated with news of several new ships further into the collection. Issues thrity-six to forty have now been confirmed as the Oberth class, Andorian cruiser, Delta Flyer, Romulan drone, and USS Enterprise-B.

The website also has a new top view images of the USS Stargazer model (issue nineteen): 

For a listing of all the ships in the Starships Collection, including links to all my previous previews and reviews, see my index page. 

Triple Tri-nacelle Enterprise-D Review

The third subscription extra with Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, is the first of two model ships offered just to subscribers, the USS Enterprise-D, All Good Thing... version. That is the one with three nacelles. Inspired by that extra ship with an extra nacelle I thought I'd throw in a couple more models in this review too. So as well as the Eaglemoss version, I'll examine the much larger Diamond Select Toys model, which was most recently reissued last year, and the Playmates "Transwarping Enterprise" from the 90s.

Eaglemoss

I'll start with the most recent, and smallest of the three, the Eaglemoss rendition. As you might have guessed the case would be, to create this extra model, Eaglemoss have taken their Enterprise-D model, which was the first issue of the series (see my previous review), and added the extra components to make the refit design. Overall then the model is to the same very high standard as the regular Enterprise-D, with crisp molded and printed details, included an extensive and intricate aztecing print which makes the small model look very detailed.

The extra details on both surfaces of the saucer, and the third nacelle support, are new parts added on top of the existing model, with the printing on the underside of the saucer amended so that the registration fits around the new phaser cannon. The top sides of the nacelles have been swapped out for new parts which incorporate the extra section on top of each nacelle, and the entire top/back section of the engineering hull also appears to have been exchanged for an alternate part which includes the extra fins at the base of the nacelle struts.

The new elements of the design which are molded into replacement parts of the ship are obviously slightly better integrated into the model than those simply stuck on top. But generally those parts are pretty good too, with the only noticeable gaps showing where the big phaser canon rests against the underside of the saucer - You can only see any gap at all if you look directly side-on though.

If I have one criticism it's not the model at all, that's excellent, it's the fact it is only a model. I would have really liked this model to have come with a magazine, like the other ships in the series, to give us some technical details of the Enterprise-D refit, and maybe show some of the ideas bounced around in developing this different take on the familiar ship. Alas as a bonus model, the model is all we get.

Continue after the jump for more photos of this model, and a look at the other two renditions of the All Good Things... Enterprise.

May's Star Trek comics from IDW

IDW have released their May solicitations, which include two new Star Trek comics, and omnibus. May will see the thirty-third issue in the nuTrek ongoing series, which will mean that series has now over taken Malibu's DS9 series in becoming the fifth longest running Star Trek comic-book series ever published. The next series it has to catch up with is DC's first TOS series, but at fifty-six issues, it will be a while before it climbs up the longevity chart.

Also coming in May is the first issue of IDW's new ongoing series, John Byrne's photocomics series, which will be known as New Visions. The series will be released bi-monthly, starting with a double length issue (not sure yet whether future issues will also be longer). The cover below identifies the issue as "part one", but John Byrne has confirmed on his forum it is the whole story in one issue, and that cover is from when they were considering doing it as a two-parter for a monthly release.

Star Trek (ongoing) #33
Written by Mike Johnson, with art by Joe Corroney. Cover by Corroney, or subscription variant photo cover.

After the events of "Star Trek Into Darkness", Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise have embarked on their Five Year Mission into uncharted space... only to encounter a deadly new alien species unlike anything the Federation has met before! Don't miss this all-new adventure overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

New Visions #1: The Mirror, Cracked
Written and photo-manipulated by John Byrne.

Following up on last years hugely successful "Strange New Worlds" photonovel, John Byrne once again sets sail aboard the Starship: Enterprise, this time with an ongoing, bi-monthly series that begins by going through the looking glass to tell the story of what happened after the classic "Mirror, Mirror" episode of the original series. The crew discovers two strangers in their midst, and quickly learns that one has made a pact with one of James Kirk's oldest foes. "The Mirror, Cracked" is the title, and the action unfolds in May!

Khan omnibus
Written by Mike Johnson, with art by Claudia Balboni. Cover by Paul Shipper.

Witness the shocking origin of Khan Noonien Singh from his earliest years through his rise to power during the epic Eugenics Wars! Behold the events that led to his escape from Earth aboard the Botany Bay! Learn the truth behind his re-awakening by Admiral Marcus and Section 31! It's the origin of Star Trek's greatest villain!

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

Crowded Coop's accessories for humanoids

I've reported several times in the last few months about Crowded Coop's range of Star Trek themed pet accessories, and now it seems they're moving into the human market too. Revealed for the first time at this week's Toy Fair, Crowded Coop have several new collections of Star Trek styled backpacks, bags, purses, wallets, and luggage tags.

StarTrek.com have released photos, highlighting several different themes: A light-coloured collage-style collection; a grey series featuring the Enterprise with Starfleet uniform coloured trails; and several uniform and retro inspired designs. StarTrek.com also report Crowded Coop are planning several "functional replicas": including a "Starfleet officer flight bag, Tribble coin purse and Tricorder cross body bag", but have not released images of these, and as best I can tell from Awesome Toy Blog's coverage, they weren't displayed at the Toy Fair either. Crowded Coop's Facebook page suggests the accessories range will be available form June.

In other Crowded Coop news, ThinkGeek have added several more of the Star Trek pets accessories to their Star Trek offering. As ever they have taken much better product photos than those used elsewhere, so continue after the jump for a better look at some of those products:

New Star Trek golf head covers

StarTrek.com have announced a new series of Star Trek golf head covers from Creative Covers for Golf. There are six designs, the USS Enterprise, a tribble, and four characters, Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and the only representative from the 24th century, Worf. There is no information on prices or release dates yet.

New bobble-heads and action figures from Bif Bang Pow revealed at Toy Fair

At this week's Toy Fair, Bif Bang Pow have revealed several new Star Trek items in their range. They have plans for lots of new bobble heads: Continuing the series of bobble-heads already begun with the Wrath of Khan Kirk, Spock and Khan characters, the line will be expanded to include the other main TOS characters in movie-era uniforms, plus the Klingon Kruge.

At the same scale there will also be a lone Voyager character, Seven of Nine. While at a smaller scale Bif Bang Pow are also planning a series of captains in chairs monitor mates, one for each of the prime-timeline series.

They are also planning another bobble-ship, a rather curious wooden version of the TOS USS Enterprise.

Bif Bang Pow are also planning some Star Trek action figures, as the latest release in The Big Bang Theory/Star Trek crossover range. They have previously displayed prototypes of Mego-style versions of The Big Bang boys in Starfleet uniforms at last year's Comic Con. At the Toy Fair this time they just had artwork on display, which shows the boys have been joined by the main female characters form the series too. All seven will form series two of Bif Bang Pow's The Big Bang Theory eight-inch action figure range.

The images above come from Toy Ark and 16 Bit's coverage of the Bif Bang Pow displays. You can see many more images of these items and other Bif Bang Pow products at both sites. And if that's still not enough, Awesome Toy Blog and Kastro's Korner also have good coverage of the display.

Khan #5 preview

Out this week is the fifth and final issue in IDW's Into Darkness prequel series, Khan. The story concludes Khan's post-Into Darkness trial, with the second issue in the series explaining what he got up to in the 23rd century prior to the events of the film. If you were a little disappointed at the parts of Khan's story which seemed to be skipped over in the previous issue, you should find this one more satisfying, as it fills in a lot of the gaps. Here's a seven page preview to wet your apatite (continues after the jump):

Latest Starships Collection previews

The Official Starships Collection's Facebook page has posted a couple of new preview images. First, a new photo of the USS Dauntless model. This will be the seventeenth issue in the series, due out first in the UK in April.

Pre-order: Things From Another World, Entertainment Earth, Forbidden Planet.

They also posted the cover for issue fifteen, the Galor class, which is out in the UK this week.

Pre-order: Things From Another World, Entertainment Earth. 

For a listing of all the ships in the Starships Collection, including links to all my previous previews and reviews, see my index page.

New artwork for the Star Trek attraction at Paramount Park in Spain

As I first reported in 2011, there are plans afoot for a Paramount theme park in Murcia, Spain. Those plans include a sci-fi themed area, with a focus on Star Trek (and War of the Worlds). The "Plaza Futura" will include a retro futuristic square, leading into the "Starfleet Recruitment Center Spain", which will include a 3D simulator ride - From the artwork this appears to be a shuttle ride around the nuTrek Spacedock, possibly with an alien attack. There will also be the "Warp Speed ​​Coaster" a thirty meter tall roller coaster, six-hundred-and-fifty meter long, and one-hundred kilometer-per-hour roller coaster, which will also have an underground segment.

With the park still tentatively scheduled to open in 2015, work is still yet to really get going, with just landscaping started last year. However that's not stopped the backers of the Park in ramping up promotion recently, with a new brochure and images on their website. Which means we can get a better idea of the Star Treky goodness coming to Spain.

The most heavily Star Trek inspired part of the Park is definitely the Starfleet Recruitment Center, which will be getting nuTrek inspired interiors to wonder through on your way to the shuttle ride:

We can also get a glimpse of what to expect from that ride:

Continue after the jump for a look at the roller coaster, and exterior of the plaza:

Trekwear for lounging ladies

ThinkGeek have added several new clothing items to their Star Trek offering: Four new ladies garments for wearing to bed, and general lounging around at home. For the most minimalist look (if worm with nothing else), they have new TOS uniform inspired panties, available in all three department colours of course:

The rest of the new items have all been created by The Robe Factory. They include a satin rope, which being inspired by Uhura's uniform is only available in red:

There are also sleep shirts, also loosely modelled on the miniskirt uniform, or if you prefer, pajama sets, for a top and trousers version of the uniform. Both options are available to command, science, and operations personnel alike:

All the above items are available from ThinkGeek now, as are similar previously released male/less-fitted options for those who prefer not to wear miniskirts and panties.

New Star Trek office products

Icon Heroes have announced a new range of Star Trek home and office ware. They have so far announced four products, with the promise of more to come. To start the range they have:

A Star Trek bookend set, which will be 6.5” tall, 7.25” wide, and 4” deep. Icon Heroes expect this to be out in the third quarter of this year for $70.

Also due in the third quarter, is the Spock hand business card holder. Icon Heroes' website currently has a listing for a bronze finish version of this, but StarTrek.com also report a realistic finish version will be available at some point too. These will be $35 each.

There's also a d'k tahg letter opener, which was based on scans from Gentle Giant of one of the original props. This one is also expected third quarter and will be $25 (if you can't wait that long, you could always try and get hold of one of ThinkGeek's mini Bat'leth letter openers).

Finally, and coming a bit later than the rest, not due until the fourth quarter, are TOS uniform inspired sticky note pads. No pricing for these yet.

Icon Heroes have announced these online, alongside the Toy Fair reveal of the line. So if you'd like to see a few more images, Toy Ark has good coverage of Icon Heroes' display.