Incredibuilds wooden starship model kits revealed

Insight Editions are adding two new Star Trek releases to their range of Incredibuilds book and model kits. Featured will be the USS Enterprise from TOS, and USS Enterprise-D from TNG, both rendered in laser-cut wood, and coming with a 32-page book detailing each ship written by Star Trek novelist Dayton Ward.

UPDATE: Dayton has now blogged about these releases, including a description of what he has done in the books:

For both Enterprise editions, I took a similar approach, so you’ll get a brief rundown of the ship and their place in Starfleet history, as well as a look at each filming model’s design and creation for their respective television series. Lots of pictures are jammed into both books, as well.

As for the models: The parts pop out of a sheet of wood, and snap together with ease, following the included instructions, which also have suggestions for further crafting projects using the models (some of which are pretty cool as you'll see below). StarTrek.com and Australian retailer Dicebox have released images of both kits, continue below to check them out.

We'll start with the Enterprise-D, which for something made out of flat bits of wood is a pleasingly solid and curvy:

Voyager: Architects of Infinity previews

Out now is Architects of Infinity, the latest book in Kirsten Beyer's series of Voyager novels set after the TV series, during the Project Full Circle mission back to the Delta Quadrant. Here's a reminder of the blurb, and continue below to read and/or listen to excerpts from both the print and audio editions of the book.

As the Federation Starship Voyager continues to lead the Full Circle Fleet in its exploration of the Delta Quadrant, Admiral Kathryn Janeway remains concerned about the Krenim Imperium and its ability to rewrite time to suit its whims. At Captain Chakotay's suggestion, however, she orders the fleet to focus its attention on a unique planet in a binary system, where a new element has been discovered. Several biospheres exist on this otherwise uninhabitable world, each containing different atmospheres and features that argue other sentient beings once resided on the surface. Janeway hopes that digging into an old-fashioned scientific mystery will lift the crews' morale, but she soon realizes that the secrets buried on this world may be part of a much larger puzzle—one that points to the existence of a species whose power to reshape the galaxy might dwarf that of the Krenim.

Meanwhile, Lieutenants Nancy Conlon and Harry Kim continue to struggle with the choices related to Conlon’s degenerative condition. Full Circle’s medical staff discovers a potential solution, but complications will force a fellow officer to confront her people’s troubled past and her own future in ways she never imagined…

New silver starship coins from the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint are releasing a series of new starship focused designs in their ongoing range of Star Trek coins. The new releases feature the USS Enterprise-D, USS Voyager, and Enterprise NX-01.

All three designs feature colour prints of the ship, with glow in the dark spacey backgrounds and illuminated parts of the ships. Each coin has a face value of ten Canadian dollars, although they are all cast in silver, and so their actual value (and cost) is several times that ($65). There will be 10,000 of each coin minted. Continue below to check them all out.

Latest Star Trek novel covers and audiobook updates

A few book updates today, with news of the latest audiobooks and covers for forthcoming Discovery, Voyager, and Prometheus books.

We'll start with the first look at the cover for the third Discovery novel, James Swallow's Saru book, Fear Itself. A little oddly the cover has been revealed thanks only to listings of the audiobook on Amazon/Audible, which does mean this is the square format audiobook edition of the cover - The print version will most likely be the same sort of thing, but maybe slightly rearranged to crop it into the portrait shape.

Discovery bonus scene hints at Emperor Georgiou's future, plus season 2 updates

At the Wondercon Convention today a Star Trek: Discovery panel premiered a new bonus scene from the final episode of Discovery, giving us more than a hint of where we might next see Emperor Georgiou, and confirming what many have speculated about those mysterious black Starfleet badges. Check it out (US geo-locked stream):

In this EXCLUSIVE BONUS SCENE from the season 1 finale of #StarTrekDiscovery​, Mirror Georgiou receives a surprise invitation from Leland (@alanvansprang) to join a mysterious organization. *Spoiler Warning* Season 1 now streaming: https://t.co/KoUK3vJfGz pic.twitter.com/BVymEYr6Up

— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) March 24, 2018

IDW announce a third TNG mirror universe comic series! Plus new comic covers

IDW must really have hit on something successful with their TNG mirror universe comics, as coming hot on the heels of their second mirror-miniseries, April's weekly released Through the Mirror, they have now announced a third miniseries in the ongoing saga: Terra Incognita, a six-part series to start in July. Here's how they describe it in the press release:

This six-issue miniseries reveals unique, focused stories where beloved characters find themselves in new, unfamiliar situations, in a format echoing the “done-in-one” nature of the television series. However, each issue also features a subtle throughline of an evil Mirror Universe crewmember established in the Mirror Broken and Through the Mirror series remaining on the ship, wreaking havoc while posing as his prime universe counterpart. Featuring the best of both the Mirror and original universes, Terra Incognita is a unique new step in this riveting saga.

Scott and David Tipton will be returning to write once more, this time joined by prolific Star Trek comics artist Tony Shasteen to illustrate.

Three covers for the first issue have been revealed already, via io9, which, without wishing to spoil things for you, do just ever so subtly hint at who the undercover mirror operative might be...

There is no B cover among these, so I would expect at least one more cover for this issue. So far we have a could-be-kinky cover A by Tony Shasteen. A cute Ten Forward scene by Elizabeth Beals for the retail incentive cover A, and a rather more menacing cast assemblage retail incentive cover B by J.K. Woodward.

New Eaglemoss starship models revealed: Niagara class, XL USS Defiant, Beyond Enterprise, Miranda variants, and more!

Eaglemoss have released their latest round of solicitations, giving us the first look at several new models in The Official Starships Collection. Continue below to check out those new models, plus new previews of other ships in the series, and hints of things to come.

Starting furthest ahead in the main series, issue 126, which should start to arrive in June, will be the latest in the fantastic miniseries of Battle of Wolf 359 kitbash ships we've been enjoying lately, the Niagara class USS Princeton. This quirky tri-nacelled ship looks rather nicer than I was anticipating, and we've got lots of images of it thanks to a Hero Collector blog preview as well as the solicitation image:

Closer look at QMx's Discovery cadet and black insignia badges

QMx have added new listings to their website for their forthcoming Discovery black and cadet insignia badges, with the option to sign up to be notified when both are available to order. With new listings come new images, so continue below for a closer look at both.

Both badges are based on the original costume pieces, and made from zinc alloy. Like all QMx's recent Star Trek insignia badges, they are held on with a non-damaging magnetic clasp. Here's the still mysterious black badge:

IDW's June Star Trek comics

IDW have released their solicitations for June, which include two new Star Trek comics, continue below for all the details, and other comics updates.

Succession #3
Written by Mike Johnson and Kirsten Beyer, wit art by Angel Hernandez.

Now it can be revealed! This miniseries, centered on the Mirror Universe of Star Trek: Discovery, delves deeper into the characters you only thought you knew…

The book will be available in four different covers, with the A cover by issue artist Angel Hernandez, and the B cover a photo-cover featuring Michael Burnham. There will also by two retail incentive covers, one by Yoshi Yoshitani, again featuring Burnam, and the other the latest in the series of ships cover by Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire. The two Burnham covers are the only ones so far released:

50 Artists 50 Years art, USS Discovery inspiration, production art, props, and more in latest Star Trek auction

Heritage Auctions are hosting an auction of entertainment memorabilia, with bidding due to start in a few days. Among the items are numerous Star Trek lots, including the artwork from the 50th anniversary travelling exhibition 50 Artists 50 Years, which CBS have been keen to promote in a recent press release.

But that's just one categories of Star Trek stuff available, the auction also features a host of Star Trek production artwork, props, costumes, and other behind the scenes bits and pieces, from most of the TV series and several films! Continue below to check out some of the highlights.

The stand-out lot for me is one of the mock-up models for the Ken Adams/Ralph McQuarrie concept USS Enterprise developed for the unmade movie Planet of the Titans. This ultimately appeared on-screen as a background ship a couple of times, but more importantly it was of course the inspiration for the design of our newest hero ship, the USS Discovery:

Spooky Star Trek masks from Trick or Treat Studios

Makers of Halloween masks, Trick or Treat Studios, have revealed a new range of Star Trek masks, to bring some darn right creepy Star Trek flavour to your fancy dress adventures. Continue below to check out particularly uncanny Kirk and Spock masks. But let's start with something more alien.

Available to pre-order now, for release in August/September is rather meta Balok mask, sculpted by Aaron Lewis.

Closer look at QMx's Mini Master Locutus and Enterprise-D, and Loot Crate updates

The first in Loot Crate's new series of Star Trek Mission Crates recently arrived to subscribers. Themed on the Battle of Wolf 359, the crate included a variety of TNG goodies, including two new Mini Master models from QMx: A Locutus of Borg figurine, and the USS Enterprise-D.

Both of those items are also going to be available separately at retail, and QMx have now updated their website with full details and lots of images of them. Continue below to check them out, plus a look at the other items in the first Mission Crate, and what's coming up.

The Locutus figurine is at 1:12 scale, coming in at 15.25cm tall. QMx are currently listing his as coming soon, but he's also available for pre-order on Entertainment Earth, and they expect him to arrive in April.

Klingon language comes to Duolingo

Duolingo, a language application designed around gamifying language learning, has added a Klingon language course. The app looks like a fun way to learn any language, and it's free! Also they released this cute bit of artwork to announce the new Klingon option:

While the course is a licensed product, Duolingo is built upon the work of volunteers, so it took some time for them to put the Klingon course together. As they told Engadget:

On our end, it took some time to find Klingon experts who could commit the time and effort to creating a full-fledged course, as we wanted the course to be substantial and cover a lot of ground

There were also some technical issues thanks to the quirks of Klingon:

Klingon uses apostrophes in the middle of words, which is not something our system was able to handle at first, since no other language does it

Klingon also has case sensitivity, which means that a word can take on different meanings if it's capitalized or lowercased.

Star Trek Online 3D printed ships available now

Star Trek Online and Mixed Dimensions have now launched their new 3D printing service, allowing STO players to get a physical model of their favourite ships from the game, exactly as they have customised them. 500 or so different ships are available, in who knows how many variations of designs once players have switched out parts and tweaked the paint jobs to their heart's content.

As previously reported, the ships will be available in either plain primed version to paint yourself, a single solid colour finish, or a fully hand painted finish complete with custom decals. Those range from $200 to $350, for a twelve inch model.

New Eaglemoss starship model previews and book news

Lots of Eaglemoss Starships Collection news today, including preview of new and forthcoming models, Discovery collection updates, and the first look at several new books they are publishing. Continue below for all the details.

First up, the 13th oversized special issue, the Kelvin timeline Klingon battlecruiser, is on the way, due in April according to the Eaglemoss shop, and now Eaglemoss' Hero Collector blog has posted some new preview images of the model:

Discovery: The Light of Kahless #3 preview

Out this week is the third issue of the first Star Trek: Discovery comic series, The Light of Kahless. The story continues to reveal T'Kuvma's past, while also giving us a few moments with Voq and L'Rell.

The book is written by Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, with art from Tony Shasteen, who also provides the A cover featuring Kol. The photo B cover also depicts Kol. Then there are two retail incentive covers. One is an interesting hexagonal arrangement of T'Kuvma, the Torchbearer, and other Klingons, by George Caltsoudas, while the other continues Declan Shavley, and Jordie Bellaire (colours)'s series of ship covers, this time giving us a rare view of the Klingon Cleave Ship.

You can check out all the covers and a five page preview from this issue below, plus a couple of other bits of Discovery comics news.

New Star Trek card games from Wizkids and Looney Labs

Wizkids and Lonney Labs have both announced new Star Trek card games on the way, continue below for all the details.

Wizkids' latest release with be a Ferengi themed Galactic Enterprises, designed by Christophe Boelinger. They are planning to release in June, and this is how they describe it:

In Star Trek: Galactic Enterprises, 3 to 8 players will buy and sell their wares, trying to monopolize one particular product in order to gain greater profit. However, once other Ferengi get those same items for sale, it becomes a matter of who’s the better negotiator. Do you work together to gain the same profit, or do you agree to cooperate, then sell at a lower price to steal all the profit for yourself? Be wary of special action cards that can mess with your business and remember the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition in order to gain the most return for your investments.

Boldly Go #17, IDIC part 5 preview

Out this week is seventeenth issue of Boldly Go, which is the penultimate issue of both the current multiverse-spanning storyline, IDIC, and indeed the entire series. This chapter sees the return of Gary Mitchell, in a beautiful bit of symmetry for the Kelvin timeline comics, picking up from the very first story in the original nuTrek ongoing series (from way back in 2011).

For this multiple realities story IDW have also been rotating the artists, and for this issue that brings us Marcus To. He is illustrating a tale penned by the series' regular writer, Mike Johnson.

To also provides the A cover, an enjoyable gallery of variations of Sulu, Scotty, and McCoy, as their normal selves, mirror universe counterparts, and as a variety of aliens. The B cover is a more general gathering of the main cast, in an attractive rainbow of colour from Fico Ossio. Additionally their a two retail incentive covers, a photo cover using an image from Star Trek Beyond, and the latest in Yoshi Yoshitani's series of varients, this time featuring Uhura.

Continue below to check out all the covers, plus a five page preview from the book.

The Enterprise-D is now a bluetooth speaker

ThinkGeek and Forbidden Planet have revealed Fametek's latest Star Trek gadget, a USS Enterprise-D bluetooth speaker. As well as being a fully functional wireless speaker, it's a decent model of the ship (twelve inches long), and comes with light and sound features.

Sound options include a soothing warp engine thrum simulator! That will play for an hour, before turning itself off. Other sounds include torpedos, going to warp, and "incoming transmission". The lights in the nacelles, impulse engines, and deflector, and be turned off if desired. The battery lasts for 6-8 hours typically, and is recharged by plugging a USB into the middle of the deflector dish! Continue below for a close look.

Round 2 Models reveal 1:350 K't'inga class model kit, plus other Star Trek model kit updates

Round 2 Models have been teasing some big Star Trek model kit news was coming, and have now revealed all, in the form of a glorious Polar Lights 1:350 scale kit of the iconic Klingon K't'inga class battlecruiser.

An ideal companion to their previous 1:350 kits of the USS Enterprise and refit USS Enterprise, this kit stand apart even from those impressive pieces thanks to it's insanely intricate detailing, with surface texture and tiny bits of somethings all over the ship. Continue below for a closer look and more details of this and other forthcoming releases.

Note these images are of a prototype, and any gaps or random bits of different colour plastic will be sorted out before the final kit goes into production.