When Star Trek first premiered in the 1960s, no one could have imagined just how massive the franchise would become. Over the decades, it’s expanded into films, spin-off series, board games, TV reboots, video games, graphic novels, regular novels, and, of course, comics. If you’re ready to take your Trek knowledge from screen to page, here are our picks for the best Star Trek comics.
What are the best Star Trek comics as of 2025?
Like the Star Trek TV series, there are many comic arcs worth reading, so you don’t need to stick only to the “best of” lists. We recommend checking out as many as you can while watching the series — many comics follow TV closely or are set between seasons. Here are just a few of the standout comics to get you started.
DC Star Trek (1989)
From 1984 to 1986, DC Comics held the publishing rights to Star Trek, producing two major series: one based on The Original Series and another on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Across 136 issues, nine annuals, and several special editions, DC delivered plenty of Trek storytelling.
Vol. 1 picks up after The Wrath of Khan, dropping us into the aftermath of Spock‘s death. The Enterprise crew presses on with their missions while coping with grief and immense change. There’s a Spock-sized hole in all of our hearts. Still, Vol. 2, which was published between 1989 and 1996, is where the run truly shines. Spanning 80 issues, it was published alongside The Next Generation era and fits neatly into the show’s timeline. These comics give us brand-new, unfilmed adventures for Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, and the rest of the Enterprise-D crew.
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Star Trek: Mission’s End (2009)
Published in 2009 by IDW, Star Trek: Mission’s End is a five-issue limited series that closes the book on the Enterprise’s legendary five-year mission. Written by Ty Templeton with art by Stephen Molnar, it’s designed as a “final adventure” for Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the crew before the transition into the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The story begins with the Enterprise being called to mediate unrest on Archenar IV. Along the way, Kirk uncovers a dangerous secret tied to an ancient weapon known as the Heart of God, a force powerful enough to destabilize the Federation itself. By its conclusion, Mission’s End bids a bittersweet adieu to the five-year voyage. Additionally, we experience the dramatic events (in the Aristotelian sense) that lead to Kirk’s promotion to Admiral. It also provides us with reasons why Spock and McCoy retired from Starfleet, which the show failed to address. Generally speaking, Missions End gives us the answers we were looking for.
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Star Trek: Spock – Reflections (2010)
Speaking of Spock, Reflections takes us along on a mysterious journey from Romulus to Federation territory. Along the way, a traveling companion asks Spock where he’s going, what he’s doing, and why he’s in Romulan territory. For being so nosy, the questions only elicit cryptic answers. The exchange, however, serves as a springboard for Spock to reflect on the events that brought him to this point in his life, particularly his ongoing efforts to share Vulcan philosopher Surak’s teachings with the Romulans. With roughly eighty years having passed since Captain Kirk’s death, there is a tremendous amount for Spock to think about.
Despite the reflective nature of the story, which could lean almost too pensive, writers Scott and David Tipton do a good job of balancing introspection with dramatic narrative across this four-issue limited series. And beyond the story, David Messina’s art is a highlight. Federico Manfredi’s finishes are also noteworthy.
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Star Trek Discovery: Succession (2018)
If you’re a fan of the Star Trek: Discovery TV series, you’ll probably enjoy this one — you can guess that from the title alone. Directly tied to the events of Season 1, this new three-issue miniseries follows Michael Burnham and the crew as they travel to the Mirror Universe. There’s plenty of political drama here, especially around the succession to the throne and how we get to where the series picks up. The IDW series is written by Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, with art by Tony Shasteen. If these names sound familiar at all, you’ll remember them as the brains behind 2018’s Star Trek: Discovery — The Light of Kahless. Definitely worth a read.
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Star Trek: Crew (2009)
A 2009-published prequel to The Original Series, Star Trek: Crew tells the story of one of Trek’s most iconic female officers, Number One. This five-issue series by John Byrne takes place before she became Captain Pike’s right-hand officer on the USS Enterprise, giving us a glimpse into her early career. If you were a fan who always wanted more of Number One, this comic finally gives that to us.
Though we sadly never got to see more of Majel Barrett Roddenberry, who played many roles on the series as the legendary Number One, she passed away in 2008. In some ways, this comic was an ode to her life and legacy on the show. The style of the comic series itself is heavily influenced by the 1960s, which adds to the overall appeal of Star Trek: Crew.
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How we picked the best Star Trek comics
As with all of our best-of lists, our picks were somewhat subjective. Still, we did factor in fan and critic reviews of these picks, as well as the quality of the storylines, writing, and art.
If you’re looking for even more Star Trek content, check out our picks for the best Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes.
