Captain Kirk Is Back: Star Trek Reveals First Look at the Icon's Great Return
Posted October 17, 2025
Captain Kirk is back, and Star Trek has revealed a first look at the Starfleet icon’s return. Kirk seemingly died in Star Trek: Generations, but IDW’s new The Last Starship
has brought him back during the galaxy’s darkest hour, and in a preview for issue two, Kirk is given a daring new mission: save the Federation.
IDW Publishing has released a preview for
Star Trek:The Last Starship #2, which will be written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Adrian Bonilla. The four-page preview features a newly revived James Kirk holding court with Admiral Sato, who is desperately trying to hold the Federation together.
Kirk’s return may be the boon he needs.
Captain Kirk is a Science Fiction Icon
Kirk's Return to the Star Trek Universe Comes at Its Darkest Hour
Captain Kirk is one of pop culture’s more endearing icons. Initially portrayed by William Shatner, Kirk was the skipper of the
Enterprise, overseeing a historic five-year mission that cemented his place as a Starfleet legend. Although Kirk perished fighting Doctor Tolian Soran in Generations, his legacy of heroism and courage continue to live on.
And it is this legacy that will be explored in Star Trek: The Last Starship. Set in the 30th century, right after the devastating “Burn” that brought galactic civilization to a halt,
The Last Starship finds Kirk and a new crew charged with a seemingly impossible task: to save the Federation and its lofty ideals
Warning: contains potential spoilers for Star Trek: The Last Starship
#1 and #2!
Captain Kirk is back, and Star Trek has revealed a first look at the Starfleet icon’s return. Kirk seemingly died in Star Trek: Generations, but IDW’s new
The Last Starship has brought him back during the galaxy’s darkest hour, and in a preview for issue two, Kirk is given a daring new mission: save the Federation.
IDW Publishing has released a preview for
Star Trek:The Last Starship #2, which will be written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Adrian Bonilla. The four-page preview features a newly revived James Kirk holding court with Admiral Sato, who is desperately trying to hold the Federation together.
Kirk’s return may be the boon he needs.
Captain Kirk is a Science Fiction Icon
Kirk's Return to the Star Trek Universe Comes at Its Darkest Hour
Captain Kirk is one of pop culture’s more endearing icons. Initially portrayed by William Shatner, Kirk was the skipper of the
Enterprise, overseeing a historic five-year mission that cemented his place as a Starfleet legend. Although Kirk perished fighting Doctor Tolian Soran in Generations, his legacy of heroism and courage continue to live on.
And it is this legacy that will be explored in Star Trek: The Last Starship. Set in the 30th century, right after the devastating “Burn” that brought galactic civilization to a halt,
The Last Starship finds Kirk and a new crew charged with a seemingly impossible task: to save the Federation and its lofty ideals.
Captain Kirk is the ideal individual to be given such a task. By the time of the Burn, Kirk had become an almost mythological figure to the Federation and Starfleet. The Burn stretched the beliefs and tenets of the Federation to their breaking point, and now Kirk must find a way to ensure their survival.
The Borg Had a Hand in Kirk's Return. Yes, You Read That Right
The Last Starship Brings Back an Abandoned Picard Plotline
Kirk’s return to a Federation on the brink of collapse was set into motion by a most unlikely force: the Borg. At the end of
Star Trek: Picard’s second season, a renegade faction of the Borg, centered around Doctor Agnes Jurati as their Queen, were introduced, but promptly forgotten about as the show shifted to a full
Next Generation reunion.
Lanzing, Kelly and Bonilla have revived this plot line and used it to brilliant effect in Star Trek: The Last Starship. The Borg’s motivations for reviving Kirk are vague, with Jurati-Queen merely saying they were “repaying a debt.” The Borg’s mysterious reasons, coupled with the god-like technology used to revive Kirk, have cast a shadow over the icon’s return.
Can Captain Kirk Save the Star Trek Universe One Last Time?
Star Trek Fans Are About to Be Reminded of Why Captain Kirk is a Legend
However, Starfleet and the Federation are not in a position to say “no” to the Borg’s plan. The Burn, as seen in
Star Trek: Discovery, destroyed the galaxy’s supply of dilithium, an element central to warp drive. With interstellar travel, at least over great distances, off the table, the state of galactic affairs is grim.
And the preview for Star Trek: The Last Starship #2 gives fans their best look at the first days of Captain Kirk’s new mission. Sato explains to Kirk the stakes are higher than anything he has faced before. Yet Captain Kirk is a Starfleet icon for a reason, and
Star Trek: The Last Starship reminds fans why.
Star Trek: The Last Starship #2 is on sale November 19 from IDW Publishing!
Pedro Pascal Crowned 2025's ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ Frontrunner
Pedro Pascal might soon add another crown to his ever-growing list of accolades, and that's PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive 2025. The beloved "The Last of Us" and "Mandalorian" star has become one of Hollywood’s most universally adored leading men, and according to the latest chatter online and in betting markets, the “Internet’s Daddy” could soon make his reign official. Between his new role in "Gladiator II," his highly anticipated debut as Reed Richards in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," and his continued global fan obsession, Pascal has emerged as the frontrunner in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in recent years. But with breakout stars like
Jeremy Allen White of "The Bear," Jonathan Bailey of "Wicked," and box-office heartthrob Glen Powell right behind him, the question remains if anyone can actually catch Pedro Pascal?
Pedro Pascal’s Star Power Soars As He Leads 2025 Sexiest Man Alive Odds
Few actors have captured the public’s affection quite like Pedro Pascal. Whether he’s slaying in armor as "The Mandalorian," fighting for survival in "The Last of Us," or charming audiences with his effortless humility off-screen, Pascal’s appeal is as universal as it gets.
Fresh off the buzz surrounding "Gladiator II" and his official entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pascal’s cultural momentum has never been stronger. His charm, grounded personality, and that signature twinkle-in-the-eye charisma have turned him into a global sensation, and betting experts are taking notice.
Sportsbook Review shared with The Blast that Pascal currently leads the 2025 Sexiest Man Alive race with +163 odds, giving him a 38% implied probability of taking home the title.
Jeremy Allen White, Jonathan Bailey, And Glen Powell Bring The Heat In Sexiest Man Alive Race
While Pascal may be the favorite, the road to the top is never without challengers, and this year’s lineup is stacked. Jeremy Allen White sits in second place with +567 odds (15%), powered by a year that included critical acclaim for "The Bear," his breakout performance in "The Iron Claw," and a viral Calvin Klein campaign that set the internet ablaze.
Next up is Jonathan Bailey with +809 odds (11%), whose performances in "Wicked" and "Bridgerton" have cemented him as one of Hollywood’s most captivating new leading men. Glen Powell, the "Twisters" star who’s been dubbed “America’s flirtiest action hero," follows with +1150 odds (8%), while
Jason Kelce rounds out the top five with +2100 odds (3%), proving even podcast hosts can be heartthrobs when they’ve got that much charm.
Other contenders include Sterling K. Brown (9%), Shawn Mendes (4%), Harry Styles (3%), and Jacob Elordi (3%), each with their own passionate fanbases pushing for the top spot.
Pedro Pascal’s Relatable Charm Keeps Him The Internet’s Undisputed 'Daddy'
Beyond the stats, Pascal’s dominance boils down to one thing, and that's relatability. He’s talented but humble, confident but kind, and just as comfortable holding a lightsaber as he is cuddling his dog on Instagram. Fans have long dubbed him “everyone’s favorite fictional boyfriend,” and with his mix of sincerity, humor, and timeless style, it’s not hard to see why.
Even if PEOPLE surprises us with a left-field pick (looking at you, Patrick Dempsey 2023), Pascal’s energy, versatility, and universal appeal make him the obvious favorite.
A Look Back: The Last 5 Years Of PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive
Over the past few years, PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive winners have shown just how diverse modern-day heartthrobs can be, from action heroes to comedy kings and even nostalgic icons making a comeback.
In 2020, "Black Panther" and "Creed" star Michael B. Jordan took home the title, celebrated for his powerful presence, style, and influence both on-screen and off. A year later, Paul Rudd claimed the crown in 2021, charming fans with his humor and the fact that, as the internet loves to point out, he seemingly hasn’t aged a day in 20 years.
Chris Evans followed in 2022, continuing Marvel’s dominance. Then came Patrick Dempsey in 2023, in what fans called one of PEOPLE's most unexpected, yet warmly received, choices. Most recently, John Krasinski was named the 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, marking a full-circle moment for the "Office" favorite turned action star.
Pedro Pascal Poised For Sexiest Man Alive Glory As The World Watches
PEOPLE Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive issue has been an annual pop culture staple since 1985, with winners ranging from George Clooney to Michael B. Jordan. But as this year’s race heats up, it's clear that Pedro Pascal is in his “golden era,” and the world is watching.
The official reveal is expected in November, but if betting markets are any indication, the odds, and the internet, are already in his favor.
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