Star Trek: 10 Reasons Captain Kirk’s Return Will Divide Fans
This list takes a closer look at the most exciting aspects of The Last Starship, and Kirk's role in the series. It also presents some of the concerns fans have cited about Kirk's comeback.
IDW Publishing and The Last Starship's creative team have earned readers' trust over the last few years of Star Trek comics. Still, some of these fan apprehensions aren't entirely meritless.
Authors Colin Kelly And Jackson Lanzing Are The Rising Superstars Of Modern Star Trek Storytelling
Kelly And Lanzing Have Taken IDW's Trek Comics To The Next Level
Along with IDW Editor Heathor Antos, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing have been the driving forces behind a golden era in Star Trek comics. Kelly and Lanzing have proven they know the franchise inside and out, and demonstrated their ability to capture the voices of characters from every era of Trek.
So, if anyone was going to write new Captain Kirk stories, and someone was always going to, fans should be glad it is Kelly and Lanzing. If anything, as good as their previous Star Trek ongoing was, The Last Starship should be their opportunity to truly put their stamp on the Trek Universe.
Hardcore Trek Fans Want The Franchise To Keep Moving Forward, Not Reaching Backward
Defending Kirk, And Trek, From Accusations Of Arrested Development
The counterargument? This isn’t The Last Starship’s fault, but rather a more general issue with the contemporary state of major IP like Trek. Arguably, Last Starship feels poised to make the most of the need for a major recognizable character like Kirk. Still, even many fans who love Kirk whole prefer if the franchise could let him rest in peace.
"The Last Starship" Takes Captain Kirk Out Of His Comfort Zone
A Classic Hero In A Dangerous New Era
The alternative to The Last Starship would be more Kirk comics set during The Original Series era, or exploring the gaps elsewhere in his existing biography. For fans who already feel like Kirk’s story has been sufficiently told, The Last Starship is actually the most exciting option, because it thrusts Kirk into a wild and unfamiliar new era.
Adding A New Chapter To Kirk's "Star Trek" Legacy Is As Perilous As Being A Red Shirt
Collin Kelly And Jackson Lanzing Know The Risks
For many fans who don't want new Captain Kirk stories, full stop, there's a simple motivation: they're protective of Kirk. They don't want his legacy to be "messed with." In other words, as exciting as adding to that legacy must be for Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, they must also know that it puts them under the diehard Trek fandom's microscope.
That isn’t a reason not to do it, but rather, a reason for Lanzing and Kelly to do so with great care and purpose. Again, they’ve proven this with characters ranging from Spock, to Benjamin Sisko, to Data and his evil brother Lore. Still, of everything in The Last Starship, Kirk’s characterization will be most closely scrutinized and analyzed.
"The Last Starship" Promises Nonstop Action And Drama As The Most Fraught Period In Franchise History Unfolds
The New Star Trek Series Starts Off With A Literal Bang
In its synopsis for Last Starship #1, IDW describes the post-Burn setting of the series as "a true Wild West in space," through which "a hack-and-slash Enterprise-Omega and its ragtag crew," along with Kirk, will have to fight for their survival. The series will bring an anarchic spirit to the Trek galaxy, and Trek storytelling, unlike anything fans have witnessed before.
"The Last Starship" Has More Mysteries Than Just The Question Of Kirk's Resurrection
Trek's 30th Century Is A Wide-Open Frontier
The biggest mystery in The Last Starship, of course, will be what caused the Burn. Star Trek: Discovery ultimately did answer this question, but that answer came centuries after the event. This means the characters of The Last Starship won't discover the explanation, but that doesn't mean they won't look. Further, there are countless questions about the state of the galaxy in 3069.
That is, why and how Captain Kirk has returned from the dead at this pivotal moment in time might not be the most exciting question The Last Starship has to answer. After all, it could be as simple as “Q did it.” Yet there is so much that fans are eager to learn about the future of the Trek galaxy.
Trek Fans Are Excited To Learn More About "The Burn" And "Discovery's" Backstory
Expanding The Trek Universe's Most Dangerous Time Period
Star Trek: Discovery introduced "the Burn," and explained its origin, but the action of Discovery largely took place in the Burn's distant aftermath, in the 32nd century. A comic set during the immediate aftermath of the catastrophe is a perfect way to expand on the lore of the franchise within the framework established by the TV series.
Really, this has always been the purpose of Trek comics, and The Last Starship embodies that. Even with the added element of Kirk's return, The Last Starship will offer a wealth of information about the Burn, and the 30th century, which will provide context and insight for Discovery and future Star Trek stories.
"The Last Starship" Once Again Gives Kirk The Chance To Define The Meaning Of "Final Frontier"
How Will Kirk Adapt To The 30th Century?
Captain Kirk is foundational to the Star Trek franchise, and so, despite the reservations of some, most fans welcome his return in a brand-new Trek story, set in a largely undefined epoch of the franchise's timeline. If The Last Starship is going to push the boundaries of Trek storytelling, and redefine Trek lore, it's fitting that Kirk will be at the heart of it.
"The Last Starship" Already Feels Ripe For A Future On-Screen Adaptation
The Future Of The Star Trek Franchise
The Last Starship answers the question of when Captain Kirk will return in the comics, but there is still the open question of when, not if, Kirk will be back in live-action. There has been speculation of a TV show set during The Original Series era following the completion of the Strange New Worlds prequel series, but it remains TBD.
The premise of The Last Starship alone is juicy enough to make a great TV series, a kind of Original Series-meets-Voyager take on Trek's future, or even a movie. Once the series gets underway, it can be expected to provide a further roadmap that could be followed by an adaptation in the future.
Trek Fans Are Concerned That Captain Kirk Will Dominate "The Last Starship," Relegating New Characters To Secondary Roles
Trek Is Defined By Well-Balanced Casts
Trek fans still have a lot to learn about The Last Starship's cast, and if there is one final noteworthy concern about Captain Kirk's role in the comic, it is that he might overshadow an exciting group of new characters. Kirk is a dominant presence, and he will naturally be the default lead for the series.
Huntsville woman to be on new season of 'Golden Bachelor'
A woman from right here in Huntsville has been cast as a contestant!
Keep reading to learn more about the Huntsvillian, Monica B., and how you can follow her upcoming reality TV journey. 👇
What is Golden Bachelor?
Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of ABC’s popular dating franchise, The Bachelor, where seniors are the contestants. The show features an eligible, senior ‘Golden Bachelor’ who is looking for a second chance at love.
This season, 66-year-old Mel Owens—a former NFL player—will go on dates with a group of 23 women in hopes of finding ‘the one.’ Each week, he will give out roses at ‘rose ceremonies’ to the women he feels he has the strongest connection with. The women left without a rose will be eliminated. Over the span of 8-10 weeks, the pool of contestants will get smaller, resulting in a proposal to one woman in the final episode.
Meet Monica B.
The Rocket City is getting local representation from a 62-year-old flight attendant! Her bio reads:
“Monica B. is ready for love to take flight. This beautiful flight attendant is resilient, hardworking and looking for her soulmate. After experiencing many ups and downs in life, Monica B. focused on raising her kids and pursuing her career. She is a proud grandma to four grandchildren and loves to spend her time at farmers markets, going out to breakfast and doing yoga in the park.
Now, after living out her passion of traveling for over 40 years, Monica B. is ready to hang up her flight attendant wings and pick up a lifelong partner with whom she can explore the world. Finding a person of faith who is kind is very important to her, as well as having a sense of humor. Let’s see if Monica B. and Mel’s connection takes off!
Fun Facts:
ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor”
– Monica B. loves feeding the ducks with her granddaughter.
– Monica B. likes her white wine dry and her red full-bodied.
– Monica B.’s happy place is Martha’s Vineyard.”
Oh, and guess what?
A second Alabamian was cast this season, whose name is also Monica! Monica P. is 60-years-old from Birmingham, AL.
