It's time for another edition of Star Trek Explorer Magazine, and issue #12 will be on sale September 24th. For all of you who subscribe, you should have it in your mailboxes or email inboxes by now. Each quarter the magazine brings you a compelling variety of interviews with the actors, the behind-the-scenes team like the artists and creators, exclusive fiction, and so much more.
On top of that, the creative talents of the writing team are put to the test to bring fans the best news, reports, updates, and opinion pieces, and they never disappoint. In this issue, for example, Jay Strobie, a prolific writer for Startrek.com and Star Trek Explorer, delves into the Top Ten Star Trek Moments. You might be surprised at some of the ones chosen to be highlighted.
Titan Comics, the publisher of Star Trek Explorer, was, as always kind enough to provide us with an exclusive excerpt for our readers. This is just a taste of what you can find inside the pages of this quarter's magazine.
Top 10 Star Trek Moments
Words: Jay Stobie
10. Star Trek Premieres
The very first (and unofficial) Star Trek Day took place on September 8th, 1966, when “The
Man Trap” marked the show’s US television debut. While the unaired pilot, “The Cage,” and
four additional episodes were produced before this installment, “The Man Trap” aired prior
to the others and introduced us to Captain James T. Kirk, Science Officer Spock, and the
U.S.S. Enterprise crew as they sought to solve a series of mysterious deaths involving a
creature that sucked the salt out of its victim’s bodies. Fifty-eight years later, and the
franchise is still going strong!
9. The Space Shuttle Enterprise
Star Trek’s place in popular culture was solidified on September 17th, 1976, when NASA
unveiled its first space shuttle orbiter, Enterprise. Originally intended to be called
Constitution, the shuttle inspired countless fans to petition for the craft to be renamed in
honor of Captain Kirk’s legendary command. The campaign proved successful, and Trek
creator Gene Roddenberry, as well as stars Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei,
Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, and Walter Koenig, attended the real-life Enterprise’s
official rollout ceremony.
8. Star Trek’s Big Screen Debut
Despite an inability to launch Star Trek: Phase II, which had been planned as the first live-
action spin-off series, the success of Star Was encouraged executives to revive the Star Trek
franchise as a feature film. Star Trek: The Motion Picture brought back the original cast, and
the fan-favorite characters boarded a refitted U.S.S. Enterprise, setting course to save Earth
from an enigmatic entity. The 1979 movie paved the way for five sequels with Kirk’s crew,
and it also set the stage for more spin-offs and films which followed “the next generation”
of Starfleet’s finest.
7. The Death of an Icon
Fans looked on in disbelief as Spock sacrificed himself to save the U.S.S. Enterprise crew in
1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The tragic scene struck a chord amidst Star Trek
circles and beyond, as Spock’s death would continue to be referenced for decades to come,
in everything from casual conversations to a mention on the hit series, Seinfeld. Even
though we now know the Vulcan eventually returned in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,
the loss of a beloved main character still resonates on a profound level.
This teaser is enough to make you want to see what the remaining six are on Strobie's list, especially with the inclusion of the iconic scene between Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock from Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. The heartbreaking moment should have been included on the list, and I'm glad it made it, but what others were included? Perhaps one of your favorites?
Star Trek Explorer #12 hits the newstands on September 24 and besides interviews with Star Trek: Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan and actress Gabrielle Ruiz, Jeff Spry got to know Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ cinematographer Benji Bakshi a little better while Bakshi shares some knowledge on some of season two's episodes and what went into some of the greatest shots of the series' season. Be sure to pick up your copy next Tuesday!