Just in time for Black History Month 2026, Star Trek is giving one of its greatest characters a special comic book spotlight based on an iconic episode from The Original Series.
Star Trek was a pioneer in civil rights during a turbulent time. Casting Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura was a risk for creator Gene Roddenberry, as there weren’t many black actors on TV at the time, let alone in a significant role. It paid off, though, as Uhura became a key part of Star Trek, and Nichols is revered for her part in the iconic show.
While Uhura has gotten a couple of spotlights over the years in books and comics, she is about to get a bigger showcase as IDW Publishing has announced (per IGN) that next February will bring Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny.
The Deviations line is IDW's version of Marvel Comics’ “What If” series, showcasing alternate takes on various properties. Given how Star Trek has used parallel timelines constantly, they’re a perfect fit. A 2017 Deviations mini-series imagined if the Romulans had made First Contact with Earth and turned humanity into slaves. It was up to an alternate version of The Next Generation crew to fight back in a world where Earth was reduced to a penal colony rather than being the home of Starfleet all because the Vulcans hadn't made contact first.
This new special is not only a great focus on Uhura but an alternate take on one of the most beloved Trek episodes ever!
What is Threads of Destiny about?
The one-shot takes inspiration from the iconic TOS episode “The City on the Edge of Forever.” The story has a mad Dr. McCoy using the Guardian of Forever to go back in time to the 1930s. There, Bones saves the life of social worker Edith Keller, which inadvertently changes history to cause the Federation to never exist. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock follow Bones through the portal, and Kirk falls in love with Edith, only to tragically have to sacrifice her to save the future.
In Threads of Destiny, it’s Lt. Uhura who’s sucked through time and instead of the 1930s, she lands in 1963. For a woman in a utopian future where all races are accepted equally, Uhura is naturally stunned to be in a time of open bigotry. She somehow becomes part of the Civil Rights Movement to be an inspiration. Here's a brief synopsis, courtesy of the IGN story:
"This special one-shot features Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. In the 23rd century, she explores far-flung star systems with her crew on the Enterprise as part of her mission to communicate and build bridges with life found across the Galaxy.
But in the 20th century, humankind was working to build understanding among themselves, with African Americans on Earth championing the Civil Rights Movement and using their voices and acts of protest to end racial segregation and discrimination.
Now, by way of the Guardian of Forever, Uhura is yanked back through time to 1963. There, she’ll join all those fighting for equality and justice and reconnect to why her work as a communications officer is perhaps the most important work of all."
The special is written by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Greg Maldonado and Anthony Fowler Jr. It’s a cool plotline as Uhura knows how racial relations will get better and that she can’t do too much to alter history. Yet Uhura won’t be able to resist aiding as much as she can and probably gain a new appreciation for the civil rights activists she encounters.
It’s fitting to have this special, as Nichols herself was heavily involved in civil rights over her lifetime and an inspiration to a generation of Black actresses. Giving Uhura a unique spotlight makes this a must-read Star Trek comic to honor both the character and actress well.
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Star Trek Deviations: Threads of Destiny goes on sale February 26, 2026.