The beginning of the end: IDW’s Star Trek: Year Five’s 3-part finale to begin in May

The retail and retailer incentive covers for Part 1 of Star Trek: Year Five “Ithaca”, the series finale. Images IDW

MARCH 2, 2021 - It is the end of an era. Star Trek: Year Five, the ongoing comic series from IDW Publishing, is gearing up for the final adventure of the Enterprise crew, having reached the end of their five-year mission. A recent report from The Trek Collective brought us the news of the special three-part finale, with the first issue expected for release on May 5th.

“Ithaca” is the title of the final story in the Year Five series. While details on the plot are slim, The Trek Collective shared a brief teaser for Part 1, which reads, “For five years, the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew have journeyed to the edge of the known universe, tackling impossible challenges and menacing foes along the way. But the biggest challenge of all awaits them here at home...and no matter what happens, the lives of Captain Kirk and his crew will be changed forever.”

Breaking with tradition, IDW will be releasing two issues of Year Five in May, with issue #23 being released May 26th. Continuing the story, the blurb for Part 2 reads, “A Tholian horde bearing down on Earth, a time-traveling madman out for blood, a rot festering within the highest levels of the Federation that’s about to explode – and that’s just where we begin!”

Star Trek: Year Five: Ithaca is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with artwork from Stephen Thompson. There are two covers available for each of the first two issues, designed by Stephen Thompson and J.J. Lendl, respectively.

Since the Star Trek: Year Five finale is coming to readers as a three volume serial, with issues #22 and #23 being released in May, fans can expect to see Part 3, the series finale, on store shelves in June. For more information, seek out your local comic book retailer.