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Star Trek: Stardate Collection #1
Star Trek: The Stardate Collection Vol. 1
The comic book tales of Star Trek have roamed the universe and spanned publishers, but now Star Trek: The Stardate Collection collects the many iterations of Trek in order... by stardate! Helmed by Trek experts Scott and David Tipton, and featuring special commentary and creator interviews, volume 1 starts at the beginning to reveal the motives, machinations and decisions that shaped the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. For new and old fans alike, there's never been a Star Trek collection like this! Includes Star Trek: Crew issues #1-5, Star Trek Alien Spotlight: Vulcans, and Star Trek: Early Voyages #1-6
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
50 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,955 books359 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 25, 2020
I ran across this ponderous tome at my local comic store. I was debating on buying it as I am not the biggest Star Trek fan, though I do enjoy it. But, on a lark, I bought it anyway. Well, I am certainly glad I did. I enjoyed the hell out of it and this particular format.
IDW decided to collect all the Star Trek comics and then make a volume with the stories in chronological (by Stardate) order. Thus in this first volume, we learn about the motives, machinations, and decisions that shaped the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It starts wth the maiden voyage of the Enterprise and then has Pike becoming Captain. It collects Star Trek: Crew issues #1–5, Star Trek Alien Spotlight: Vulcans, and Star Trek: Early Voyages #1–6
Complied by two hard core Trekkers, each issue ends with cool little footnotes that expand on the Trek universe. The authors are pretty good- ranging from John Byrne to Dan Abbnet and the artwork is pretty good as well.
If you consider yourself a fan of Star Trek, especially the Original series-then this is a must have for you. I will certainly be adding Vol 2 to my collection.
IDW decided to collect all the Star Trek comics and then make a volume with the stories in chronological (by Stardate) order. Thus in this first volume, we learn about the motives, machinations, and decisions that shaped the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It starts wth the maiden voyage of the Enterprise and then has Pike becoming Captain. It collects Star Trek: Crew issues #1–5, Star Trek Alien Spotlight: Vulcans, and Star Trek: Early Voyages #1–6
Complied by two hard core Trekkers, each issue ends with cool little footnotes that expand on the Trek universe. The authors are pretty good- ranging from John Byrne to Dan Abbnet and the artwork is pretty good as well.
If you consider yourself a fan of Star Trek, especially the Original series-then this is a must have for you. I will certainly be adding Vol 2 to my collection.
December 24, 2015
This anthology contained some great issues that shed some light on that enigmatic time period before the youngest Captain in Federation history, Jim Kirk, took command of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701. In fact, issues collected in this anthology even predate Captains Pike and April's tenures on the fabled ship, going as far back as the ship's initial shakedown run commanded by Admiral Rasmussen.
This initial shakedown run is collected in John Byrne's excellent mini-series "Crew." Crew is concerned with the pre-Pike and Pike epochs of the Enterprise's history, but rather than focusing on Captain Pike, Crew focuses on unnamed heroine "Number One," portrayed by Majel Barret in "The Cage," Star Trek's pilot, and the two-part follow up to The Cage, "The Menagerie," essentially a clip show of the pilot. Byrne does a great job of both writing an interesting historical Star Trek narrative and fleshing out lost characters and ideas with his typical flair.
The remaining issues were fine, one of them previously released in an "Alien Spotlight" collection that gives readers an alternate version of Spock's first dealings with his all-too-human fellow officers. This was a pretty standard tale that borrowed a bit from an episode of Star Trek but the art style threw me off, reminding me of Dr. Katz more than Star Trek. The other remaining issues were from Marvel's "Early Voyages" line. Like I said, these were fine, the highlight for me being an issue that retold the story of The Cage from the perspective of Captain Pike's beleaguered yeoman, JM Colt.
All in all, a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Star Trek history, especially those looking for some more adventures with the original cast of the original series.
This initial shakedown run is collected in John Byrne's excellent mini-series "Crew." Crew is concerned with the pre-Pike and Pike epochs of the Enterprise's history, but rather than focusing on Captain Pike, Crew focuses on unnamed heroine "Number One," portrayed by Majel Barret in "The Cage," Star Trek's pilot, and the two-part follow up to The Cage, "The Menagerie," essentially a clip show of the pilot. Byrne does a great job of both writing an interesting historical Star Trek narrative and fleshing out lost characters and ideas with his typical flair.
The remaining issues were fine, one of them previously released in an "Alien Spotlight" collection that gives readers an alternate version of Spock's first dealings with his all-too-human fellow officers. This was a pretty standard tale that borrowed a bit from an episode of Star Trek but the art style threw me off, reminding me of Dr. Katz more than Star Trek. The other remaining issues were from Marvel's "Early Voyages" line. Like I said, these were fine, the highlight for me being an issue that retold the story of The Cage from the perspective of Captain Pike's beleaguered yeoman, JM Colt.
All in all, a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Star Trek history, especially those looking for some more adventures with the original cast of the original series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2014
"Star Trek: The Stardate Collection, Volume 1" is an attempt by IDW publishing to give we the fan a look at the Star Trek comic books in the chronological order by stardate which isn't necessarily the order in which the comic books were published. This volume covers 11 comic books across 3 story arcs. The initial 5 are called "Crew" & focus on various stories under Captain April & show how the beginnings of how Pike's Enterprise came into being. The 6th book introduced is under "Alien Spotlight: Vulcans" which is a story primarily involving Spock who is still being ostracized amongst the crew of the Enterprise & also reflects the changes he'd undergo to become the one we knew on screen under Kirk. The final 6 go under the title of "Early Voyages". This set shows 6 stories involving Pike's Enterprise including a retelling of "The Cage" from the perspective of Yeoman Colt.
What makes this collection unique is that we the reader get a chance to see just how the comics portrayed the characters we know & love & also gives us a glimpse into the past of 2 crews that we really never saw on screen or in the novels over the years. There are also pieces of the characters backgrounds that are filled in including a reason why Number One chose to be known just as such. At $49.99 this is not a cheap book to buy by any stretch of the imagination (I managed to find it for less than that via a book club), but as a Trekkie & fan of the fiction this collection of comics is a nice addition to the library.
What makes this collection unique is that we the reader get a chance to see just how the comics portrayed the characters we know & love & also gives us a glimpse into the past of 2 crews that we really never saw on screen or in the novels over the years. There are also pieces of the characters backgrounds that are filled in including a reason why Number One chose to be known just as such. At $49.99 this is not a cheap book to buy by any stretch of the imagination (I managed to find it for less than that via a book club), but as a Trekkie & fan of the fiction this collection of comics is a nice addition to the library.
August 10, 2016
A great idea to collect all the old comics and present them in stardate order. I especially liked the issues with Captain Pike and his crew.
Overall: High quality printing, enjoyable stories, good art, and – it’s Star Trek!
September 5, 2019
The early ‘Gold Key’ and ‘Early Voyages’ Star Trek comics in Stardate order. Starting with the Enterprises first Shakedown cruise through the eyes of some new recruits. The main character through the stories is a female recruit who becomes Pike’s Number One.
I loved reading this. The stories are interesting and humorous and the artwork is very well done. I like the way the transporter sparkles are drawn. And it seem to be more realistic than the TV show in that people and groups die more frequently.
Footnote: 1) Why do the expressions on the woman all have to look so sad or pitiful like they're about to cry?
Fave scenes: the doctor’s souvenirs, the Magefferan’s fascination with Spock and the team crawling out of the Ngultor.
I loved reading this. The stories are interesting and humorous and the artwork is very well done. I like the way the transporter sparkles are drawn. And it seem to be more realistic than the TV show in that people and groups die more frequently.
Footnote: 1) Why do the expressions on the woman all have to look so sad or pitiful like they're about to cry?
Fave scenes: the doctor’s souvenirs, the Magefferan’s fascination with Spock and the team crawling out of the Ngultor.
September 6, 2020
This was fun to read. This collection puts together comics in chronological order, so we get to see the original commissioning of the Enterprise 1701, we are introduced to "Number One" as a cadet, and later on we get to see Captain Pike and some of the "original" crew, pre-Kirk. Some stories are stories we know but narrated from the perspectives of other crew members. I wish more of the older comics (regardless of the original publisher) were collected like this :-)
Read
November 23, 2023A fine narrative take on Star Trek's early voyages.
A fine narrative take on Star Trek's early adventures. A decent run of Pike's Enterprise stories. A far better iteration than the substandard Strange New World series episodes which is a relative travesty bordering on abomination. Race-changing Captain Robert April in Strange New Worlds for a start. This volume is far better.
A fine narrative take on Star Trek's early adventures. A decent run of Pike's Enterprise stories. A far better iteration than the substandard Strange New World series episodes which is a relative travesty bordering on abomination. Race-changing Captain Robert April in Strange New Worlds for a start. This volume is far better.
Read
January 8, 2023Really enjoyable
If you a star trek fan you'll love this. It has some plots that are little nonsense and some bad art work. Fortunately most issues are terrific and fun to read. I loved it.
If you a star trek fan you'll love this. It has some plots that are little nonsense and some bad art work. Fortunately most issues are terrific and fun to read. I loved it.
December 17, 2023
I liked the look back at the early voyages of the Enterprise under Pike. This was decades before Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and I found the differences to be interesting. Different authors going in different directions. The inclusion of strong female characters was welcome.
July 16, 2023
fascinating
A great look at star trek pre Kirk . Well worth a read. Live long and prosper my fellow trekkies
A great look at star trek pre Kirk . Well worth a read. Live long and prosper my fellow trekkies
August 4, 2025
awesome
Great origin of Spock, solid story lines OG bro 😂 loved it kept me focused that’s what I am talking about
Great origin of Spock, solid story lines OG bro 😂 loved it kept me focused that’s what I am talking about
April 18, 2022
Awesome!
We finally, FINALLY see what happened on Rigel IIV! I noticed the sly utterance of the word "Remember" by the female Vulcan in the final story of this graphic novel collection. A nod to "The Wrath of Khan". Five *****'s!!!!!!!
We finally, FINALLY see what happened on Rigel IIV! I noticed the sly utterance of the word "Remember" by the female Vulcan in the final story of this graphic novel collection. A nod to "The Wrath of Khan". Five *****'s!!!!!!!
September 25, 2021
Very much a book of two halves. The front half, with John Byrne writing the story of the pre-Kirk Number One character from The Cage, is brilliant. It really feels like a sneak peek at a world of Trek we only caught glimpses of, expanding the character, letting us see her growth and her two arrivals on the Enterprise. It read like a series I'd want to see.
The second half, with a change of writers, manages to ignore some of the plot development in the first half completely, while bolting on stories to Star Trek characters that really could have fitted on to anyone rather than being particular to those characters. It reads ok, but it's a time passer rather than the really good first half.
Extra nice thing? Each issue has a mention of where references in a particular issue link up to the original series, such as the first use of the phaser rifle or the different styles of uniform.
The second half, with a change of writers, manages to ignore some of the plot development in the first half completely, while bolting on stories to Star Trek characters that really could have fitted on to anyone rather than being particular to those characters. It reads ok, but it's a time passer rather than the really good first half.
Extra nice thing? Each issue has a mention of where references in a particular issue link up to the original series, such as the first use of the phaser rifle or the different styles of uniform.
February 27, 2016
For any Trekkie, what's not to like? We get to meet former crew, see some of the development of plot lines, backgrounds, fashion, and other aspects of our favorite space explorers. Some diversity in quality of art and writing, but that is to be expected. Nevertheless I pretty much enjoyed all the stories. May they never end. Live long and read all the Star Trek you can get your hands on.
January 31, 2016
Read the original Early Voyages comics around 2000
February 24, 2022
Even better the second time around.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews