As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds winds down and Starfleet Academy faces an uncertain future, fans have been left longing for the series that never was. But now, IDW Publishing is stepping in to give us the Star Trek: Legacy experience we were denied—and it's everything we hoped for.
The Legacy That Almost Was
For those who need a refresher, Star Trek: Legacy was the proposed spin-off from Picard showrunner Terry Matalas, intended to follow Captain Seven of Nine aboard the USS Enterprise-G. Despite overwhelming fan support and petitions, Paramount+ passed on the project, leaving a gaping hole in the franchise's future. But now, writer Christopher Cantwell is picking up that torch in comic form, and the first issue makes it clear this is the Legacy we were meant to see.
Fixing Picard's Biggest Mistake
One of the most criticized aspects of Picard's final season was how it handled Seven of Nine and Raffi's relationship. While other couples got sweeping romantic arcs, Seven and Raffi were relegated to subtext and brief acknowledgments. Cantwell wastes no time correcting that—within the first few pages, the two are sharing a passionate kiss, making it clear their love is front and center. It's a refreshing change that shows IDW isn't afraid to put queer characters at the heart of the story.
A New Mission for the Enterprise-G
Set five years after Picard's finale, the comic finds Seven and her crew escorting Romulan refugees to an uncharted region of space. What seems like a simple mission quickly turns into a psychological nightmare, as the so-called "Trinity" of Class-M worlds reveals hidden dangers. Cantwell uses this setup to explore the Federation's own colonial tendencies, adding depth to a story that could have been pure nostalgia bait.
The comic also brings back beloved second-generation characters like Jack Crusher and Sidney "Crash" La Forge, giving them the spotlight they deserve. With new additions like Alexander Rozhenko and a descendant of Hoshi Sato, the crew feels both steeped in history and ready for new adventures.
A Promising Start
The first issue drops hints about future storylines, including a mysterious situation involving Picard and Jack's new role as ship's counselor. There's also the intriguing thread of Seven and Jack's lingering Borg telepathic link, which promises to be a fascinating plot point.
While we may never get the live-action Legacy series, this comic is a worthy consolation prize. It captures the spirit of what Matalas envisioned and delivers the Star Trek story fans have been craving. Pre-orders are due at comic shops on August 17, with the issue officially arriving in September. Don't miss out on what's shaping up to be one of the best Star Trek stories in years.
