Star Trek has always been about exploration and boldly going where no one has gone before, and that spirit of adventure extends beyond the screen. Over the years, the franchise has ventured into the world of comic books, leading to some of the most imaginative and unexpected crossovers in pop culture history. Whether teaming up with superheroes or clashing with iconic sci-fi villains, Star Trek has proven it can seamlessly blend with a variety of universes while staying true to its core themes of hope, diplomacy, and discovery.
Join me now as I count down the ten best Star Trek comic book crossovers — a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the sheer fun of seeing worlds collide.
10. Star Trek: The Next Generation/Aliens
I want to start this list off with a crossover many fans were hoping for, but would sadly never see the light of day. Described as a "fun, scary, thrill-a-minute ride," this joint collaboration between Dark Horse and IDW was to be penned by Scott and David Tipton with J.K. Woodward providing pencils. Slated for release in April 2017, it would have seen Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D facing their greatest challenge in the form of the horrific Xenomorphs from the Alien movies. Talk about boldly going where neither franchise had gone before — and what I wouldn't give to read it!
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation²
Running for eight issues between May and December 2012, this limited series from IDW hailed from Scott and David Tipton with Tony Lee and illustrations by J.K. Woodward — yes, the same creative team that would have given us Star Trek: TNG/Aliens. An exciting crossover that brought together two iconic sci-fi universes, it sees the Borg and Cybermen joining forces — a chillingly fitting alliance given their shared goal of assimilating humanity into their collective ranks. Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D must team up with the Eleventh Doctor and his companions to stop this dire threat. Featuring clever writing, vibrant artwork, and strong respect for both franchises, this series offers it all.
8. Infestation
An ambitious event helmed by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Infestation ran for 14 issues between January and September of 2011. The storyline brought a zombie plague into the worlds of IDW's top franchises, including Star Trek, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Ghostbusters. The Trek tie-in, written again by Scott and David Tipton with art by Gary Erskine, saw the crew of the Enterprise facing a terrifying outbreak that threatened to overrun their ship and the galaxy, forcing Kirk, Spock, and the others to combine bravery and logic to halt the undead menace. Imaginative and buoyed by strong visuals, Infestation is a thrilling crossover celebration of sci-fi's darker side.
7. Star Trek/X-Men
Published by Marvel as part of their short-lived Paramount Comics imprint, this 1996 one-shot from Scott Lobdell and Marc Silvestri delivered an unforgettable crossover between two timeless franchises. The story sees the X-Men transported into the Star Trek universe, where they team up with Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise to stop an inter-dimensional threat from Gary Mitchell and the Shi'ar Empire's Deathbird. Combining Starfleet ingenuity with mutant powers, the heroes must work together to prevent galactic destruction. Packed with action, humor, and fan-favorite characters, this one-shot is a must-read for fans of superheroes and sci-fi alike.
6. Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men: Second Contact
Written by Dan Abnett and Ian Edginton with art by Cary Nord and Scott Koblish, this 1998 one-shot is set immediately after the events of First Contact and united the crew of the Enterprise-D with Marvel's X-Men for another unforgettable team-up. While returning home to the 24th Century, Starfleet's finest are diverted to a parallel reality where the two teams must join forces to stop Kang the Conqueror and a resurrected Proteus, whose meddling threatens the very fabric of reality. Brimming with chaotic battles, treacherous alliances, and better chemistry than its predecessor, this is an engaging, fast-paced tale that ticks all the boxes.
5. Star Trek/Legion Of Super-Heroes
A six-issue miniseries written by Chris Roberson, with art by Jeffrey and Philip Moy, this IDW adventure saw the crew of the USS Enterprise teaming up with DC's Legion Of Super-Heroes in a dystopian alternate universe where the timeline has been corrupted by a tyrannical Empire. Despite insurmountable odds, Kirk, Spock and the crew work alongside the likes of Brainiac 5, Lightning Lad, and Saturn Girl to restore the timeline back to its original state. Featuring a clever plot and gorgeous artwork, this series is a truly thrilling read no matter what part of the galaxy you call home.
4. Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War
Written by Mike Johnson with art by Angel Hernandez, this action-packed 2015 crossover united the crew of the Kelvin Enterprise with DC's famed Green Lantern Corps. The story begins when the remains of a deceased Guardian and a selection of power rings are discovered on a rogue planet. After being accidentally activated, the rings find new owners among the Enterprise crew. The newly-powered crew then align themselves with iconic Lanterns like Hal Jordan, Star Sapphire, and Saint Walker to stop the villainous Nekron from spreading death across the galaxy. Inventive and gripping with some fun twists, this is one crossover that's truly unforgettable.
3. Star Trek vs. Transformers
Uniting two of IDW's flagship franchises in a gripping yarn based off of their respective animated adventures, this 2018 series served up a heaping helping of cartoony nostalgia as the crew of the Enterprise answer a distress call from Cygnus Seven. Upon arriving, they witness the Autobots fending off an attack from the Decepticons and unite with Optimus Prime and his Robots In Disguise. Feeling as though it could've played out on the small screen just as well as the printed page, this John Barber/Mike Johnson/Philip Murphy/Josh Burcham book feels just like a Saturday morning cartoon — and that's never a bad thing!
2. Star Trek/Green Lantern: Stranger Worlds
This 2016 IDW miniseries once again brought back the dynamic duo of Mike Johnson and Angel Hernandez and acted as a direct sequel to Spectrum War. Again set within the Kelvin timeline, this six-issue story follows the crew of the Enterprise as they work alongside the Green Lantern Corps to protect the galaxy. New challenges unexpectedly arise when Sinestro, Atrocitus, and other villains emerge, threatening universal peace. Packed with action, loads of character-driven moments and some seriously gorgeous artwork, Stranger Worlds delivers an exciting fusion of sci-fi and superhero storytelling that's a welcome addition to any library.
1. Star Trek/Planet Of The Apes — The Primate Directive
Both birthed in the 1960s, it seems only appropriate that Star Trek would cross paths with Planet Of The Apes at some point in time. Written by Scott and David Tipton with art by Rachael Stott, this bananas collaboration from IDW and Boom! sees Klingons discovering the Planet Of The Apes universe. Captain Kirk and his crew eventually enter this parallel reality, teaming up with characters like George Taylor, Cornelius, and Zira to protect their world from these hostile invaders. The story explores themes of power, mortality and survival, while also delivering thrilling action and heartfelt moments. An inventive celebration of classic sci-fi storytelling, this series stands as the quintessential comic crossover of the Star Trek universe!
