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50th Star Trek Animated Celebration Panel Announcements

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On Friday July 21st, the Official 50th Star Trek Animated Celebration panel was held at San Diego Comic-Con. Fans received a sneak peek into this year’s salute to the 50th anniversary of Star Trek’s first foray into animation, Start Trek: The Animated Series.

Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Character Design of Armin Shimerman as “Quark”
Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Character Design of Doug Jones as “Saru”

Star Trek: The Animated Series

To commemorate this golden anniversary, CBS Studios is creating five all-new animated promotional spots in the style of Start Trek: The Animated Series. These spots feature fan favorite characters voiced by cast members from across the Star Trek universe. These include icons such as Jonathan Frakes as “Will Riker”, Doug Jones as “Saru”, and Armin Shimerman as “Quark”.

Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Character Design of Jonathan Frakes as “Will Riker”
Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Character Design of Jonathan Frakes as “Will Riker”

Debuting later this year, these all-new animated spots come from Creative Consultant Casper Kelly, best known for the viral smash hit Too Many Cooks, and his work on Star Trek: Short Treks and Adult Swim. Kelly announced the program alongside fellow panelist John Van Citters, Vice President, Star Trek Brand Development.

Star Trek and IDW Publishing

Casper Kelly will also release a new comic book with IDW Publishing, “Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Presents The Scheimer Barrier”. The comic will debut digitally in September on StarTrek.com, with physical copies available at New York Comic Con in October. IDW revealed two first-look images from the comic during the panel.

Additional announcements from the area of Star Trek publishing were delivered by panelist Heather Antos (IDW Group Editor). The latest gaming news was revealed by Scopley’s Brian Lelas (Lead Narrative Designer, Star Trek Fleet Command) and Rebekah Plants (Community Manager, Star Trek Fleet Command).

Full list of announcements and reveals include:

  • Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 1, Episodes 11-20 on Digital today, coming to Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 26, 2023.
  • Star Trek: The Animated Celebration promotional spots debuting later this year in collaboration with Casper Kelly (Star Trek: Short Treks, Too Many Cooks).
  • Star Trek: The Animated Celebration character designs for Jonathan Frakes as “Will Riker”, Doug Jones as “Saru”, and Armin Shimerman as “Quark”. More to come on Star Trek Day.
  • Casper Kelly x IDW comic book: “Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Presents The Scheimer Barrier”, debuting digitally in September on StarTrek.com with physical copies at NYCC in October. Two first-look images from the comic revealed during the panel.
  • “Star Trek: Lower Decks” fan screenings domestically and internationally in celebration of Star Trek Day in September.

About Author

Jenna Wrenn

Host and executive producer of the Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast, Jenna Wrenn, is also an entertainment correspondent for Temple of Geek. Jenna has conducted interviews with talent such as Max Brooks, Christopher Paolini, Rachel Smythe, and Ashley Eckstein and has written several articles for Temple of Geek covering conventions, anime, pop culture, and much more.

A historian by trade, a writer by passion, and a cat mom by birthright. Jenna loves to travel, forge new connections, and cosplay. Jenna is excited to bring more fascinating interviews to viewers/listeners of the Portrait of a Fangirl podcast.

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