For years, everyone has told New York Times, Starlog and Star Trek Magazine writer Ian Spelling, “Ian, you should write a book about Star Trek.” Well, the opportunity presented itself – and together with Ben Robinson, he’s co-authored Star Trek: The Original Series – A Celebration. Yes, the official book celebrating the 55th anniversary of the original show that has transported so many across a glorious fictional universe.
A collection of interviews, history, photos, and artwork from Star Trek: The Original Series, the publisher describes the book as “a must-have” for all fans of Captain Kirk and his crew.
It’s release follows the success of Ben’s Star Trek Voyager: A Celebration, published last year, and will be published in the week of Star Trek‘s 55th anniversary in September. It delves deep into the origins of Gene Roddenberry’s series, which changed television forever and created a broadcast phenomenon, and continues to influence our culture today.
With a curated selection of archive interviews, personal recollections from cast and crew, and new interviews specially undertaken for the book, the chapters explore the writing, directing, production art and visual effects, plus classic episodes from the show’s three season run.
“It’s a 260-page coffee-table opus that took months of work,” Ian enthuses, “and includes more than 15 new interviews, loads of never-before-published photos and sketches, archival conversations, looks back at the props, casting, VFX, music, conventions, makeup, the legendary letter-writing campaign led by Bjo Trimble and John Trimble – and more.”
Having played a small part in its development, I can safely say the new book lives up to its pre-release hype, with plenty not only to remind longtime fans of classic moments from the show, but potentially, despite how much every aspect of the show has been poked and prodded, reveal something new, too. It should, I think, prove a great read both for longtime fans and those discovering it for the first time in reruns on Netflix and elsewhere.
Star Trek: The Original Series – A Celebration will be published by Hero Collector, via Penguin/Random House, from 7th September 2021 and is available now for pre-order from all good bookshops.
• Pre-order Star Trek: The Original Series – A Celebration from AmazonUK (Affiliates Link) | ISBN 978-1858759906
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Books, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Star Trek, Television
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