After 30 years in publication, Titan Magazines has released the preview for the final issue of Star Trek: Explorer. This news came to online-based comic preview outlets such as Previews World. However, Titan hasn’t made any mention on their official site. This has left many fans wondering what will happen with their current and even new subscriptions. Has the modern era of Star Trek magazines finally beamed out?
“I just got an issue a few days ago before I called their renewal phone number to continue my subscription. They asked if I wanted 2 more years! Usually when a magazine folds they offer you a refund or fulfill it with another magazine title,” explained Michael from Washington.
Many readers have expressed concern to Trek Central. We have contacted Titan Magazine for a statement and are still awaiting a response.
Explorer‘s Short Trek
Titan Magazines began their Star Trek magazine in 1995, beginning in the United Kingdom. In August 2006, a US version was published that mirrored the UK’s magazine content. After 207 issues, it was replaced by the Star Trek: Explorer, which debuted in 2021. For 30 years, Titan published issues filled with interviews and reviews of past and current Star Trek series and movies.
Trek Central reached out to New York Times Best-selling Author David Mack, who has written several short stories for Star Trek: Explorer.
“I wrote a total of six short stories for the Star Trek Explorer magazine. All were officially licensed Star Trek tales. Though I didn’t consciously set out to do so, I ended up writing six stories that tended mostly to be about sadness, grief, loss, and separation. Only one, in an upcoming issue, was a straight-up action tale. One of those stories “Lost and Founder,” in issue #8 has won a Scribe Award for Best Short Story, from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. Two of the stories ended up both touching upon the death of Wesley Crusher’s father, Lieutenant Commander Jack R. Crusher,” Mack explained.
Star Trek’s Long Magazine History
There were always two places where a person could play a fun game of Star Trek, “Find-it!” in real life. The first is antique stores – you never know when you will find that rare collectable. The second is magazine aisles. Usually, the big, bold white letters would be found near other pop-culture magazines. Almost every time, it would neighbour a Star Wars publication. Visually skimming through the titles and looking for “Star Trek” would end one of two ways – disappointment or pure excitement!
Star Trek has had a long run in the magazine world. Several publications would appear sporadically during the airing of Star Trek: The Original Series. The first regularly printed magazine was Starlog – a monthly periodical dedicated to science fiction. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) appeared in their first publication on August 1, 1976. The editor’s purpose was to create a magazine solely for the Star Trek universe. When its popularity grew, StarLog began covering other sci-fi shows and stories.
In December 1987, StarLog continued to trek through the stars with the official Star Trek: The Next Generation magazine. After 30 issues, subsequent magazine runs of Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine lasted through 1998. StarLog went out of business in April 2009 when its publisher Creative Media filed for bankruptcy.
Overlapping Publications
Concurrently, Star Trek: The Magazine was published by Fabbri Publishing from 1999 to 2003. These magazines could be over 100 pages long and were rich with content, offering pull-out posters and previews of upcoming merchandise. Subscription sales caused the magazine to be cancelled after 48 issues.
The Official Star Trek Club also published a lengthy magazine from 1979 through 1994. This turned into Star Trek: Communicator, which was seen on shelves from 1995 through 2005. The company Decipher/FANtastic Media continued the publication, which earned most of its revenue through card game sales. When those sales declined, so did the publications. Due to delays in publication, the company also faced threats of lawsuits.
The End of an Era
Titan Magazines/Comics is a branch of Titan Entertainment Group, which is divided into three other divisions: Titan Books, Forbidden Planet, and Titan Merchandise. Without any sign of financial distress, readers are wondering why Star Trek: Explorer is leaving shelves.
“I honestly don’t know why the powers that be at Titan decided to cease publishing Star Trek: Explorer. I know that the market for all kinds of print publications is difficult, and has been for a long time. In an age of digital media, it can be challenging to produce a magazine that feels timely when it takes months to write, edit, print, and distribute an issue,” said Mack.
Other contributing authors have taken to X the past few days to express their disappointment at the magazine’s departure.
Trek Central has reached out to Titan Magazines for a statement. They have yet to respond.
A Reflection from the Author
I am disappointed that Star Trek does not have its place in the sea of magazines on store shelves. However, taking a moment to reflect, I feel just as guilty for perhaps being a part of the problem. When I was a child, I would always beg my parents to buy me the newest publication—whichever one may be on shelves. I had collected nearly all of Star Trek: The Magazine and Star Trek: Communicator.
Perhaps it’s the effect of the digital age. It’s not just about financial concerns or prioritizing. That destructive thought stems from an oversaturation of information that we are fed. Instantly, we can view celebrity interviews or look up starship schematics with a few taps on our devices.
This makes it especially challenging for any print publication to remain relevant. How does a publication find an angle to deliver unique content? Novels have the advantage, as the stories contained within them are unique. For me, print publications are important because they take my eyes away from the screen. Reading is important and enriching. Magazines also provide an outlet for young and experienced writers alike.
I have truly enjoyed every Star Trek magazine I’ve owned throughout my life, and I hope we don’t have to wait long for another publication. LLAP!
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