A four-issue prequel mini-series leading into the May 2013 film, Star Trek Into Darkness. Each issue of the prequel will have a photo cover and CGC-graded retailer incentive variant. TrekMovie.com editor Anthony Pascale served as creative consultant for this mini-series.
#1 Jan 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Months after the loss of Vulcan and his mother, Spock is still having difficulty. His grief keeps him awake and pushes Uhura away. Kirk is awake too, talking to the computer because he lacks companionship. Both arrive on the bridge ahead of schedule for a routine mission, scanning a pre-industrial society on Phaedus. A high frequency energy field from the planet's surface disrupts communications and the transporter. Kirk, Spock, Sulu and Hendorff take a shuttle to investigate and are attacked with energy weapons. Sulu is seriously injured when the shuttle goes down. Armed with weapons they shouldn't have and an older model Starfleet tricorder, the natives of Phaedus demand identification. Kirk, in turn, demands to know where they got their weapons. Robert April, a former captain of the Enterprise answers.
Variant covers include a photo cover, a CGC-graded retailer incentive cover, and two retailer exclusive covers.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#1 Jan 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Solicitation: The countdown to the motion picture event of 2013 begins here, in this blockbuster 4-issue prequel mini-series that sets the stage for the upcoming STAR TREK film! Like the best-selling STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN in 2009, this all-new series leads directly into the next movie, with a story by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson (STAR TREK ongoing series), and drawn by the original STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN artist, David Messina! STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN TO DARKNESS is the can't-miss lead-in to the new adventures of the Enterprise crew!
Photo cover.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
#1 Jan 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Variant cover graded by the CGC, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#1 Jan 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness Enterprise Edition
Retailer Exclusive Enterprise Edition, limited to 1701 copies. Available from www.enterpriseedition.co.uk. Comes with a certificate.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: Stephen Molnar, John Roach
#1 Jan 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Retailer Exclusive cover from Hastings Entertainment.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: Erfan Fajar, Stellar Labs
#1 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Second printing.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#1 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Third printing.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#1 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
DVD Edition, photo cover. 4.5 inches wide by 7 inches high. Packaged with the DVD of Star Trek Into Darkness sold exclusively at Coles Supermarkets in Australia. In the US, Amazon offered a promotional credit (valued at $2.99) for a free digital copy of Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness #1 to customers who pre-ordered certain DVD or Blu-ray editions. The promotional credit was sent when the movie shipped, and expired September 30, 2013. This mini-comic is way cooler than a promotional credit!
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
#2 Feb 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Surrounded by natives of Phaedus IV led by Captain Robert April, Kirk confronts the former commander of a previous Enterprise, reported dead twenty years ago. April explains that they're in the middle of a terrible civil war and Kirk's shuttle was shot down by the opposition. Still under attack, Kirk and Spock are forced to leave their crewmates behind in the shuttle and follow April to safety in a hidden cavern. Safe for the moment, April explains why he's on the planet. Kirk learns that his shuttle crew has been captured by April's adversaries, the Shadows. He also learns what April expects of him. Meanwhile, Uhura has the conn, and is notified of an unidentified incoming vessel. The ship's pilot is a businesswoman making a delivery to Phaedus. She claims to be working for April. Her name is Mudd.
Variants will include a photo cover and a unique CGC-graded cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#2 Feb 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Solicitation: Don't miss the next chapter in this exclusive comics prequel to next summer's blockbuster STAR TREK movie! New characters and new conflicts threaten Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise in this all-new story overseen by STAR TREK movie writer/producer Roberto Orci!
Photo cover.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
#2 Feb 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
CGC-graded retailer incentive cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#3 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Held captive, Sulu and Hendorff do their best to escape, while Kirk argues with April about joining Spock's rescue attempt. They are interrupted by the arrival of Uhura and Mudd in a shuttle. Kirk ignores April's advice. Spock finds Sulu and Hendorff but they get pinned down by enemy fire. Kirk and Uhura arrive in the shuttle just in time. Reconvening aboard the Enterprise with April and Mudd in tow, Kirk tries to make sense of the situation. Spock determines that the Klingons have been supplying April's opposition and Kirk is appalled to learn that April might ignite an interstellar war. April is unrepentant. Using one of his old security codes, he takes command of the Enterprise, with Mudd hoping for an even bigger payday.
Variants will include a photo cover and a unique CGC-graded cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#3 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Solicitation: The lead up to this Spring's STAR TREK film sequel continues here, in this official prequel mini-series overseen by writer/producer Roberto Orci. Captain Kirk and his crew will face an all-new adversary that threatens the future of the entire Federation. Don't miss this exclusive all-new story that sets the stage for the upcoming blockbuster movie!
Photo cover.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#3 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
CGC-graded retailer incentive cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#4 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
In control of the Enterprise, April negotiates with the Klingons, offering the Federation starship in exchange for making him Governor of Phadeus IV. He sees this as the only way to save the Phaedans he's protecting. Meanwhile, Kirk and Spock make for the bridge via the Jeffries tubes, while Scotty is tasked with taking back control of the main computer. April is a step ahead, nearly trapping them in the tubes, until Scotty turns off the Enterprise just as a large Klingon ship arrives, commanded by Kor. While the ships's systems are down, the crew takes back the bridge and Kor prepares a boarding party. Against his better judgement, Kirk takes the Enterprise and runs, avoiding war but leaving Phaedus to the Klingons. Spock and Uhura reconcile. April and Mudd are prisoners. Admiral Marcus orders Mudd into the custody of Starfleet Intelligence. Pike informs Kirk that April's program code and actions have been classified. Kirk is furious, but follows his orders. In London, at a Starfleet Data Archive security console, access is granted to John Harrison.
2 regular covers will be shipped in a 4-to-1 ratio (4 David Messina, 1 Photo). Variants will include a photo cover and a unique CGC-graded cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#4 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Solicitation: This is it! Don't miss the shocking conclusion of this official prequel to next spring's STAR TREK film sequel! Overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci, this climactic issue leads directly into the upcoming blockbuster as Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew fight for fate of the Galaxy!
Photo cover.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
#4 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Retailer incentive CGC-graded cover, limited to 100 copies.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina, Claudia Scarletgothica
#4 Mar 2013
Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness
Retailer exclusive, Ottawa Comiccon.
Writer: Mike Johnson, Roberto Orci
Artist: David Messina, Marina Castelvetro, Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover artist: David Messina
