AFRO SAMURAI’S Takashi Okazaki Brings Manga Flair to STAR TREK: DEFIANT Comics

As a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast who grew up watching the original series and Deep Space Nine, I can hardly contain my excitement for the latest offering from IDW Publishing – Star Trek: Defiant! Being a child of the ’90s, I fondly remember the U.S.S. Defiant as a symbol of courage and determination, so to see it come to life in this ongoing comic book series is nothing short of thrilling.


The Star Trek series lives on vibrantly at IDW Publishing, notably with the comic book series titled Star Trek: Defiant. Sci-fi enthusiasts may recognize the U.S.S. Defiant from the ’90s TV show Deep Space Nine as their distinctive starship. In this ongoing comic book storyline, Worf seizes the Defiant to prevent the Alpha Quadrant’s destruction by the mad Klingon Emperor Kahless. Alongside him are well-known characters such as Spock, B’Elanna Torres, Lore, and Ro Laren. Recently, Afro Samurai artist Takashi Okazaki has made his Star Trek debut by creating a series of variant covers for issues #22-25 of Star Trek: Defiant. This storyline is loosely based on the manga Lone Wolf and Cub, called “No Old Warriors.” To view these exciting covers, simply click here.


Upon joining the Star Trek series, Takashi Okazaki expressed his delight, stating, “It’s an immense honor to create the cover art for this show! Ever since DS9 first aired in Japan, it has been my favorite, and I have always admired the Klingons. Drawing them in samurai-inspired armor was simply enjoyable. I hope the fans appreciate the design.” Given the historical connection between Klingons and samurais within Star Trek lore, this collaboration feels like a perfect union in the realm of Sto-vo-kor (the Klingon afterlife).

Here’s what Star Trek editor Heather Antos said about the upcoming Defiant arc:

“Christopher Cantwell’s pitch for this arc was Lone Wolf and Cub meets Klingon honor ritual. Immediately the thought of doing samurai-Klingon covers danced in my mind. Never in a million years did we think we’d get the creator of the legendary Afro Samurai to do a cover for us, let alone FOUR. Let alone the fact that Takashi Okazaki also just happens to be the BIGGEST Star Trek and Klingon fan. Are you kidding?”

For issues #22, #23, #24, and #25 of “Star Trek: Defiant“, different versions will be released. Christopher Cantwell pens issue #22, with artwork by Angel Unzueta, which hits the shelves on January 8, 2025.

Read More

2024-11-15 20:02