Star Trek Horror Spin-Off Confirmed as Franchise Expands Into New Genre

The next Star Trek spin-off series from IDW Publishing is officially getting the horror-fueled makeover fans never expected — and it's perfect.

IDW Publishing has officially unveiled a slate of upcoming horror-themed variants for some of its biggest upcoming titles, ranging from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 to Sonic the Hedgehog #91 to the hotly anticipated The Kaiju of Oz #1. Perhaps most surprising of them all, however, is Star Trek: Zero Point #1 by writer Charlie Jane Anders, which features a truly blood-curdling variant cover by artist Jose Jaro.

Star Trek: Zero Point #1

The official solicit synopsis for Star Trek: Zero Point #1 from IDW Publishing reads, "While the Enterprise vanishes beyond the galaxy, Captain Raffi Musiker commands a starship tasked with preventing tomorrow’s disasters today — guided by a powerful artificial intelligence wearing the face of a familiar ally that may know too much, and understand too little about hope."

Raffi Musiker was introduced in Star Trek: Picard, as portrayed by Michelle Hurd. A former Starfleet officer who served under Jean-Luc Picard during his time as Admiral, Musiker rejoined Starfleet years after taking her leave, landing her right back at Picard's side for an entirely new adventure. Now, Star Trek: Zero Point will give Musiker the chance to take center stage in a story that is both all her own and unlike any fans have seen from the franchise before.

What's Been Said About Star Trek: Zero Point So Far?

Star Trek: Zero Point writer Charlie Jane Anders previously opened up about the series, noting, "I’ve loved Star Trek for as long as I can remember... I'm putting all my favorite Trek things into this comic: problem-solving, ethical dilemmas, identity crises, and above all, chosen family. At the same time, I’m determined to write a Trek comic that newbies can read with no homework required: There are no Easter eggs, no callbacks to deep lore."

Anders added, "Anyone who loves Becky Chambers or Martha Wells ought to be able to pick up this comic and get a fun science fiction story about artificial consciousness and exoplanets. Also, I’m talking to tons of physicists to get the most accurate science I can into this comic. I’m having the time of my life."

Notably, Star Trek: Zero Point serves as something of an intersection of two different avenues that the Star Trek universe has begun traversing in recent months. In May, the Star Trek: Celebrations 2026 anthology was released, giving readers a series of queer-centric stories featuring some of the franchise's most beloved and iconic characters, including Raffi Musiker and her longtime romantic partner, Seven of Nine.

Star Trek: Zero Point is also digging into more ethereal, morally ambiguous, and arguably horrifying territory than most Star Trek stories before it, though it is far from the most genre-dense title readers have seen. Over the past year, titles such as Star Trek: Red Shirts and Star Trek: The Last Starship have taken the franchise for a decidedly deep dive into overt horror territory in a way that few, if any, other entries ever have.

Star Trek: Zero Point #1 from IDW Publishing does not yet have a confirmed release date.