As the god war rages in Star Trek comics, one story has dropped a huge hint at how the franchise might one day end. While the idea of a popular media franchise such as Star Trek ever completely going away is a little far-fetched, the comics have set up a potentially awesome end. In a story appearing in Star Trek #400, which doubles as a prologue to the god war, Gary Mitchell reveals humanity’s ultimate fate in the far-flung future.

Last fall, IDW Publishing revitalized its line of Star Trek comics, starting with the landmark Star Trek #400. This issue, a celebration of the franchise’s history in comics, served as the starting point for future titles, including the new flagship book, simply called Star Trek. A mysterious force is killing the god-like beings of the Star Trek universe, and it falls on Captain Sisko to learn who the culprit is; Starfleet gives him a new ship, the USS Theseus as well as a crew composed of various characters from across the franchise. The god war kicked off in grand style with the massacre of the Crystalline Entities, but a prologue published in Star Trek #400 not only set it up, but offered a look at humanity’s eventual rise.

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All of Star Trek Has Been Leading to This

star trek gary mitchell

The prologue is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, illustrated by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Lee Loughridge and lettered by Nathan Widick. In the story, Gary Mitchell, a human who ascended to god-like status, confronts the god-killer, which remains off-panel. Mitchell presents a whirlwind look at human history post-first contact, starting with Zefram Cochrane and ending in the 24th century with Picard, Sisko and Janeway. Mitchell tells the god-killer about humanity’s journey, which he calls “an unbroken crusade of openness, curiosity, honesty and sacrifice.” This quest has been leading to a goal: humanity’s evolutionary ascension, in which they will become gods like Mitchell. He goes on to say that when the moment arrives, it will be the whole of humanity that does–not just one. At that point, the long mission will be over, and humanity will have: “earned rest.”

Star Trek is one of the most popular franchises in pop culture, with a rich history stretching back more than half a century; it also continues to find new fans every year and arguably forms the backbone of the Paramount + streaming service. It is likely to never completely end, but if the producers ever wanted to wrap Star Trek up, then the one presented in this story would be perfect. Star Trek is built on the concepts of diversity, cooperation and understanding; it is about moving past prejudice and learning to work together as a whole. The franchise’s core ideas are something to strive for and journey towards–and this journey is the same one noted by Gary Mitchell; Mitchell’s status as an ascended human makes him uniquely qualified to know. The vision of Star Trek’s end here is not a bad one, but instead sees humanity achieve its true destiny, and become god-like beings themselves.

Any person ascending to godhood is noteworthy, but in humanity’s case it will be the entire species. Others throughout the franchise’s history have hinted that godhood is humanity’s ultimate destination, most notably Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s series finale “All Good Things.” If Q and Gary Mitchell are correct, then this ascension will fulfill Star Trek’s mission–making it the perfect end for the franchise.

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