Star Trek Officially Announces A Huge Starfleet Academy Hero Is Already Returning With The New Release Fans Deserve

One of Starfleet Academy’s breakout heroes is returning in a new Star Trek special, in a story fans deserve. Starfleet Academy is the latest entry in the Star Trek franchise, bringing to life a concept that had been over 30 years in the making. Set in the 32nd century, the show chronicles the ups and downs of the first Academy class in 100 years.

The cadets of Starfleet Academy are some of the most exciting additions to the Star Trek canon in many years. Caleb Mir is the group’s reluctant, de facto leader, while Genesis cannot wait to captain her own ship one day. Tarim, from Betazed, is a sensitive soul hiding a great power and Series Acquisition Mil (Sam) provides a fresh perspective on life in the Federation. And then there is Jay-Den.

Jay-Den is the only Klingon (so far) to enroll in the new version of Starfleet Academy. Following in the footsteps of Star Trek heroes like Worf, Jay-Den is blazing a trail for the Klingons, who by the 32nd century are a broken and scattered people. Yet Jay-Den is unique for another reason: he is the first openly queer Klingon in Star Trek history. Therefore, it is only appropriate that he star in IDW’s upcoming Star Trek Celebrations, releasing just in time for Pride Month.

Karim Diane Will Write a Story About His Starfleet Academy Character, Jay-Den

Jay-Den Can Be Seen Enjoying a Fun Night Out With Kyle

As reported on Gizmodo, IDW’s new Star Trek Celebrations will shine a light on the many wonderful LGBTQIA+ characters in the franchise. The stories will be written and drawn by an all-star roster of creators, and will cull characters from Picard, Lower Decks, as well as the “Kelvin” timeline created in JJ Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek.

Yet perhaps the coolest reveal in the Gizmodo article is that Karim Diane, who plays Jay-Den at Starfleet Academy, will write the story starring the character. In a preview page provided by IDW, Jay-Den is out with Kyle, his love interest from the show. The preview page was unlettered, so while it is missing some context, it is clear Jay-Den and Kyle are on a date. The story, titled “Klingons Don’t Flirt,” will be drawn by Andrew Drilon.

Star Trek Embodies the Ideas of Diversity and Cooperation

IDW's Star Trek Celebrations Proudly Carry on These Traditions

The Star Trek franchise was built upon ideas of diversity and cooperation, and these principles have helped make it one of pop culture’s most endearing franchises. Star Trek was ahead of its time in the 1960s by featuring a Black woman and an Asian man in positions of authority aboard the Enterprise. Later entries in the franchise expanded upon these concepts, breaking new ground in the area of representation.

The Star Trek Celebrations one-shot spotlights this diversity through short stories providing glimpses into the lives of the franchise’s queer characters. In addition to Jay-Den, fans can expect to see stories involving Kelvin Sulu as well as Seven of Nine and her lover Raifi. Past Celebrations have also been released during Black History Month.

Even Though Starfleet Academy is Ending Soon, Fans Can Still Get More Of the Cadets

Star Trek actors writing stories set in the universe, and even involving their characters, has been done plenty of times. Andrew Robinson, who played Garak on Deep Space Nine, wrote a novel centered on the beloved Cardassian spy turned tailor. JG Hertzler, who played Martok on the same show, has also written Star Trek books. Perhaps the best known example is William Shatner’s series of Kirk-centric novels of the late 1990s. This puts Karim Diane in some fantastic company.

Unfortunately, Star Trek fans will not get to see Starfleet Academy carried to its conclusion, as the series was prematurely canceled by Paramount. It will air one more season, and then the entire franchise enters into another “wilderness phase.” This is disappointing to Star Trek fans the world over, making Jay-Den’s return in Celebrations all the more important.

Star Trek Celebrations is on sale May 27 from IDW Publishing!