I grew up on Star Trek. In the 70s “Star Trek” was popular in syndication. I remember watching “Star Trek: The Animated Series” on Saturday mornings. This was, at the time, epic storytelling with a science fiction setting, and often with some sort of message that was hidden in the action. One of the things I have always loved about Star Trek was its ability to raise issues indirectly.
Then Star Wars came out. Wow did the science fiction landscape change.
For a long time I was a dual fan, loving both franchises equally for different reasons, partly because they were relegated to separate mediums. Well, probably more of a fan of Star Wars – except for the whole Ewok business.
Then “Star Trek: The Next Generation” hit, and I became more of a fan of Star Trek. For a long time the pendulum swung heavily in favor of the more active franchise.
By then I had discovered “Doctor Who” and many other science fiction properties. My tastes were more sophisticated, and while not as discerning as one might hope, the titans of the genre still commanded my allegiance.
Star Wars got a facelift and rereleased in theaters. My love for that franchise was reignited, and then went back down to a simmer. The “special editions” of the classic trilogy altered too much. I know those are Lucas’ films and he can do with them what he wants, but many of the changes were done because he could, not because they were needed. Oh well.
At this point, the late 90s, Star Trek had become not only a television juggernaut but one on film as well. With the prequel Star Wars trilogy arriving my emotions were mixed, but the higher quality and quantity of offerings from Star Trek won me over.
Star Trek got rebooted and the television offering went away and so my affection for that franchise waned as I disliked how the property was being treated. With far too long between installments, no television series, and the films themselves being pale imitations of what the franchise could and should be, well, I have become disillusioned.
Enter again Star Wars. As a new film entered production I was skeptical but held out hope. As more and more news and footage came out, I allowed myself to look forward to a new Star Wars film.
Earlier this year all of the Star Wars book I had been collecting suddenly became irrelevant as it was announced a new series of books and comics would be produced that would become part of the Star Wars canon. Initially a little disappointed my investment of time and money wasn’t actually going to further the story a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea a new tangible and practical expansion of the Star Wars universe would be coming to print and there would be a clear lineage of stories.
Back in May, Free Comic Book Day saw me entering a comic book store for the first time in over two decades, and I now have a regular pull for all the Star Wars titles. I recently purchased by first new Star Wars novel in half as many years. Knowing these are canon, part of the official story, well, I’m excited for the property even more.
Look, I want to like Star Trek, I really do. As it is I have no interest in watching anything new the franchise has to offer.