59 Years Later, Star Trek’s Definitive Time-Travel Episode is Getting a Major Update
Star Trek’s “The City on the Edge of Forever,” one of the franchise’s most celebrated episodes, is being revisited nearly 60 years after its original broadcast. On October 13, IDW Publishing will release Star Trek: The Edges of the Final Frontier: IDW Classic Collection, a compilation featuring a reprint of a 2015 comic adaptation of Harlan Ellison’s original screenplay for the iconic episode.
The episode, which originally aired on Star Trek’s first series, follows Dr. McCoy as an accidental overdose causes him to travel through time via the mysterious Guardian of Forever, inadvertently altering Earth’s history. Captain Kirk must then follow him through time to set events right. The episode has become a defining moment in the franchise, demonstrating Star Trek’s storytelling potential and thematic depth.
What makes this release particularly noteworthy is that Ellison’s original screenplay differs considerably from what ultimately appeared on television. The comic adaptation captures Ellison’s intended vision, offering fans an alternative take on how the story was originally conceived. This provides an opportunity for longtime Star Trek enthusiasts to experience the author’s original creative vision alongside the well-known televised version.
The release comes as part of a broader collection exploring the franchise’s history and evolution. By republishing the comic adaptation, IDW Publishing is recognizing both the enduring cultural significance of “The City on the Edge of Forever” and the importance of preserving alternate creative versions of beloved works. The timing of the release serves as both a retrospective celebration of Star Trek’s legacy and a gateway for newer audiences to engage with one of the franchise’s foundational stories.