Star Trek Annual # 1 1985 VF/NM

Star Trek Annual #1, published by DC Comics in July 1985 (with an October cover date), is a significant "key issue" that explores the transition of command on the USS Enterprise. The story, titled "All Those Years Ago...", serves as a definitive origin for Captain James T. Kirk's first mission. 

Plot and Key Events

The issue bridges the gap between the original Star Trek pilots ("The Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before") and the start of the five-year mission. 

• Change of Command: Captain Christopher Pike officially hands over the center chair of the Enterprise to James T. Kirk. Pike remains aboard briefly to catch a ride to his next posting.
• Kirk's First Mission: Shortly after the handover, the ship encounters the Tralmanii, a mysterious alien race that Pike had a misguided encounter with during his own early days as a first officer.
• Crew Assembly: The story depicts the departure of Pike's senior staff, including his first officer, Number One, and Dr. Phillip Boyce, which clears the way for Spock to be promoted to First Officer.
• Establishing Connectivity: Readers get to see characters like Lee Kelso and Gary Mitchell in action before their fates in the second pilot episode. 

Major First Appearances

This issue is historically notable for featuring several comic book "firsts":

• Captain Christopher Pike: First appearance of the character in a standard comic book format.
• Number One (Una Chin-Riley): First comic book appearance of Pike's legendary first officer.
• Dr. Phillip Boyce: First comic book appearance of the Enterprise's original chief medical officer. 

Production Credits

• Writers: Plot by Marv Wolfman and Dave Cockrum; script by Mike W. Barr.
• Artists: Pencilled by David Ross and inked by Bob Smith.
• Cover Art: A painting by David Ross and Bob Smith, designed as an homage to James Bama's iconic 1960s promotional poster art for the original NBC series.