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Star Trek Gold Key Comics series

Gold Key comics were published by Western Publishing , a company with an interesting and confusing history. Some comics in this series were published with US and UK price variants, pin-up photos, and the Whitman logo . For more detailed plot summaries, you can go offsite and visit Curt Danhauser's Guide to the Gold Key Star Trek Comics . You can view a gallery of all Gold Key/Whitman variant covers , Gold Key multipacks , and Whitman 3-packs . A gallery of painted cover art for Gold Key Star Trek comics is a work in progress.

#1 Oct 1967 The planet of no return Kirk, McCoy and Rand explore a planet where plants are the highest link in the food chain, and the plants are hungry. Stardate 18:09.2 Photos of Spock, Kirk, and Sulu on cover. Janice Rand makes her only Gold Key Star Trek comics appearance in this issue. Most guides list the publication date of Star Trek #1 as Jul 1967. The date listed is based on the publisher code. Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide no longer lists a scarce variant edition of Star Trek #1, sometimes designated Star Trek #1A. Star Trek #1 with a pin-up photo on the back cover is the only edition that exists. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Nevio Zeccara

#2 Jun 1968 The devil's isle of space Kirk is trapped on a doomed asteroid with condemned convicts awaiting an unusual execution. Stardate 19:03.4 Photos of Spock and Kirk on cover. The common edition of this comic has advertising on the back page, with a 12c or 15c cover price . A variant edition , sometimes designated as Star Trek #2A in price guides, has pin-up photos on the inside and back covers, and a 15c cover price. The variant edition may also appear with a 12c cover price, but I haven't found any supporting evidence. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Nevio Zeccara

#3 Dec 1968 Invasion of the city builders Kirk and Spock aid a planet whose out-of-control machines are building over every available piece of land. Stardate 20:14.6 Photos of Spock and the bridge crew on cover. The common edition has advertising on the back cover and a 15c cover price. A variant edition sometimes designated as Star Trek #3A in price guides, has pin-up photos on the inside and back covers. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artists: Alberto Giolitti, Giovanni Ticci?

#4 Jun 1969 The peril of planet Quick Change Spock helps revive an ancient civilization, but one of the beings takes over Spock's body in order to leave his world and travel into space. Stardate 21:06.7 Photos of the Enterprise, Spock, Kirk, and an alien on cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#5 Sep 1969 The ghost planet Kirk and Spock must prevent two warring leaders from resuming hostilities after their planet is freed from deadly radiation rings. Stardate 26:06.4 Photos of Spock and Kirk on cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#6 Dec 1969 When planets collide The Enterprise must save two planets from colliding. The only choice appears to be destroying one of them, but both are inhabited. Stardate 23:009 Photo of Spock on cover. A poorly scaled cutaway drawing of the Enterprise appears on page 27. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#7 Mar 1970 The voodoo planet The Enterprise encounters a planet which is an exact duplicate of Earth, without people. A madman uses voodoo to hold Earth hostage until Kirk and Spock learn his secrets. Stardate 24:17.9 Photos of Spock, McCoy, Kirk on cover. You can listen to the League of Ordinary Gentlemen Comics Podcast Oddio Comic adaptation of The voodoo planet : Part 1 and Part 2 . These podcasts are also available via iTunes , podcasts #37 (Part 1) and #34 (Part 2). Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#8 Sep 1970 The youth trap Aliens experimenting with an age-ray cause members of a landing party to grow young, forcing Kirk to deal with McCoy and Scotty as children. Stardate 31:09.5 Photo cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#9 Feb 1971 The legacy of Lazarus The Enterprise discovers a planet inhabited by every famous person who ever walked Earth. Spock is taken prisoner by their creator, Lazarus, who wants Spock's brain. Stardate 10:26.3 Photos of Spock and Kirk on cover. Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#10 May 1971 Sceptre of the sun Kirk and Spock must help an evil sorcerer obtain "The Sceptre of the Sun" or he will destroy the Enterprise. They battle against living mountains and the robot guardian of the Sceptre. Stardate 12:48.6 The Eugenics Wars are mentioned. You can see a series of cover proof images . Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#11 Aug 1971 The brain shockers Bottled emotions from Vulcan's past break free and enter members of the Enterprise crew. The ship is captured by an immortal being who explores his captive's emotions to prevent boredom. Stardate 11:26.1 Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#12 Nov 1971 The flight of the Buccaneer To prevent their cover from being blown, Kirk and McCoy sacrifice Spock and Scotty to space pirates in search of a dilithium crystal treasure. Stardate 3246.3 Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#13 Feb 1972 Dark traveler The Enterprise picks up an intergalactic hitchhiker and is forced to take him to his utopian homeworld, only to find cities in ruin and murderous robots. Stardate 14:83.4 This is the last issue to display exhaust flames coming out of the nacelles and secondary hull. Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#14 May 1972 The Enterprise mutiny Following a planetary survey, Kirk begins acting irrationally. Spock and McCoy attempt to relieve Kirk of command but he escapes in a shuttle, with the Enterprise in pursuit. Stardate 18:41.2 This issue was published with 15c and 20c cover price. Writer: Len Wein Artists: Alberto Giolitti, Giovanni Ticci? Cover artist: George Wilson

#15 Aug 1972 Museum at the end of time The Enterprise is trapped in a graveyard for ships and needs a Klingon starship's help to get out. Stardate 24:53.2 Story is similar to ST:TAS episode The Time Trap . This issue was published with 15c and 20c cover price. Writer: Len Wein Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#16 Nov 1972 Day of the inquisitors Several crewmembers crash-land a shuttle on a planet still in its dark ages. Kirk has to unite two sides, "barbarians" and "religious extremists", before the planet tears itself apart, with his shuttle party in the middle of it all. Stardate 43:25.2 This issue was published with 15c and 20c cover price. Writer: Len Wein Artists: Angelo Todaro, Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#17 Feb 1973 The cosmic cavemen An Enterprise landing party surveys a planet whose stone age inhabitants worship an idol that looks like Spock. Stardate 19:24.3 This issue was published with 15c and 20c cover price. The "primary" directive is mentioned (not the "prime" directive). Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artists: Alberto Giolitti, Giovanni Ticci? Cover artist: George Wilson

#18 May 1973 The hijacked planet The inhabitants of an entire planet, recorded on magnetic tape, are hijacked and held for ransom. The Enterprise must recover the tape before the hijacker destroys it. Stardate 3248.6 This issue was published with 15c and 20c cover price. Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artists: Alberto Giolitti, Giovanni Ticci? Cover artist: George Wilson

#19 Jul 1973 The haunted asteroid The Enterprise investigates an asteroid memorial to a long-dead queen, where too many people have disappeared without a trace. Stardate 24:92.5 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#20 Sep 1973 A world gone mad The Enterprise returns the young heir to the throne of a planet gone mad in the wake of a comet's passing. Stardate 3247.2 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#21 Nov 1973 The mummies of Heitus VII A mummy being taken to a research center by the Enterprise comes alive and takes over the ship, steering it towards Romulan space. Stardate 30:26:5 Writer: John Warner ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#22 Jan 1974 Siege in superspace The Enterprise passes through a black hole to superspace, where, on a marshy planet, a landing party and the planet's inhabitants are besieged by an army of vegetable-metalloid monsters. Stardate 36:24.3 The story is a stealth sequel to a story arc that appeared in Star Spangled War Stories #170 (Jun 1973) and Star Spangled War Stories #180 (May-Jun 1974) . Writer: Gerry Boudreau Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#23 Mar 1974 Child's play Responding to a distress call, Kirk and and his landing party transport to a planet where children are the only survivors of a worldwide plague. The Enterprise must race across the galaxy to bring back the only known cure before Kirk and his party die too. Stardate 17:23.4 Writer: Gerry Boudreau ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#24 May 1974 The trial of Captain Kirk Kirk is framed by a pirate iron-mining ring for accepting a bribe to protect illegal mining operations. The crew of the Enterprise goes after proof of Kirk's innocence, who undergoes surgery to look like a native with an afro . Stardate 19:26.2 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#25 Jul 1974 Dwarf planet The Enterprise visits a planet whose population is slowly shrinking from unusual solar radiation. While trying to discover an antidote, Scotty is exposed to radiation and shrinks to microscopic size. Stardate 19:24.8 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#26 Sep 1974 The perfect dream The Enterprise discovers a world where clones lead an idyllic existence, but are not allowed to question or create. Stardate 30:20:4 Writer: John Warner ? Artists: Angelo Todaro, Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#27 Nov 1974 Ice journey The Enterprise ignites a civil war on a doomed planet. Stardate 20:27.3 Writer: John Warner ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#28 Jan 1975 The mimicking menace Members of an Enterprise landing party find themselves facing their doubles on a volcanic asteroid. The doubles were created by a parasitic life form that feeds off of living and mechanical energy. Stardate 34.21.7 Writer: George Kashdan ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#29 Mar 1975 The planet of no return Reprints Gold Key #1 with a painted cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Nevio Zeccara Cover artist: George Wilson

#30 May 1975 Death of a star On a mission to observe a stellar nova, the Enterprise finds massive signs of life on a nearby planet, but only a single individual, an ancient woman who invites the crew to witness her death. Stardate 33:33.3 Writer: Allan Moniz Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#31 Jul 1975 The final truth An Enterprise shuttle crashes on a world prohibited to outsiders. Crew members are forced to wear punisher collars and help feed the planet's life presence. Stardate 20:1:7 Writer: John Warner ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: Chuck Liese

#32 Aug 1975 The animal people The Enterprise comes to the aid of a planet which is being overrun by maddened animals. Spock discovers that the "animals" are intelligent, but this knowledge puts the landing party in danger because planetary leaders want to keep this information secret. Stardate 19:26:11 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#33 Sep 1975 The choice Kirk duels with his double from another universe to decide the fate of this universe. Stardate 17:01.02 Writer: Allan Moniz Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#34 Oct 1975 The psychocrystals An Enterprise survey party is captured by crystalline aliens and sentenced to death for attempted kidnapping of crystal babies. Stardate 19:27.4 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#35 Nov 1975 The peril of planet Quick Change Reprints Gold Key #4 with a painted cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#36 Mar 1976 A bomb in time Renegade scientists hold Earth for ransom by threatening to explode a devastating new explosive device somewhen in Earth's past. Scotty goes back to the old west of 1855 and Kirk goes back to 1955 to search for the bomb. Stardate 19:25.9 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson

#37 May 1976 The ghost planet Reprints Gold Key #5 with a painted cover. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#38 Jul 1976 One of our captains is missing Kirk is sent on a special assignment to investigate suspected Klingon covert activities and a hard-nosed captain takes command of the Enterprise. Stardate 19:29:13 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#39 Aug 1976 Prophet of peace The Enterprise recovers a brilliant scientist from cryogenic deep-freeze but aliens may have planted a duplicate. Stardate 18:06.9 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams, José Delbo ? Cover artist: George Wilson

#40 Sep 1976 Furlough to fury McCoy visits his daughter Barbara, a xenobiologist. Scotty and Kirk thwart the larcenous plans of a former crewman with the help of one of Barbara's alien beasts. Stardate 19:25.9 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson

#41 Nov 1976 The evictors The Enterprise is visiting a planet on a protocol mission when, after hundreds of thousands of years, the original inhabitants return to reclaim their home. Stardate 19:27:12 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#42 Jan 1977 World against time The Enterprise discovers a planet populated by children who were adults, until radiation began to change them. Spock and Scotty begin to grow young again as they attempt to shield the radiation source. Stardate 19:29:06 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#43 Feb 1977 World beneath the waves After picking up Dr. Barbara McCoy, xenobiologist and McCoy's daughter, the Enterprise heads for a world where air-breathers have developed into water-breathers to escape a planet-wide catastrophe. The Enterprise crew is drawn into a conflict between the ocean-dwellers and surface-dwellers. Stardate 19:26:03 Writer: Arnold Drake or George Kashdan ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson

#44 May 1977 Prince Traitor Kirk, Spock, and Scotty are captured by a rebel leader who turns out to be the Emperor's son. He plans to barter their lives for the freedom of his people. Stardate 19:26:4 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson

#45 Jul 1977 The voodoo planet Reprints Gold Key #7 and photo cover. This is the first issue with a barcode. Writer: Dick Wood ? Artist: Alberto Giolitti

#46 Aug 1977 Mr. Oracle Spock's brain is filled with the knowledge of an entire world. He becomes insane and imprisons Kirk, Scott and McCoy on a hostile world that obeys only his orders. Stardate 23:19.2 Writer: Arnold Drake ? Artist: Alden McWilliams

#47 Sep 1977 This tree bears bitter fruit The Enterprise encounters energy beings who are being nurtured to take care of the universe. Kirk engages in single combat with one of the beings to save humanity. Stardate 67:32.4 Writer and artist credits begin with this issue. Writers: George Kashdan, Doug Drexler Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Mike Roy ?

#48 Oct 1977 Murder on the Enterprise A renowned scientist is murdered aboard the Enterprise while being taken to a conference. The suspects are his colleagues. Spock and McCoy solve the crime. Stardate 5716.4 Writers: Arnold Drake, Doug Drexler Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Mike Roy ?

#49 Nov 1977 A warp in space Kirk seeks the aid of Zefram Cochrane and the Companion ( Metamorphosis ) after several experimental starships disappear while testing a hyper-warp drive. Stardate 3803.6 The back cover of this issue advertised the four Golden Press Enterprise Log collections . Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#50 Jan 1978 The planet of no life Kirk and a young ensign are trapped, facing slow death, while an old nemesis of Kirk's (Gold Key #41, "The Evictors") enjoys their suffering. The ensign agrees to kill Kirk if he is allowed to live. Stardate 19:28:07 This issue was published with 30¢ and 35¢ cover price. Writer: Arnold Drake Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson (attributed)

#51 Mar 1978 Destination annihilation Absent-minded Prof. Osric Whipple, an old friend of Kirk's, inadvertently starts, then stops an interplanetary war. Stardate 26:04.4 Mazda spaceship on cover. Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson

#52 May 1978 And a child shall lead them The Enterprise breaks up a black market mining operation on a primitive world led by a child. Stardate 28:11.5 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Luis Dominguez ?

#53 Jul 1978 What fools these mortals be On an uncharted planet, Kirk, Spock and McCoy relive the voyage of Ulysses for the amusement of Zeus and other Greek gods. Stardate 2901.1 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson

#54 Aug 1978 Sport of knaves Kirk, Spock, and Scotty go undercover to track down stolen endangered birds. Stardate 3004.8 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#55 Sep 1978 A world against itself After their brains are altered, Spock and Scotty lead two warring tribes into combat. Stardate 72:35.3 Error on cover "Spock vs. Slott". Writer: Arnold Drake Artist: Alden McWilliams

#56 Oct 1978 No time like the past A deposed dictator escapes and travels back in time via the Guardian of Forever ( The City on the Edge of Forever ). Kirk, Spock, and McCoy must alter history so that Hannibal is defeated by the Romans. Stardate 3275.2 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#57 Nov 1978 Spore of the devil Kirk, Scotty and Spock discover an alien directing the development of a medieval world. The alien does not know where he is from. Stardate 19:29:51 Writer: Arnold Drake Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: George Wilson ?

#58 Dec 1978 Brain-damaged planet McCoy must help a planet fend off huge parasites, or its inhabitants will all be driven mad. Stardate 3315.5 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Chuck Liese

#59 Jan 1979 To err is Vulcan Spock makes not one, but two errors. Kirk suspects a plan to discredit Spock and has a plan of his own. Stardate 9126.1 Writer: Arnold Drake Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Mel Crawford

#60 Feb 1979 The empire man The Enterprise protects a colony under attack by a powerful cyborg. Each time an attack occurs, a beautiful ghost appears, but she can't communicate until she enters Spock's body. Stardate 2314.6 Writer: John Warner Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Mike Roy or Frank Bolle ?

#61 Mar 1979 Operation con game Harry Mudd's ( Mudd's Women ) dilithium con could ignite a war between the Federation and the Klingon empire. Kirk and Spock transport aboard a Klingon warship while Mudd kidnaps McCoy. Stardate 3504.7 Writer: George Kashdan Artist: Alden McWilliams Cover artist: Mike Roy or Frank Bolle ?

[#62] 1979 not published Trial by fire! The Enterprise responds to a request for help from a corporate energy research platform. A ship testing experimental fuel has exploded, creating a moon-sized self-sustaining fireball that threatens Orgone, a nearby inhabited planet. Kirk, McCoy, two redshirts and Varrik, the platform manager, transport planetside, while Spock and Scotty try to stop the fireball. The pastoral Orgonians are led by Talon, a shaman, who interprets the fireball as a test of faith which must be met by ritual. Unfortunately, there is more to Varrik's involvement in the crisis than anyone is aware of. Stardate 3708.2 John Warner wrote a 22-page script which was apparently intended for publication as issue #62 until Western Publishing cancelled the series. Warner also wrote the script for issue #60. He is better known for his work on the Gold Key Flash Gordon series. He also worked for DC, Marvel, and Warren Publications. The two security guards in this story are named after two of his colleagues, artists John Byrne and Dave Cockrum. Nineteen lettered art pages with very faint pencil breakdowns were completed but never delivered to the scheduled artist, Frank Bolle. Bolle was the cover artist for issues #60 and #61. He also worked on many other Western Publishing projects. The script and lettered art pages have been reproduced in Volume 124 of the Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection . Artist Matt Shults has published his adaptation of Trial By Fire online and I've included his cover art in this list. Check it out! Writer: John Warner Scheduled artist: Frank Bolle Artist: Matt Shults

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A friendly reminder regarding spoilers ! At present the expanded Trek universe is in a period of major upheaval with the continuations of Discovery and Prodigy , the advent of new eras in gaming with the Star Trek Adventures RPG , Star Trek: Infinite and Star Trek Online , as well as other post-57th Anniversary publications such as the ongoing IDW Star Trek comic and spin-off Star Trek: Defiant . Therefore, please be courteous to other users who may not be aware of current developments by using the {{ spoiler }}, {{ spoilers }} OR {{ majorspoiler }} tags when adding new information from sources less than six months old (even if it is minor info). Also, please do not include details in the summary bar when editing pages and do not anticipate making additions relating to sources not yet in release. THANK YOU

Gold Key Comics

• View history

Gold Key logo.

Gold Key Comics , part of Whitman Publishing , were the first publishers of Star Trek comics . Their series ran for 61 issues between July 1967 until March 1979 . At least one more issue was planned, titled Trial by Fire! .

From 2004 to 2006 , Titan Books released five volumes of reprints in The Key Collection . In 2014 , IDW remastered many of the stories, producing five high-quality volumes for the Gold Key Archives .

• 1 Main characters
• 2 Recurring characters
• 3 Returning series characters
• 5 Comic creators
• 6 List of comics
• 7 External links

Main characters [ ]

Kirk , Spock , McCoy and the USS Enterprise .

Captain James T. Kirk and Commander Spock appeared in all of the stories. Doctor Leonard McCoy appeared in 49 stories (not in #3, 26, 27, 36, 41, 44, 54, 57). Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott appeared in 49 stories (not in #1, 4, 5, 7, 17, 20, 31, 48), though he was not drawn to resemble James Doohan until #12. Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu appeared in 35 stories, with stints commanding the ship (#12, 28) and serving on landing party missions (#9, 11, 19, 23, 26). Lieutenant Nyota Uhura appeared in 34 stories and was featured in seven landing parties (#9, 22, 25, 26, 27, 30, and 31). Ensign Pavel Chekov was featured in two stories (#16, 31) and appeared in nine others (#11, 26, 33, 38, 47, 48, 51, 53, 60). Nurse Christine Chapel was featured in three stories (#23, 26, 30) and appeared in five others (#31, 38, 46, 52, 58). Yeoman Janice Rand appeared twice, in #1 and in a one-panel cameo in #24.

Recurring characters [ ]

Security officer Manning appeared in three stories (#21, 26, 31). McCoy’s daughter Barbara McCoy appeared in two stories (#40, 43) as well as senior scientist Doctor Krisp (#19, 27). Four characters recurred in the two stories about " The Evictors " (#41, 50): Sanoora Councilor Inoduku , Nraka Councilor Dvor , Dvor’s daughter Rava and religious leader Zotar .

Returning series characters [ ]

Zephram Cochrane , Nancy Hedford and The Companion appeared (#49), as well as the Guardian of Forever (#56) and Harry Mudd (#61). In additional Gold Key short stories printed only in omnibus publications, Cochrane returned in " From Sputnik to Warp Drive ". T'Pau , T'Pring , Amanda Grayson , and Sarek appeared in " Lt. Commdr. Spock: Psycho-File ". Janet Wallace appeared in " Captain James T. Kirk: Psycho-File ". Cochrane, T'Pau, T'Pring, Amanda and Sarek did not resemble the actors who portrayed them.

Sequels [ ]

• " The Evictors " (#41, 50)
• " Metamorphosis " (#49)
• " Who Mourns for Adonais? " (#53)
• " The City on the Edge of Forever " (#56)
• " I, Mudd " (#61)

Comic creators [ ]

• Gerry Boudreau (2 issues)
• Arnold Drake (22 issues)
• Doug Drexler (2 issues)
• George Kashdan (10 issues)
• Allan Moniz (2 issues)
• John David Warner (5 issues)
• Len Wein (8 issues)
• Dick Wood (8 issues)
• Alberto Giolitti (33 issues)
• Alden McWilliams (22 issues)
• Nevio Zaccara (2 issues)
• George Wilson
• Chuck Liese
• Mel Crawford
• Frank Bolle

List of comics [ ]

External links [ ].

• Curt Danhauser’s Guide to the Gold Key Star Trek Comics
• Gold Key Comics page at the Star Trek Comics Checklist
• Gold Key Comics article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .
• Drawing Trek Podcast .
• 1 Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
• 2 The Chase
• 3 Preserver (race)

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Gold Key Star Trek Comics Series

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Gold Key Comics Price Guide

Value of Gold Key Comics

Gold Key was created in 1962 as a spin-off from Dell in an attempt to publish more children's titles. They created many of the more popular TV show tie-in books during the 1960s.

It's important to note that the company's file copies have been sold on the market, flooding collectors with super high-grade material.

This explains why most Gold Key issues are not as valuable as you might expect, given their age.

Where is the Issue #?

Confusingly, Gold Key issues don't have numbers on their covers. They often have a code under the logo (see image on right).

The issue # appears in the fine print inside, which means you have to open the book to identify which one you have.

Which are the Top 10 Most Valuable Gold Key Comics?

• Star Trek #1 (1967), record sale $40,500
• Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #1 (1962) $7,500
• Magnus Robot Fighter #1 (1962) $3,600
• Phantom #1 (1962) $2,835
• Space Ghost #2 (1967) $2,750
• Avengers #1 (1967) $2,500
• Jonny Quest #1 (1964) $2,500
• Green Hornet #1 (1967) $2,150
• Doc Savage #1 (1966) $1,485
• Uncle Scrooge #40 (1963) $1,435

Which Gold Key Comics are valuable?

Below are the most valuable comic books published by Gold Key.

We also provide detailed  issue-by-issue breakdowns  for the more important Gold Key series. Over time, we'll add more of these detailed articles.

If you need help figuring out what you have, then request a FREE comic book appraisal. Click the button below to begin.

Quick Links to Full Price Guides

Click any link to be taken to a full-page, issue-by-issue price guide.

• Flintstones Comics by Gold Key
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Important Gold Key Comics, With Values

Record sales are the world-record price for each issue. Your copy, if you own one, is usually not going to be worth as much.

Minimum values are what you can expect to receive for a poor to average, but complete copy.

Addams Family #1 (1974)

Record Sale: $500 Minimum Value: $5

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Astro Boy #1 (1965)

Record Sale: $920 Minimum Value: $20

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Atom Ant #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $470 Minimum Value: $5

Avengers #1 (1968) Based on British TV series

Record Sale: $2,500 Minimum Value: $10

Battle of the Planets #1 (1979)

Record Sale: $610 Minimum Value: $5

Beep Beep the Road Runner #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $200 Minimum Value: $1

Best of Donald Duck (1965)

Record Sale: $480 Minimum Value: $5

Boris Karloff Thriller #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $1,000 Minimum Value: $10

Bullwinkle #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $820 Minimum Value: $5

Dark Shadows #1 (1969)

Record Sale: $570 Minimum Value: $1

Deputy Dawg #1 (1965)

Record Sale: $265 Minimum Value: $1

Doc Savage #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $1,485 Minimum Value: $5

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $7,500 Minimum Value: $20

Flash Gordon #1 (1965)

Record Sale: $575 Minimum Value: $10

Flintstones #7 (1962) 1st Gold Key issue in series

Record Sale: $190 Minimum Value: $1

Click to see our detailed Flintstones Comics price guide

Fractured Fairy Tales #1 (1962) From Bullwinkle and Rocky TV show

Record Sale: $600 Minimum Value: $5

Frankenstein, Jr. #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $550 Minimum Value: $5

Girl from U.N.C.L.E. #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $350 Minimum Value: $1

Gomer Pyle #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $390 Minimum Value: $1

Green Hornet #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $2,150 Minimum Value: $5

Gunsmoke #1 (1969)

Hanna-Barbera Super TV Heroes #1 (1968)

Record Sale: $930 Minimum Value: $5

Happy Days #1 (1979)

Record Sale: $450 Minimum Value: $5

Huey, Dewey and Louie Junior Woodchucks #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $150 Minimum Value: $1

The Invaders #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $400 Minimum Value: $1

I Spy #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $730 Minimum Value: $5

John Carter of Mars #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $625 Minimum Value: $5

Jonny Quest #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $2,500 Minimum Value: $20

Korak, Son of Tarzan #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $210 Minimum Value: $1

Laurel and Hardy #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $345 Minimum Value: $1

Lone Ranger #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $270 Minimum Value: $1

The Lucy Show #1 (1963)

Record Sale: $280 Minimum Value: $1

Magilla Gorilla #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $850 Minimum Value: $10

Magnus Robot Fighter #1 (1963) One of the most famous Gold Key Comics

Record Sale: $3,600 Minimum Value: $35

Man from U.N.C.L.E. #1 (1965)

Record Sale: $1,300 Minimum Value: $10

The Munsters #1 (1965)

Record Sale: $900 Minimum Value: $5

My Favorite Martian #1 (1964)

Record Sale: $1,000 Minimum Value: $5

Peanuts #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $1,025 Minimum Value: $25

Phantom #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $2,865 Minimum Value: $40

Pink Panther #1 (1971)

Record Sale: $185 Minimum Value: $1

Rawhide #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $400 Minimum Value: $5

Rocky and his Fiendish Friends #1 (1962)

Secret Agent #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $370 Minimum Value: $5

Secret Squirrel #1 (1966)

Record Sale: $430 Minimum Value: $5

Space Family Robinson Lost in Space #1 (1962)

Space Ghost #1 (1967)

Record Sale: $2,750 Minimum Value: $10

Star Trek #1 (1967) The #1 most valuable of all Gold Key Comics

Record Sale: $40,500 Minimum Value: $75

Supercar #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $460 Minimum Value: $10

Total War #1 (1966) Becomes MARS Patrol from #3

Record Sale: $250 Minimum Value: $1

Turok, Son of Stone #30 (1962), Gold Key Comics Was published by Dell Comics prior to this issue

Tweety and Sylvester #1 (1963)

Record Sale: $150 Minimum Value: $5

Twilight Zone #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $1,000 Minimum Value: $15

UFO Flying Saucers #1 (1968)

Record Sale: $300 Minimum Value: $5

Uncle Scrooge #40 (1963) Published by Dell #1-39

Record Sale: $1,435 Minimum Value: $20

Underdog #1 (1970)

Record Sale: $900 Minimum Value: $1

Click to see our price guide to the 100 most valuable Disney comic books .

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #264 (1962) Previous issues published by Dell

Record Sale: $130 Minimum Value: $1

Winnie the Pooh #1 (1977)

Yakky Doodle and Chopper #1 (1962)

Record Sale: $275 Minimum Value: $1

Yogi Bear #10 (1962), Gold Key Comics Previously published by Dell

Record Sale: $100 Minimum Value: $1

Zorro #1 (1966)

Gold Key Comics Series: Issue by Issue Price Guides

Click any image or link below to be taken to our fully detailed, issue-by-issue Gold Key comics price guides.

Scooby Doo Comics Price Guide

Flintstones Comics Price Guide

Gold Key Uncle Scrooge Comics Price Guide

Read more about Gold Key comics on Wikipedia. (External link)

More of our Comic Price Guides

Dell Comics With Prices See values for the most important Dell Comic Book series, including giants, Four Color and Disney.

Read More >

Archie Comic Book Price Guides All the series, all the sales. We show you values for Betty, Veronica, Jughead and more.

ACG American Comics Group See values for one of the lesser-known comic book publishers, ACG.

Timely Comic Book Price Guides See values for the biggest TImely / Atlas series, the precursor to Marvel Comics.

Top 100 Disney Comic Books See the most valuable Walt Disney comics, with record sales!

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Gold Key Star Trek Comics

Star Trek: The Key Collection, Vol. 5

Star Trek: The Enterprise Logs Volume 2

Star Trek: Gold Key Archives Volume 3

Star Trek: The Enterprise Logs Volume 3

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Published Mar 29, 2015

Where It All Started: Gold Key

Fans of Star Trek comic books can go back to the future or, more specifically, to where it all started. IDW Publishing , on Wednesday, will release S tar Trek Gold Key Archives, Vol. 3 , a collection of the first comic-book adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her brave crew. Fully remastered with now colors, Vol. 3 includes such stories as "Dark Traveler," The Hijacked Planet," The Enterprise Mutiny" and more, with Len Wein among the writers. The art is by Alberto Giolatti and the cover is by Michael Stribling. StarTrek.com has exclusive preview pages that you can check out below.

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Star Trek #18 -Gold Key Comic Book Comic – January 1, 1973

• Publication date January 1, 1973
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Coming in June, we're hosting a CBCS 10th Anniversary Auction ! Now accepting submissions of CBCS-graded comics for auction.

Auction in progress, bid now! Weekly Auction ends Monday April 29!

Star Trek (1967 Gold Key) comic books

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Number/month on cover: none listed. Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. This issue features "Destination...Annihilation!" in which a peacekeeping mission to two warring planets becomes complicated when a passenger on board the Enterprise is mistaken for one of the planet's deity. Story by George Kashdan and art by Al McWilliams. Cover price $0.35.

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Number/month on cover: none listed. Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. This issue features "And a Child Shall Lead Them!" in which the Enterprise finds trouble and adventure when they investigate the exploitation of a civilization on a planet with valuable substances. Story by George Kashdan and art by Al McWilliams. Cover price $0.35.

Number/month on cover: none listed. Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. This issue features "What Fools These Mortals Be..." in which mythology, legends, and monsters come to life on a strange and mysterious planet. Story by George Kashdan and art by Al McWilliams. Cover price $0.35.

Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. 90210-808. Painted cover by George Wilson, with inset photos of William Shatner as Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock. "Sport of Knaves," script by George Kashdan, art by Alden McWilliams; An aliens killer birds make deadly sport of Scotty. 36 pgs., full color. $0.35. Cover price $0.35.

Alden McWilliams art. Cover price $0.35.

Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. 90210-812. Painted cover by Alden McWilliams, with inset photos of William Shatner as Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock. "The Brain-Damaged Planet," script by George Kashdan, art by Alden McWilliams; An entire planet's population is being affected by a virus that is infecting a giant brain, which exists in the core of their planet. Hostess Twinkies ad with Captain Marvel. 36 pgs., full color. $0.35. Cover price $0.35.

"To Err is Vulcan." Script by Arnold Drake, art by Alden McWilliams. Thor stars in a one-page Hostess ad, "The Storm Meets its Master!" Painted cover. Cover price $0.35.

Alden McWilliams art Cover price $0.35.

Comic book version of the original Star Trek TV series that starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. 90210-903. Painted cover by Alden McWilliams. "Operation Con Game," script by George Kashdan, art by Alden McWilliams; Harry Mudd is running a scam on Klingons; The Enterprise crew has to prevent the volatile chemicals Mudd is selling from blowing up the Klingon ship and starting another war. Hostess Twinkies ad with Spider-Man. Beetle Bailey ad. 36 pgs., full color. $0.35. Cover price $0.35.

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Gold Key, the Original Star Trek Comic Book Publisher, Revived Under New Ownership

Gold Key, the first company to publish Star Trek and Twilight Zone comics, is under new ownership and readying for a major comeback in 2022.

Gold Key , the first company to publish  Star Trek  and  Twilight Zone  comic books, is under new ownership and is now poised to make a major comeback.

The  Spec Tales  podcast interviewed Lance Linderman, a comic book enthusiast who purchased Gold Key -- now operating under the license Gold Key Entertainment LLC -- alongside Adam Brooks, Mike Dynes and Arnold Guerrero in late 2021. "The more I thought about it, I was like, you know what, if I could acquire Gold Key, that gives me a front of the door entrance to whatever meeting I want -- maybe not whatever meeting I want, but it gives me a really good step into the industry to have conversations with people like you guys and other people in the industry," Linderman said of the purchase. According to Linderman, the final acquisition for the company included not only cash but also a comic book --  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles   #1.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: NECA Reveals TMNT Cartoon Tokka & Rahzar Action Figures

Since the purchase, Linderman said Gold Key is mainly focusing its attention on two different areas. The first involves finding working and talented creators within the comic book industry. "We have a writer and we have some artists we're talking to," Linderman said. "I can't say the names of those people, yet, but some of the names [are people] you guys are definitely aware of... As much as we recognize the value of getting a big name, we're really more interested in pulling a bit of a passion play. We're kind of going after the names of people we collectively really love and respect, also. There are still some big names in that pool, but it's not like I'm going after just the biggest guy right now -- although, they're all really talented. We're kind of sitting and [looking at] who we've read, looked at and think could illustrate stories in a way that's really thoughtful and angular."

Secondly, Linderman said that Gold Key is looking into some of the past titles published at the company and seeing how they might be able to resurrect them. While some of these properties are tied up in deals with other publishing companies, Linderman said they're currently in talks with the Borris Karloff estate for a potential deal. "[Karloff] is the legendary Frankenstein -- that iconic Frankenstein image we've all seen . It's tattooed on a million people's bodies. Or [he also played] the Mummy. Karloff was brilliant. We're very interested."

RELATED: Star Trek Just Confirmed TNG's Most Ruthless Villain is... Captain Picard?

"What does Borris Karloff look like, today, if it came out with some guys who are thinking a little bit darker than you would have thought in the '60s?" he continued. "Nothing is finalized, nothing is set in stone -- it's something we're discussing amongst each other and we're working on. We are in conversations."

That sense of nostalgia is important for the reinvented Gold Key, Linderman said -- so much so that they're looking at physically releasing comic books in a format similar to what was used in the 1960s. "The new books going forward, they're going to have the look, the feel and the smell of the books from the era we love and collect," he said. "I'm super pumped about that. It's costing us way more to do it that way, but those are the sort of details we're trying to be thoughtful of."

Gold Key was initially created in 1962. Apart from Star Trek  and  Twilight Zone  comics, the company was known for creating characters like Doctor Solar, Turok and Magnus, Robot Fighter . Gold Key also published Walt Disney and Warner Bros. comics for a time. After losing several properties over the years, the comic book publishing division shut down in 1984.

KEEP READING: Star Trek: Discovery Producer, Women of Color Unite Team for AfterShock's Animus Graphic Novel

Source: Spec Tales

Literary Treks : 375: It Clicked Star Trek Podcasts: Trek.fm Complete Master Feed

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Comics Catch Up.     Comics have been an important medium for Star Trek ever since the release of the first Gold Key comic in 1967 and they have continued over various publishers since that time. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan catch up on all the issues they’ve missed recently. They discuss being new to Star Trek comics, Picard’s Academy, The Scorpius Run, Sons of Star Trek, Star Trek, Star Trek: Defiant, wrapping up and their final thoughts.  In the news they discuss a new release that is imminent and the delay of an upcoming book as well.    News New Releases Coming  (00:02:55)               Feature: Comics Catch Up New to Comics (00:04:27) Picard’s Academy (00:06:10) Strange New Worlds: The Scorpius Run (00:11:20) Sons of Star Trek (00:21:42) Star Trek (00:31:44) Star Trek: Defiant (00:44:48) Wrapping Up (00:51:45) Final Thoughts (00:53:55)         Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan  Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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Every Star Trek Movie Comic Book Adaptation, Ranked

• Star Trek movie comic book adaptations have been released by various publishers throughout the franchise's history.
• Some of the adaptations took liberties with the original scripts, but still featured awesome and poignant moments.
• The comic book adaptations provide fans with additional scenes and perspectives that were not in the final movies.

Comic books have been an essential component of the Star Trek franchise for most of its history. Publishers such as Gold Key, Marvel, DC and IDW have taken turns with the Star Trek license, giving fans new and exciting adventures in the final frontier. Nearly every incarnation of the franchise has appeared in comic book form, and some publishers have also created original material.

Another component of the Star Trek comic book experience is the movie adaptations. In the 1980s, it was common practice for major publishers to release books adapting popular movies—and Star Trek was one of them. Here are all the Star Trek movie comic book adaptations, ranked.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Published by dc comics, 1984.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is arguably the best of the odd-numbered Trek films, but its comic book movie adaptation takes some liberties with the script, namely in the sequencing of events. For example: the comic adaptation begins with the arrival of the USS Grissom at the Genesis Planet, an event that occurred a third of the way through the actual movie. However, the adaptation is not without awesome and poignant moments that did not make it into the final movie, including an epitaph spoken by Edith Keeler in “City on the Edge of Forever.”

Related: 2023 Proved Star Trek's "Deep Space Nine Sequel" More Than Deserves the Name

Star Trek: Generations

Published by dc comics, 1994.

The first Star Trek: The Next Generation movie adaptation would be the last published by DC Comics , as they would lose the license shortly afterward. Fan opinion on Generations remains divided, with its critics pointing to numerous plot holes, such as the Nexus. DC’s adaptation of Generations does not plug any of these holes, but is still an enjoyable read nonetheless. The comic book version of Generations is notable for including a scene not in the original cut of the film, such as Captain Kirk’s orbital sky-dive. While rough cuts of it are now available to watch, for many years this was the only way for fans to see it.

Related: Star Trek vs Alien Crossover Was Meant to Give Picard His Ultimate Challenge

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Published by dc comics, 1986.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is probably the most accessible of the original Trek films: a light-hearted romp with a serious environmental message. The Voyage Home’s comic book adaptation is a faithful one , largely sticking to the original film’s script. Writer Barr adds some dialogue, including a brief exchange between former Enterprise officers Doctor Chapel and Yeoman Janice Rand . Artists Sutton and Villagran are, like Barr, firing on all thrusters here. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is widely regarded as one of the best films in the franchise overall, and its comic book adaptation is worthy of the name.

Star Trek: First Contact

Published by marvel comics, 1996.

Star Trek: First Contact is a tense, nail-biting film , and its adaptation reflects that. Published by Marvel as part of their short-lived “Paramount Comics” imprint, Star Trek: First Contact stays faithful to Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore’s original screenplay, but is forced to cut some scenes due to spatial limitations. However, this does not deter one bit from the adaptation. Star Trek: First Contact’s movie adaptation was one of a few to receive a reprint years later from IDW, who currently holds the Trek comic license.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Published by dc comics, 1991.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was the last ride of the original crew of the Enterprise , a bittersweet end to a glorious run, and its comic book adaptation perfectly captures this tone. Part of the adaptation’s success can be attributed to Peter David , who has written numerous Trek comics and novels, many of which are fan favorites. David and artist Gordon Purcell, who also illustrated a good portion of DC’s Star Trek output, deliver a first-rate adaptation, one that flows just as well as the source film. The Undiscovered Country is one of Trek’s finest hours, and its comic book adaptation is just as good.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

Published by dc comics, 1989.

Among fans, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is regarded as one of the weakest entries in the franchise, but its comic book adaptation shines. Peter David, who had just finished up on DC’s first Star Trek comic, turns in an excellent adaptation that makes the original shine. Drawn by James W. Fry, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier’s comic adaptation hits all the right notes, perfectly distilling the film’s best parts. The comic book version of The Final Frontier was then used to inaugurate DC’s second line of Star Trek comics, which launched shortly thereafter.

Related: 10 Biggest Changes to Star Trek Canon Delivered By Its Epic 'God War'

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Published by idw, 2009.

Despite being regarded as one, if not the best, Star Trek films, The Wrath of Khan never received a comic book adaptation when it was released in 1982, as Star Trek comics were in limbo at the time, with DC acquiring the license soon after. IDW rectified this problem in 2009, releasing a three-issue adaptation of the movie, which bucked the trend of Trek movie adaptations being one-shots. Thanks to the extra space afforded writer Andy Schmidt and artist Chee Yang Ong, this adaptation shines. Ong’s art especially compliments the movie’s dark tone.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Published by marvel comics, 1979.

The modern era of Star Trek comics began with Marvel’s adaptation of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Initially released as the first three issues of Marvel’s Star Trek comic, The Motion Picture’s adaptation is easily the best of the franchise. Some of its success can be attributed to the legends that worked on it: writer Marv Wolfman and artist Dave Cockrum. Wolfman and Cockrum were on a roll in the late 1970s, and they brought this energy to the adaptation of Star Trek: The Motion Picture . Later released as a one-shot edition by Marvel, the adaptation was reprinted by IDW in the 2000s, giving fans the chance to experience this amazing book again.

The practice of adapting movies to comic book form has largely fallen by the wayside. While the Star Trek movie adaptations may seem relics of a bygone era, they are in fact an important part of the lore.