Star Trek’s Emperor Philippa Georgiou will have a dark solo adventure, timed to coincide with the release of Section 31 on Paramount +. Long a source of controversy among Star Trek fans, Section 31 will soon star in a feature-length film airing in January 2025 on the Paramount + streaming service. Now, IDW has announced a special one-shot comic that puts Michelle Yeoh’s Georgiou in the spotlight.

The Star Trek themed site Trekmovie.com broke news of IDW’s forthcoming Star Trek: Section 31 one-shot. The book will be written by Alyssa Wong and drawn by Megan Levens. Levens is a Trek-comic veteran, having drawn several titles for IDW, including the most recent arc, “The Pleroma.” Wong will be making her franchise debut. Trekmovie.com acknowledged that details about Star Trek: Section 31 are few and far between, but did offer this tantalizing bit:

The issue features Emperor Philippa Georgiou on a brand-new, raucous, and exhilarating adventure.

Trekmovie.com also featured Levens’ cover of the book, shared below.

What This Comic Means For Section 31 in The Star Trek Universe

Despite the Controversy, Section 31 Has Become Integral to the Star Trek Franchise

Star Trek: Section 31, which premieres January 25, 2025, on Paramount +, is the next chapter in the nefarious spy organization’s history within the franchise. Introduced during Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, Section 31 is the Federation equivalent of the contemporary Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), carrying out off-the-book missions.Section 31 keeps the Federation a shining, progressive utopia–by any means necessary. While it was controversial among fans, it has proven irresistible to later creators, including the writers and artists behind IDW’s line of Star Trek comics, who have used Section 31 to chilling effect.

Section 31 have made appearances in more recent Star Trek shows as well, including Discovery, where Philippa Georgiou’s Mirror Universe counterpart joined the agency. Played by Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, Georgiou, in exile from the Mirror Universe, works her way up to Section 31’s upper echelons. Georgiou will be the primary character in the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 movie. While details about the film’s plot are still being kept under wraps, it seemingly involves Georgiou putting together a team of operatives for a dangerous mission.

Our Take on Section 31’s Comic and Movie

Star Trek: Section 31 Could Explore the Franchise’s Other “Lost Eras”

However, as established on-screen, Georgiou also has traveled through time before, and this one shot could place her in an entirely new setting.

Just as Paramount is remaining mum on Section 31’s plot, IDW is also keeping details of their tie-in comic top secret too, but it will involve Philippa Georgiou. Paramount has confirmed that the Section 31 movie will take place during one of the franchise’s “lost eras:” the early 24th century. IDW’s Star Trek: Section 31 comic could be set during this period as well, filling in gaps the movie left behind. However, as established on-screen, Georgiou also has traveled through time before, and this one shot could place her in an entirely new setting.

Inserting Philippa Georgiou into a potentially different time frame in the Star Trek universe opens up some exciting story possibilities for the franchise. It would allow fans to not only learn more about Georgiou, but also explore other “lost eras” in Star Trek history. The late 22nd/early 23rd century is still largely wide open, having received little screen time. Having Georgiou visit this period, or others, whether on Section 31 business or not, would further flesh out not only her backstory, but the history of the agency as well.

Source: Trekmovie.com

Star Trek: Section 31 #1 is on sale February 5th from IDW Publishing!