Star Trek: Day of Blood Reading Order Checklist

Star Trek has had a long history with comics that goes back to The Original Series. Many comic book publishers have released stories during this time, with IDW Publishing, the current home of Star Trek, having published over 400 issues so far. However, it’s taken until 2023 for a Star Trek crossover event.

That crossover is Star Trek: Day of Blood. In it, the emperor of the Klingon Empire, Kahless II, has consolidated his power and begun a crusade of slaughter with the help of the Bajoran Orb of Destruction. It will be up to the cast of both of IDW’s Star Trek comic book series to come together to stop it from happening.

So you don’t miss any of the action, I have created a reading order checklist for Star Trek: Day of Blood. It includes the recommended reading order to enjoy this tale, along with release dates, creative teams, background reading, and much more.

Table of contents

• Do I need to be familiar with Star Trek to read these comics?
• How to read Star Trek: Day of Blood
• Where can I find Star Trek comics?
• Background reading
• Countdown to Star Trek: Day of Blood
• Star Trek: Day of Blood reading order
• After Star Trek: Day of Blood

Do I need to be familiar with Star Trek to read these comics?

To a degree, you need to be familiar with Star Trek to get the most out of these comics – specifically Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This is because they’re based on those television series and are written in a way that assumes you know certain characters and concepts.

However, those looking to watch something in preparation for Star Trek: Day of Blood should view one particular episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I recommend watching (or rewatching) the season 6 episode “Rightful Heir”. This will give you background on Kahless II, who’s a major villain in Star Trek: Day of Blood.

How to read Star Trek: Day of Blood

Star Trek: Day of Blood is a 5-part story, which includes two one-shots and two issues of Star Trek (2022 series) and Star Trek: Defiant. You’re required to read all five issues to get the entire story.

You’ll need to read Star Trek: Defiant if you’re only reading Star Trek (2022 series) and vice versa for the duration of this comic book event.

Check out the Star Trek: Day of Blood reading order section below to discover the recommended reading order.

Where can I find Star Trek comics?

Star Trek comics can be found at all good comic book shops, online retailers, eBay, and Amazon/Kindle.

Learn more about where you can find and buy comics with our extensive guide.

Background reading

Want to catch up on the Star Trek comics before jumping into Star Trek: Day of Blood? Here are the comics I suggest you read.

Star Trek (2022 series) #1-6 and #9
Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. Art by Ramon Rosanas and Mike Feehan.

This series stars Benjamin Sisko, Data, T’Lir, Sato, and Beverly Crusher on board the U.S.S Thessus and it’s set on stardate 2378, when Sisko has returned from the Bajoran Wormhole as an omnipotent being. However, his powers are fading. With that in mind, the Prophets have sent him and his crew on a mission to stop the slaughter of space gods.

The first six issues have been collected in the Star Trek Volume 1: Godshock hardcover.

Star Trek: Defiant #1-2, and #5
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by Angel Unzueta.

Star Trek: Defiant is a spin-off series that stars Worf, B’Elanna Torres, Spock, Ro Laren, and Lore. Where Star Trek (2022 series) fits the traditional Star Trek formula, this series breaks the mold with the cast being fugitives on the run from Starfleet.

Countdown to Star Trek: Day of Blood

The following issues are stories that build towards the Star Trek: Day of Blood crossover. Check out these issues if you’re looking to see hints and set-up to the event. 

Star Trek (2022 series) #7-8 and #10
Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. Art by Mike Feehan.

Star Trek: Defiant #3-4
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by Angel Unzueta.

Star Trek: Day of Blood reading order

Below is the recommended reading order for Star Trek: Day of Blood. It also includes annotations, creative teams, and release dates too to help make reading this crossover as simple as possible.

Free Comic Book Day 2023: Star Trek (Prelude)
Written by Christopher Cantwell, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly. Art by Mike Feehan.
Available 6th May

Note: This is a prelude to Star Trek: Day of Blood, which helps set up the crossover between Star Trek (2022 series) and Star Trek: Defiant. This will be given away as part of Free Comic Book Day 2023 at participating comic book shops. It’s also available digitally if you missed it.

Star Trek: Day of Blood #1 (Part 1)
Written by Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly, and Jackson Lanzing. Art by Ramon Rosanas.
On sale 19th July 2023

Note: Star Trek: Day of Blood #1 is available in a Director’s Cut edition. This edition includes behind-the-scenes features as well as the original issue.

Star Trek: Defiant #6 (Part 2)
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by Angel Unzueta.
On sale 2nd August

Star Trek (2022 series) #11 (Part 3)
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Art by Mike Feehan.
On sale 23rd August 2023

Star Trek: Defiant #7 (Part 4)
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by Angel Unzueta.
On sale 6th September 2023

Star Trek (2022 series) #12 (Part 5)
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Art by Mike Feehan.
On sale 27th September 2023

Star Trek: Day of Blood – Shaxs’ Best Day #1 (Tie-in)
Written by Ryan North. Art by Derek Charm.
On sale 27th September 2023

Note: Star Trek: Day of Blood – Shaxs’ Best Day #1 is a one-shot tie-in issue that explores the events of Day of Blood from the perspective of Lieutenant Shaxs. Fans of Star Trek: Lower Decks will want to check this one out.

Buy Star Trek comics on…

After Star Trek: Day of Blood

Neither IDW Publishing or any official Star Trek channels have announced what’s in store for the comics after Star Trek: Day of Blood yet. It’s likely we’ll discover what’s in store for the Star Trek comics sometime in July. We’ll update this section when it has been announced.

Want to know what you should read after the Star Trek: Day of Blood crossover event? Both the Star Trek ongoing series continue. Find the details for the next issues below:

Star Trek: Defiant #8
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by Mike Feehan.
Available 4th October

This issue kicks off the second story arc for the series and also explores the aftermath of Day of Blood.

Star Trek (2022 series) #12
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Art by Angel Unzueta.

This issue begins a new story arc called “Glass and Bone”.

Collected editions

Track down the following hardcovers if you would prefer to read Star Trek: Day of Blood in a collected format.

Star Trek Volume 2: The Red Path
Collects: Star Trek (2022 series) #7-10 and Annual #1

Star Trek: Defiant Volume 1
Collects: Star Trek: Defiant #1-5

Star Trek: Day of Blood
Collects: Star Trek: Day of Blood, Star Trek: Day of Blood – Shaxs’ Best Day, Star Trek 2023 Free Comic Book Day, Star Trek (2022 series) #11-12, and Star Trek: Defiant #6-7

Star Trek: Day of Blood hardcover will be available on 12th March, 2024.

Have your say!

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