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Confirmed: Comic Book From ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Ep. 6 Was NOT Created With AI
Last week’s episode of _Star Trek: Starfleet Academy_ (“Come, Let’s Away“) introduced an in-universe comic book. This plot point (and prop) launched some heated online discussions so we dug into it and have some more details.
## _Tales from the Frontier_
The story of episode 6 revolved around the visit to a ship graveyard including the abandoned ship, the USS Miyazaki, which was to be the staging ground for a joint exercise for Starfleet Academy and War College cadets. The Miyazaki was a 31st century ship which lost its entire crew when experimenting with a new type of drive during “The Burn” a century before the events of _Starfleet Academy_.
Captain Ake briefs the cadets on the USS Miyazaki (Paramount+)
During the decades since The Burn, the Miyazaki and its crew had became legendary. This legend was told in the form of a comic book, titled _Tales from the Frontier_ , showing how comics made it all the way into the 32nd century. One of the subplots of the episode involved how War College cadet B’Avi was inspired by this comic, and (later) jaded Academy cadet Caleb Mir admitted he too read it. When it came time to reactivate the USS Miyazaki’s computer, the system wouldn’t start because it believe its crew was still alive so the cadets had the computer scan the comic book to accept them as her new crew.
Miyazaki’s compute rscans “Tales from the Frontier,” from _Star Trek: Starfleet Academy_ episode 6
During this scene, we can see the Miyazaki computer scanning several spreads from a digital version of the comic. So there are a few seconds of screentime with images being “scanned” by the computer. These comic book spreads featured Captain Chi and his crew, wearing uniforms similar in design to those of _Star Trek: The Original Series_ (and _Strange New Worlds_). This could indicate that during this era of the 31st century, Starfleet drew inspiration from the 23rd century for design.
“Tales from the Frontier” from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 6
We have seen at least a few examples of Starfleet uniforms from the 32nd century in _Star Trek: Discovery_ and now _Academy_ , but neither series has established what uniforms looked like during the era of The Burn. Certainly the TOS style helped convey how the Miyazaki and crew had become legends, like the classic Star Trek heroes.
While not established in canon, similar designs are seen in the new _Star Trek: The Last Starship_ comic book series from IDW, which launched last fall. That series is set during the era of The Burn on a Starfleet ship (the USS Omega). Some fans speculated that the inclusion of _Tales from the Frontier_ in _Starfleet Academy_ was some kind of promotional product placement for the official Trek comics. However, TrekMovie confirmed with IDW that they had no involvement with this fictional comic book seen in the TV series.
Panels from “The Last Starship” issue 4 (IDW)
After the episode dropped, there was no word from any artists taking credit for _Tales from the Frontier_. As fans began scrutinizing the various shots of the comic book from the episode, speculation grew about its origins. Much of this speculation asserted the production had used generative AI to create the comic. Concerns about “AI slop” being used for Star Trek became acute for some, especially with the artistic community. For example, designer Phil Murphy who worked on _Star Trek: Lower Decks_ , said on Bluesky “If this is true then I can’t tell you how much it sucks,” noting how many artistic fans “would kill to have their name in the credits” of a Star Trek show.
TrekMovie did some digging and we have confirmed with multiple sources that _Tales from the Frontier_ was actually **not** created using AI. According to the sources, the comic was hand-drawn by one of the in-house graphic artists in the _Starfleet Academy_ art department. It’s likely the production didn’t turn to an outside comic book designer as it was easier and faster to do it in-house. An actual comic book was also created as a physical prop, to be used at the end of the episode.
Physical copy of “Tales from the Frontier” placed on B’Avi’s casket in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 6
So there you have it, one online controversy can be put to bed. But this flareup is understandable as the use of AI in the creative arts has become such a hot button issue. In fact, it was one of the central concerns of the 2023 Hollywood strikes. And believe it or not the unions are currently back in negations over new contracts, and AI once again is a hot topic.
## Hollywood wrestling with AI
Even though this on-screen comic book in _Academy_ didn’t use AI, you can be certain AI tools are becoming commonplace for television and film production, including current Star Trek. One of the most obvious uses of AI for Star Trek has been the AR Wall which was first put into use in 2020 for season 4 of _Star Trek: Discovery_. These virtual sets replace what was previously done with greenscreens and in many cases allow productions to shoot scenes without the need to go on location. While many designers and production people are required to make this technology work, the technology also integrates machine learning and AI. And the new _Starfleet Academy_ show has made AR Walls a bigger part of the production. At the world premiere event executive producer and director Olatunde Osunsanmi told TrekMovie they built “multiple AR walls” into the new sets.
Behind the scenes with AR wall for _Strange New Worlds_ (Paramount+)
And there are many more areas where AI is being used behind the scenes across productions in Hollywood, saving the studios time and money. New Paramount CEO David Ellison has said the company will “embrace AI.” Ironically the studios themselves are now fighting back against the growing use of AI. Just this week TikTok owner ByteDance promised Paramount it will introduce “safeguards” for its new Seedance 2.0 video creation model. This came following a cease and desist letter sent by the studio after a video featuring an artificial Tom Cruise went viral.
Of course, Star Trek has been teaching us about the risks and dangers of AI, since _Star Trek: The Original Series_. But we have also learned how AI can be our friend, just ask Geordi LaForge.
Brent Spiner as Data and LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge in “Surrender” Episode 308, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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