Happy Anniversaries, Star Trek!

September 8 is a date which changed the world forever — though some at that time may not have been fully aware of the ineffable impact that Thursday would bring.

On this day in 1966, “Starship Earth” launched into the hearts and minds of humanity as viewers tuned in to NBC and watched “The Man Trap”, the debut episode of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek. The series, pitched as “Wagon Train to the stars,” would become a shining beacon of optimism, tolerance, and progress even to this day. While 2016 will celebrate the 50th anniversary, this year marks a very special anniversary of Star Trek: the 47th anniversary. If fans aren’t aware why the 47th anniversary is significant for Star Trek, a quick trip to Memory Alpha will illustrate the legend of 47.

While many fans continue to debate and compare the merits of the subsequent television series, the first spin-off of Star Trek deserves special recognition on this day as well. Beginning September 8, 1973, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted 40 years ago today with the episode “Beyond the Farthest Star.” A Filmation production, the Animated Series featured the voices of seven Original Series cast members, often including scripts written by Original Series writers. Though the animation style may seem dated by today’s high standards, fans still enjoy the continuing voyages of the USS Enterprise in the animated adventures of Captain Kirk and crew.

In the year 2013, Star Trek is still boldly going and Trek fandom continues to grow. We would like to Gene Roddenberry, the cast and crew, and everyone involved in bringing Star Trek to the world — from 1966 to 2013 and beyond.

Happy 47th Anniversary Star Trek!   Happy 40th Anniversary Star Trek: The Animated Series!

William Shatner VIP Contest (Closed)

Wizard World and Trek Radio have teamed up to offer a fan and their guest the chance to meet the original Captain Kirk with the William Shatner VIP Experience contest.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive two (2) William Shatner VIP Experience packages, including:

• Ohio Comic Con 3-Day Tickets
• Exclusive WILLIAM SHATNER VIP Badges
• Photo Op and 8″x10″ Photo with Autograph
• Guaranteed seating at Q&A Panel

More information about the VIP package.

Another lucky winner will receive by mail one (1) lithograph image signed by William Shatner.

Entering the contest is easy. Just visit http://vip.me/TrekRadioContest, input the required information, and click Submit. Good luck!

Be sure to tune in to Trek Radio during Ohio Comic Con for live coverage from the convention floor! For more information about the convention, visit the Ohio Comic Con website.

CONTEST DETAILS

Contest ends Monday, September 16 at 8pm EST. Winners will be selected randomly from all valid entries by Wizard World Comic Con. The winners will be contacted via email on Tuesday September 17, 2013. Full contact information will be requested at that time. Grand Prize winner and guest must be able to provide their own accommodations and transportation to the Wizard World Ohio Comic Con. If winner is unable to attend, prize is transferable at the winner’s discretion. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO WIN. To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (green card). Lithograph prize will be shipped by Wizard World.

Into Darkness Bonus Swag

The US retail release of the Star Trek Into Darkness Blu-ray and DVD is less than two weeks away and JJ Abrams’ alternate Trekverse is ready to take the home video market by storm. If you can’t wait that long or want all the Trek you can get, no worries! Thanks to iTunes you can buy a digital copy of Star Trek Into Darkness right now!

Go behind the scenes with the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise with iTunes Extras. Get a first-hand look at the making of Star Trek Into Darkness in an all-new, exclusive, enhanced commentary with visionary filmmaker, J.J. Abrams. See how filmmakers brought the red planet and its native race to life; find out how, and why, the identity of the film’s true villain was kept a mystery to the very end; and listen to Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch as they revisit their intense preparation for the film’s action-packed climax.

Preview this exclusive Star Trek Into Darkness: Behind the Scenes with Zachary Quinto video:

Fans looking for even more content can find an array of exclusive bonus materials at a number of retailers. Listed below are the various exclusives available and where to find them:

• Target is offering a Limited Edition 3-disc collector’s set that includes a Blu-ray bonus disc with over 70 minutes of special features including 30 minutes of exclusive content.
• Best Buy versions come with bonus discs containing an additional 30 minutes of exclusive content.
• Walmart is offering a Limited Edition gift set with Villain SteelBook packaging and a Hot Wheels model of the USS Vengeance. (See Below)
• Walmart customers in Canada receive a Klingon Mimobot USB stick as part of the gift set. (See Below)
• Amazon.com’s Star Trek Into Darkness Starfleet Phaser Limited Edition Gift Set (Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack) stuns fans with a full-sized, screen accurate Starfleet Phaser replica by Quantum Mechanix. (See Below)
• Finally, to get even more extra features, rent or buy the movie through the CinemaNow or VUDU service.
• Buying or renting through CinemaNow and VUDU also offers additional bonus features

As Joseph Dickerson’s recent column points out, while some fans are happy to have several options available and look forward to collecting all the extra items, many completionist fans are upset they can’t get all 100 minutes of the film’s bonus material from one source in one purchase.

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