A newly revealed variant cover for the upcoming Star Trek: Celebrations one-shot shines a light on Lower Decks’ iconic queer couple. Set to be released at the beginning of Pride Month, Star Trek: Celebrations will spotlight the franchise’s many LGBTQIA+ characters in all new stories. IDW has now shared Celebrations’ variant cover by artist Kevin Wada, showcasing one of Star Trek: Lower Decks’ best pairings.
IDW shared a first look at Kevin Wada’s variant cover for Star Trek: Celebrations with AIPT. The cover features Lower Decks’ main character Beckett Mariner, alongside fellow Lower Deck-er Jennifer, the Andorian. No context is given for the cover, other than they are transporting somewhere, but Mariner and Jennifer’s suggestive looks make the implication clear. Instead of being depicted in the normal Lower Decks style, artist Kevin Wada goes for a more realistic look.
Wada adds nice touches to the cover as well, namely Mariner’s beloved bat’leth.
Star Trek: Celebrations Is Something That is Way Overdue
The Franchise Has Been Behind the Curve on LGBTQIA+ Representation
In addition to Kevin Wada’s variant cover, Star Trek: Celebrations will feature new stories and art from today’s top talent. Among the contributors to Star Trek: Celebrations include Steve Orlando, Vita Ayala, Stephanie Williams and Magdalene Visaggio. The book grows out of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision for humanity’s future, one where differences are not only tolerated, but celebrated. Due to the influence of previous Trek producer Rick Berman, the franchise shied away from exploring LGBTQIA+ issues, but newer shows, such as Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, have been far more receptive.
Star Trek: Lower Decks has featured LGBTQIA+ characters across its run. Several members of the Cerritos’ crew, including its Chief Engineer Billups, are coded for asexuality and/or aromantic. Furthermore, the show has explored same-sex pairings as well. Earlier in the show’s run, Beckett Mariner was in a relationship with Jennifer, another ensign on board the Cerritos. The two split up due to a misunderstanding that led Mariner to temporarily leave Starfleet. When Mariner returned, she and Jennifer did not get back together, but the possibility of a reunion was not ruled out either.
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Beckett Mariner and Jennifer Represent Everything Good About Star Trek
Lower Decks Needs To Bring Them Back Together
While Mariner and Jennifer have not gotten back together on Lower Decks yet, Kevin Wada’s cover for Star Trek: Celebrations nonetheless toasts this iconic power couple–and makes a strong case for them reuniting. Beckett and Jennifer rekindling their romance would be a serious win for representation. Their coupling shows that love crosses not only gender lines, but species as well. This relationship embodies everything Star Trek stands for. As Lower Decks heads into its final season later this year, this cover gives fans one last chance to see this iconic queer couple.
Source: AIPT
Star Trek: Celebrations #1 is on sale May 29 from IDW Publishing!
