IDW Publishing has released the first cover image for their upcoming 4-issue limited comic book series that will serve as a prequel to JJ Abrams’ 2009 feature film Star Trek.

Star Trek: Countdown #1 will be released in January 2009, and will serve as a lead in to the events of the Star Trek movie, which is itself a prequel/reboot of the 1960s television series.

The comic book series has a story presented by Abrams and was plotted by Star Trek screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman; it was written by Mike Johnson and Tim Jones with art and covers by David Messina.

Check out the cover here at right (click for larger view) and the full press release here below.

Press Release

IDW Publishing has joined with Paramount Pictures, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, Kurtzman/Orci Productions and CBS Consumer Products to publish a four-issue limited comic book series tied to next summer’s new Star Trek movie, which will be released in theaters on May 8, 2009.

The first comic in the series, Star Trek: Countdown #1, will be released in January 2009 to the comic book direct market. The story is presented by Abrams and plotted by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. It is written by Mike Johnson (Superman/Batman) and Tim Jones, and features stunning art by David Messina (Star Trek: Mirror Images). Messina also provides covers for the series.

“There was a lot of back and forth about doing this project, how to do it, what it would be about, but what all parties agreed on was that we needed the right story and that it needed to matter. It had to count both on its own merits and when read in conjunction with the new movie,” said series editor Andy Schmidt. “I couldn’t be happier with the project and what it means to the overall Star Trek franchise!”

“Star Trek: Countdown lays the groundwork for what happens in the movie,” said Roberto Orci. “It’s our way of passing the baton from the Next Generation characters and their movies to the new film.”

Star Trek: Countdown is sure to be in huge demand as eager fans look for a sneak peak into director J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek vision!

Star Trek: Countdown #1 (Diamond item code NOV08 4113), a 32-page, $3.99 comic, premieres in January 2009.