We are less than a month away from the release of the long-in-the-works tentpole sequel Star Trek Into Darkness and now that the last of the trailers has been released it is time for the tricking out of short clips from the movie to begin. Today we have one that those of you lucky enough to catch the nine-minute preview last December before IMAX 3D screenings of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will remember.

You can watch it here below.

Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness
Trade Paperback
Story by Roberto Orci and Mike Johnson
Script by Mike Johnson
Pencils by David Messina
Inks by Marina Castelvetro
Colors by Claudia Scarletgothica
Cover by David Messina and Claudia Scarletgothica
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Cover Price: $17.99

Anticipation is running high for the upcoming summer blockbuster season, and Star Trek Into Darkness is most certainly at the top of most fans’ lists as “˜must see’ material. The buzz surrounding the film has been so huge during the last year that it certainly feels to be an enthusing time to be a sci-fi geek. And in tradition to form with the previous Star Trek movie, IDW Publishing has released a prequel to the upcoming movie entitled Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness.

Prior to the events of the upcoming movie, the crew of the USS Enterprise, under the authority of Captain Kirk, arrives at the planet Phaedus to conduct a survey of the development of the intelligent race on the surface. Observing the protocol of the Prime Directive, the crew aims to observe the “iron age” home-grown species from orbit – until a high tech jamming signal from the planet disables communication and transporters.

Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #3
Story by Roberto Orci & Mike Johnson
Script by Mike Johnson
Art by David Messina
Ink Assist by Marina Castelvetro
Colors by Claudia Scarletgothica
Letters by Chris Mowry
IDW Publishing
Release date: March 20, 2013
Cover price: $3.99

In the penultimate issue of Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness, the Enterprise hovers over the planet Phaedus, where on the ground, some of the crew’s Away Team is being held captive, while Kirk and Spock are still trying to figure out what the presumed dead Robert April is up to. The ship’s communications are still being jammed, so Uhura, who actually has the Conn, decides to leave her post to go in search of her comrades. And who does give the Conn to when she leaves? A most unlikely crew member, to humorous results.

But, there’s nothing funny about what’s happening down on the planet’s surface, where there’s two warring factions and everyone’s life is in danger. In Star Trek: Countdown To Darkness #3, Spock, who’s still reeling from the destruction of his home planet, Vulcan, risks his life once more in an attempt to free Sulu and Hendorff (“Cupcake”), who were part of the away team that was immediately captured. Meanwhile, Kirk has to decided whether to get involved in the Phaedus civil war, while also trying to figure out what to do about April, who’s technically a Starfleet deserter, and whose story seems to change with each issue.

Sony has announced that The Amazing Spider-Man 2, directed by Marc Webb, has officially entered the production phase and has released the film’s official synopsis. The studio also confirmed a couple of new casting additions, one of which we reported on just days ago. Hit the jump to check out the plot description and the two new casting additions.

Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Sally Field all return to reprise their respective roles. Jamie Foxx, Dane Dehaan, and Shailene Woodley will join them in the highly anticipated sequel. In addition to those three, Paul Giamatti, who is rumored to play The Rhino, has been confirmed. Colm Feore (Chronicles of Riddick and Thor) also joins the cast.

Star Trek #17
Written by Mike Johnson
Creative Consultant: Roberto Orci
Art by Claudia Balboni
Inks by Erica Duranti
Colors by Claudia SGC
Letters by Chris Mowry
Editor: Scott Dunbier
Cover by Tim Bradstreet
IDW Publishing
Release Date: February 6, 2032
Cover Price: $3.99

Star Trek #17 is a great single-issue story focusing on one of the most famous crew members of the Starship Enterprise. It’s part love letter, part space adventure, which adds up to one great comic!

Writer Mike Johnson turns in a fantastic tale of everyone’s favorite doctor, Leonard “Bones” McCoy. This is basically the untold origin of Bones – why he became a doctor, why he joined Starfleet, and just what happened with that ex-wife of his. This is a great character piece that could NEVER be told in a feature film, and if it was, would not be nearly as detailed as this story is. It’s got everything that makes it classic Star Trek, but told within the confines of the new films. It’s got heart, action, and humor, which makes this one great read.