'Star Trek: Discovery' Exhibit Reveals Starfleet, Klingon And Vulcan Props, Costumes & Ships [Comic-Con 2017]
Star Trek is coming back to television in a big way this fall with an all new series coming to CBS All Access. Since San Diego Comic-Con is full of the kind of nerds who are looking forward to exploring the final frontier, it should come as no surprise that Star Trek: Discovery has a big presence at Comic-Con.
Not only is there a panel here at the convention, but CBS All Access also put together a little Star Trek: Discovery exhibition full of props, costumes and artwork of the new ships that fans will see when the new series begins this fall. Lucky for you, we got a closer look at everything on display, which includes tons of new information about the show's characters and much more.
Check out all of our images from the Star Trek Discovery Comic-Con exhibit below.
Because we have so many images from the exhibition with detailed information for each one, we've separated everything we saw into three categories across three pages. All of the text information with each item was provided by information cards at the exhibit.
Let's begin with some images showing off the new Starfleet gear from Star Trek: Discovery:
Starfleet Communicator, Tricorder and Insignia Badges
Standard issue by Starfleet Command for away missions, the communicator design is heavily influenced by the communications from the original Star Trek and is made from milled aluminum.
The tricorder is for scanning and recording data on away missions. It was built and painted in Los Angeles and its screen employs the use of a smart phone with video looping images and includes a removable hand-held scanner. It was made entirely with a 3D printer.
The Starfleet insignia badges were made to match the trim of the uniforms and are matched to Starfleet divisions: command (gold), sciences and medical (silver), and operations (copper). The gold, copper, and silver badges were made in Toronto by making wax models from 3D prints, then creating plaster molds for silicon bronze to be poured into. The bronze badges are then polished and plated by a jeweler to create the custom colors for Discovery.
Starfleet Phaser Pulse Rifle and Hand Phaser
Standard issue by Starfleet Command, the pulse rifle is inspired by the Pup rifle designs of today. The pulse rifle has one nod to the Star Trek: The Original Series phaser rifle that observant fans will notice and that is the orange foil chamber within the barrel. The pulse rifle was built in Los Angeles and is almost entirely 3D printed.
The hand phaser is reminiscent of the original series phaser, but the design was given a tougher look to indicate more militaristic functionality. The phaser was built and painted in Los Angeles and is 3D printed with removable magazine that houses the batteries and electronics.
Starfleet Long Haul Space Suit
The Starfleet Long Haul EV suit was built in the UK. It was milled from high-density foam as one unit and then draped in fiberglass. The suit was then sectioned into pieces that fit as a clamshell over the actor's body. The optically clear lens of extruded plastic were made from a 3D scan of the helmet and had to be perfect to fit the suit's frame. This is the suit that we see Sonequa Martin-Green wearing in space from the Star Trek: Discovery trailer.
Starfleet Tactical Jumpsuit & Vest
Starfleet officers engaged in combat situations or potentially hazardous away missions are issued an armored tactical vest and distinctive version of the duty uniform, trading metallic accents for a low-profile navy compression panel. Laser flashlights are installed in the shoulders of the vests for guidance. Vests also contain additional functional elements for attaching specialized mission gear.
Starfleet Duty Uniform, Operations Division
This is a variant duty uniform worn by Starfleet officers that features elbow-length sleeves and alternate detailing. The copper side compression panels and delta shield pattern signifies an officer in Starfleet's operations division, which encapsulates ship operations, security, and engineering functions. The fabric for the Starfleet duty uniforms is dyed a custom navy blue in Switzerland, then cut and built in Toronto by the costume team under the direction of costume designer Gersha Phillips.
Starfleet Medical Officer Duty Uniform
Medical officers wear hospital white variants of Starfleet science division uniforms. The silver side compression panels and delta shield pattern signifies medical's place within the science division, but are marked by a distinctive badge insignia.
Starfleet Duty Uniform, Sciences Division
This is a standard Starfleet duty uniform typical of those worn by Lieutenant Commander Saru (Doug Jones) on the USS Shenzhou and Lieutenant Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) aboard the USS Discovery. The silver side compression panes and delta shield pattern signifies an officer in Starfleet's sciences division.
Starfleet Duty Uniform, Command Division
This two-piece Starfleet duty uniform is worn by First Officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) aboard the USS Shenzhou. The gold side compression panels and delta shield pattern signifies an officer in Starfleet's command division, as does the command star insignia on the Starfleet badge.
Starfleet Captains Duty Uniform, Command Division
This two-piece Starfleet captains uniform is worn by Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) of the USS Shenzhou. The gold side compression panels and delta shield pattern signifies an officer in the command division of Starfleet. The additional gold detailing on the shoulder epaulets is what signifies the rank of Captain.
On the next page, we'll look at what the Klingons are wearing and wielding, as well as some other items.
Torchbearer Armor
Built by Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page's Alchemy Studios, this sophisticated suit serves as both an EV space suit and battle armor for Klingon warriors. Although similar to Klingon armor, this version is worn only by a warrior chosen through a sacred ritual to serve as Torchbearer, enabling him to sound The Call for all the houses to unite by activating a ceremonial obelisk.
Cutting edge 3D printing techniques were employed in the creation of the suits and Alchemy worked with 3D Systems and used 3D printing techniques to create a hundred individual components from Neville Page's digital designs to achieve the look.
Torchbearer D'k tahg
Built by Alchemy Studios, the ceremonial blades location on the boots of the Torchbearer's suit are ornate, reimagined versions of the classic and beloved Klingon weapons from Star Trek: The Next Generation and other Star Trek films and shows. The daggers, helmets, and full suits have embraced and augmented the cultural notes from Star Trek: The Original Series Klingons, employing a mixture of Middle Eastern, Mongolian, and Byzantine influences to achieve the Klingon aesthetic.
T'Kuvma
T'Kuvma (Chris Obi) seeks to unite the 24 great Klingon houses to halt the encroachment of others. His elaborate clothing honors ancient Klingon ways and the path of honor set forth by Kahless the Unforgettable. Designed by Gersha Philips and Suttirat Anne Larlarb, this ornate costume is comprised of two prime layers: a tunic and a chest plate. The tunic is made up of three types of leather and molded with task and hydraulic tubing to form panels into a skirt. The intricate chest plate is made up of 3D printed beads with a magnetic back closure that creates a seamless appearance, claw-like Swarovski crystals, and vintage lace around the collar.
House of T'Kuvma Female Klingon Uniform
This House of T'Kuvma female Klingon uniform is representation of the style worn by the members and follows of the House. The warrior uniforms are painstakingly built piece-by-piece with hand-pressed leathers that are individually stained, painted, and molded for texture. This ornate costume is designed by Gersha Phillips and Suttirat Anne Larlarb and takes a team of 10 costumers an estimated 110 hours to create.
House of T'Kuvma Male Klingon Uniform
This House of T'Kuvma gray Klingon uniform is representative of this style worn by members and follows of the House. These more ancient Klingon designs pay tribute to Klingon ancestors and the path of honor walked by Kahless the Unforgettable. The warrior uniforms are painstakingly built piece-by-piece with hand-pressed leathers that are individually stained, painted and molded for texture. This ornate costume is designed by Gersha Phillips and Suttirat Anne Larlarb and takes a team of 10 costumers an estimated 110 hours to create.
Periscopic Klingon Bridge Officer Helmet
Built by Alchemy Studios, the periscopic helment is worn by Klingon pilots to provide a Heads Up Display of weapons systems, three-dimensional star system charts and other critical tactical information essential to controlling the ship's navigational and weapons systems. It was entirely 3D printed and painted using complex airbrush techniques that employ a combination of proprietary automotive paints, acrylics, and weathering layers.
Klingon Helmet and Collar
Built by Glen Hetrick and Neville Page's Alchemy Studios in Los Angeles, this is an example of a high-ranking officer's personalized helmet and collar. Each warrior's battle armor bears a unique signature look as a matter of honor. The full body armor suit and helmet can fully retract and extend from the collar itself by combining physical elements and VFX compositing in post-production.
Klingon bat'leth
The preferred weapon of the Klingon warrior, the bat'leth was made in Toronto. It was originally hand sculpted out of a high-density foam. The sculpt was then turned into a 3D model and milled out of aluminum. The surface of the blade is hand carved from a poured resin and the handle is also hand carved from foam and then cast in rubber.
Klingon mek'leth
A ceremonial bladed weapon of Klingon warriors that is used in close quarters combat. Traditional mek'leths are often individualized to both the Klingon warrior and their house. This mek'leth was made in Toronto from hand sculpted high-density foam. That sculpt was then turned into a 3D model and milled out of aluminum. The surface of the blade is hand carved from a poured resin and the handle is also hand carved from foam and then cast in rubber.
Klingon Disruptor Rifle
Used by Klingon warriors when a bat'leth won't do, the rifle was inspired by the Star Trek: The Next Generation disruptor and made to look as nasty as possible. The rifle is 3D printed with an aluminum center hollowed out to house electronics and batteries.
Sarek, the Father of Spock
The father of Spock, husband to Amanda Grayson, and mentor to Michael Burnham, Ambassador Sarek (James Frain) is a Vulcan diplomat held in extremely high esteem. His traditional robes reflect the Vulcan culture and its devotion to a life of pure logic, serious intellectual pursuits and spiritual contemplation. Sarek's costume is designed by Gersha Phillips and built in Toronto by the costume department.
Vulcan IDIC Pendant
The IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) pendant is worn by Vulcan Science Academy graduates as well as professors and high scholars. The pendant was 3D printed and hand painted in Toronto.
Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd
This charismatic conman and intergalactic criminal Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson) returns to Star Trek: Discovery. Mudd has the distinction of being the only guest character on the original Star Trek to be featured in two episodes. Designed by Gersha Philips and built by the costume team, Mudd's costume is primarily leather and inspired by Adam Ant.
On the next page, check out some concept art of Starfleet and Klingon ships, as well as some locations.
Unfortunately, there weren't any models of the new Starfleet and Klingon ships from Star Trek: Discovery on display, but there were several pieces of concept art, including the one above of the titular Starfleet ship.
Here's another glimpse of the Discovery from several different angles:
One of the other Starfleet ships we'll see is the USS Shenzhou, which I think looks even cooler than the Discovery:
Then there are other ships like this, which didn't have a label during the exhibition, but is clearly not from Starfleet:
Then there's this frightening beast of a ship, the Klingon Sarcophogus:
There were also other pieces of concept art scattered throughout the exhibit, depicting certain locations, devices and even battles in space. Here are all those pieces in a gallery for you to peruse:
If the show is able to bring these kind of visuals to life in a way that looks as stunning as this artwork, then this Star Trek show should turn out pretty well. Then again, with all the troubles there have been behind the scenes, starting with original showrunner Bryan Fuller leaving the series, it may not turn out to be what fans are hoping for.
The only way to find out will be to watch when the show premieres on Sunday, September 24 on CBS at 8:30pm ET/PT and then continues to debut exclusively on CBS All Access every Sunday after that.