We still don’t have the clearest picture of what CBS’ Star Trek: Discovery will look like (at least we can watch it without ads!), but it seems we’ll have a whole lot more than the series itself to enjoy, come January. New announcements reveal Discovery will launch tie-in comics and novels, maintaining strict continuity with the series itself.

As announced by writer Kirsten Beyer at the Mission: New York panel for Star Trek: Discovery, a new Simon and Schuster novel will accompany the show’s January 2017 launch, as well as a comic series from IDW. Those initially excited by Beyer’s presence among the Discovery writing staff will be happy to know her pedigree of Voyager novels and continuity will be put to good use, overseeing both literary projects.

Additionally, favorite Star Trek author David Mack will write the first novel, while the IDW creative team behind the comic series will be announced at a later date.

Shooting in Toronto this fall, the new 13-episode Star Trek: Discovery is officially said to take place 10 years before Kirk’s original Enterprise mission, as well to be “heavily serialized,” akin to a novel, more-so than an episodic nature. The new series will also feature a non-captain female lead, and explore the fallout of an event referenced, but never seen in the original series.

Bryan Fuller will headline the new streaming iteration of Star Trek as co-creator and executive producer, while Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer has also joined alongside Gene Roddenberry’s son Rod, fan-favorite Voyager novel alum Kirsten Beyer, franchise vet Joe Menosky and Heroes writer Aron Coleite. So reads the initial synopsis for the series, which debuts on CBS in January 2017 before moving to All-Access:

The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Additional details will emerge within the next few months, including an updated ship design, but what else should we expect from the new streaming Star Trek: Discovery?

Check Out 100 TV Facts You May Not Know!

More From