Summary

• The Guardian of Forever and the Iconian gateways may have a mysterious connection in the Star Trek universe.
• Star Trek #21 explores the potential link between these two iconic enigmas in the series.
• Both the Iconians and the Guardian of Forever continue to captivate fans and creators with their intriguing mysteries.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #21!

Although the Iconians are a long dead race in the council of gods in the Pleroma. Even more intriguing is a possible connection between it and the Iconians.

Star Trek #21 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. The Guardian of Forever is one of the many gods present in the Pleroma. When the council gets ready to vote on helping T’Lir restore Organia, the Guardian abstains. In the same issue, a text piece, made to resemble a Starfleet briefing, lists the gods on the council. The entry for the Guardian of Forever suggests a possible connection to the Iconian gateways.

The piece does not elaborate any further on this potential link.

The Iconians and the Guardian of Forever Are Two Big Star Trek Mysteries

Linking These Two Star Trek Enigmas Was a Stroke of Genius

The Iconians were introduced during the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, in the episode “Contagion.” Once one of the dominant powers in the galaxy, the Iconians had long since faded into legend. According to the stories, the Iconians possessed technology allowing them to open gateways anywhere in the galaxy. The Iconains controlled a vast empire thanks to these gateways. The Enterprise encountered one of these gateways, as did crew from Deep Space Nine. The Iconians have captured fans' imaginations, appearing in spin-off media as well.

Like the Iconians, the Guardian of Forever continues to inspire fans and creators alike.

Another enigma in the Star Trek universe is the Guardian of Forever. Created by the legendary writer Harlan Ellison, the Guardian of Forever was also a portal to anywhere in space, as well as in time. It would appear once more in Star Trek: The Animated Series before returning during Discovery’s third season, in a much different form. This time appearing as a humanoid, the Guardian was instrumental to the season’s plot, but has made no more appearances since. Like the Iconians, the Guardian of Forever continues to inspire fans and creators alike.

What Link Does the Guardian Share With the Iconians?

These Two Star Trek Mysteries Just Got Deeper

But now, Star Trek has heightened the mystery surrounding these two, suggesting a link between them. It makes sense, as the Iconians relied on their gateways to sustain their empire. The Guardian, likewise, is also a portal. The key difference is, as far as fans know, Iconian Gateways only travel through space, not time. Otherwise, Iconians could invade the Federation. The Guardian of Forever and the Iconians are both huge Star Trek mysteries, and the issue does not explain the connection further, leaving it up to fans’ imaginations.

Star Trek #21 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!