| July 19, 2026 |0 comments so far
Ok At the end of last year longtime Star Trek apparel maker Hero Within announced they had to drop their license, citing higher costs. However the fan-run company never gave up on being part of Star Trek and they just announced they are returning to the fold, partnering with Star Trek replica maker Factory Entertainment. Hero Within will relaunch their Star Trek line with Factory at San Diego Comic Con this upcoming week and TrekMovie got some exclusive first details.
A hero returns to Trek
Before having to step away from Star Trek (with their last day of sales being March 31st of this year), Hero Within has been making licensed nerdy apparel that skirts the line between cosplay and casual for a decade. Their niche was creating a variety of clothing that appeals to fans but can be worn every day. Star Trek mega-fan and owner Tony Kim was a cosplayer himself and it was with a heavy heart that he had to say goodbye, telling TrekMovie at the time that increased costs due to to a number of factors, including tariffs and changes post Skydance merger, “became too much for our small business.”
Hero Within CEO Tony Kim with Kate Mulgrew at their Mission: Chicago booth in 2022
Kim vowed to try to find a way to return to the fold, telling TrekMovie “Star Trek has been my first love, so walking away was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.” That work has now paid off as they just signed a new 1-year deal with Paramount as a sublicensee of Factory Entertainment. The news was first teased by Kim on social media and on their site earlier this week and he tells TrekMovie “I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of ‘welcome back love’ from fans through social media and messages. I have been brought to tears reading all the lovely messages.”
Kim is excited to be back, telling TrekMovie:
“We are so grateful for Factory Entertainment’s generosity and Paramount’s faith in us. Most of all, we are thankful for how the fans have stuck with us over the course of a crazy 10 years. Here’s to the next 10! “
More details on the relaunch will be revealed during their 10th anniversary panel, Thurs 2 PM (at the Marriott Marquis Grand, rooms 12/13). But Kim gave us a preview, revealing Hero Within will return with a limited selection from their original collection of Star Trek apparel, which will be available for preorder starting this week. They will also have a few new items available for preorder from Starfleet Academy and Star Trek: The Original Series, all to celebrate the 60th anniversary. The teaser image Kim gave us below hints at some of what is to come. ‘
They will also be showing off their line at SDCC (Booth 1943) where they are celebrating “10 Heroic Years,” which includes new Hero Within pins, patches and T-shirts. Hero Within will also be celebrating their return to Trek with a special fan photo meetup at the booth on Sunday at 1 PM. Hero Within will also have a booth at STLV in Las Vegas, which kicks off on August 5th.
Hero Within Wrath of Khan field jacket is coming back
More to come from SDCC 2026
TrekMovie is headed to SDCC and will report on all the announcements from Hero Within, other licensees (more Lego!?), and of course whatever comes out of the big Star Trek Universe panel on Saturday. We will be going to the panels, visiting the booths, and already have several interviews lined up so stay tuned to TrekMovie and the All Access Star Trek podcast for all the Star Trek coming out of SDCC 2026.
Badge Art for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo credit: Paramount+.
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