Warning: contains spoilers forStar Trek#25!
AlthoughStar Trekfans believe the galaxy is at peace with Species 8472, the franchise just confirmed they are still a massive, extinction-level threat. Introduced inStar Trek: Voyager’sthird season,Species 8472 has the distinctionof being the one race even the Borg fear–and for good reason.Voyagerencountered Species 8472, and Janeway seemingly brokered an agreement, but as revealed inStar Trek#25, she had second thoughts.
Star Trek#25 was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Liana Kangas. Trapped in Fluidic Space, theTheseusruns afoul of Species 8472. A few of the aliens beam aboard theTheseus, attacking the crew. They are able to fend off the invaders, and Tom Paris tries to keep their spirits high. He mentions safeguarding the crew’s loved ones.As Species 8472 beams off the ship, one of them ominous says: “Love? We have never heard of it.”Also in the issue is a briefing from Janeway, in which she second guesses the “peace” with Species 8472.
Species 8472 Ended the Borg’s Run asStar Trek’sMost Powerful (and Scariest) Alien Race
After They Were Done with the Borg, Species 8472 Would Most Certainly Have Attacked the Federation
Star Trek: Voyagerwriter Brannon Braga is credited with creating Species 8472.
Since their debut in 1989,the Borg have been regarded, rightfully, as one of theStar Trekfranchise’s most terrifying enemies—but Species 8472 makes them look weak.Native tothe mysterious realm known as “Fluidic Space,” Species 8472 cannot be assimilated by the Borg. Assimilation is how the Borg learn and adapt, but since they cannot do this to 8472, they are at an extreme disadvantage. The Borg seek out Janeway’s help in turning back Species 8472. Reasoning that the Federation would be 8472’s next target, Janeway enters into an agreement with her former enemy.
“In the Flesh”
Nick Sagan
August 17, 2025
Janeway noted all of this in the text piece, where she attempts to rationalize the peace agreement she brokered with Species 8472. After the incident with the Borg, Species 8472 realized Janeway’s worst fears, as they began preparations for an invasion of the galaxy. She was successful in convincing them otherwise,but the text piece reveals that, even years later, she still has her doubts about Species 8472, and whether they are trustworthy or not.Janeway concedes that if Species 8472 ever did attack the Federation, it would be easy pickings for them.
Is Species 8472 Still the Biggest Threat to theStar TrekUniverse?
Captain Janeway Still Does Not Trust Species 8472
Species 8472’s actions inStar Trek#25 seem to confirm Janeway’s suspicions. They openly attack theTheseusand her crew, apparently ignoring the armistice they signed with Janeway. However, it is worth noting that Species 8472 were in panic mode themselves, as the consequences of Lore’s destruction of the Prime universe were being felt, even in Fluidic Space. Fluidic Space was “cooking” and 8472 were lashing out at anyone that got in their way. With this in mind, Species 8472 may still mind the peace agreement, or at least under better circumstances.
Yet the events ofStar Trek#25 serve as a jarring reminder of how powerful Species 8472 is, and just how big a threat they pose to the galaxy. They could have very well overtaken theTheseus, and if they had not been in survival mode themselves, killed the crew. Furthermore,Species 8472 has no conception of love or empathy, which makes them terrifying opponents who cannot be reasoned with in standard ways.This makes it unusual they would even enter into a peace agreement in the first place, considering they could easily cause an extinction level event.
