Star Trek: The Mirror War #0 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MIRROR WAR No. 0, August 2021

Starting with a thrilling infiltration of a Cardassian cargo vessel, and finishing upon the abduction of Reginald Barclay's evil doppelganger back to the Mirror Universe, it’s arguably evident straight from this twenty-page periodical’s get-go that its American authors were “absolutely thrilled” to return to the science fiction franchise’s highly popular parallel dimension. Indeed, there’s such a sense of forthright fun with this comic’s numerous capers, especially once an already frustrated Jean-Luc Picard is recalled “back to Earth to report to the Emperor personally”, that many bibliophiles were probably pre-ordering as many instalments of the planned thirteen-part event as their friendly local book store could muster.

Topping this publication’s numerous successes has to the Tipton brothers’ focus upon the Mirror Enterprise-D’s captain, and his growing resentment towards his superior officers for failing to show him the respect which he feels rightfully due. It is clear straight from this comic’s opening as the bald-headed egotist leads a raid upon a supposedly automated freighter, that the man is actually nothing more than a power-mad pirate. Yet his steadfast belief that if he ‘plays his cards right’ he could still usurp the Terran Empire’s throne for himself still makes compelling reading; “I’m taking him down. I’ll kill them all, and I’m taking him down.”

Likewise the penmanship depicting such notable Bridge Crew members such as Data and Deanna Troi proves just as entertaining, with the different character’s desires and aspirations repeatedly causing them to clash with one another – sometimes violently so. It’s hard to miss the Betazoid’s jealous glare at William Riker when the Commander appreciatively thanks the attractive Ensign Sonya Gomez for saving his life during a shoot-out, or to subsequently see the stark terror on the Inquisitor’s face when she unwisely mocks her android comrade-in-arms for missing his ‘friend’ Barclay and witnesses his cybernetically-enhanced super-strength first-hand.

Undeniably supporting all this agreeable storytelling are Carlos Nieto’s proficient pencils, which do a good job of making the comic’s considerable cast perfectly recognisable without resorting to photogenic quality portraits or well-known poses from the syndicated television series. The Spanish artist’s style really imbues the likes of Captain Picard with a dynamic, vicious athleticism which was rarely seen on the small screen, and definitely highlights that the goatee-bearded picaroon is still in his physical prime as he successfully outfights a deadly cut-throat during a sudden assassination attempt upon his life.

Writers: Scott Tipton & David Tipton, Artist: Carlos Nieto, and Colorist: DC Alonso