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If you take a thing you like that’s wholesome, filled with great heroes and twist it to become evil it can be an enlightening experience. That’s how Star Trek: Mirror Broken has been with a fantastic tainted twist on some of the most heroic and wholesome characters ever put on the screen. IDW has a smash hit on their hands, but can it sustain the quality?
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
The heist is on! Jean-Luc Picard and his cadre of mutineers set their plan into action, with the spoils the greatest prize of all: the Empire’s only Galaxy-class starship, the U.S.S. Enterprise!
Why does this matter?
David and Scott Tipton have been writing incredibly well on this series and it all starts with the voice of the characters. Sure, it helps that artist J.K. Woodward paints these characters in a realistic and lifelike way as well. This series is a must read for Star Trek: Generations fans. Period.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Is that a drug at the top?
As Picard’s plan to steal the Enterprise D unfolds, readers get a chance to see familiar faces pop up like Captain Jellico. He’s the Captain of the Enterprise D (at least at the start of this issue!) and he’s a grade A asshole. It becomes more and more apparent that there really is no good soul in this series — and that’s what makes it so much fun. Dr. Crusher might be a bit more good, but so far it’s hard to tell, though she enters this story in an intriguing way. Not to spoil anything, but the writers have given her a checkered past when it comes to Picard, which should mean tantalizing twists for future stories. Her son Wesley is a curious addition and he appears to be set up as a kind of enigmatic character.
As far as plot progression this issue continues the series’ hallmarks. A lot happens here, from setting up Jellico’s personality, to starting the plan, and finally finishing it. So often in comics stories take forever to progress, but this series has been fast and entertaining on every page.
Speaking of entertaining, the art continues to be a highlight. This issue features the best Federation ship ever designed (I’m looking at you Enterprise D) and it looks fabulous here. Faces continue to look good (they look so familiar in part because they must be pulled from the actual show) and Woodward nails facial expressions at opportune times. In one instance for example, Data has a smirk that perfectly shows a bit of humor that we all know and love. Picard’s satisfaction with himself and the situation is always clear too.
Wesley during his goth phase.
It can’t be perfect can it?
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I’m a little confused when it comes to phasers and getting hit with the laser. Usually characters get knocked back, but here they get lit up like jack o’lanterns and actually disappear. It seems off for this property and, while it’s feasible these jerks have amped up their killing power, doesn’t quite fit.
Aside from this, Wesley’s enigma quality is somewhat strange and seems off. Is he supposed to be mentally ill or a child with behaviors? It’s alluded to, but never clearly stated. It’s the kind of detail that would help understand the character and his mother’s situation, but instead it’s teased.
Is It Good?
This is an excellent and action packed issue that continues to show this series might be the best Star Trek comic for die-hard fans ever. The evil twist on these characters is delectable and worth a look.
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