Comic Book Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken #3
The Mirror universe has always been a secret pleasure of mine. It’s been a concept that I’ve been fascinated by since I became a fan of the franchise. An evil twin of Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a utopian future. It’s easy to understand how that can capture the imagination. It’s one of the dual roles that our own world faces to this day, the pull towards liberty against the tide of tyranny. It’s a theme that has echoed through the ages, just ask the last of the Republicans in the ill fated Battle of Philippi when the final vestiges of the Republic fell to the Empire. Here in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken #3, we get to once again pay a visit to this universe and discover the destiny of the Enterprise D.
Writers David and Scott Tipton engage us in a story warped in a layer of deceit and betrayal. There are a number of familiar faces that guide us along.
David and Scott Tipton do a good job capturing what the mirror counterparts of the Enterprise crew would be like. Between the dialog and actions their writing is able to bring out the most of the characters. Even Data, one not known to be emotional at all is now a colder, darker version of Data. The same can be said about LaForge, Riker, Tori, and Crusher. Barkley, on the other hand, was under used.
The pacing is quick, just like the mission. You aren’t slowed down by unnecessary dialog as each person in the comic has a place and purpose. The Total Recall Easter egg in the final page was masterfully done.
The art by J.K. Woodward captures the essence of realism with the characters; it’s very uncanny. It was as close to watching the show, without watching an episode. Each person’s detail was accounted for, and more, as added on to emphasize the mirror universe. Data’s Borg-like additions and Riker’s facial scars really stand out. Even Picard was drawn very much like Patrick Stewart but given a good amount of muscle mass to push forward the mirror universe theme.
Bouncing right on this subject, Charlie Kirchoff handled the colors. In many ways, he was able to make note of the mirror universe. This was accomplished by using a darker set of colors to capture this tone without losing much of the original feeling of The Next Generation. Though at times the colors felt a bit messy in the attempt to maintain this level of realism.
The Verdict
If you’re a fan of Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken #3 is for you. The imagining of a darker Enterprise D crew makes for a wonderful mental exercise. Writers David and Scott Tipton are able to expand a bit on the mirror universe while maintaining its contrast to the Alpha universe. J.K. Woodward puts together some good artwork. The realism in the art is very high quality. I was able to recognize a captain who was on for two episodes just by looking at the comic. The colors though a little messy did a decent job at keeping up with the art.
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