Review by Frank Plowright

This pocket-sized collection combines two graphic novels dealing with the mirror universe introduced in the 1960s Star Trek TV series. Here the crew of the Enterprise had evil counterparts, concerned with their own ambitions rather than the betterment of the universe, and co-writers Scott and David Tipton revived the idea and applied it to the Next Generation crew in a series of stories leading to this point.

Here they bring their plotting to a definitive conclusion, while also leaving the door slightly open for a sequel, and adding the cast of Deep Space Nine to the proceedings. Key to what’s been happening beforehand is a bit player from the Next Generation show, Lieutenant Humphrey Barclay, an imposter on the regular Enterprise who’s now returned to his regular universe.

That universe takes precedence over the opening chapters, an evil Jean-Luc Picard signified by a well trimmed goatee beard and moustache plotting to overthrow the Emperor, while plenty aboard the Enterprise are looking to displace him. At nine chapters Mirror War is longer than previous visits to the universe, and the writers struggle to fill the pages with meaningful moments. The entirety of the opening three chapters is merely a prologue, while stopovers don’t grab the attention as they should, the writers having set a rod for their back by introducing a long journey. It’s halfway through before the trivialities evaporate and the meat of the plot emerges, and from that point Picard and his ambitions slip into high gear and the entertainment value accelerates also.

Primary artist Gavin Smith delivers expansive layouts and good cast likenesses, which compensate for an occasional emaciated figure. He varies the art when focussing on Klingons or Cardassians, when the pages become noticeably darker and the detail is increased.

The main story is combined with four individual tales of other familiar faces with different personalities, originally collected as Warriors of the Mirror War. They have nowhere near the same appeal. Barclay’s background takes precedence in what’s supposedly a Data story from Celeste Bronfman, but it’s very readable. The same applies to that of Benjamin Sisko, in this universe under the control of Kira Nerys. Both, though, are let down by lacklustre art, respectively by Roberta Ingranata and Hendry Prasetya. Megan Levens provides the most accomplished likenesses when delving into a sadistic Deanna Troy’s past.

A bargain price renders this collection better value than the individual components were, but still keep expectations low.