Review by Frank Plowright

Over several previous graphic novels (see recommendations) David and Scott Tipton have revisited the Mirror Universe, where Earth’s contacts with other planets aren’t peaceful via the Federation, but colonial via the Empire. While each of the books can be read individually, the writers have been building toward something bigger, and that’s The Mirror War, which involves not only the crew of the Enterprise, but the officers of Deep Space Nine. Perhaps that’s why The Next Generation no longer features as part of the title.

Ending Terra Incognita Lieutenant Barclay was extracted back to his own universe to pass on valuable information, and the opening chapters spotlight that universe and the ambitions of its Captain Picard. He wants to displace the Emperor, while there are plenty on board his Enterprise plotting to displace him. He does have means of keeping tabs, though.

With each successive visit to the Mirror Universe the Tipton brothers have extended the page count. The Mirror War runs to nine chapters, and that’s around three too long as the first few are diversions, explained away by Picard’s ego in wanting to retrieve his stashed wealth before his big play, and by the writers needing to fill the time on what they’ve explained as a long journey. It’s a method of presenting an epic in episodic terms, but the stopovers are ordinary instead of remarkable and the mysteries implanted with the intention of sustaining interest aren’t greatly startling when the revelations arrive. However, this maximises the possibilities for including popular minor characters from the Next Generation era.

After an introductory chapter by Carlos Nieto, Gavin Smith draws the remainder. He takes the interesting approach of ensuring a relatively clean line used for scenes of the Enterprise and its crew, but drawing Klingons and Cardassians he slathers the panels in black ink and piles on the detail, on uniforms, on the backgrounds of starships and on the ornate facial markings. It provides a viable emotional contrast. His figures can be too thin and stiff, but there’s a great deal of effort on Smith’s part ensuring this looks as good as he can make it.

The Enterprise finally arrives at its destination halfway through and The Mirror War leaps two years forward and while still episodic, at least before the final chapters, there’s a far greater sense of purpose. Those final chapters do hit the spot as one complication after another is thrown in Picard’s way and he’s merciless in dealing with them all. Not that we want this version of Picard to succeed, but there is a new emperor at the end. Will it be him?

Although there’s a definitive end to The Mirror War, as they’ve done with their earlier graphic novels, the Tiptons leave the door slightly ajar for the next instalment should it be commissioned. The committed Star Trek fan is more likely to overlook the time-marking first half, and everyone should get the intended rush from the second. Those wanting more background information on some of the heavyweights will find it in Warriors of the Mirror War.