Review by Frank Plowright
Mirror Universe Collection combines three longer stories written by David and Scott Tipton and concerning the interactions of the Next Generation’s Enterprise crew with their evil counterparts of the Mirror Universe, all stories set before The Mirror War.
What was issued in paperback as Mirror Broken concerns the Mirror Universe as adjusted to incorporate the reforms introduced at the end of Mirror Images. The human empire has been pushed back into the solar system by an alliance of Cardassians and Klingons, yet many still believe in the expansionist aims of the Empire, including Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who puts together an audacious plan to hijack a just completed new ship, the Enterprise. The first half is predictable as there’s little mystery about who the crew are going to be, with the only surprise being the relatively large role for Lieutenant Barclay, who features in all three longer stories. The second half is fast-paced and enjoyable. Artist J.M. Woodward shops in faces and constructs the art around them, which leads to some strange looking people, but creates a viable atmosphere with dark art accompanying dark deeds on a dark world (sample spread left).
That’s infinitely preferable to the five different cartoonists who work on Through the Mirror. The is the first meeting of the Enterprise crews, but begins as a mystery to which readers know the answer. There are some interesting scenes, and the overall plot eventually develops into doppelganger fun, but even without some shaky art, this is the weakest of the three stories.
Terra Incognita concludes the collection, differing from the remainder by being six individual stories with Lieutenant Barclay the connecting thread. It’s the highlight of the three longer stories, inventive in coming up with different scenarios ensuring that a variety of characters take a turn in the spotlight. The best of them is set up to have later consequences, and has Riker visit a planet offering the construction of advanced starships. Tony Shasteen (sample right) draws most stories, bringing the cast to life with sparkling likenesses and provides personalities rather than just shopping in and manipulating pictures.
Two stories not included in the original sections focus on Data. ‘The Origin of Data’ isn’t quite that, the Tiptons assuming readers are already aware of Data’s background, and instead supplying how Captain Picard of the Mirror Universe meets Data and is introduced to his capabilities. It’s drawn by Josh Hood more impressively than his later contribution, detailed and conveying personality. He also draws ‘Ripe for Plunder’ very nicely. Data concludes Spock is still alive, and is sent to search for him, which explains how it is that his Enterprise crew know about the alternate universe. As in the main stories, the writers lead readers to jump to a conclusion about Data, but that’s not confirmed or ruled out in this collection.
Next Generation fans are likely to enjoy most of The Mirror Collection, and some artistic inconsistencies aren’t going to spoil that.
