In 1967, Star Trek first explored the concept of parallel universes in the second season episode, “Mirror, Mirror.” In it, Captain Kirk found himself in a reality in which humans had formed the Terran Empire and were brutal rulers, the opposite of the peaceful explorers the audience was so familiar with. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revisited this universe several times, establishing that the Terran Empire was overthrown by the Klingons and the Cardassians and the human race was enslaved. In 2017, IDW began their exploration of this universe with several mini-series featuring the crew of The Next Generation. In the same continuity of DS9, remains of the Terran Empire still exist, fighting a resistance against the Klingons and Cardassians. Star Trek: The Mirror War #0 is the beginning of a 13-issue series which continues this story.

The issue begins with the mirror crew of the ISS Enterprise raiding a Klingon ship. The mission does not go as planned. Picard and crew find themselves reprimanded by Imperial command. The captain and his first officer Riker begin to make plans that will affect the balance of power for the unstable remnants of the Terran Empire.

Star Trek: The Mirror War #0 includes all of the mirror counterparts for the Next Generation‘s Enterprise crew: Data, La Forge, Dr. Crusher, Deanna Troy, Barkley, and O’Brien. Writers Scott and David Tipton definitely understand the characters. Anyone familiar with The Next Generation show or movies will find this iteration of the characters familiar, even if they had not read the previous Mirror Universe series. The art by Carlos Nieto is well done.

Recommended – 3 out of 4 stars

Creative Team: Scott Tipton, David Tipton, and Carlos Nieto
Publisher: IDW Publishing
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