Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken
Writers: David Tipton and Scott Tipton
Art & Colors: J.K. Woodward
This is an ongoing mini-series (six issues planned) and I had the pleasure to read the first two. The Star Trek Mirror universe probably does not need an introduction on an AH site, so I will instead focus on what this particular Mirror universe tale brings: continuity between the Mirror universe of The Original Series and Deep Space 9. In the Original Series, the Terran Empire is at the height of its imperialist might. In Deep Space 9, the Empire has been destroyed and humanity has been enslaved by the species it once shoved aside. This mini-series aims to bridge the divide between the two polar extremes. It is not the first attempt to create a Next Generation era mirror universe story, but previous attempts are no longer in canon due to changes that came after they were published (Dark Mirror) or were merely cast aside due to pique (Rise Like Lions & Worst of Both Worlds).
The Terran Empire of Mirror Broken has been squeezed back to Earth's solar system and is crumbling. Aging warships such as I.S.S. Stargazer patrol the shrinking frontiers and doom and gloom pervades. But Captain Picard (with a gray goatee) of Stargazer learns of a top secret warship being built and wants to get his hands on it. Three guesses as to its name. He is aided in his quest by the ship's inquisitor Deanna Troi, wearing an outfit that is demi-dominatrix, Data and Barclay. I will not spoil how Barclay is introduced, but would urge all to get the Free Comic Book Day copy of the Broken Mirror prequel to learn of why Barclay is by Picard's side.
Along the way to capture the new warship, Picard calls upon old and new reluctant allies, such as the proposed's warship's engineer Geordi LaForge (shaved bald, but with a goatee, naturally) and a certain first officer of the secret warship named Riker (milky white eye due to a scar and braided beard). Mirror universe tropes abound (assassinations, agony booth and etc.), but what makes it very good, is that the characterizations ring true, the art is good (more on that in a minute) and the story moves.
The art is stylized, but I like it. It cannot be easy to draw a comic depicting fictional characters whose appearance is known to the intended audience. After all, one does not exactly draw Jean Luc Picard as one wishes, one draws Patrick Stewart as Jean Luc Picard and then one can put one's own spin on it. The art does not distract from the story, however, and compliments it.
There is two other things I must say, in addition to "buy this comic if you're a Star Trek and AH fan," first, it is an ongoing series, so until the story is complete, it is hard to judge how successful it turns out. Second, in one of the scenes, Picard goes to look for Riker and finds him in a seedy bar. He tries to recruit him, but that does not go well early on and soon the two are fighting. In the midst of the fight, Picard executes a different Picard maneuver - he gets behind Riker and hits him with a German suplex.
Roger Ebert once observed that if you watch enough movies you will find one that seems to have been made just for you. Ladies and gentlemen, I am a Star Trek fan, I am also a Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, I am also a Mirror Universe Star Trek fan, as well as an AH fan, but I am also a pro-wrestling fan. So, when I found myself reading a Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Universe AH story featuring Picard executing a German suplex on Riker... it is as if the comic book came alive on my tablet, ensconced me in a virtual hug and whispered ever so gently into my ear, "it's all for you."
I, therefore, may be biased.