Advance Review: It’s Data’s Day In `Star Trek: The Mirror War #5’

Set two years after Captain Jen-Luc Picard’s victory in conquering the shipbuilding operations at Faundora, publisher IDW returns to Star Trek’s fascinating mirror universe in this fifth installment of its eight-issue miniseries.

The human empire has finally rebuilt much of its fleet and begins to flex its muscles against the Klingon-Cardassian alliance. Commander Data goes full-on last action hero and helps to free a colony of humans who were enslaved. Despite that victory, the newly build ships lack the fuel to challenge the alliance and the human bureaucracy begins to lose faith in Picard’s leadership.

Writers Scott and David Tipton are crafting an interesting story set in a universe where familiar characters act in non-familiar ways. Of course, that’s the beauty of the mirror universe. For example, empathic ships counselor Deanna Troi is now Inquisitor Troi, torturing her captives to get badly needed intelligence for the empire.

Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to the Tiptons is that readers will find themselves rooting for the treacherous human empire. It’s not so much a question of xenophobia against the Klingons and Cardassians as it is that we can relate to some of the frustrations Picard and crew are facing – the often-duplicitous bureaucracy, the struggle against overwhelming odds and the characters’ drive.

Artist Gavin Smith has a lot to work with as well, as does a good job of depicting the budget crew. The issue features familiar faces from The Next Generation, including prickly Admiral Nechayev – who is as much of a pain in Picard’s side in the mirror universe as the prime – as well as Commander Shelby, who made a brief but memorable appearance in the epic Borg cliffhanger The Best of Both Worlds. They are instantly recognizable, as is a certain Klingon who Picard is desperate to defeat in battle.

Star Trek: The Mirror War #5 will be available for purchase at your local shops tomorrow.