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Captain Picard, Cardassians, comics, Dave Tipton, DS9, IDW, IDW Publishing, JK Woodward, Klingons, Scott Tipton, Star Trek, Star Trek Mirror Universe, Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken, Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1, Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1 Review, Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken #1, The Enterprise
Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1
Review by Paul Bowler
Get ready to boldly return to the Mirror Universe in Star Trek The Next Generation Mirror Broken #1 as Captain Jean-Luc Picard resolves to seize command of the Empire’s deadliest new warship, the ISS Enterprise! It is a quest fraught with deception, intrigue, and murder – with allies and enemies vying for power at every turn. Picard aims to use the Enterprise to restore the Empire to its former glory, the challenge he faces is immense, but fortunately he has a cut-throat crew on his side that will do whatever it takes to succeed!
IDW Publishing’s new six part Star Trek: The Next Generation Mirror Broken mini-series, written by David Tipton and Scott Tipton, and illustrated by J.K. Woodward, kicks off in fine style with this exciting first issue. The Tipton brothers are a winning team when it comes to writing Star Trek, having already brought us many popular Star Trek comic books, including the Star Trek / Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive crossover series and the FCBD Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken special (which was also the prequel to this mini-series).
The Tipton’s take on the Mirror Universe is a fascinating and insightful one, particularly as their was never a TV episode featuring the STTNG crew in this alternative dimensional pane. Star Trek TNG: Mirror Broken shows how the aftermath of the STTOS crews’ adventure in the episode Mirror Mirror (1967) that led to that universes Spock’s more logical and tolerant rule over the Terran Empire, was ultimately overrun during the Klingon / Cardassian alliance that was eventually forged during the TNG / DS9 era. With most of its fleet in ruins, the balance of power in Alpha Quadrant has shifted, and the Terran Empire has been driven back to Earth.
Captain Picard and the crew of the ISS Stargazer are among the few remaining starships of the fleet left defending the Empire. Following a run in with a Cardassian vessel, the Stargazer visits the Mars shipyards of Utopia Planitia, where Captain Picard learns about a new warship that’s secretly being constructed for the Empire, and it’s a ship that could shift the balance of power in his favour!
Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken presents us with a sleeveless, pumped up, and ruthlessly ambitious Captain Picard. Even the familiar Picard phrases have a far more sinister, edgier, inflection to them. Picard has been playing the long game, and it looks like the Captain’s steely patience is about to pay off. We also meet some of the other TNG crewmembers in this issue, including the alluring Inquisitor Troy, the efficient Commander Data is ever present with his seemingly stoic penchant for Borg-like perfection and adaptations, there’s a decidedly cunning version of Barclay as well, and the downtrodden La Forge seems equally as cunning as Picard.
Well known for Fallen Angel, longtime Star Trek artist, J.K. Woodward’s art is a perfect choice to illustrate IDW’s STTNG Mirror Broken and realize a darker version of the Next Generation crew in the grittier reality of the Mirror Universe. From the scene setting opening flashback, to the brooding introduction of Picard, J.K. Woodward’s stellar artwork instantly transports you right into the heart of this Mirror Universe saga. The likenesses of all the characters are stunningly realized, the bridge of the Stargazer feels alive with activity during the fight with the Cardassians, and the scenes with La Forge, Picard, and Data on Mars crackle with suspense.
As this year is the 30th anniversary of Star Trek The Next Generation, it makes this Mirror Universe comic book epic all the more exciting, and its great to see these Mirror Universe versions of Picard and Co reunited for this daring escapade to take the Enterprise for themselves and make the Terran Empire great again. Star Trek The Next Generation: Mirror Broken #1, with its intricately crafted storyline by David Tipton and Scott Tipton, and stunning art by J.K. Woodward, certainly gets this IDW mini-series off to a terrific start, and a must read for all Trek fans this new comic book day. Make it so!
Publisher IDW Publishing
Writers David Tipton & Scott Tipton / Art and colors by J.K. Woodward
Letters AndWorld Design / Cover by J.K. Woodward
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
I’ve never quite been enough of a Star Trek fan to check out the comics. Normally the movies and the best of the TV episodes is enough for me. This sounds really fascinating, although it would probably be good to watch the episode before I’d read this series just for the historical context.
The Star Trek comics from IDW are well worth checking out, they’ve done some good stories. I like the tv shows and the films as well, especially STTOS & STTNG. Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken #1 was a really good start to this series, beautiful artwork as well.
Well, you sold me on this.
Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken is really good, well worth checking out. Great story and artwork!
I loved this book a lot! Going to be such a good series.
Me too, its always fun when they visit the mirror universe, but even more so here with the TNG crew. Mirror Broken got off to such a great start with this issue, going to be a must read sereis for Trek fans!
I read all of IDW’s Trek comics and I’ll definitely be checking this albeit when it’s collected as it’ll probably include the Free Comic Book Day issue.
The Tiptons always deliver a great Trek story (and mirror universe tales are always a plus) and if J.K. Woodward’s art is as strong as it was on the TNG/Doctor Who crossover this will certainly be something special.
I really enjoy the IDW Star Trek comics as well, I love the Triptons work, and JK Woodward’s artwork is superb. This new Mirror Universe saga with the STNG crew is brilliant, can’t wait to see how the story evolves. Again, sorry for the lateness of this reply, had no internet for a week, so only just catching up with things. Cheers 🙂
No worries Paul, I’m a bit behind myself – hope you’ll catch my piece on Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country which I’ve just posted 🙂
Yeah, so many great star trek comics now. Thanks for letting me know, just been having a read of your review as well. Star Trek VI is one of my fave Trek movies as well 🙂