Star Trek: Lore War

Star Trek: Lore War #1-6

by Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing

Following the action of Star Trek: Day of Blood, an all-new crossover event between Star Trek and Defiant is here!

Lore War shows us a universe rebuilt in Lore’s image. The crews of the Theseus and the Defiant are scattered across the universe with no memory of who they once were—some even worship Lore as their God. Lore has won; his rule is absolute. But the Sisko remains, and there are forces who wish to remind him of his power.

From the Eisner-nominated writers of Star Trek, Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly; the critically acclaimed writer of Star Trek: Defiant, Christopher Cantwell; the Eisner-nominated writer of Shaxs’ Best Day, Ryan North; and artists Davide Tinto and Derek Charm comes the next big Star Trek event!

Includes Star Trek: Lore War #1, Star Trek issues #31–32, Star Trek: Defiant issues #26–27, Star Trek: Lore War—Shaxs’ Worst Day, and Star Trek: Omega.

Genres: Star Trek, Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley.

I love the idea that a functional family is enough of an in-universe red flag to jumpstart the plot. It’s a good Star Trek story. Shaxs’ Worst Day is a great inclusion.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Trek: Lore War

Lore has created an opportunity to remake the entire universe in his own image and it falls on Worf, Sisko and their valiant officers to return the universe to the way it was before.

Fantastic artwork and a great understanding of characters allows Cantwell and his team to conclude this massive storytelling arc in a satisfying way.

[Sarah Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this graphic novel. This was a fun look at an AU Star Trek with different takes on well known characters.

[Renato · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This volume is a cross-over event, and so will be found in multiple different series (dontcha love it when comics do that?). A full list and order for this story arc can be found at the bottom of this review.

From my impression, this would be the final volume for the main arc that began with The Sisko's return. Unfortunately, Lore War has to be unfairly judged as the conclusion to a series that has been too bombastic, too uneven, and too much of a fan-persons project to cram as many cross-franchise references and characters into a single story (which was both pleasingly nostalgic and distracting).

Thankfully, the writing team gave enough space for a proper denouement before saying goodbye.

The one gem of this series would be the Ryan North headed Shaxs' Worst Day one-off. Shaxs had a best day during the Day of Blood resolution, now meet him on his worst:


Reading order for Lore War
Star Trek: Lore War #1
Star Trek: Defiant #26
Star Trek #31
Star Trek: Defiant #27
Star Trek: Lore War – Shaxs' Worst Day #1
star Trek #32
Star Trek: Omega #1

[Joel Jorden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, The Next Generation already taught us that All Good Things must come to an end. Sadly, that includes IDW's Star Trek and Star Trek Defiant comic runs.

How well does the Lore War crossover wrap everything up? It feels very much like DC Comics' Emperor Joker story... Lore is god now, and everyone must suffer at his mad whims. There is some fun with people not being dead who are dead in the main timeline, and plenty of heartfelt moments between fathers and sons.

Highlights include: Worf trusting his son at a crucial moment and Emperor Kahless serving as the reluctant hero... oh, and Shax's Worst Day!

However, for all the fun concepts this story throws at us, we speed by them at warp speed and never really get to explore the ideas fully... the Vulcan Borg Collective in particular fascinated me and left me wanting so much more.

Also, the ending plays it a little too safe. Captain Sisko is my favorite Star Trek captain ever, and his ending in particular left me underwhelmed. I much prefer his fate in the novel Unity by S.D. Perry.

-1 star for not being available in hardback. -1 for putting all the toys back in the toy box a little too safely.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Star Trek: Lore War" is a solid although not stellar volume that collects material from the "Lore War" crossover event and portrays a radically altered universe bent to the whims of the mad android Lore. The primary sources are the ongoing Start Trek saga featuring a returned Benjamin Sisko and the "Defiant" series. These two titles do not mesh well and the interactions between the two crews feels forced, Additional material drawn in the style of "Star Trek: Lower Decks", although deeply humorous and engaging, complicates the book and results in a disorienting experience due to the clashing art and narration styles. Some of the best parts of the book are the portrayals of alternate versions of some of the characters, including Tasha Yar and Beverley Crusher. However, the treatment of many of the other characters is flat or down right uninspired and Lore himself gets vey little screen time and his madness and villainy are seriously curtailed. This book does not stand well on its own but is recommended for readers who are following one of the core series it is based on who do not want to read the the other series in the crossover event.

Three and a half stars out of five rounded to 3.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW Publishing for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Trek fan I've been reading IDW's books off and on the past couple of years. What drew me to this crossover was that IDW said this would be their way of wrapping up their various series before moving onto to new series/reboots (I guess we'll see what direction they take).

The basic premise is that Lore, Data's brother, has found a way to alter reality to make him not only supreme being, but as Lore's way to get revenge on those he feels wronged him. And. if Lore doesn't like how things are going? Wipe board time. Wipe it all away and start over again.

But, this is Trek so of course a supreme being makes a mistake/leaves a loophole. Benjamin Sisko, the Prophets emissary starts recalling how things were supposed to be. From there Sisko goes out recruiting past, and in IDW series timeline, current friends and crew to find a way to restore the sacred timeline (couldn't resist that as I finished watching Loki season two yesterday).

For me, reading this as floppies, the most enjoyable piece was seeing where people ended up after reality was restored. Especially, Sisko, Spock and Scott.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive upcoming omnibus collection telling the saga of the Lore war. Decades of Star Trek history combine in this universe redefining event requiring characters from every point in space and time (and some new to the comic universe) to right Lore's fascist takeover of the galaxy. An expansive tale weaving in old and new plot points in a such a way that it appeals to new fans and those who have been here since the 60's.

I especially enjoyed the fact that each part of the story maintained the style and tone of their original TV or comic series without taking away from the overall story. It's a perfect launching point into the comic universe if you were not previously a fan. I cannot recommend #StarTrekLoreWar enough.

This comic was provided as an advanced reader copy through #NetGalley.

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this.

Star Trek: Lore War was centred around Lore and him trying to create the perfect universe, to himself, where he is basically God. In the beginning I wasn't very sold on this premise but the more of it I read, the better it got. I really enjoyed most of the plot and I loved the moments between Tasha Yar and Kira Nerys. The Vulcan Borg Collective was an amazing concept but so little was done with it, we never got to appreciate it fully. Shaxs was amazing as always. I feel like once the universe was restored, it felt like a cop out on Sisko's part. His story wasn't very creative at the end, and it just felt like a simple thing Sisko would do. I am glad Jake finished his novel.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ambitious end to the latest round of IDW Star Trek comics, but not quite the bombastic ending I'd have liked.

The Star Trek and Defiant crews unite as Lore rewrites all of reality, but most of them spend the story still brainwashed until near the end, so it's not as much fun to see them all running around at once. Lore feels disconnected as the villain, kinda just monologuing in the background to Data until things all fall apart.

I'm also kind of over the Shax one-shots as well. It was funny the first time, but this time it's just kinda beating the same joke over and over again.

Not a bad way to tie everything from the last three or four years together, but I think I wanted a bit more from it all. The stakes are high, but it never really feels like we're getting anywhere.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for the hardcore Star Trek fans who have seen just about all the series. There's even Easter eggs for other series. Okay, so it may just be describing me. It is mostly done in a somewhat realistic style or art, with the exception of Shax's worst day, which is done in the animation style of Lower Decks. Lore some how uses Data to created a twisted dystopia throughout the universe, but Kahless II, Ben Sisko, Beverly Crusher, Worf, and Alexander team up to stop him. It's a lot of fun but for non-fans it may be too dense.

First pass review, but realistically drawn Dr T'Ana can't hurt you, but she can haunt you.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Treks version of House of M…….House of M-class planets maybe

Lore has recreated the universe in his image, so you can only imagine how much fun that is for humanity.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable story and whilst i never kept up with the stories leading up to it I never felt lost. And it did make me want to go back and read everything before so job well done there.

The art and writing are good. The stand out issue definitely being “Shaxs Worst Day” which is absolutely wonderful.

Recommend for trekkies old and new

[Gonzalo Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fine and epic finale for Kelly, Lanzing and Cantwell's saga, with maybe an alternate universe formula used too many times, including this franchise. However, the team sticks the landing with solid writing, compelling resolutions, tearful goodbyes and teasing new beginnings. I liked how some of the characters' fates fell into place with the Star Trek TV and movies canon, while I thought some could have used different and less back-to-status-quo ones. Amazing finale and I can't wait to see what else these various writers and artists do in this universe.

[SketchyNewEngland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complete compilation of the Lore Wars saga. It’s perfect for Star Trek fans who want to get the whole picture in one go. There are several art styles to enjoy throughout this volume. The sections vary in tone and style depending on the show they’re pulling from, and the artist. Some are darker and more serious, and some much lighter, like the Lower Decks portions.
The art is very high quality. This was a beautiful compilation.
Thank you NetGalley for the complimentary review copy.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly inspiring read for such a ridiculous (even humorous) premise. Standing up and defeating fascism even when it seems all-powerful. Believing a better world is possible even when evil seems the natural order of things. And also: Vulcan-Borg, how cool is that.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Star Trek: Lore War” by Christopher Cantwell, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Ryan North

5⭐/5⭐

Wow, that was disturbing, entertaining, and all around insane. I loved seeing the mash-up of various Trek characters working as allies to defeat Lore.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really tired of alternate universe stories. This one had some juice and was enjoyable overall, though. A bit too overwrought though.

[T.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really well done haven't read many graphic novels and this one was well written and drawn loved seeing the styles of various artists coming together.

[Liv]

star trek: sins of sinister fr

[Derek Moreland · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an incredible waste of *two* otherwise pretty solid series.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Trek Elseworlds