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Star Trek (2011) #12
Star Trek Volume 12
The U.S.S. Enterprise continues its ongoing mission to explore strange new worlds and new civilizations, boldly going where no one has gone before. Now midway through their five-year voyage into uncharted space, Captain Kirk and crew are about to encounter their strangest discovery yet... themselves in the mirror-mirror storyline "Live Evil." Then, the crew face off with a renegade faction of Orions intent on disrupting the truce between their species and the Federation in “Reunion!” Collects issues #50–54 of the ongoing Star Trek series.
124 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2016
14 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Mike Johnson
607 books53 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mike Johnson is a comic book writer.
An almost lifelong Trekkie, he has scripted more Star Trek comic books than anyone else to date.
Mike Johnson is a comic book writer.
An almost lifelong Trekkie, he has scripted more Star Trek comic books than anyone else to date.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 29, 2016
Just 2 stories in this Volume but man were they fun! Sign me up for Mirror Universe stuff and it even had a good story about the Orion Syndicate! Good stuff.
August 17, 2017
Picked this up during a sale. I loved Mirror, Mirror in the original series, so the Kelvin take on it was quite intersting. The second story is about Gaila, the Orion woman from the 2009 movie. It was great that they fleshed out her character, and there is even a reference to slut shaming and Gaila shutting it down in the book. Love that.
October 27, 2016
This was good, but I thought it could've been better. Live Evil had the potential to be great, like on The Q Gambit level. It seemed like they were trying to cram it into as few issues as possible. With a little more imagination this could've been a great 5-6 issue arc & I felt the same about the Orion story too.
August 12, 2021
While I haven't been able to keep up with this Star Trek run as well as I would like, I have really enjoyed it all the way through and reading this volume really drove that home. Maybe it is because I'm reading these last couple volumes well after this run has ended but I feel a bit sad seeing them come to an end. It doesn't help that I believe the movies that inspired this Star Trek run are pretty much done with, having faded away quietly after the mediocre Star Trek Beyond which is no way to go out.
That aside, this is a great volume. Both stories were satisfying and had some nice emotional beats to them. The first sees the crew end up in an alternative and very cynical dimension where they run into versions of themselves that may surprise you. The second focuses on the green skinned girl who sleeps with Kirk in the first Star Trek movie and it fills in her backstory nicely. In some ways it reminds me of some Star Wars story tropes (gasp) where the evils of slavery are explored. As with pretty much every volume, the art looks great and the likenesses to the actors is excellent. The team behind this series deserves a lot of credit because it just delivers fun stories in what has become one of my favorite movie series which is something I still can't believe I'm saying about Star Trek because I grew up never being interested in it. If that isn't a tribute to this series then I don't know what is.
That aside, this is a great volume. Both stories were satisfying and had some nice emotional beats to them. The first sees the crew end up in an alternative and very cynical dimension where they run into versions of themselves that may surprise you. The second focuses on the green skinned girl who sleeps with Kirk in the first Star Trek movie and it fills in her backstory nicely. In some ways it reminds me of some Star Wars story tropes (gasp) where the evils of slavery are explored. As with pretty much every volume, the art looks great and the likenesses to the actors is excellent. The team behind this series deserves a lot of credit because it just delivers fun stories in what has become one of my favorite movie series which is something I still can't believe I'm saying about Star Trek because I grew up never being interested in it. If that isn't a tribute to this series then I don't know what is.
November 9, 2016
I have never been a fan of the mirror universe in "Star Trek" and this book was no exception. That being said, the second story about the Orions was great, and my only regret was that the story was not longer.
May 7, 2020
How are they always astonished to find themselves in a parallel universe? It happened in almost every issue, they should not be so extremely surprised anymore. Also, what is it with those writers that they’ll see the Mirrorverse only as „I want to hurt everyone coming my way, even if it’s myself“? They only want everyone to be evil without reason. That’s just nonsense and a world like this wouldn’t work out long term.
The second story was fine, but too rushed. No deeper look into Orion culture, freedom of choice there, or how it can be that the Enterprise was so completely crippled by a species - and why the Federation still exists if it’s technology is so inferior.
The second story was fine, but too rushed. No deeper look into Orion culture, freedom of choice there, or how it can be that the Enterprise was so completely crippled by a species - and why the Federation still exists if it’s technology is so inferior.
May 31, 2020
Yet another detour in the ongoing series, this time... to the Mirror Universe... I mean, who doesn't love bearded Vulcans and more double crosses than in a ganster movie, we find the alternate versions of the cast of the first two movies in a great arc.
Also, a minor character of the first film is brought to life and given an expanded backstory in the second arc of the volume where a pair of brothers will face her treacherous mother... just another day in the captain chair.
Great stories and fantastic art. Extremely recommended!
Also, a minor character of the first film is brought to life and given an expanded backstory in the second arc of the volume where a pair of brothers will face her treacherous mother... just another day in the captain chair.
Great stories and fantastic art. Extremely recommended!
March 31, 2024
Star Trek Vol. 12
An Jon storm deposits the 'Enterprise' in a strange, mirror, universe where the crew are faced with counterparts who use violence as a tool of advancement and a small exiled cohort of Augments led by Khan Noonien Singh may be Kirk's best hope of returning home.
A chance rendezvous leads to the kidnapping of two Orion Starfleet officers and Kirk is willing to risk war with the Syndicate to rescue them.
Again, the stories are well written by Johnson and the layouts, colouring and character art are simply excellent.
An Jon storm deposits the 'Enterprise' in a strange, mirror, universe where the crew are faced with counterparts who use violence as a tool of advancement and a small exiled cohort of Augments led by Khan Noonien Singh may be Kirk's best hope of returning home.
A chance rendezvous leads to the kidnapping of two Orion Starfleet officers and Kirk is willing to risk war with the Syndicate to rescue them.
Again, the stories are well written by Johnson and the layouts, colouring and character art are simply excellent.
January 12, 2025
Always good to check in on the Mirror Universe, or the Kelvin Mirror Universe, at least (kind of the Waluigi of universes if you follow my logic). It's not used to its fullest extent here, but it's a pleasant jaunt. Likewise, the second story is an interesting bit of backstory and development for Uhura's Orion roommate from the Abramsverse. When you put it like that, it sounds like the most minuscule of minutiae, which is probably true, but if you enjoy Orion content, you kind of have to take what you can get.
April 10, 2023
The Orions episode reminded me of Star Trek the Next Generation’s season 7: “kinda running out of ideas, but let’s keep it going anyway!” Despite it being decently tied in with the overall storyline of the series (Kelvin universe and how now we can rehash eVeRyThinG), it outdid its siblings in mediocrity of story. (And let me say again, the art of this series has been overall terrible.)
March 17, 2017
Another well-drawn, entertaining entry offering a fresh take on a classic Trek episode alongside an entertaining (but slightly weaker) original story. The original story re-introduced the Orions, a welcome expansion into classic Trek peoples and politics. Four stars.
December 1, 2019
I've never been a big fan of "mirror universe" Trek stories. This one had a couple twists that I enjoyed.
The Orion story was great. Solid episode. But, as usual with this series, it falters on the moral flexing.
The Orion story was great. Solid episode. But, as usual with this series, it falters on the moral flexing.
January 6, 2023
Makes me miss the AOS era. Excellent stories that feel new yet familiar at the same time. Gaila’s background was particularly intriguing, and I only wish it could have been reflected more in the movies.
August 13, 2023
i always felt like aos mirror verse was weird and not for me but i liked the continuation of what we saw in the last other issues. it’s clearly the opposite of tos mirror verse were spock kills jim and all of that so yeah pretty neat
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2023
I really, really enjoy alternate universe Star Trek stories. This variation set off the new timeline was no exception. Also really enjoyed the other story. It was solid and the new characters it introduced were very interesting.
August 3, 2024
One Retelling and One New Story
Both stories were really well done, but I think I liked the retelling slightly more just because it actually mixed in a couple of stories. The whole new story I hope to be able to read more about it, but doubt more will be written.
Both stories were really well done, but I think I liked the retelling slightly more just because it actually mixed in a couple of stories. The whole new story I hope to be able to read more about it, but doubt more will be written.
February 20, 2017
I like the Mirror Universe concept, handled very well here. Also loved the second story, which brings back a minor character from the first film.
September 24, 2017
I love mirror universe stories. :)
April 30, 2019
I really liked the mirror universe story.
July 15, 2019
Orion Sure love Stargates!
November 9, 2019
Mais uma aventura a bordo da Enterprise! Gostei!
December 11, 2020
Starts with another mirror universe... Seriously ugh. But I did find the back story with Gaila to be interesting.
April 21, 2023
A solid, but short, trip into the mirror universe. Interesting reappearance of both Harry Mudd and Khan.
January 1, 2017
"Live Evil is a good Mirror Universe story, but I'm not sure how I feel about Mirror Khan Noonien Singh's appearance. He looks like Benedict Cumberbatch with hair as long as Ricardo Montalban's. It also seems like a mistake that this story is said to take place in 2263 after when Star Trek Beyond takes place. The next story, "Reunion," takes place 2262, so it must have been a typo. "Reunion" was enjoyable.
March 29, 2022
Another mirror universe story. This level of originality never ceases to amaze me. Didn't I read about this story about a billion times before? All the characters are the same physically, but perfectly eager to squeeze the life out of kittens using their bare hands, laughing maniacally all the while. The mirror Enterprise crew members are looking for opportunities to screw each other over and take control for themselves. The second story is around a family scandal worthy of a Shakespeare play with betrayals and true love. This has also been done. To death.
An ion storm transports the Enterprise into the mirror universe. The away team meets Khan, but he is a good guy and prefers to be called Singh. Meanwhile the Enterprise meets its mirror counterpart captained by evil Spock and is soon captured. Some unhealthy alliances are made by the end of the story before the status quo is again restored.
Back to the Enterprise answering distress calls... Now it's joined by the Tereshkova, another Federation starship, so the story feels brand new. Not. Orion brothers Gaila and Kai, one from each ship, are captured by their mother after having escaped her years before.
An ion storm transports the Enterprise into the mirror universe. The away team meets Khan, but he is a good guy and prefers to be called Singh. Meanwhile the Enterprise meets its mirror counterpart captained by evil Spock and is soon captured. Some unhealthy alliances are made by the end of the story before the status quo is again restored.
Back to the Enterprise answering distress calls... Now it's joined by the Tereshkova, another Federation starship, so the story feels brand new. Not. Orion brothers Gaila and Kai, one from each ship, are captured by their mother after having escaped her years before.
August 31, 2017
Another reread of Mike Johnson's ongoing "Star Trek" comics -- with a collection that once again impressed me. Not only with how much I enjoyed it, but that I enjoyed it even more the second time around than I did the first.
Our first story tosses our heroes into the Mirror Universe, and that's almost always a guaranteed good time. Johnson has a lot of fun here, and so too do we readers. (It was almost as much fun watching our Kirk exasperated with the Mirror Universe as it was watching Evil!Kirk ) It was also an opportunity to see Kirk continue to deal with the emotional fallout of "Into Darkness," on a number of levels -- -- and I'm always signed up for that.
The second story, in merely two issues, gives us insight into a character with maybe three lines of dialogue in the original movie, and it is wonderful. We also get sibling bonding, some time on the "lower decks," a great theme of choosing one's own family and place to belong -- and some delightful moments of humor that made these characters feel like *people*.
It also had Kirk and Uhura friendship!moments. I always love Kirk and Uhura friendship!moments.
... look at that. Just bumped this one up to five stars. :D
Our first story tosses our heroes into the Mirror Universe, and that's almost always a guaranteed good time. Johnson has a lot of fun here, and so too do we readers. (It was almost as much fun watching our Kirk exasperated with the Mirror Universe as it was watching Evil!Kirk ) It was also an opportunity to see Kirk continue to deal with the emotional fallout of "Into Darkness," on a number of levels -- -- and I'm always signed up for that.
The second story, in merely two issues, gives us insight into a character with maybe three lines of dialogue in the original movie, and it is wonderful. We also get sibling bonding, some time on the "lower decks," a great theme of choosing one's own family and place to belong -- and some delightful moments of humor that made these characters feel like *people*.
It also had Kirk and Uhura friendship!moments. I always love Kirk and Uhura friendship!moments.
... look at that. Just bumped this one up to five stars. :D
October 7, 2016
The ship passes through an Ion storm and enters the mirror universe for this time line, discovering Khan is alive in the mirror reality, and in the second set of issues, rescues a pair of crew members from a renegade faction of the Orions.
Live Evil is another slightly skewed version of "Mirror, Mirror", and while there were some very cool notions and ideas in the story, it's still a revamp of a Trek episode we've already seen. This title is MUCH more successful and enjoyable when it's not re-inventing the wheel every issue. (I know it seems like I'm harping on this, but use the format to tell us NEW stories with he occasional revamp thrown in, not the other way around!)
The Orion arc is much better, and kudos for bringing back the lovely Gaila from the 2009 movie. Can't wait to see more of her now that she's a science officer.
Interestingly, both these arcs (and most of the proceeding ones) feel like they could use ONE more issue to flesh them out fully. I'm a fan of shorter arcs, because it seems that most comic artists plot things too big and then don't know how to wrap up. Mike Johnson's trek stories are all nice and tidy, but I can't help but feel we're rushing to the climax and moving on. I would enjoy a bit more telling of the tale. But over all another solid, enjoyable set of stories.
Live Evil is another slightly skewed version of "Mirror, Mirror", and while there were some very cool notions and ideas in the story, it's still a revamp of a Trek episode we've already seen. This title is MUCH more successful and enjoyable when it's not re-inventing the wheel every issue. (I know it seems like I'm harping on this, but use the format to tell us NEW stories with he occasional revamp thrown in, not the other way around!)
The Orion arc is much better, and kudos for bringing back the lovely Gaila from the 2009 movie. Can't wait to see more of her now that she's a science officer.
Interestingly, both these arcs (and most of the proceeding ones) feel like they could use ONE more issue to flesh them out fully. I'm a fan of shorter arcs, because it seems that most comic artists plot things too big and then don't know how to wrap up. Mike Johnson's trek stories are all nice and tidy, but I can't help but feel we're rushing to the climax and moving on. I would enjoy a bit more telling of the tale. But over all another solid, enjoyable set of stories.
December 2, 2016
In this volume you have a collection of two excellent Star Trek stories -
The first "Live Evil" takes us back into the Mirror Mirror universe where Kirk, his crew, and the Empire (Starfleet alternative) are not exactly good guys. They would literally kill each other for promotion.
It's when they enter an ion storm that things take a turn for the strange. Finally leaving the storm they find they've travelled to Ceti Alpha 5.
Mike Johnson does a great job of interweaving the Mirror Mirror universe with Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Kahn (with twists) and also bringing Mud back into the story. The artwork by Tony Shasteen and Davide Mastrolonardo help make this an excellent work.
Five out of Five for this story alone.
The second story is "Reunion" which takes us to Vondem the Orion homeworld, where we meet once again Captain Kirk's fling Gaila (the green woman from the first film) and her brother Kai, who abandon the homeworld for the safety of Earth. This is the story of their journey to become members of the Enterprise crew.
It's a nicely told original story with the same artistic talents as "Live Evil" but it just doesn't have the same punch, but then again it is a hard story to follow.
The first "Live Evil" takes us back into the Mirror Mirror universe where Kirk, his crew, and the Empire (Starfleet alternative) are not exactly good guys. They would literally kill each other for promotion.
It's when they enter an ion storm that things take a turn for the strange. Finally leaving the storm they find they've travelled to Ceti Alpha 5.
Mike Johnson does a great job of interweaving the Mirror Mirror universe with Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Kahn (with twists) and also bringing Mud back into the story. The artwork by Tony Shasteen and Davide Mastrolonardo help make this an excellent work.
Five out of Five for this story alone.
The second story is "Reunion" which takes us to Vondem the Orion homeworld, where we meet once again Captain Kirk's fling Gaila (the green woman from the first film) and her brother Kai, who abandon the homeworld for the safety of Earth. This is the story of their journey to become members of the Enterprise crew.
It's a nicely told original story with the same artistic talents as "Live Evil" but it just doesn't have the same punch, but then again it is a hard story to follow.
December 24, 2016
The art is very strong and both the Mirror Universe and Orion stories are very fun. My main complaint is that there are some story logic problems with the Mirror Universe story.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews