Star Trek: TNG: Mirror Broken

Star Trek: The Next Generation (IDW) #7

by Scott Tipton, David Tipton, J.K. Woodward (Colorist)

For the first time in the history of Star Trek: The Next Generation, go into the alternate "Mirror, Mirror" universe to meet the cold-blooded crew of the I.S.S. Enterprise and their captain, the ruthless Jean-Luc Picard! Inspired by the classic Star Trek episode,

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

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2018

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Star Trek/Planet of the Apes crossover graphic novel The Primate Directive by Scott & David Tipton, so this publication by the same authors looked promising. The original Star Trek series episode Mirror Mirror is one of my favourites, so how did this Next Genertaion story compare ?
Mirror Broken has some decent artwork & a reasonably promising story featuring many fmailiar Next Generation characters. Thankfully the writers cane up with a new story instead of just adapting the old Star Trek episode. All in all a good new take on an old story.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun for those nostalgic for the TV series, the "Bad Ass"/Sleeveless versions of the familiar crew are quite entertaining.

I'm not the biggest fan of the watercolour art, sometimes it's spectacular but sometimes it's a let down.
Will definitely read the next volumes!

[Quinn Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Deep Space 9 made visiting the Mirror Universe a once-per-season event, I started regretting that we never saw the Next Generation crew make that leap. IDW comics, whose Star Trek comics have been hitting it out of the park, has rectified that here. It's a solid story, with characterization and a plot that works completely. After finishing the book, you have the satisfaction that you get from watching the best of the TNG episodes. This visit with old friends will make you smile, and surprise you more than once. I couldn't put it down.

[Mik Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little romp through the Mirror Universe with the TNG crew. A pity the artwork wasn't very good ...

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! Like a good 2-parter episode you'd find in the series.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

True to form, 47 is here. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, since Star Trek writers created the trend. It's good to see it's still going strong 30 years in. Unfortunately, the artwork is its weakest point. Some of those poses shouldn't be possible for human anatomy. Thankfully, the story borrows enough characteristics from a regular Star Trek story to be enjoyable. This is not your father's Star Trek, but it's still fun.

In this alternate universe, the Terrans have forged an empire, but their enemies, the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, are stronger. The empire is in a decline since Spock's reforms gave their enemies the upper hand. Earth's Solar System is their last refuge. With all those muscles on display, you'd think they can strangle any opposition literally bare-handed. Their Nazi-like salute clearly outlines them as the bad guys, but like any living thing they fight to survive. Everyone is evil and aching for the smallest chance to improve their position by betrayal and force. Still they retain their major strengths from the original universe.

Picard is captain of the Stargazer. While towing a defeated ship to a Martian shipyard, Data breaks into the records to find that a Galaxy-class vessel is being developed, confirming rumors that have been going around. The prototype is the Enterprise, a ship superior to any in the Terran, Cardassian or Klingon fleets. Picard wants it.

La Forge is working on the Enterprise, but is angered when his recommendations are dismissed. Picard offers him the Chief Engineer position in exchange for help to aquire the ship. La Forge gets Leah Brahms, a former lover, to aquire security access to the ship.

Troi interviews the Stargazer crew to identify the most loyal members to man the new ship. Meanwhile Picard recruits Ryker by starting a fight with him. Now that is something every Star Wars fan always wanted to see. When they reach a stalemate Ryker finally gets on board with Picard's plan.

They must first get rid of captain Jelicho, a true ass of a man. Their assault is swift and efficient. Picard is soon in the captain's chair. The Enterprise's first combat test comes when the Empire sends 3 ships to destroy it. They are no match, but the battle draws several ships from the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. A daring plan forces the armada to retreat.

The Empire commends Picard and embraces his victory. They finally have a chance against the Alliance, but their infighting may still lead to their undoing.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lieutenant Barclay? You appear concerned."

"Not concerned, Data, just...uncertain. I mean...It wasn't so long ago that the only thing I wanted was to murder Picard. I wanted it so bad I could TASTE it. And now...how many people in this room have felt the same way? And how long can this possibly last?"

Allow me to indulge my inner-Star Trek geek. There were certain intriguing story lines that some spinoff series never touched: DS9 never encountered the Borg, though Sisko had a distinct history with them, and TNG never had an episode where the Enterprise's crew encounter the alternate "mirror" universe used to great effect in TOS & DS9. Hell, even the short lived Enterprise encountered the Borg AND had a great episode which took place completely in the mirror universe. So David and Scott Tipton provide a full-run of TNG in the alternative universe. And it's badass and it's cheesy and it's...well, quintessential Trek.

The plot is creaky and well-worn yet familiar and comforting. j.K. Woodward's art reminds me of Alex Ross's work. The realism in the panels create a sense of how this episode would look on our television screens--it's not too cartoony. The entire volume is fun, not profound. And, sometimes, that's what I want from a graphic novel based on a long-running television series--yet another episode the writers/producers didn't bother to air. Had this aired, this episode would have been a fan favorite, no doubt.

The portrayal of "badass" Jean-Luc Picard induces a bit of cringe; Data sporting a wife-beater and Borg attachments is...well...kind of silly. But when we visit a bar on Mars and none other than Morn is behind the bar--Here, Tipton Brothers, take my money. It makes the journey worth it.

[Anaarecarti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Când am auzit pentru prima dată de “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Mirror Broken”, mi s-a părut interesant. Dar în clipa în care am văzut pe net un preview în care Picard, super agresiv și plin de mușchi, schimba pumni cu Riker, am zis: “Acesta este comicsul Star Trek pe care îl aștept din adolescență“. Așa că am investit în el câțiva euroi și am savurat o poveste amuzantă, bine desenată și captivantă. O poveste cu adevărat Star Trek.

Recenzia completa pe https://anaarecarti.ro/main/star-trek...

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Trek: TNG: Mirror Broken

Tired of always being on the back foot in the Terran Empire, Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the 'I.S.S. Stargazer' decides to make a bold move and bring the war to the Klingon - Cardassian Alliance. His first step, to overthrow Captain Jellico and commandeer an experimental new starship: The 'I.S.S. Enterprise'.

The Tiptons bring their vision of the Mirror Universe to 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' is bold in its design and the plot works in parallel with what fans know based on the universe shown on screen.

[John Tankersley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had pretty low expectations for this one. Not a big comic book reader, all in all. But this really blew me away. The pitch is that "Mirror Universe" AKA alternate timeline Jean Luc Picard, coming to the end of his stint as commander of the Stargazer looks to save the declining Terran Empire. Along the way, he meets lots of old friends that we know from TNG but who are, of course, very very different. Trek fans, particularly Friends of DeSoto, will love this graphic novel.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor TNG never got a mirror universe story, but this will do nicely. It’s got some good illustrations, and continues the legacy of the mirror universe in a satisfying way, without stepping on the continuity established in DS9.

Also Wesley Crusher with punk rock hair is giving me life.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good fun in the mirror universe! I enjoyed this series alot! Artwork is beautiful. The Tipton's are my new favorites in the Trek comic world.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one in the mirror universe skips arm day. Took me a bit to get into this art style but when I did the story showed itself to be strong.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so interesting and so different!!! It was really good to explore the characters in this world, I really liked how slowly it grows and it introduces more and more characters we know into this different universe
I also really LOVE how present Barclay is on this - I really like him in the show, but he was so different here
But I really like this look into The Next Generation, definitely recommend!!! :D

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the writing and the Mirror world is one of my favorite twists on Star Trek. It was fun to see the TNG world in the mirror.

Only 4 stars because the art was variable. At times it seemed the artist was trying too hard to make the characters look like their real-life actors. This lead to "perfect" looking heads that seemed strangely pasted on bodies.

[Joel Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) past the first season. For me: It became less Trek, saccharine, a lot of sitting around and talking and pontificating. Not to mention, the Starfleet uniform changes.

Broken Mirror gives the TNG crew a backbone, and it seems to draw primarily from that first season.

Now, I say 'backbone,' but Geordi LaForge, in a rocky relationship with Leah Brahms (the scientist seen in TNG episodes 'Booby Trap' and 'Galaxy Child'), is slapped around by her.

TNG made it a running joke ~ a bad joke ~ after the first season that Geordi LaForge couldn't get with women. And now that they have him with one, albeit in the Mirror Universe, he's a pushover.

The writers handle other characters well, I think:
*We see Captain Jellico and Crewman Barclay. Jellico gets a chilling end considering how we saw his 'other universe' version in the TNG episode 'Chains of Command,' and Barclay is a dangerous version of his prime self.
*Picard is a demanding Captain, albeit an evil man. Even depicted well are Wesley and Beverly Crusher.
*Troi is a chilling beauty who manipulates Riker, also bested by a buff Picard in hand-to-hand combat.

I wasn't a fan of Guinan, and here in the collection, the writer(s) make her a crazy woman. She also gives Picard some obvious feedback he would know at one point.

Still, given everything that is going on (e.g., it's the Mirror Universe, Picard is trying to build his power throughout the book, he has so much going on), I can forgive that bit.

We do see Mirror Tasha, who is sadistic and killed off early. Her appearance and quick demise reminded me of the Family Guy episode where Stewie Griffin meets the TNG crew and 'kills off' Denise Crosby (voiced by Crosby) after she observes that a baby transported all of them to his room to hang out all day.

As a Tasha Yar fan, I found all of it interesting.

We see Captains Tryla Scott and Walker Keel from the Season One episode 'Conspiracy.' And we see Ensign Lian T'su from the Season One episode 'Arsenal of Freedom.'

I thought it was fantastic we saw cargo frigates seen in the remastered live-action classic episodes 'Charlie X,' 'Court Martial,' and 'The Ultimate Computer,' and the 1970s animated series episode 'More Tribbles, More Troubles' that some Vulcan slaves try to escape in.

We also see references to Dr. Tristan Adams from the classic episode 'Dagger of the Mind' and his neural neutralizer as a device for experimentation on Picard's enemies and some Gorn.

Overall: The book has great pacing and is an excellent sequel to 'Mirror, Mirror.' One minor gripe is that I wish the uniforms were closer to what we saw in 'Mirror, Mirror.'

[Mervi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of alternate universes. This comic is set in Star Trek’s Mirror universe and in the same timeline as the Deep Space 9 Mirror episodes.

The Terran Empire is crumbling. The Cardassian-Klingon Alliance has almost driven the Terran starships back to their own solar system. The I.S.S. Stargazer is an old ship and captain Picard is looking for something better. Lieutenant Barcley in Engineering hates Picard and his mindwitch Deanna Troi but when Picard orders him to help Lieutenant Yar monitor the transfer of Vulcan slave ships, he has no choice but to agree. He’s looking for a way to do something big. When some of the slaves try to rebel, Yar blows up a couple of the ships. After a ceremony where Yar gets a medal for her quick thinking, Barcley attacks and kills her. Picard promotes him to Yar’s previous position as the chief of security.

The longer story line starts in the next issue. Throughout the Terran Empire there are rumors that the government is building a much faster and more powerful ship. When Data hacks into the Empire’s network, he realizes that the rumors are true. Picard knows one of the engineers working on the new ship, the Enterprise. He convinces the engineer, LaForge, to help him try to take over the new ship.

This was a fun and fast-paced story. The first issue mostly introduces us to the characters and how they’re different from our usual heroes. Troi is Picard’s inquisitor who keeps the crew in line. This is a logical, but not very original use of her empathy. I don’t know why she should be loyal to Picard and she does start to scheme against him. Even though this Picard is far more ruthless than the Picard we’re used to seeing, he wants to change the fortunes of the Empire and return it to greatness. Picard has apparently saved Data who is now loyal to him. Data has visible mechanical parts and most of them look quite Borg-like. He usually has an implanted weapon as his other arm and doesn’t hesitate to use it. Other familiar characters and side characters are introduced in later issues. I found most of the fun but won’t spoil them here.

As is usual for Mirror universe, the characters tend to be bitter, aloof, and suspicious of each other. They’re all also quite brutal towards each other. Still, they manage to work together, at least until they stab each other in the back, sometimes literally. I wouldn’t want to read about this sort of crew on regular basis.

The art looks like paintings. Mostly, the characters look like themselves but some panels look quite awkward. The space battles look awesome, though.

[Paul Spence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know a lot of Star Trek fans find find the Mirror universe compelling, but I am not one of them. My big problem is that the Terran empire could never become an empire if people behave as depicted in this alternate reality. You cannot build an empire if crew members are spending their time coming up with ways to assassinate officers in order to get a promotion. An army needs esprit de corps and the members need to trust each other. I find the Terran empire implausible and it bears no resemblance to actual empires that have existed. Rome would not have conquered the known world if the military spent all its time trying to kill each other.

This entry in the Mirror universe features the Next Generation crew. The story is simple enough. The Terran empire has been pushed back into our solar system by an alliance of the Klingons and Cardassians. There is a new secret ship, the Enterprise, that is believed to be a game changer which will enable the Terran empire to push back against its enemies and reclaim the star systems that have been lost. Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Stargazer plans to capture this ship and use it to both further his own ambitions and those of the empire.

The story was OK as far these things go, but I was not taken with it because I cannot buy into the premise of the Mirror universe. I thought the art was problematic. There seemed to be too much heavy reliance on photo referencing. I found that there were times when the artist seemed to forget that people's heads rest on top of their necks because he draws some of the characters with their heads sitting directly on their shoulders. It is not even close to being anatomically correct and it looks daft. There are errors in anatomy like this through the entire series.

All in all I found this an underwhelming TNG story with sub par art.

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

In space no one can hear you scream.

To be honest it has been a while since I have watched Star Trek: The Next Generation (I can't believe how long ago that show aired) but I still remember some great moments of the crew as they tackled whatever problem of the week was on the menu. Now for those that enjoy ST:TNG and also remember the original series episode known as "Mirror, Mirror" might find themselves looking at this book which is the first of a three part series setting many of the next generation crew on a mission not of peace but of conquest after events from the original series has weakened the Terran Empire considerably. With the discovery of a new Galaxy class starship capable of outclassing even those ships of the Klingon-Cardassian alliance Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the ISS Stargazer will do anything he must with the help of the crew he can afford to trust to secure the ship and prove the might of the Terran Empire.

Honestly one of the major selling points of this book has got to be the artwork with each page gloriously painted offering us a view of the original crew although twisted by the dark universe they all inhabit. Whether you see classic villain goatee on Picard, Borg accessories on Data, half blind Riker, or any number of other unique characteristics the art really brings the character to life as they do what must be done. In fact thinking about it most characters differ a bit from their original universe selves in one way or another but Barclay (although opportunistic) basically looks the same as far as I can tell and being the beginning narrator of this book make me wonder how different mirror him is from the original universe version. :)

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always believed that the episode “Mirror, Mirror” was one of the top two of the Star Trek original series. It was also the one that most screamed for a sequel. For it opened up a whole new universe where humans were ruthless against all enemies as well as each other. Expanding out from Earth, humans had created a galactic empire that seemed unchallenged and had somehow brought the Vulcans in as allies.
This graphic novel has a great storyline that stars the crew of the Enterprise of the next generation. Picard is the leader of his hand-picked team, and they are about to engage in a massive gamble where they are going against their command. In an amusing moment, Geordi visits Leah Brahms with a proposal. However, before they can sit down to discuss it, she knees him in the crotch. That gambit works and they form an alliance.
With everyone willing to kill those above and below them in order to advance themselves, it was always a curiosity to learn how advancement could be achieved without running afoul of people of both higher and lower rank. Some of that is answered in this book, the tactics are all thoroughly believable as Picard and his associates take an enormous gamble. For if they fail, they will almost certainly be put to death.

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. The Mirror Universe has always intrigued me since being introduced in the original series. Here we get a look at what the Next Generation crew would be like in this world. In some ways they are the same, in other ways different. Picard, for example, has the same drive but is somewhat more ruthless in how he achieved these goals. The other crew members are the same, similar enough to be familiar, but with enough differences to make us remember where we are.
Basically this is the story of how Jean-Luc Picard goes from commanding the Stargazer to commanding the Enterprise. Along the way we are introduced to virtually all the main characters from the original series, as well as one or two minor ones. And of course a few new characters are present as well. One thing though is that the relationships between people are not necessarily the same either.
The creative team have done their work well. The Tipton’s have written a story that moves along and takes the reader with it. I found the artwork to be satisfying as well. Altogether this is a nice package and definitely worthy of a place in any Star Trek fan’s library.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story felt more like it was checking off boxes of what needed to happen and Yar suffered at the writer's hands yet again. This was especially sad to see given her background would have been perfect for the mirror universe. But it was the art that really did the damage.

Realistic art is very hard to pull off and the detail of the faces didn't match the bodies or the background. Indeed, sometimes the position of the faces didn't match the bodies at all, which only accentuated the fact that many of the faces were copied from TNG screens. Actually I'm pretty sure there was a DS9 screen copied as well because a Cardassian who was not Dukat and didn't look like Dukat in the previous panels suddenly really resembled him. I feel sorry criticizing this since aliens, star ships, and famous cast members can't be easy to draw on a deadline but it just really did not work for me.

Perhaps it is the right cup of tea, early grey, hot for another Star Trek fan but not for me.

[Carol Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how the Next Gen counterparts would behave in the Mirror Universe? This graphic novel answers that question. Everyone is here except Worf of course because of the war between the slowly crumbling Terran Empire and Cardassian Klingon Alliance. You know that they won't be the crew we know and love but it is still shocking to see how ruthless some of them are. Picard is still brilliant, Wesley is still a genius, Geordi is still a great engineer but they are ruthless and willing to do anything to advance through the ranks and make money for personal gain. Deanna is the inquisitor using her gift to sniff out people who are not loyal to Picard while having her on machinations going on.

It was dark and gritty and what I would expect out of people from the mirror universe and I highly recommend it if you like stories set there.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably best this was a one-off. The Terran Empire in the Star Trek mirror universe is in decline between Kirk's intervention and the first visit by Kira from Deep Space 9, so Picard is reduced to patrolling the solar system's borders in the crumbling old Stargazer. What the Empire needs is a new galaxy-class starship, and what the new starship needs is a bold captain, capable of assembling the best people for the command team.

Did I say "bold"? I meant "bald" of course! Mirror universe men's fashion is goaty beards, and sleeveless tops all the better to show off the "guns". Even Picard is ripped and has no qualms about fisty-cuffs with Riker.

The stories are open ended enough for a continuation, but I'm not convinced there would be much more mileage to be had. The art work feels like a curious mix of cartoon painting and cut'n'paste clip art.

[Kacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mirror Universe is probably one of my favorite "what if" scenarios of any story. I always like seeing how the various characters are shown in this alternate reality. I think that how these alternate crew members were represented felt pretty believable. And I like that their designs were just different enough to distinguish them from their Prime counterparts.

This was a pretty fast-paced story. I like how all the crew was assembled and how they eventually took command of the Enterprise. And this story in particular ties in with what we see of the Mirror Universe in DS9, where the humans are slaves. I can believe that Picard's crew would be a desperate measure for the Terrans to take back control of the galaxy.

It's a pity we never got to see the Mirror Universe in TNG, but I can see this being a likely scenario for what would have happened if we did.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

God this is just so unbelievably cool and brutal and UGH I loved it. This was a lot darker than I was initially expecting in the best way, it’s soooo much darker then you might think. The story is super interesting and easy to follow, I think the world building here is incredible, I also loved the openness of the ending, I don’t know it just makes me want to read more immediately and I’m sad it wasn’t longer. I could easily read ten of these and never be bored. Data is my favourite trek character and I LOVE where they take him here, Picard is also awesome and seeing everyone with their massive muscles out all the time is hilarious. I’m normally not a huge fan of comics with this sort of painted art style but I love it in this, it just works so well with the theme. I can’t wait to read more of these I need it now

[Rebeckahsypik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It did a really good job of taking traits we see the characters display normally and twisting them into the evil version of them. Picards boldness for example, he would use a trait like that in the main universe to not bring shields up, but in the mirror-verse he'd use it to steal a ship. It a weird way in the mirror-verse you see how their quakes are skills. There was an opjective they would need to acomblish and they would give every asset to accoublish it. like diana reading someone mind without consent. The only reason for a 4 star instead of 5 is because, a lot of the reason I like star trek is the helpfulness of it, that is completely absent here. It just a matter of when is Picard is killed and the crew falls apart.

[K9 Feline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good in the beginning, really REALLY good in the middle, and it fell off really bad in the end. The whole last chapter kinda sucked big time. I think they were going for an ambiguous mysterious ending but it really just came off as unfinished and rushed. The whole last chapter felt that way. It's like they had a really good idea but never thought about how to wrap it up so they just kept making the comic hoping they would figure it out eventually but they never did so they just swept it under the rug and hoped nobody would read it all the way through so nobody would ever know 😭 otherwise it was so very awesome. (with the exception of that last portion) it was very engaging and the art was GORGEOUS !!!! Especially for the first chapter.

[Matthew Kresal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given what we know happened in the Mirror Universe between TOS and DS9, I wondered where this book would fit in. As it turns out, rather nicely into what we know by imaging the TNG era Terran Empire effectively under siege. At least until the brooding, under appreciated, and ambitious Picard sees an opportunity for glory not just for himself but what’s left of the empire. What the Tipton’s present is with is an interesting Mirror Universe story but one that feels drug out in places but rushed in others. The artwork from J.K Woodward remains superb throughout, further enhancing this tale. A solid read for Trek fans, though perhaps not the greatest Mirror Universe story out there.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mini-series celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation with an unusual twist. The setting is in the Mirror Universe. It has received renewed interest thanks to Star Trek: Discovery. That is no redeeming qualities to this crew of the ISS Enterprise. They resemble the characters we love, but are morally bankrupt.

Captain Picard will do anything to command The Empire's new flagship the ISS Enterprise even if it means killing to get it. The writing and artwork are excellent. You are in for a treat while reading this book. If you are a Star Trek fan, this is the book for you.