By GustavoLeao / 18:42, 4 September 2008 / Trek Books

• Beam story to friend
• Join our newsletter
• Syndicate news
• Divine Treasury forum

Star Trek: Mirror Images #2  

Review by Patrick Hayes aka PatBorg  

The cover(s): Corroney Gone Wild!  Joe, that is, continues his fabulous job of Trek covers.  "A" is a symbolic cover of Mirror Universe Kirk standing in front of a Trek shield in flames, while holding a sphere containing "our" Kirk, who's hammering his fists to get out.  The Enterprise trudges along at the bottom.  The flaming red and orange background really makes this cover stand out.  "B" is the "A" cover without the colors.  It's nice, but if you ever wondered if color can effect the art, I'll think you see why I prefer the colored version.  "RI" is a photo cover of Mirror Universe Kirk.  Okay, it's really "our" Kirk, but if you read the comic you know who it's supposed to be.  I really like the photo covers that have been chose of late, and this one is no exception.  Overall grade: "A" is an A+, "B" is a "C+", "RI" is an A+  

The story: Scott & David Tipton continue to show that they are the most consistent writers on Trek.  Continuing from last issue, Pike is still suspicious of new crew member Kirk, who has some unsavory plans afoot.  That's all you need to know, just start reading and you'll enjoy the ride.  I like how pressure is being put on McCoy to help Pike.  I'm expecting Bones to give Pike the ultimate "screw you" when he'll have to show his hand to his captain.  Can't say I'll blame McCoy when this happens.  I'm hoping for a "I'm a doctor, not a ---" line.  I really want it to be of the "eat me" variety.  Nice inclusion of a popular OS race, with a va-va-voom being on pages 12, 13, 16, and 17.  This was probably the most sexual Trek comic I've seen, but it didn't see like sex for the sake of sex (as with all of first season on Enterprise).  It does indeed advance the plot, and is perfectly justified in Kirk's scheme of things.  The "surprise" on page 18, I saw coming a mile off, but I welcomed it all the same.  It is exactly what should have happened, and if it hadn't I would have been really disappointed in the writers letting it go.  The paranoia in the comic is great, and though anyone who's a Trek fan knows how this will all end, I'm really enjoying the suspense.  The parallels with "our" Klingon Empire kept running through my head.  If this is the way the Mirror Universe Empire is run, no wonder it fell by the time of DS9!  And an award should be given to the Tiptons for the most appropriate use of a cliche line in the second balloon on page 13.  My hat is off to the Tiptons.  Overall grade: A+  

The art: David Messina.  David Messina.  You, like the Tiptons, can do no wrong.  I felt completely in the setting.  Page 1 is the perfect copying of a camera shot: an establishing shot, with dialogue behind a closed door; a character revealed in the shadows looking intense; and a second character who is obviously being asked to do something unappealing.  Beautiful.  Messina's Trek characters aren't photorealistic, like Joe Corroney or Gordon Purcell, but his own version of the characters--and he still makes them look like the actors.  Take a look at Pike at the bottom of page 2.  Yee gods!  It's great!  The use of shadows of Messina's work has always been a strong point and they're well suited for this story.  There's a conspiracy lurking around every turn and eyes (especially the blue ones) stare accusingly into every corner.  If George Takei were to read this comic, I'm sure he would ask for page 13.  It's going to be a favorite for anyone who reads it.  And pages 12, 16, and 17--Helloooooooooooo nurse!  Page 17: Hommina, Hommina, Hommina.  And when Kirk finally gives a smile in this issue, it's not pretty, because it's not supposed to be.  Overall grade: A+  

The colors: Ilaria Traversi also does a bang up job.  Bright colors would be completely out of place with this story, and Traversi is flawless.  Look at the job done on page 3 on Pike's close up.  Did this have to be done?  No, it could have been okay without it.  But with all the different shades of brown around those sizzling eyes it speaks volumes.  This coloring detail is on every page in every person's face.  Thank you, Ilaria!  I also like how Pike is standing in front of a blood red curtain while he's talking to McCoy.  It increases the tension expertly.  And the ladies in the book: not too dark, not too bright, but just right!  Overall grade: A+  

The lettering: Robbie Robbins does a fine job with only two sound effects and dialogue.  Not much need for sound effects in this issue, so Robbie doesn't really have much too do, creatively.  I've bitched and moaned about the lack of sound effects in Trek comics, and there's a major scene in this issue that could have had a tremendous sound effect, but I'm going to stray from past and say it really wasn't needed in this issue.  Could it have been there?  Yeah.  Did it need to be?  No.  In fact, the art being as good as it is on that page (18) it's unnecessary.  So, yeah, okay.  I'll put my foot in my mouth for this comic.  But a phaser gets fired I really want to "hear" it.  Overall grade: A  

Final line: Trek fans, with this book and the Year Four: Enterprise Experiment, Star Trek comics are in a golden age.  Buy it now, before someone uses the Tantalus field on you.  Overall grade: A+