By
GustavoLeao /
04:50, 25 November 2012 /
Trek Books
Star Trek Ongoing #15
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes
The covers:
Two opposite covers would have been cool, but that's pushing the issue
isn't it? The Regular cover is a magnificently startling cover of Zachary
Quinto as the bearded Spock of the Mirror Universe. His image takes up
all the space of the delta shield logo, which lies above a ring of the
Imperium. Below are two Enterprises on a collision course above
a planet. This is as perfect as it's a visual trumpet blare to the fans
saying, "Yes, we're going to do this story!" Art by the regular team of
Tim Bradstreet on pencils and Grant Goleash on colors. The RI A cover
is the sketch art by Bradstreet. The RI B cover is a photocover of
Uhura, and after this issue I won't trust that lovely face again. Overall grade: Regular A+, RI A A-, and RI B B
The story:
"Mirrored" Part I is by Mike Johnson, based on the original teleplay of
"Mirror, Mirror" by Jerome Bixby, with Roberto Orci listed as creative
consultant. What guts! To put a new spin on this classic Trek tale took
guts, and to do it so well is such a welcome gift! The first three pages
deal with Scotty trying to explain to McCoy the idea of alternate
timelines. The dialogue is spot-on for each, especially with McCoy
functioning as the reader, asking questions that could re-establish the
"Classic Trek" timeline; and, yes, Spock "Prime" is brought up. As the
two ponder the possibilities, the "reboot" Mirror Universe Spock watches
as Qo'noS, the Klingon homeworld, falls, ending the war with the
Klingons. How can this get any better without giving away anything?
Gorkon, Nero, Kirk, Uhura, betrayal, and KA-KOOOOM! You can't know more
than that, or you're going to have this story spoiled. All your favorite
characters get thier due, and it isn't pretty...And it's only just
started. Overall grade: A+
The art:
I was fully prepared to write off artist Erfan Fajar. Scotty looks
absolutely awful on the first page. McCoy looks okay. Page 2 has things
improving, but on Page 3 Scotty "Prime" looks more like Miles O'Brien. I
thought to myself, 'How hit and miss will this get?' On Page 4 I
started to fall in love with the art, because that's one gorgeous battle
scene. And things only improve. I haven't seen a more frighteningly
insane Kirk since David Messina! In fact, any image of Kirk is great.
Uhura's look is also terrific! The only minus on the crew is the two
panels Chekov is in, and that doo just isn't working. The scenes in
space are well done, and that last page is a perfect cliffhanger. A nice
debut by Fajar, and I look forward to seeing what's done with next
issue. Overall grade: B+
The colors: The work of Ifansyah and Sakti Tuwono of Stellar Labs cannot be downplayed at all. Their use of color in the warp of the Enterprise
is sharp and powerful. In the Mirror Universe their use of shadows on
the devious scheming of characters, especially Kirk and Spock, is great.
Rura Penthe is gorgeous! And sound effects set apart by colors--Yes!
Beautiful job! Overall grade: A+
The letters: Able dialogue and awesome sound effects by Mr. Go-To-Guy, Neil Uyetake. Overall grade: A
The final line:
This was wonderful, and I still can't believe that all involved had the
gumption to redo this story. Edith Keeler, watch you back! This book
will "WOW" you! Overall grade: A-
