I think the real appeal in Star Trek: Discovery – Succession #3 is that it is a completely new story, divergent from the regular storyline in the television show. Supporting characters take on new importance, and even the emphasis that writers Mike Johnson and Kirsten Beyer pay to the supporting characters from the cast take on new levels of significance.

We already know Michael Burnham – or at least we think we do. But this is the Mirror Universe’s Burnham, who has somehow miraculously survived to bring revolution to the succeeding Emperor Alexander of the Terran Empire.

A cousin of sorts, this emperor, like many of the despotic rulers in Earth’s history is despotic and unbalanced. While he casually displays his insane nature, Burnham is playing her own game with the rebel terrorists. She wants to unseat the emperor for sure, but this is the Mirror Universe and she clearly pretends altruism in order to advance her own goals.

Despite the change of universes, this version of familiar Klingon characters L’Rell and Kol really haven’t changed much from their prime counterparts. The personalities of the Klingons really don’t see a difference in their natures; they are sill warlike and hostile, yet it is they who are on the defensive in this universe, oddly enough. Still, having Klingon allies only serves to reinforce the Burnham image of ‘working’ with the oppressed to help clear the road to the throne.

But it’s the newly-minted commander of the ISS Shenzhou, Captain Airiam, who really intrigues me in this story. We get to interact with her character here more than we have to date in the television series — it’s not the same Airiam we know, of course, but that just reinforces how much of a different story this is.

In this issue, she is ruthless, resentful and clearly has more in common with the alien rebels than the Terran Empire she has served, yet her capabilities are becoming more known. Not only has she seized command of the ISS Shenzhou, but she has done so in a way that gives us a hint of what her counterpart’s capabilities are like in the universe of the Federation.

However, betrayal and duplicity are still common elements to this tale. Regardless of how this story can function independently of the television series, the same themes are present and make a wonderful supplement to the first season’s last few episodes.

With Ted Sullivan’s acknowledgement of comics now being considered canon for Discovery — at least, unless the show chooses to overwrite the tie-in material — it makes me wonder if any of this material will see life in the show. I hope it does, in some way, down the line. What Discovery needs is more things for fans to get excited about. Kirsten Beyer’s presence in the creation of this book lends more credence to its relevance as supplementary material.

But let’s talk about the art. Angel Hernandez has done himself proud with the penciling duties for this series. I’ve gotten a chance to become familiar with his art style, and it has a dynamism to it that strikes the reader. His likenesses are fairly good — just look at Katrina Cornwell’s image, and tell me that it isn’t a well-done representation of actor Jayne Brook –and I think he excels in action sequences.

As usual, there are multiple covers for this book.

• Cover ‘A’ is spectacular, and my favorite of this bunch! A focus on the devious Captain Airiam, you have to love the detailed close-up of this enigmatic character. It also shows the emphatic focus on her in this story, and I love a cover that heightens relevance to the story. Notice the Terran Empire’s insignia in her eyes? This is Angel Hernandez’s work, and if anyone from IDW is reading this review, this guy is a winner talent that you need to secure.
   
• Cover ‘B’ is another uninspired photo cover of Michael Burnham (from her trip to Harlak in “The Wolf Inside”) — and one that reinforces my belief that photo covers are just not right for comics Cold, sterile and aside from the fact that while there is a Michael Burnham is in this story, it’s just not relevant.
   
• Retailer-incentive cover ‘A’ comes from artist Yoshi Yoshitani, and the vibrant image centers around a Michael Burnham who is relevant to the tale. This is an image of the calculating Burnham in this universe, and while stylized, makes a bold statement.
   
• The final variant, retailer-incentive cover ‘B,’ really needs more attention. Declan Shalvey, whose covers of starships has earned a great place of favour in my heart, is the artist behind this one of the ISS Shenzhou on an attack run with the sun behind her. It’s a glorious piece and I hope he’ll have his artwork for sale when I get to Fan Expo Boston in August — his starships are great and I need to add one of his pieces to my collection.

I find that I’m really enjoying this book. We saw an ennobled Harry Mudd in the last issue and that did it for me. This is definitely a different story — one that has a sense of independence about it; a confidence, if you like. I enjoy the directions these new characters are heading in and I look forward to their success.

I mean, if you think about it, a Michael Burnham on the Empire’s throne could make for some interesting story tangents if fallen Emperor Georgiou ever makes it home!

There’s only one issue left in Star Trek: Discovery — Succession, and while this tale may be coming to a close, we’re sure that IDW will have some announcements about the future of the Discovery comic line as we approach Season 2 in the next few months.

In the meantime, the publisher revealed this morning that they’ll have two Trek comic exclusives available at San Diego Comic Con (Booth #2743) later this month — a blank “sketch cover” variant of this spring’s Star Trek: Discovery Annual, as well as a bundle of the five collected black-and-white variant covers for the Star Trek: The Next Generation — Through the Mirror miniseries previously released in May.

Check back soon for my review of the next July Trek comic, the final chapter in John Byrne’s Star Trek: New Visions!