Msquerade is part five of the New Frontiers storyline written by Mike W. Barr. The series continues to feature Tom Sutton on pencils, and Ricardo Villagran on inks. The pair also collaborated on the cover, which could be found on spinner racks until April 1985.

Stardate: 8220.3

Kirk and his crew, using the Excelsior’s transwarp drive, have entered the mirror universe. Posing as his other self, he is chewed out by the command staff of the Terran Empire, something that is featured on the opening splash page.

Kirk is able to sway his Mirror-superiors that the Excelsior was worth the sacrifice of the Enterprise. It’s bigger, faster, has superior weapons, and its databanks are full of Starfleet secrets. He is able to convince him to let he and the Excelsior lead a fleet to attack the Prime universe.

Kirk checks in with his command crew, including Uhura, McCoy and Scotty, reminding us of where they are in the ship, and hinting at Kirk’s plan.

Back in the Prime Universe, the Klingon Bird of Prey is waiting in space where it was left at the end of the last issue. Aboard it… both Spocks. There are Starfleet ships closing in, though, intent on reclaiming the Bird of Prey and whoever is aboard her. The Spocks are able to get the cloaking device online and elude their pursuers.

With Marlena as their guide, Kirk, Uhura, McCoy, Sulu, Saavik and Chekov beam down to the Mirror Earth. They are less than thrilled with the manner of activities and the society that lives here.

Saavik tells a version of history that both universes were on the same path until the Romulan War, which is where the timelines start to diverge. Before she can explain too much of it (and skew too far from now established canon), a bar fight breaks out, which sees Kirk and a Terran officer, Blaine, in the center ring, which generates a lot of betting from the rest.

Following the fight, Kirk and Marlena retire to Mirror-Kirk’s? or Marlena’s apartment in San Francisco, where they spend the night together. Then at 3 a.m. they head out, travelling through the underground to meet the rebellion working at bringing down the Terran Empire.

They are based on Alcatraz, and one of the leaders… David Marcus! Not really a surprise if you saw the cover. They debate plans on how to best break the Terran Empire. Kirk’s plan is to take the best of the best in the fleet, take them to the Prime Universe and break them, leaving the Terran Empire open to attack from their enemies within and without, and hopefully bring it down.

But there are informers within the rebel organization.

David comes aboard the Excelsior to be able to contact Starfleet to ask for aid in his battle with the Empire.

With permission of the Empire, Kirk heads out to rendezvous with the fleet, but picks up a signal from a small ship in trouble… it’s the Bird of Prey!

They bring the Bird of Prey in tow and beam the four life signs aboard; both Spocks and the alternate Sulu and Chekov, both unconscious.

Kirk, Spock(s) and McCoy are happily reunited as the Excelsior rendezvous with the fleet. Just as things are about to get underway, the mole contacts Admiral Turner and reveals Kirk’s plan. We race to a cliffhanger as Turner orders a field promotion to the ship that destroys the Excelsior and her crew!!

Shields up, and go to red alert… let’s see how things play out next time in Behind Enemy Lines!

These comics are great. I remember reading the few issues I had as a kid, and I was okay with them, but re-reading them now, I love Barr’s storytelling, I like most of the art, and I love how the creative time is absolutely determined to tie everything in with established continuity as much as they can.

Lovin’ it! Kirk and company will continue to boldly go next time as the Human Adventure continues.