A dark new villain is rising in the Star Trek universe, and their corrupt army promises several shocking faces. IDW’s line of Star Trek titles is building towards The Lore War, which sees the evil android remake reality in his image. Now, in a first look at Star Trek: Defiant #26, Lore’s horrifying new army stands revealed, and it includes some iconic franchise heroes.
IDW Publishing released their April solicitations, including Star Trek: Defiant #26, which will be written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Davide Tinto. The issue is part two of the five-part Lore War, and the solicitations for it reads as follows:
On one side of the war, Worf, Shaxs, Alexander, and others who once valued honor above all have now been designed by the malevolent android Lore to uphold his dictatorial rule; on the other side, a rebel Maquis fleet, Kahless II, Beverly, Sisko, and all those who know the truth behind their current reality endeavor to tear it down with what little resources they have. But not everything is as hopeless as it seems: There are allies hidden in the unlikeliest of places and assets — like the famous U.S.S. Phoenix — that escape even the all-seeing positronic eye of Lore.
The Lore War marks the return of Shaxs after his appearances in Day of Blood, where he was instrumental in helping quell the Klingon uprising. Worf and Alexander are currently working through their issues in the “No Old Warriors” storyline in Star Trek: Defiant.
Lore Is the Star Trek Universe's Dark New God
The Lore War Promises to Rock the Star Trek Universe
Lore’s ascent to godhood in the Star Trek universe was the result of the “god war” that rocked the galaxy in Day of Blood. Lore was enlisted by Worf to help stop Kahless II, who was killing the universe’s gods. Lore quickly turned on his associates, and absconded with Kahless’ equipment and more importantly, his followers in the fanatical Red Path cultists. Lore augments the Red Path members, reshaping them into his personal army. Yet control of the Red Path was just a means to an end: Lore was going to use Kahless’ technology to wipe out the entire universe.
Star Trek is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly.
Lore did just that in the flagship Star Trek title, at the conclusion of “The Pleroma” storyline, and the ripple effects were felt across the entire multiverse, including a new reality subservient to Lore. The Lore War, which will be a crossover event similar in scope to Day of Blood, will see Sisko, Doctor Crusher and others rebel against Lore’s rule, and attempt to restore the universe to its rightful place. Every moment of the last two years of Star Trek comics has been leading to The Lore War.
Lore's Army Consists of Fan Favorite Star Trek Characters
Fighting Their Former Friends Makes Sisko's Job Harder
Because of their troubles, their real selves have been erased from history and replaced with versions loyal to Lore.
Before Sisko and his comrades can topple Lore, they must go through his dark army, and it includes some shocking members. IDW’s solicitation mentioned Worf, Alexander and Shaxs as members, and a variant cover for Star Trek #31, by Megan Levens reveals a few more, including Ro Laren and Tom Paris. All of these characters have played integral roles in the comics over the past two years, working heroically to stop first Kahless and then Lore. Because of their troubles, their real selves have been erased from history and replaced with versions loyal to Lore.
Becoming unquestioning slaves to Lore is a horrific fate for anyone, but especially for these characters in particular. While it was partially Worf’s idea to bring Lore into the God War, thus setting a chain of events into motion culminating in The Lore War, he has opposed the android’s plans, as has Alexander. Tom Paris was present at the Pleroma when Lore crashed it, killing all the gods living there. He saw the horrors Lore unleashed first hand, and yet has been brought under the android’s thumb.
When Lore’s dark army encounters Sisko’s rebels, they will be fighting not only to restore the Star Trek universe to its rightful state, but also save their friends from Lore’s clutches. With so many of their closest allies being controlled by Lore, it will make Sisko’s fight all the more difficult, as they must not seriously hurt or kill any of them. Just how Sisko plans to release Worf, Shaxs and Ro Laren from Lore’s control will play out in The Lore War. For now, however, Lore’s army is coming and the Star Trek franchise needs to be ready.
