Warning! Warning! Spoilers for Star Trek #23 ahead!

IDW Publishing’s ongoingStar Trekcomic book series has officially established Data’s evil brother Lore as the most dangerous villain in franchise history, as he threatens to tear apart the cosmos at its very fabric.The latest issue of theTrekcomicleaves readers on a massive cliffhanger, teasing that Lore may be responsibile for destruction on a scaleno other villain in franchise historyhas ever dreamed of.

Star Trek#23 – written by Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, with art by Megan Levens – features the fruition of Lore’s plan to ambush the godlike beings of theStar Trekgalaxy, elevating himself to their level in the process, as he seeks to obtain the highest echelon of cosmic power.

Star Trek #23, Lore backed up by a Romulan Warbird, says ‘I’ve really been looking forward to this’

As the crew of the USS Theseus race to stop the unhinged android’s diabolical quest for godhood,Beverly Crusher frankly asses Lore as, “the most devious mind in the universe.”

Star Trek Elevates [SPOILER] to Godhood, As They Kill Off an Original Series God

The Star Trek franchise is loaded with powerful, god-like beings, and one of them just perished at the hands of an evil force who just got an upgrade.

Lore Has Always Been Dangerous – But Now Star Trek Has Made Him Its Worst Villain Ever

Star Trek#23 – Written By Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing; Art By Megan Levens; Color By Lee Loughridge; Lettering By Clayton Cowles

Since his introduction onStar Trek: The Next Generation, Lore has always been a memorable character, and a fan-favorite enemy of the franchise’s heroes, but IDW’sStar Trekcomics have used him like never before.

Beverley Crusher’s diagnosis of Lore as the greatest threat she and the all-star crew of the Theseus have ever faced comes as part of a frantic exchange with Montgomery Scott, as the intensity of the situation mounts. “From here on out, it’s on you, me, and the rest of the crew to outthink the single most devious mind in the universe,” Crusher tells Scotty, to which he solemnly responds: “Aye, aye, Captain Crusher.” Given that by the end ofStar Trek#23,Lore has seemingly blown up all existence, it is fair to say that Crusher was not exaggerating.

STAR TREK GODS

Considering that the crew in question span nearly the entire scope of the franchise, and includes many of its greatest characters, this says everything fans need to know about Lore’s villain status. Whatever becomes of theStar Trekgalaxy, and beyond, at the conclusion of this story arc, Lore’s reputation as an antagonist has certainly been solidified. Since hisintroduction onStar Trek: The Next Generation, Lore has always been a memorable character, and a fan-favorite enemy of the franchise’s heroes, butIDW’sStar Trekcomicshave used him like never before.

Lore May Have Caused The End Of The Star Trek Universe As Fans Know It

Star Trek"Pleroma" Part 5 (Of 7)

In a way, Lore – and his role in the series thus far – has been a measuring stick for Lanzing and Kelly’s commitment to expanding the frontiers of the franchise.

Star Trek’sexploration the vast universe beyond the confines of Earth has always been about more than just space; since the earliest days of the franchise, time travel and mysterious, cosmic-powered beings have featured prominently in some ofTrek’smost iconic tales. The single greatest virtue of IDW’sStar Trekongoing series has been its embrace of this, and writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing haveused the comic book mediumto take this to a level only glimpsed by all priorStar Trekmedia.

Star Trek #22, Dr. Crusher calls Lore ‘the most devious mind in the universe’

In a way, Lore – and his role in the series thus far – has been a measuring stick for Lanzing and Kelly’s commitment to expanding the frontiers of the franchise. More than just a foil for his good-natured counterpart Data, Lore has become an enemy of all existence itself. While it took bold creators at the helm of Star Trekcomics to actualize this,it is only an extension of the character’s nature, which is what makes it so exciting that Lore has firmly claimed the title ofStar Trek’sultimate antagonist.

STAR TREK #23 (2024)

Star Trek #23 cover, Lore playing multi-dimensional chess with  Benjamin Sisko, Dr. Crusher & others as pieces.

Star Trek (2022)

It’s stardate 2378, and Benjamin Sisko has finally returned from the Bajoran Wormhole omnipotent—but his godhood is failing with every minute. Sent by the Prophets on a mission to the deepest parts of space aboard the U.S.S. Theseus, he witnesses the unthinkable: someone is killing the gods. And only Sisko and his motley crew of Starfleet members from every era of Trek can stop them.

Star Trek #1 IDW Comic Cover Art