Summary
Spock returned to life in the thirdStar Trekfeature film thanks to the effects of the Genesis Device, but his mind was restored by his Mirror Universe counterpart. Although Spock returned to life at the end ofThe Search for Spock, his mind was still in disarray, but as revealed in 1985’sStar Trek#12,his goateed Mirror Universe variant played a vital role in bringing Spock back to form.
Star Trek#12, first published by DC Comics, was written by Mike Barr and drawn by Tom Sutton and Ricardo Villagran. TheEnterprisecrew’s Mirror Universe counterparts havestaged an invasion of the Federation. Mirror Spock seeks the Genesis Device, and travels to Vulcan to mind-meld with Prime Spock. Prime Spock’s brain patterns are still in chaos. Mirror Spock initiates the mind meld, and the Prime version uses it to return his brain patterns to normalcy.
In exchange,the Mirror Spock is “healed” and agrees to fight against the Empire and the Mirror Universe Kirk.
Mister Spock Almost LeftStar TrekFor Good
Spock’s Mind and Body Were Rejoined–But There Was Still Much Work to Do
Leonard Nimoy, who had brought Spock to life, was growing tired of the character, and, according to legend, asked to have him killed off inStar Trek II:The Wrath of Khan. However, Nimoy changed his mind at the last minute, and thus the writers wrote an “in” to bring Spock back. They followed up on it inStar Trek III: The Search for Spock. TheGenesis Device helped restoreSpock’s body to life, but his soul, or “katra,” was stuck in Doctor McCoy. Spock’s mind and body are rejoined at the end of the movie.
Despite Spock being restored to life, the film made clear that there would still be a long road to recovery for him. When fans see him again inStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home,Spock is still re-learning much of what he knew. However, Spock is sharp and mentally aware, a far cry from where he was previously.Star Trek#12 fills in the gaps, and does so in a clever and creative way. Fans had been clamoring for the return of the Mirror Universe, and its Spock variant, since their first appearances.
Mirror Spock Is TheStar TrekUniverse’s Most Unlikely Savior
Mirror Spock Helped More Than Just Spock Heal
It is ironic that Mirror Spock, who came to the PrimeStar Trekuniverse to specifically destroy its Spock, would be the final piece of the puzzle. The mind meld between the two was a win-win situation: not only did it give Prime Spock a spark of life again, but also helped Mirror Spock move beyond the conditioning the Empire had given him. Mirror Spock’s defection helped turn the tide of the invasion, and sent the Mirror Universe invasion fleet packing. In doing the mind-meld,Spock saved not only himself, but the galaxy as well.
