Warning: contains spoilers for “The Final Masterpiece,” appearing in Star Trek #500!
Star Trek has just gotten its own version of the “Infinity Snap,” turning a classic villain into an even deadlier version of Thanos. In the MCU, Thanos’ snap was a chilling moment, and was proof of his villainy. Now, in the story “The Final Masterpiece,” appearing in Star Trek #500, Lore, who has been on a crusade to achieve godhood, unveils his own, deadlier version of the Infinity Snap.
“The Final Masterpiece,” is the central story in Star Trek #500, is written by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Davide Tinto. Lore, who used the Orb of Destruction to unmake the universe, is trying to create the perfect model, one made in his image. He has enlisted Data to help him, but Data continues to frustrate his efforts. As the story draws to a conclusion, Lore gives Data one more chance to create the perfect universe. Lore snaps his fingers—and the universe changes. The story is a prelude to next year’s Lore War.
Lore’s Legacy of Evil in the Star Trek Franchise, Explained
Lore Is Star Trek’s Biggest Nihilist
Lore has been front and center in IDW’s Star Trek comics line since the earliest days of the “God War.” Lore had previously been dismantled and stored at a Section 31 facility. He was freed, rebuilt and drafted to fight Kahless, who was slaughtering the gods of the universe. Lore, while helpful in stopping Kahless, seized on his technology. Recruiting Kahless’ former followers in the Red Path, Lore will not stop until he is a god, and the universe lies in waste before him. Lore sought out the Pleroma, the gathering place of the gods, but for nefarious reasons.
As seen in “The Final Masterpiece”, destroying all creation was not enough for Lore: he needed to remake it in his image.
Upon reaching the Pleroma, Lore unveils his final, destructive gambit. Using the Orb of Destruction, created by the Bajoran Prophets, Lore finishes what Kahless started, killing gods such as Trelane and Charlie Evans, before destroying the universe. As seen in “The Final Masterpiece”, destroying all creation was not enough for Lore: he needed to remake it in his image. Fans see the various attempts Lore and Data made, and none of them are to Lore’s liking. Lore grows exasperated with Data’s “boring” creations, giving the impression it is do or die for Data.
Lore’s Version of the “Infinity Snap” Outdid Thanos
Lore’s Desire to Destroy and Kill Transcends Even Thanos’
Lore’s final attempt at recreating the universe is followed by Star Trek’s version of the “Infinity Snap.” The Mad Titan Thanos, seeking to bring balance to the universe, assembles the Infinity Gauntlet. Composed of the six Infinity Stones, the Gauntlet was one of the universe’s most powerful objects, and when Thanos decided to use it, he snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, half of the universe’s population was wiped out. In both The Infinity Gauntlet and Avengers: Infinity War, the Snap was a chilling and unforgettable moment.
And now, Star Trek has its own version, courtesy of Lore. While Lore did not have an Infinity Gauntlet, he did have the Orb of Destruction, which is arguably in the same class as the Gauntlet. Lore does not share Thanos’ concerns with balance, instead wishing to indulge his nihilistic desires to kill and destroy. While Thanos’ methods were extreme, there was at least a justifiable reason for them, but nothing of the such exists with Lore. Lore is evil incarnate in the Star Trek universe, and his version of the “Infinity Snap” manages to outdo Thanos.
Star Trek #500 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
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“The Final Masterpiece,” appearing in Star Trek #500 |
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