Titan Comics 2016
Written by Cavan Scott
Illustrated by Adriana Melo
Coloured by Matheus Lopes
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
The Doctor received a mysterious call for help... from none other than Mickey Smith! But Mickey was furious – this wasn’t the Doctor he wanted, and what’s more, his wife, Martha, has literally turned into a gargoyle! With many of San Francisco’s population, including Rose, gaining the superpowers that precede this terrible transformation, the two men must put aside their differences to save the ones they love – and avoid Mickey and Rose crossing paths!
Ya know it would be kind of awesome if his wife, Martha, was that Martha. Just because I kinda want it to be that way and it would also explain a little more why this Doctor isn’t the one they wanted to come to their aid. Of course aside from the fact that it’s Mickey and he’s older and not married to Rose but then again I think they both knew once she traveled with the Doctor their relationship was over.
I’m a huge fan of this series because Christopher one served as one season of the Doctor and he was such a good one. So this way we still get to see him, Rose and Jack in the early years before they were really established. It’s a nice look back at something brand new and the way Cavan writes their personalities it’s like discovering old friends all over again for the first time. There really is a great sense of familiarity alongside the unknown that really holds a great appeal.
Plus with Adriana and her imagination the creatures, aliens and the characters themselves all get to come to life beautifully. The likeness’ to the actors is fantastic and the Gargoyles this issue for example are brought to life exquisitely. Her eye for storytelling, using page layouts and filling up the panels with backgrounds and providing great angles and perspectives really help flesh out where they are nicely. Oh and Glom yes thank you for him cause that’s just abso-freakin-lutely delightful!
The writing, dialogue and characterisation here is utterly fantastic. I love the difference in Mickey that he’s not the same kid this Doctor met and their interaction kind of shows that off really well. Cavan’s way of getting into the Doctor’s world and introducing us to new and old characters alike really do bring our own imagination to life. It’s so much fun to be reminded of this version of the Doctor and his idiosyncrasies and mannerisms.
It also reminds me so much of when the BBC brought the series back in this new updated form and it evokes all the feelings and love for not only the entire series but the genre as well. This is a prime example of how you can keep something going as a new and fresh series when the televised version has been off air for ages. The right creators, like Cavan and Adriana, and a company that knows how to let them do their thing and really shine all conspire to keep the legacy alive and well.