Titan Comics 2016
Written by Paul Cornell
Illustrated by Christopher Jones
Coloured by Hi-Fi
Lettered by
Rewarded with a new dematerialization circuit for his TARDIS, the Third Doctor’s Earth-bound exile has been lifted after the battle with Omega. But although he is ready to set off on new adventures an alien invasion, an unexpected visit from an old face and the return of the Master interrupts his plans. Now, in a bid to rescue Jo from a living death, he finds himself battling the alien foe – inside his companion’s mind!
There’s something absolutely charming about this series so far. Paul really does manage to capture the whole mood, tone and feel of the Third Doctor’s adventures here and his demeanour and attitude. This was a time when the franchise was let’s face it cheesy but it was also smartly written. I also really like the fact that regardless of which Doctor it is or how hi gloss the show that some things remain the same and that’s the way the Doctor’s confidence in his own actions and decisions shines through.
Paul nails the characterisation here and not just for the Doctor(s) but with Jo and the Brigadier as well. There’s also the fact that in this franchise nothing is ever what it seems to be and we’re constantly surprised by twists and turns that catch us off guard. In this case you have to read this issue to see just how true to form that is because I love the fact that what happens here is completely throwing me off. There are too many things going on that I adore and just can believe are happening.
Christopher really does a great job on the interiors here. It’s got that high end animated quality to it that I love and makes me wish there were cartoon movies about these characters. He does a magnificent job on the likenesses of the characters. His use of page layouts utilising angles, perspective and even backgrounds really help to draw the reader into the story and provide extra characterisation the words can’t.
For those who aren’t as familiar with the seasons pre-Eccleston then they really should be picking this up. It’s a wonderful opportunity to not only see another Doctor shine brightly but it’ll help you understand the long and storied tradition the newest series stays true to. For those that grew up in the States watching PBS and seeing these characters again it’s a slice of childhood memory brought back. This is in every way what the franchise has always been about where the Doctor and his Companion have been concerned.
Titan has this knack for finding the perfect people to work together to bring their stories to life. This is superbly written and incredibly well illustrated and continues to showcase why the Doctor Who franchise has been beloved for so long.