The Lost Dimension Part Two
Titan Comics 2017
Written by Cavan Scott
Illustrated by Adriana Melo & Cris Bolson
Coloured by Marco Lesko & Dijjo Lima
Lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
An unknown source is striking from the depths of space, emerging as impossibly-large white holes over civilised planets, absorbing or annihilating everything that lives. Captain Jack Harkness and Tara Mishra, companions of the Ninth Doctor, were caught up in one such white hole event, and—despite the valiant efforts of Jenny, the Doctor’s daughter—were caught by the white hole and absorbed. But the Ninth Doctor and his companion Rose Tyler know nothing of this…..yet.
Oh see now this is why I love these events that Titan does starring multiple Doctor’s. The actor doesn’t have to agree to be a part of it and each one is in his prime whether or not in real they are or aren’t. So what we get is that we see a slew of near forgotten characters coming back in the most and and familiar of ways. For me this is how other companies should do their event series, a special issue one of that gives us a look at the individual Doctor while the story continues to flesh itself out. Here we still get to see the story grow and unfold but not have it rushed or overcrowded by a bunch of characters stealing “face time” in the process.
Cavan may not be a household name, here in the United States, but he’s well known to me. I’ve been enjoying his writing for some time now and his understanding of these characters and their behaviour couldn’t be any more knowledgeable if he’d been responsible for creating them. His knowledge and talent when it comes to writing is spectacular to see as the structure of the work demonstrates. The flow of information that we see which reveals a lot in terms of who we see, motives behind it and keeping all it running smooth as silk so that the reader never loses focus or interest. I highly recommend that you find his work and read if you don’t already know it because this is as good if not better than any movie or multi-parter you’ll see on television.
Adriana is delightful artist and illustrator. Here she collaborates with Cris, Marco and Dijjo to really bring this to life. That she can make the characters resemblance to the actors this darn strong and still give them freedom of originality is amazing to behold. Plus seeing Vastra and some of her people makes this stunning! I mean the sheer amount of work, attention to detail here and the ability to make her so incredibly alien and regal at the same time is a serious wow factor. While I’m always going to want t6o see more backgrounds in use they are used judiciously here.
I mentioned Vastra and I have to say she’s one of those characters we tend to forget about until she pops up. She’s a great example of diversity alongside Jenny as not only are the lovers but inter-species lovers at that is something that you don’t see every day and it makes things seem trivial in the “real” world by comparison. Still here being in this issue is instrumental for the story and in ways you don’t necessarily get at first glance. Though the way Cavan weaves circumstance, fate/destiny and the desire to find those who you consider your own kind well it’s nearly brilliant in concept and execution.
Along with that comes the pacing, structuring and characterisation in this story. Plus way we get to see how Cavan is able to throw in those surprise twists and turns, see revelations, in seemingly innocent and innocuous ways is splendid. I mean you are just cruising along peacefully when whammo it’s like you spotted Jaws and did a double take. I cannot begin to tell you how as a fan of the show from the days of PBS when it was only available on certain nights with such incredibly bad sets and cheesy acting to what it’s become today that this whole story so far makes me feel. I’m happy, delighted and almost in awe of these people who are able to take a childhood fantasy, see cult classic, and turn it into something so now, relevant and happening.
Titan Comics is where Doctor Who has thrived in ways that go beyond expectation and has soared in the consciousness of people world wide.