Titan Comics 2014
Written by Nick Abadzis
Illustrated by Elena Casagrande & Eleonora Carlini
Coloured by Arianna Florean
After a brief break in New York City, the Doctor and Gabby were ready to set off in search of a new adventure – but trouble is never far from the Doctor. Picking up a mysterious signal in the heart of Manhattan, he discovered a secret auction where, among the junk, he found something of true value: an alien device with unknown and powerful properties! Purchased by a private bidder, the Doctor followed its signal to actress Dorothy Bell’s apartment – stalked by the streetsmart agent, Cleo! Having got her hands on the device at Bell’s home, Cleo revealed the device’s true power: reverting Dorothy’s assistant Vivian back to a baby! The Doctor was hit, too.. and is retro-regenerating back to his ninth incarnation!
So last issue ended on such a cliffhanger note and part of me was hoping it would’ve lasted longer, at least so Gabby could meet his fomer self and see him regenerate back to the body she knows. Alas dear friends that wasn’t meant to be still wow what a moment it was to see that happen. Nick is fully immersed in the Doctor’s world and the way he writes he’s equally able to immerse us in this world as well.
Cleo is wonderful and while yes she’s working for the “bad guy” and is aquiring objects for him, apparently just her mother did, but as we see so aptly demonstrated here their relationship is exactly healthy. So hopefully this isn’t going to be the last story we see Cleo in or her mysterious boss because their introduction to the Doctor’s world seems to be the beginning of adding a human to the ranks of his enemy species and someone could continue to pop from time to time either seeking revenge or just acquiring artifacts that keep him alive, rich and powerful.
So while all the action is happening to the Doctor Gabby is with her friend Cindy when she receives something of a mental S.O.S. through her phone and the pair go rushing off to find out what’s happening. Gabby to help the Doctor and Cindy to see this man who has apparently usurped her friend and made her more distant.
There another aspect to this story that we haven’t really a clue as to what it really is or what it’s intent and purpose is. We do know however that a sliver of something left it’s mass in space and came to Earth after it’s been awoken by the events with the Doctor. This will undoubtedly bring Cleo back into contact with the Doctor and I look forward to seeing that happen.
The interior artwork remains the high quality stuff that we’ve come to expect from Elena, Eleonora and Arianna. The characters come to life so wonderfully and the effects, mood and emotions flow freely here. They make the Doctor’s world come to life beautifully and help Nick’s story reach new heights.
Titan Comics has taken the Doctor and his world to places we’ve not seen from anyone else and by creating new mythos and situations make this feel like a continuation of their series and it feels natural and exciting.