Titan Comics 2016
Written by Paul Cornell
Illustrated by Christopher Jones
Coloured by Hi-Fi
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Rewarded with a new dematerialization circuit for his TARDIS, the knowledge of time and space travel restored to him, 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 across time and space, Earth again faces peril from alien invasion and the return of the Master! Will an unexpected visitor to UNIT headquarters help or hinder the Time Lord in his latest adventure?
I hadn’t realised how happy it makes me to see these adventures with the Doctor’s I never really got to see growing up. Yes they’ve become iconic and well known throughout the years and as the U.S. catches up on it’s fandom of them it’s great to see their resurgence. I love that Paul writes this series just like we’ve been seeing throughout the line of Doctor Who books where the kitsch is there in some aspects, Jo’s coining the phrase Timey Wimey, but overall has that more serious edge to it so it’s balanced nicely.
I have to admit seeing how these two Doctors react to having to see each other here is rather amusing. I mean we all know it’s discerning for them to have to team up with themself or selves as the case may be so their dialogue and interaction with each other is absolutely delightful. That each Doctor has their own unique personality and that there have been so many of them is really quite fascinating. I mean each actor brought his own take to the character and that shines through in the writing here.
Christopher’s interiors are great for this Doctor! He’s able to capture the likenesses extremely well while still keeping this in that style of his. Kind of a highly detailed cartoon series, which by the way I wouldn’t mind seeing of this. That attention to detail here is wonderful and the way he can capture the little things, old technology or the way the Tardis stands out that goes along with the style of clothing they wore all of it conspires to really put us in this time period. His use of page layouts through angles and perspective create the perfect flow for the story.
In many ways we can thank Doctor Who for breaking down barriers and being something of the father of modern science fiction, I mean it was debuted in 1963 when very little else took things to this level. With all the charm of the time it represents and the distinct personalities of the cast here along with the stellar dialogue and storytelling by Paul this is a reminder of why it has that cult following status. Then there’s Christopher’s interiors which just put things over the top it’s got that kitsch feel without it being silly.
Yeah Long Live Doctor Who. Facing a new threat to Earth in another alien invasion where the Master could be friend or foe and a previous version of himself is there aid them things are definitely going to be fun moving forward. Can’t wait to see how all this plays out!