For fans of the most cunning incarnation of the Time Lord, the Seventh Doctor, Titan Comics delivers a thrilling new adventure in Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1. This issue plunges the tweed-clad Doctor, famously portrayed by Sylvester McCoy, and his explosive companion Ace into a complex web of intrigue known as “Operation Volcano.” But does this comic capture the clever spirit of the Seventh Doctor era? Let’s dive into this Major Spoilers review to find out if this debut issue is a must-read for devotees of the Seventh Doctor.
A Web of Time and Intrigue
Writer Andrew Cartmel, who notably served as script editor during the Seventh Doctor’s television run, alongside Richard Dinnick, crafts a narrative that immediately grabs your attention with its sheer density. Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1 masterfully juggles multiple timelines and characters, echoing the intricate plotting often associated with the late 1980s era of Doctor Who. The story unfolds across 1967 Australia, reeling from atomic bomb tests and the discovery of a mysterious spacecraft, and 2029, where a space expedition encounters a similar vessel and the time-displaced Group Captain Gilmore.
The Doctor’s summons is ingeniously woven into the fabric of time itself. A newspaper with a current date, strategically placed in the Bodleian library, alerts the Doctor – who, in classic Seventh Doctor fashion, is already a step ahead, newspaper in hand, witnessing its accelerated decay. This clever time-travel element is a hallmark of Doctor Who, and its inclusion here is a delight for longtime fans. As the Doctor assembles a team of British and Australian experts to investigate, layers of espionage and hidden agendas are revealed, including parasitic serpents mirroring one found on Gilmore decades prior. This multi-layered plot, reminiscent of classic Seventh Doctor serials, sets the stage for a captivating and complex story arc.
Authentic Voices of the Seventh Doctor Era
Titan Comics deserves praise for delivering a double-sized issue, allowing ample room for the intricate plot of Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1 to unfold organically. This expanded format truly allows the story to breathe and develop, giving it the pacing and feel of a genuine televised Doctor Who episode from the Sylvester McCoy era. Crucially, the portrayal of the Seventh Doctor, often referred to as “The Professor” in this incarnation, and Ace is pitch-perfect. Cartmel’s involvement likely ensures an authentic voice for these beloved characters, capturing their dynamic from the late 80s show. Beyond plot progression, the characters are given space to develop, and Ace even gets a dynamic action sequence battling a possessed official.
Visually Striking Doctor Who
The artwork in Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1 by Christopher Jones and Jessica Martin, with colors by Marco Lesko and Charlie Kirchoff, is a standout element. The artists capture the likenesses of Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred remarkably well, avoiding the stiffness that can sometimes plague comics based on real actors. Facial expressions are nuanced and detailed, adding depth to the characters’ interactions and emotional responses. Furthermore, the space sequences are rendered with an impressive sense of scale and grandeur, particularly the initial reveal of the crashed spacecraft, which conveys a powerful sense of epic proportions. The visual storytelling effectively enhances the narrative, bringing the world of the Seventh Doctor to life on the page. The inclusion of a backup feature focusing on a character from ‘The Greatest Show In The Galaxy’ is a welcome bonus for dedicated fans, further enriching the overall reading experience.
Echoes of the Cartmel Masterplan
The appearance of the Seventh Doctor in his own comic series is a welcome development, especially for those who have longed to see more of the classic Doctors represented in ongoing books. Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1 successfully captures the essence of this era, filled with portentous moments, tea-drinking, and Ace’s proactive approach to problem-solving. There’s even a subtle hope that Cartmel might weave in elements of his ambitious “Cartmel Master Plan,” designed to reintroduce mystery and alienness to the Doctor, even if outside of television canon.
BOTTOM LINE: GOOD TO SEE SEVEN BACK
Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor #1 is a visually compelling and narratively rich comic that successfully embodies the spirit of the Seventh Doctor’s era. Its complex plot, authentic character portrayals, and impressive artwork make it a worthwhile read for fans of Sylvester McCoy’s Doctor and classic Doctor Who in general. Earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars, this comic is a strong start to what promises to be an engaging series for fans of the cleverest Doctor.
