The Time Thief

"Fasten your seatbelts, everyone!"

Writer: Steve Livesey

Format: Comic Strip

Released: September 1972

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1973

Featuring: Third Doctor, Jo

Synopsis 

Verdict 

The Time Thief was a little disappointing for a 1970s annual comic strip. The idea was there and throwing the Master in was a brilliant idea especially with what was happening. World War I bomber planes destroying UN ships full of radioactive isotopes certainly had a reek of the Master in it but surely with the terrific idea of the story the format of comic strip just wasn't the place to portray it! Because everything was so rushed the way the story unfolded was just rushed, ineffective and clumsy. Things needed to be explained a whole lot better for the story to unfold with intrigue and interest. The actions of the Doctor in thwarting another plan of the Master's was good but I think his brilliance was knocked a bit by Jo's inferiority and lack of doing pretty much everything. I did like the artwork of the comic strip, it was fantastic and gave a great representation. The Ekayprians were an interesting species but again the lack of explanation of them and what they did was extremely disappointing. The Ekaypria setting was barely touched upon as there just wasn't enough time in the 5-6 pages. The climax was clever but never really climatic and was also pretty predictable. I didn't like how Jo was barely used but I thought the idea of the adventure was really good just rushed in the comic format! It was just too short for what it could have been.

Rating: 6/10