The House of Lights

"They're made of anti-photons, which only exist physically in the dark..."

Writer: Kieran Grant

Format: Comic Strip

Released: September 2011

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 2012

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory

Synopsis 

Amy and Rory investigate a man who's Christmas lights are still up and blaring in July, but the Doctor suspects there's something more than just a man who loves Christmas so much, and he's right...

Verdict 

The House of Lights was a great little comic strip story absolutely typical of the post-revival Annuals. The artwork is somewhat questionable when compared with the likes seen in DWM, the Storybooks or any American publishing company such as IDW or Titan. The story itself was your simple Christmassy feel and accounted for both times where the popularity of the Annuals is at its peak - when they first come out shortly after July (the setting of the story) and Christmas (when the books are usually down to a £1 or so and are perfect for stocking stuffers). The idea of an alien hiding out amongst Christmas lights is hardly a way to go unnoticed which came to my humour. The Prin alien looked very much like at home in the DWA range but it somehow seemed suited alongside this TARDIS trip of the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory. It was nice that Rory actually got a word or two into this story which hasn't been the case in some previous comic strips featuring this threesome. Amy, somehow, once again looked tremendous in the artwork! It's the hair I think. Redheads are just amazing, are they not? The Sceadu were intriguing villains and their appearance was depicted as monstrous despite the childlike appeal in the artwork. I loved the idea of them having wiped out the Prin home world and despite just one survivor fleeing all the way to Earth, they weren't satisfied. They wanted genocide. The whole race wiped out. However the comical fact that the Christmas lights were for the Prin's protection was excellent! The Sceadu were made of anti-photons which I thought was outstanding meaning they could only be seen in the dark so they couldn't get near the Prin beyond the vast Christmas lights! The climax was good with an escape door and fireworks defeating the Sceadu and the Doctor offering a lift to an illuminated planet for the Prin. Overall, despite the shortness, lots of fun and a decent story!

Rating: 8/10