The Swords of Kali Part 2

"Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster..."

Writer: Robbie Morrison 

Format: Comic Strip

Released: 21st May 2015

Printed in: DWC #4

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara 

Synopsis 

A call from old friend, Tiger Maratha, prompted the Doctor and Clara to head to Mumbai, 2315 - only to find Maratha dead! His daughter, Priyanka, has been swept up in the conspiracy, discovering her father was killed by Chandra Scindia's powerful dynasty: ScindiaCorp. While exploring the Scindias' ancient fortress, the Doctor was thrown back to 1825, where renegade amazon Rani Jhulka saved him! Meanwhile, Clara and Priyanka are trapped in 2315, facing a horde of Thuggees! 

Verdict 

The Swords of Kali continued in excellent fashion with this brilliant second part of the story! I really loved part one and part two continued with the same quality despite a much different feel. I thought that was an admirable quality to have. It was undoubtedly the same story yet it kind of felt like its own independent adventure as well, which if I was collecting the Twelfth Doctor's comic strips separately as is the case across the pond in the USA, I'd be happy with. It didn't really matter too much in the UK Doctor Who Comic but it was something I really liked. I liked how we got a couple more sightings of the Fourth Doctor though I am longing just for a glimpse of the Classic TARDIS console that Tiger would have travelled with the Doctor in. If I get a moment like in Hunters of the Burning Stone where the Eleventh Doctor walked into the TARDIS during the events of An Unearthly Child, I'll be so thrilled. I can't see it happening but a similar opportunity is there. As in part one, I thought Priyanka had a magnificent relationship with both the Doctor and Clara but not at all at the same time in this part. The Doctor was in 1825 whilst Clara was in 2315. Just the 490 years between them then. After the cliffhanger of the last part, I thought Clara and Priyanka's dealing with the Thuggees was pretty good but that didn't pale in comparison to this part's cliffhanger! I think the Twelfth Doctor might just be the best Doctor in comic strip format. The Eleventh Doctor is still probably just my favourite on television ahead of the First Doctor and as I recently mentioned in my blog of The Maltese Penguin, the Sixth Doctor is my favourite in audio but now I think it's clear I have a favourite in this format that I seem to be doing a lot of lately. Whether it's in DWM or DWC (and hopefully DWA!), I just love Capaldi's incarnation in this format. I can read every word in Capaldi's Scottish accent and that's testament to the writer who has absolutely nailed the characterisation. It's not quite there for Clara but that doesn't seem to be anything new. The story told by Rani at the start regarding her lesbian fling with Khair-un-Nissa was very intriguing given the 1825 setting. I liked how when Rani and Priyanka met, lesbianism wasn't anything to be ashamed of in 2315 (though I'd say that's about 300 years earlier too!). The hidden message of Tiger was great and I liked how grateful he was for having travelled with the Doctor. I do hope we get to see the Fourth Doctor and Tiger's adventures at some point! The TARDIS seeming to remember Priyanka and taking her to the Doctor was a lovely moment and I liked how things turned sour when the Doctor found out that Clara had been taken. He cares for her so much that the incredible line from Dark Water needs echoing. You should know which one. The story's title kicked into full gear with the search for the swords of Kali kicking on with Clara's life the prize. Scindia's plan is getting dangerous and it seems the goddess is returned - and she's taken over Clara! An outstanding cliffhanger and surprisingly I wasn't annoyed by the heavy religion references. I can't wait for the conclusion in the next issue, and that's where you'll find the rating.