The Parliament of Fear Part 3

"They shall have their prey and I shall have my justice."

Writer: Scott Gray
Format: Comic Strip
Released: 21st September 2017
Printed in: DWM 517

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Bill

Synopsis

With Bill transformed into an owl under the guidance of Totika and the mercy of the Stikini, can the Doctor escape her grasp and save his hearts? What will this transformation mean for the rest of the species who dominate the Red Skies? And what will happen to the area that will one day become Oklahoma? Everything will soon be revealed...

Verdict

The Parliament of Fear concluded in pretty decent style with this third and final part of the story! Now, as per usual with the Doctor Who Magazine comic strip stories I will talk about the magazine itself and I must say that this month's edition looks set to be another good one! I did actually purchase the issue a day after release but as my lack of blogging in the past fortnight indicates, finding free time to read it has been a struggle as I prepare for my third year of university and dedicate my time to my wonderful girlfriend. Anyway, to the magazine and celebrating the legacy of the Seventh Doctor seems like a great to base an issue around and I'm really looking forward to reading what Sylvester McCoy has to say. Following her untimely death, the previously unpublished interview with Deborah Watling should be a pretty poignant read so I look forward to that very much. I have already Galaxy Forum and hearing all the wonderful comments about her was a joy. Much of what she appeared in is sadly lost but she is still very much in the hearts of us fans. The Time Team is not something I'm a huge fan of but seeing as they're covering The Doctor's Wife this month, I think I simply have to read it as that episode is right up there with my all time favourites. It really is spectacular. The tribute to Victor Pemberton will also be another emotional read as he is another Whovian legend who has sadly been lost. The Dominic Glynn interview based around the sound recordings for Survival will be an intriguing read for me as soundtracks are not something I pay a huge amount of attention to. The Gail Bennett interview will be mostly new things for me too which is something that excites me as I love learning new things about Doctor Who! This magazine really does have it all and that's exactly why I continue to buy it each and every month. The usuals of DWM Review and Coming Soon will be as good as usual as they never disappoint and I like to see what is soon to hit the shelves in shops. Now, back to the comic strip itself and I think this was definitely the best part of the comic strip yet and actually saved it and maintained a decent rating from myself. The revelation regarding Totika and the Seminole was excellent and the scenes inside the Dreamspace were very good. I was surprised that we returned there so quickly after The Soul Garden but with an ongoing story arc very much present, I get the feeling that this theme could be quite important when it comes to the Twelfth Doctor's comic strip run ending. I look very much forward to seeing what the carving in the TARDIS means and I wonder how easy it will be for the Doctor to find the answers that he seeks. Bill was great in this part of the story which was good and I liked how she galvanised the Seminole in the Dreamspace to escape and take back their bodies. The Doctor instructing Reeves to wake the nearby town to weaken the Stikini's power and the influence of Totika was excellent and I really liked how even in their demise, the Stikini looked powerful. The Doctor shuddering is evidence of that. Overall, the story as a whole is probably my least favourite Twelfth Doctor comic adventure yet but that doesn't mean it was bad! It was very decent indeed and ended on a high!

Rating: 7/10

Aliens Among Us: Superiority Complex

"An alien hotel? That's one hell of a story."

Writer: AK Benedict
Format: Audio
Released: 10th August 2017
Series: Torchwood 5.04

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Tyler, Mr Colchester

Synopsis

Poverty and homelessness are on the rise in Cardiff. The streets are full of the desperate and the dispossessed. So, of course, it's the right time to open a 7-star luxury, all-inclusive hotel. And, naturally, the hotel is for aliens only.

As the humans stand outside the gates and look hungrily in, there's one thing that makes them smile. Someone is murdering the guests.

Verdict

Superiority Complex concluded the first third of Aliens Among Us in a very solid way with another good episode to continue along this fantastic fifth series of Torchwood. The transition of the series officially continuing on audio rather than television has been fully complete now and I am more than used to listening to Torchwood now rather than watching it. I think I definitely would prefer to be watching it with any audios that we get being a bonus but having the story continued on audio is better than nothing at all and with this first boxset, things are only just getting started. This episode still had the feel of things just testing the waters and I think the more the series rolls on, the more impact will be felt and the episodes will have more of a bigger feel. I'm all for things being set up for the future though and this did that in a good way whilst telling a very intriguing adventure. I thought the idea of an intelligent hotel that was for Sorvix only was very interesting and I liked how humanity was protesting something that they could not have or were not allowed entry into. That's so typical of the modern human. That reminds me that I should say how impressed I have been with this series of Torchwood so far in how it has captured the feel of the modern world. It's been unlike anything else in the Doctor Who universe and I really have enjoyed that aspect of the series so far and I just expect it to continue with the theme of aliens living amongst humanity in Cardiff. The fact there was already a Humans Against Sorvix protest group was humorous but if these events did actually occur in the real world then I would expect nothing less. The hotel being exclusive for Sorvix was good and I thought it was good that their attitudes towards human life were dismissive. They did not care for them and the overall aim seems to be eradicating them. But it is a patient process which makes me think that Ro-Jedda has more planned that we don't yet know about. Gwen, or rather the imposter replacing her, started to show cracks in hiding the truth about her but the brief moments we heard Eve Myles and the real Gwen were terrific and I liked how she was saying that her life was not all well and good as a part of Torchwood. That was evident in this story as human and Sorvix life really was put to the test in the intelligent hotel. The hotel though was more than just intelligent, it was sentient. The way we discovered that through Orr developing an elevator as part of something's sexual desire was a little silly I felt but it didn't really hurt things so there was no real issue there. Tyler had a really interesting episode and whilst being a regular character it's clear that he's still quite separate from the Torchwood team. His position as secretary to the Mayor of Cardiff and apparent sacrifice of him to Ro-Jedda was a big shock and a great way to keep things interesting in the wait before the next volume. Mr Colchester was excellent once again and his reaction to Jack resurrecting was great even if he has seen it many times before. Jack dying to resolve the issues raised by the intelligent hotel was admirable. The title of the audio was definitely apt as there certainly was a feeling of a superiority complex and I look forward to the battle for supremacy between humanity and the Sorvix in Cardiff playing out. Overall though, a good episode to continue things along and set things up for the next volume!

Rating: 8/10

Aliens Among Us: Orr

"I become what you want."

Writer: Juno Dawson
Format: Audio
Released: 10th August 2017
Series: Torchwood 5.03

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Tyler, Mr Colchester

Synopsis

Vincent Parry is the most successful property developer in Cardiff. A while ago he made an agreement with the mysterious Ro-Jedda, and it is an agreement he has come to bitterly regret. Something has to be done - but it's going to cost him everything he loves.

With time running out for Cardiff, Torchwood encounter an aliens who knows them only too well.

Verdict

Orr was another very good audio episode in the ongoing Aliens Among Us fifth series of Torchwood! I had the feeling that things calmed down a bit during this story and it was actually an episode of transition. I mean, it says quite a lot when this story contained the threat of the entirety of Cardiff being destroyed and an alien who becomes what you sexually desire is calm but I guess that really is Torchwood this series. I love it. The new team are slowly becoming familiar and I liked how we had them all mostly appear for the same amount of time in this episode. Of course, Gwen still isn't who she is supposed to be but we got to hear the imposter for a decent amount of time which was good. I am still very intrigued to see what that aspect of the story comes to and I would like to know how she's managed to insert herself into Gwen's life without anybody noticing. That really does seem to be the theme of the series though as regulars in Cardiff seem to know that the Sorvix have arrived in the city and it's almost now seen as normal, particularly in the back alley trades. Hatch was a great little character and I liked the conversation he and Jack had when the latter was looking to get Orr's collar removed. That collar seemed to carry the threat of destroying the entire Welsh capital which meant that things were obviously pretty serious. We got an appearance from Ro-Jedda here which was good and there was a nice reference to Aliens & Sex & Chips & Gravy. She insisted that Vincent Parry prepare more housing for her as there were more aliens to come. The significance of whether she was housing more than just Sorvix in the city was interesting and I am wondering whether the next episode will be a big one as it finishes the boxset or if it will just be another cog in the machine of the series as a whole. I really don't mind either way but I'm looking forward to finding out. We heard glimpses of the real Gwen and she seemed to be coping quite well considering the imposter had killed her mother. Rhys featured for the first time this series which was great as I think he's a very underrated character from the show. He really does bring a lot and the last series proved that. Jack getting into the action with Tyler was good and I liked Mr Colchester's disdain and what he was doing in going after the assassin that killed Parry. She though was almost like a mad terrorist brainwashed by religion and as she fully accepted her fate in being blown up, she proclaimed 'God is great' and then was obliterated. The idea of aliens coming to Cardiff in search of God is something that has me interested so that is definitely a good thing. Jack taking Orr to the Brecon Beacons to be destroyed was a good location and I really loved the joke regarding getting stuck behind something on the roads. I know from experience that those roads are awful if you get caught behind something so the familiarity was great for me. I was quite surprised though when Orr's collar didn't even show a sign of detonating in a huge explosion. It detached itself with a whimper and it seems that Ro-Jedda needs Orr after all. She was a very interesting hybrid of species with how she could become what anyone desired and her challenge with finding what Jack wanted was good. The signs seemed to suggest Ianto which was a nice touch. Her encounter with Mr Colchester was also good. Mary's funeral was quite sad and it solidifies this as the fifth series of Torchwood despite not being on television. The story is continuing and this one has set things up further in a very nice way. Overall, a great episode!

Rating: 8/10

Aliens Among Us: Aliens & Sex & Chips & Gravy

"A whole city invaded by aliens... and no one's even noticed."

Writer: James Goss
Format: Audio
Released: 10th August 2017
Series: Torchwood 5.02

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Tyler, Mr Colchester

Synopsis

Has Cardiff really been invited by aliens? Tyler thinks he's found a lead - the daughter of the mysterious Ro-Jedda is getting married and has booked a private party. If Torchwood can infiltrate it, there's a chance they'll end up closer to the truth. Free bar, canapes, and the chance to find out what's really going on. What could possibly go wrong?

Soon Torchwood are on the run for their lives, and learning more than they ever wanted to about alien life.

Verdict

Aliens & Sex & Chips & Gravy was a great continuation of Aliens Among Us! Series 5 of Torchwood is well underway now and we have a wonderful typically Torchwood title to get us on our way. It's a ludicrous name really but that's part and parcel of all things Torchwood and that is definitely part of its appeal. I was quite surprised that this early on in the series that we had a story that barely featured Captain Jack. After all, the spinoff show is based around him and even though his importance has perhaps dwindled, to only include him over the phone for a brief conversation in the second episode of the kickstart fifth series was very surprising. I was also a little shocked that Tyler was given similar treatment after bringing Gwen and Mr Colchester to the private party. Of course, it turned out to be quite the revelation that he was actually on a date with Jack. Gwen's reaction to that was quite funny. Now, while I'm talking about her I am going to get ahead of things a bit but I am glad that the bugging question of whether Gwen was actually Gwen was answered at the end of this episode. Listening throughout the audio, I knew that it wasn't Eve Myles that was voicing one of my all time favourite characters but I figured that she must have been unavailable for recording or something. Thankfully, it's all part of the story and the real Gwen, voiced by Eve Myles, is somehow trapped within this alien imposter. What importance she has for the whole aliens among us story I'm not sure yet but I get the feeling that the Sorvix may not be the real threat. We did get to learn a lot about them though and one thing for certain is that they know how to drink! Downing a bottle of vodka just sounds horrific but Madrigal managed it with ease. The way they sucked the male stripper dry by seemingly devouring him through their backs was quite disturbing. Mr Colchester's reaction to that sold just how awful that was. I really liked how he established himself here and I enjoyed the banter he had with Gwen when he seemed to imply something negative about Cardiff and Wales. I have had very similar moments in my two years at university thus far so I enjoyed that. The hen night turning into another massacre in Cardiff was quite a shock and I am intrigued again by the mention of the Red Doors movement. I expect that to feature more prominently in the business end of this series, or at least this boxset of it. I thought the reference to Something Borrowed was magnificent and it's intriguing that this Gwen imposter maintains all of the original's memories. Quenel was an interesting character and her relationship with Mandrigal was good. The unhatching was intriguing. Mandrigal not wanting to marry Osian is a good story and I am also very eager to find out just how the mysterious Hatch Mother, or Ro-Jedda as the synopsis tells us, has control of the city. Cardiff has been invaded and infiltrated and nobody has noticed. I really like that. Their reliance on the Rift will probably come back to haunt them but Torchwood doesn't exactly seem in a stable condition to put up a fight. The ending where the truth about Gwen came out was very shocking, not in the fact that she was actually an imposter but because she shot Mary! Gwen's mum is now presumably dead and I dread to think of the wrath that will be built in the real Gwen because of that. It's still early days in the series but things are definitely shaking up. Overall, a very good episode!

Rating: 8/10

Aliens Among Us: Changes Everything

"This is the world that needs saving. Forget aliens."

Writer: James Goss
Format: Audio
Released: 10th August 2017
Series: Torchwood 5.01

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Tyler, Mr Colchester

Synopsis

Tyler Steele has washed up in Cardiff looking for a fresh start. A disgraced journalist, he's looking into the Red Doors movement - are they really behind the terrorist attacks on immigrants? Who is stirring up the racism and hatred in the city, and what does outsourcing contractor 3Sol have to do with it?

Tyler finds out that Torchwood - a secret organisation that everyone thought was long gone - is back in business. Tyler realises that this is the second chance he's been looking for, and he'll do anything to be a part of it.

Verdict

Changes Everything was an excellent start to the fifth series of Torchwood! Yes, after six long years since the outstanding Miracle Day we finally continue the story here with Aliens Among Us. Now, I must admit that a fifth series on audio is not what I hoped for but it definitely is a whole lot better than nothing at all. All of us as fans would have loved for the show to return on television but for whatever reason that just isn't to be the case which is a real shame. Thankfully though, the story rolls on and what a beginning we have here! I thought the story reestablished Torchwood very well and brilliantly introduced the show again to us through the eyes of newbie Tyler Steele. He was a brilliant character and I really liked how at first he didn't believe everything that Torchwood stood for and fought against but by the end of the episode he was demanding a job. That psychology seems to have worked very well I must say. I thought it was good that Captain Jack didn't enter the story until a decent proportion of it had passed and his flirty arrival was brilliantly typical of the character. I bet he just loves that Tyler is gay and the two of them seemed to get it on just fine. Their relationship is one I expect to fully enjoy throughout this series. It was wonderful to hear that the Torchwood Hub is back up and running following the devastation in Children of Earth: Day One and I very much liked how that episode was referenced. Jack having to explain that he was immortal but not an alien to Tyler was good and I liked how he saw those powers demonstrated following the massacre at the refugee vigil. I love how this story captured the tones of the modern day and basing a story upon terrorist attacks and refugee stigma is brave but superb and I expect that theme to carry through for the next eleven episodes. So much happened in this story that I can't quite believe it's just the beginning of an epic adventure! This series really does have me excited. Now, I must admit that I am a bit confused regarding Gwen's involvement in this audio. I don't know if my brain is messing with me or if it was intentional but that wasn't Eve Myles voicing Gwen here, was it? I sincerely hope not and the fact that her name wasn't mentioned until the end has me thinking that I am right to be confused but I guess I'll just have to wait and see in the next few episodes to see if any of that comes into fruition. I thought Mr Colchester was a good character and I like how there is now a bit of seniority in the Torchwood team, even if he is technically actually working for the government. The mentions of Torchwood having their funding cut was great and made you realise that this actually was an official secret organisation. Jack's delight at somebody realising he was Torchwood once he shot Vorsun was terrific and I really like how they are referencing the gap between the release of each series. Times have advanced and Cardiff is completely different city now. Jack and Torchwood have been away too long and aliens seem to have infiltrated and embedded themselves in Wales' capital. I loved the Welshness of the story being Welsh myself and the idea of the area where the water fountain stands being a car park humoured me I must say. The terrorist attacks were very real and modern and I liked that and things have been set up very nicely for the future whilst also resolving a problem that was presented in the episode. I'm still confused about Gwen but that has me intrigued for the future so that can only be a good thing. Overall, a fantastic return!

Rating: 9/10

Invasion of the Mindmorphs Part 2

"Have you ever thought that the one thing you can't run from is yourself?"

Writer: Robbie Morrison
Format: Comic Strip
Released: 24th August 2017
Printed in: DWC: Tales from the TARDIS 19

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor

Synopsis

The Doctor's plan to take comic creators Sonny and Val off on a tour of the Universe was all going so well... until they landed on a planet of Mindmorphs intent on stealing their minds! Will the creative duo be able to channel their talents in order to save the Doctor? Or is this partnership, and minds of all on the planet, beyond saving?

Verdict

Invasion of the Mindmorphs concluded in sensational style with this superb second and final part of the comic strip! I really did love part one and after rereading, which was needed after the three months that I had to endure between issues being released, my thoughts remained intact and I was just as excited for part two as I was upon starting the story for the first time back in May. Here we are now nearly four months later and this story has achieved something which is surprisingly rare in Doctor Who Comic despite the high quality on show that's a perfect rating. There's barely been a bad story in the couple of years that this little gem has been on sale but a perfect rating has been quite rare and I must say that this story easily achieved it and actually ended up concluding quite the impressive issue! This story also served as the end of the Twelfth Doctor's second year of adventures and I do wonder what is in store for next year. Will Bill be around at all? I look forward to finding out but judging by the ending of this adventure it wouldn't at all surprise me to see Sonny and Val join as companions. Even if they would be getting involved with the mushy stuff the Doctor doesn't want aboard the TARDIS anymore. I thought the way the story maintained its action following the cliffhanger of the previous issue was very good and I must say that this might be the best characterisation of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor yet from any comic strip. It was absolutely perfect and we got to see him showing off and walking around like he owned the place with all his bravado. It was sublime stuff and a real joy to read. It really did feel like the Doctor was on screen with this comic strip and I think that is rather impressive. Something else I really liked about this story was that it was a fictional story about fictional stories. I love that idea and it worked really well here as my rating would suggest. The Mindmorphs were great enemies and I loved it when they saw within the mind of the Doctor. They discovered that he had minds within minds and that his brain was on a completely different level to anything they had ever experienced or encountered. The imagery in some of the panels in this story was wonderful with a great ensemble of past villains that the Doctor has previously faced. We saw Cybermen, including the stunning The Tenth Planet design, Zygons, the Master and Missy, Ice Warriors, Scaroth and even Morbius and the Menoptera! It was a real treat and some stunning icing on top of what was already a delicious cake. Sonny and Val were excellent again in this part and the development of their relationship was really good. It was obvious that the pair liked each other and they finally realised it here after helping the Doctor. The way they tapped into the telepathic components of the sonic screwdriver and then used their imagination to help defeat the Mindmorphs was wonderful. I really liked the humour of the trap door inclusion and I liked that the Doctor caused a brainstorm to the Mindmorphs just as they planned on blowing up the planet because they had been defeated. They were humiliated but they would not get their revenge as the Doctor swiftly dealt with them. Overall, a wonderful conclusion to a great story that has drawn to a close another excellent year of adventures for the Twelfth Doctor!

Rating: 10/10

Remembrance

"Britzit means Britzit."

Writer: Rob Williams
Format: Comic Strip
Released: 24th August 2017
Printed in: DWC: Tales from the TARDIS 19

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Alice

Synopsis

Accused of genocide. Chased across time and space by an undefeatable, indefatigable temporal bounty hunter. Thrown into the terror of the Time War. The Doctor and Alice faced their darkest days and came through (relatively) unscathed. After spectacularly proving the Doctor's innocence, and banishing a race of malignant gods in the process, they've more than earned some downtime. But the universe, as always, has other plans...

Verdict

Remembrance was an excellent story and a great way to kick off the third year of adventures for the Eleventh Doctor and Alice! I do wonder whether the third time is the charm when it comes to my wish of wanting these stories to just have the Doctor and Alice travelling as a pairing for the comic adventures. I do have my doubts as I initially thought I might get it last year before the arrival of the Squire, Abslom Daak and even River Song. Early signs suggest I might be lucky though as there was no hint of anybody else joining them inside the TARDIS for a year of stories. However, we did have to say goodbye to a former companion in the form of Jones which I must admit was unexpected turn of events. He wasn't my favourite of companions during the first year of Eleventh Doctor stories but he was still a companion nonetheless and I liked how shocked and somewhat angry Alice was by the Doctor's reaction, or lack of, to his former companion's death. The Doctor though would explain that for him, as a Time Lord, it was different. Not only had he known so many people in his life but Jones was still out there in the timestream and could be visited at any point. The setting of a futuristic British colony of Britzit-247 was rather humorous and the play on Brexit and the recent referendum on leaving the European Union was very good I must say. Considering the market of these stories is primarily for an American audience I thought that was very well done indeed. The inclusion of Bessie 2 was also a great little inclusion and it certainly did seem to be quite an upgrade to the infamous car of the Third Doctor! It was a monster truck and it somehow seemed to also fit through the TARDIS doors. I'm still not sure how that was feasible, even with dimensional stabilisers, but I am willing to let it pass purely on just how ludicrous it was. I thought the characterisation of Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor was superb in this comic strip and they really did nail him to a tee. I was very impressed with the dialogue and even the pace of his movement which is actually quite difficult ton achieve in a comic strip story. His relationship with Alice was very good and I liked how it was clear that she was no longer a novice when it came to travelling through space and time. She's been here a while now and has firmly cemented herself as a companion to the Eleventh Doctor and that is clearly on show here. She knew that the Doctor was walking into trap after they arrived at the funeral of Jones and even know the Doctor knew it too, he walked straight into it. Not only that, he was rather excited by it all which was terrific to see. His obsession with pressing big mysterious buttons was fantastic and I liked how he realised he had been on the new planet before. Just last year. Something catastrophic had happened and as he and Alice found the bodies of species with long life spans, the Doctor knew danger was imminent. The cliffhanger was brilliant and I really am intrigued to see what the Scream are all about. They look extremely resemblant of the Silence so I am sure they will have some sort of connection with them and I look forward to finding out just what that is. Things certainly seem quite doomed for the Doctor which is always good in a cliffhanger! Overall, a terrific adventure that would certainly serve as a great jumping on point for any new readers.

Rating: 9/10

Old Girl: War of Gods

"Nature created me. She is my power."

Writer: Nick Abadzis
Format: Comic Strip
Released: 24th August 2017
Printed in: DWC: Tales from the TARDIS 19

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Gabby, Cindy

Synopsis

The epic finale of the Tenth Doctor's second year continues! The emergence of the Time Sentinel! The return of an ancient entity long thought dead! Anubis is trapped between this universe and the next! A galaxy of impossible possibilities! Companions locked in mortal combat! Gabby's mysterious powers in full flow! And at the heart of it all, the Doctor, with the lives of billions in his hands... As the universe shatters and time starts to die, can the last son of Gallifrey win the game... by changing the rules? You won't believe his answer! Be back here next issue as Year Two ends... in flames!

Verdict

Old Girl continued in terrific style with War of Gods! This fourth and penultimate part of the story really was excellent and it certainly did something to ease the wound that has been caused by having to wait over three months to read the story's next installment. It really does feel like an eternity now since I have read a story from Doctor Who Comic! I have even been home for summer and back to my university residence between issues and I am rather disappointed and confused to find that the next DWC issue won't be out until the end of November. I am unsure why this hiatus has continued but I guess it's something I'll just have to deal with. It was great to be reunited with the Tenth Doctor, Gabby and Cindy once again and along with Dorothy we had quite the quartet on our hands. They all worked well together but with the return of Sutekh firmly taken place now, I liked how nervous that seemed to make the Doctor. The flashback of sorts to the moment Sutekh was defeated in Pyramids of Mars was magnificent and I really do like that this comic adventure is serving as a sort of sequel. The finale has been built towards ever since the Year One finale with Anubis and I like how useless the son of Sutekh is when it comes to having to deal with his father. He really does seem helpless. Gabby and Cindy were as brilliant as always as the companions and I liked their reactions to the Doctor wanting them to not be around him when he put the plan into fruition. That plan though was one that Sutekh had calculated long before the Doctor enacted it and I liked how we have a returning villain here who can challenge the Doctor perhaps like nobody else we have seen before. It really does go some way to selling just what level of threat Sutekh provides. It's a rather big one! The details of his Alliance were a little sketchy but it became clear in this part that he was merely using them to his own benefit. How he brutally and peacefully murdered the King Nocturne by turning him into nothingness was almost poetic if that is possible. His speech about the only eternal song being silence was beautiful and even in his evil, the remarkability that Sutekh possesses was clearly evident. I thought the characterisation of David Tennant's Tenth Doctor was very good and that's important for the story as I always say. I thought the artwork was really good too and some of the imagery that came from Sutekh being trapped by the Fourth Doctor was quite fantastic. The idea of there being other beings trapped with him was good. I liked Dorothy's position as the Hand of Sutekh and she seems like she is going to be key in the final part of this epic finale. Sutekh has already anticipated the Doctor's move when it comes to her but whether or not he will actually make it remains to be seen and that is exciting. Judging from the cliffhanger though, he may not have to be the one to make that decision. Dorothy has realised that she is the reason Sutekh has been able to manifest himself again and what she does with that information will be crucial! I look very much forward to finding out what happens next, even if I have to wait a couple of months. Overall though, a fantastic fourth part!

The Parliament of Fear Part 2

"They feast on the hearts of the strong."

Writer: Scott Gray
Format: Comic Strip
Released: 24th August 2017
Printed in: DWM 516

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Bill

Synopsis

Owls the size of men invade the Wild West and Lady Totika seems to have all the answers. Will anybody be spared in this carnage? Bill is of particular interest to the strange woman and it seems that the Doctor won't be able to get in a position to reason her. Just what is the plan of this parliament of owls?

Verdict

The Parliament of Fear continued in improved style with a pretty decent second part of the story! After a shaky start, which I did reread, I did think this addition to the comic strip adventure was an improvement but I'll get to the story itself shortly. Even though I'm nearly a fortnight late, I do like to preview the issue of Doctor Who Magazine that the comic story appears in. Now, due to a couple of lengthy train journeys I have read some of this issue and I must say that I have very much enjoyed what I read. I love the cover with Jodie Whittaker in full view and the title of 'Time for a Lady' is a terrific one. I must admit that around a year ago I was one of the sceptics when it came to the idea of a female Doctor but now I am firmly in favour of it and it most definitely is time we had the Doctor become a woman. I just know Jodie is going to be wonderful and after reading the brief interview with her in this issue I am very excited for her to get started. The scene at Christmas will be much anticipated and I love the enthusiasm that Whittaker seems to already have for the role. This is the first issue with our brand new editor but the feel of the magazine hasn't changed at all which I might have expected. I have no problem with that though. I thought the interview with the crew at Millennium FX was tremendous and it was great to read just what went on when it came to the special effects of the latest season. It was a really intriguing read. Nicholas Briggs had a lovely interview in this issue too and I liked hearing how he prepared to recreate the iconic voice of the Mondasian Cybermen from The Tenth Planet for the latest season finale. The XIII Chromosome feature was a fantastic little addition to the Jodie Whittaker interview and I liked hearing the thoughts and arguments throughout the show's past as to why we should have a female Doctor. I thought the claim about the stage actress actually being the first female Doctor to be quite humorous and interesting too. I look forward to the 2016 Annual Survey results very much as that is something I always enjoy seeing and The Trail of a Time Lord looks like a good little feature too. Even though I'm well into starting the issue now it looks set to be a brilliant issue! Now, to the comic strip itself and I thought it was a definite improvement but I get the feeling this is going to be the lowest rated Twelfth Doctor comic strip from DWM's pages yet which is a shame. The twist that the parliament in the story's title actually means a collection of owls was very good but I'm not quite sure what to make of the Stikini just yet. They don't look overly impressive but their backstory is good so I'm willing to give them a chance in the next issue. The characterisation of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor was pretty strong in this comic strip and I thought Pearl Mackie's likeness as Bill was very well captured. Her relationship with Totika was interesting and I like how she told her everything to save Zeke's life. The cliffhanger was good but I can't help but feel that this story is a bit repetitive and extremely similar to Supernature, the Eleventh Doctor's comic strip debut. It has a similar feel and atmosphere despite the drastic contrast of setting. I do hope it improves and whilst it remains good, it could definitely be better. Hopefully part three makes me have a more positive view of the story!