Cold-Blooded War

"What does a woman know of the art of war?"

Writer: Richard Starkings (story from Gary Russell)
Format: Comic Strip
Released: August 2009
Series: IDW #3.04

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis

The Tenth Doctor and Donna attempt to broker a peace plan between two very hierarchical and pompous alien races, the Draconians and the Ice Warriors. But their best efforts are derailed by someone who stands to gain from the continued conflict...

Verdict

Cold-Blooded War was an outstanding comic strip adventure! It was definitely the best story I've read from IDW yet that only features one incarnation of the Doctor and I loved how its roots were fuelled with Classic Who. The return of the Galactic Federation was wonderful and the addition of Draconia to its ranks was always going to be problematic given the nature of the Draconians. I loved that there was impending civil war on Draconia because of the ascension of Empress Kwan to the throne. The Draconians did not take too well to the prospect of being ruled by a woman and that was why there was trouble in the Federation, not because of the Draconians in general. I thought Kwan handled her responsibilities and the trouble she had caused very well and I very much approved of her not backing down. She was on the throne now and she would rule. She had been questioned by the fact of calling in the Galactic Federation which was plausible but she held her own very well. The appearance of the Ice Warriors was magnificent and I'm usually not a huge fan when they're not up to some evil scheme, but they actually had a somewhat calming presence here which was unusual. I loved that Donna finally got to meet some actual Martians though! I thought she was sublime as the companion in this adventure and her being a woman certainly helped with the story. She basically prevented civil war with rational thoughts but it was her delivery of her defence of women that was the key addition to preventing bloodshed. Reminding the Draconians that they had a mother and adhered to her authority was fantastic and it was clear early on in the speech that she had already won. I was hugely impressed. The Doctor getting captured posing as the Earth Adjudicator was great and I enjoyed the throwback to Frontier in Space as he tried to impose the fact he was a nobleman of the Draconian Empire. It was of course in vain. He had some help in escaping from Agita, the daughter of the assassin Fusek Kljuco who headed the house that wanted to be ridded of female rule, but the conclusion was shocking and brilliant. Kljuco was followed as he was close to carrying out his assassination on Kwan but he didn't realise his daughter was there and he shot her dead as she protected the Empress. It was an unexpected turn of events but the shock factor was sublime. I was stunned. Overall, a superb comic strip story!

Rating: 10/10