The Time Machination

"Who wants to go junkyard hunting?"

Writer: Tony Lee
Format: Comic Strip
Released: May 2009
Printed in: IDW #3.02

Featuring: Tenth Doctor

Synopsis

London, 1889 and a time-stranded Doctor needs the help of an old friend to fix the TARDIS... but is beset by pursuers sent by Queen Victoria herself! How is this connected to a previous tale of the Sixth Doctor - and a Fourth Doctor adventure that hasn't happened yet? And what will happen if the Doctor is captured by the Torchwood Institute?

Verdict

The Time Machination was a great comic strip adventure to continue my reading of the IDW collection of Tenth Doctor Archives! This was a really enjoyable story and I liked that the Tenth Doctor was travelling alone as when this comic adventure was released, that is exactly what was happening in the world of Doctor Who. The 1889 setting was magnificent and I was really impressed with the numerous connections with and references to past Doctor Who stories. The return of H.G. Well was terrific and I liked the obvious reference to and little flashback of Timelash that came with that. His relationship with the Doctor was really good and I loved the irony of the Doctor meeting someone with the moniker of John Smith. He immediately questioned what he was hiding and the reaction to that was excellent. I thought the characterisation of David Tennant's Tenth Doctor was really good throughout which always makes for a better comic strip. The appearance of the Torchwood Institute soon after the events of Tooth and Claw but long before the incarnation that Captain Jack would head was wonderful and I can't quite believe I haven't come across it before. It was a tremendous idea and one that worked very well. The way the Doctor tricked Smith into revealing his knowledge of Torchwood was very clever and the reveal that he was also a time traveller was a little unexpected. His purpose being there was a huge surprise but I was really shocked by his desire to save Magnus Greel. The Doctor proudly recalling the events of The Talons of Weng-Chiang, which were yet to come, was brilliant and I loved how the TARDIS being stuck was just a cover story. He knew all about Smith's plan and had allowed him to think that he had the Doctor cornered, but that was never the case. The Doctor was always in control and one step ahead of the game. The only thing I had a slight qualm with was the Doctor dismissing some elements of the explanation to Smith and whilst they were a little confusing with the paradoxes, I thought that was a bit of a shortchange to the reader. Other than that though, it was a very entertaining comic strip and I loved how at the conclusion, Wells was viewing the arrival of the Fourth Doctor and Leela on their way to meet Magnus Greel. Overall, a terrific little tale!

Rating: 8/10