The Greatest Gamble

"No one cheats me and lives."

Writer: John Peel

Format: Comic Strip

Released: August 1981

Printed in: DWM 56

Featuring: Toymaker

Synopsis

In the Old West, a gambler gets a little too hasty and involved in his games. He's a notorious winner and the Celestial Toymaker likes a challenge...

Verdict

The Greatest Gamble was a good little comic strip adventure to continue my reading of the Black Sun Rising graphic novel! This collection of backup stories from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine continues to be something I am really enjoying and this one was right up my alley in featuring the return of a strong villain! It's brilliant to try and think how the contemporary audience of the issue of DWM in which this story featured would have reacted because with the complete lack of repeats and ability to rewatch old stories, how would they have reacted to the return of the Toymaker? It's such a good illustration of the character and I love getting anything we can with returning characters like this one. He only made one appearance on screen but he clearly made a big impact to warrant a return here which was wonderful. Of course, he's gone to make an incredible return in The Giggle but that was over forty years after this comic strip. It's almost a shame that this story was only four pages because the only reason the rating isn't higher is because more didn't happen. I like the idea of the Toymaker lingering around in the Old West and finding new means of obtaining 'toys', and it really is the ultimate price when losing in his domain. The depiction of the Toyroom here was great and it's good to just explore more of it. It's obviously a huge shame that three episodes of The Celestial Toymaker are missing but the animation did a stellar job in reimagining it. I would obviously love to see the whole original serial but I'll take stuff like this to expand on it. The story really was a simple one as the Toymaker was taking advantage of Gaylor Lefevre's desire for winning but I do have to question his character. What does one really gain from winning by cheating? I mean I could probably understand it if money was on the table as you're financially benefitting then, but that wasn't the case here? What do you actually win? I couldn't understand that but he was duly punished by the Toymaker. Trying to cheat in the Toyroom was not a good move forward and Gaylord found that out in a big way! The Toymaker retorting to him about making a rule up about cheating based on his actions was tremendous as he had Lefevre's cards swapped for jokers. They looked familiar as a jester which was amusing and a nice touch. I was really impressed with the artwork for this story and it's a shame that the comic strips hadn't been colourised by this point because the Toyroom is the perfect place for that kind of vibrancy. Considering the entire story was only four pages long which is incredibly short, I'm not sure the little epilogue was required at the end of page four to show the Toymaker also luring other gamblers and players into his realm to become his toys. Getting that glimpse of Lefevre in statuesque form was pretty good though and really did illustrate the price of trying to cheat the Toymaker. Rules were everything and he just wanted to play. Whether this is before or after the events in which the First Doctor defeated him is unknown, but I'm going to say it's before. It would make sense and it was just fun to explore the character a little and play an everyday game. Overall, a good little adventure where I just wanted more! 

Rating: 7/10

Restricted Items Archive Entries 031-049

"You can go on a visit to your own past, if you remember what it looks like."

Writer: Maddie Wilson

Format: Audio

Released: July 2022

Series: Torchwood Monthly 63

Featuring: Ianto

Synopsis

The Restricted Items Archive is where all the items too dangerous for Torchwood are stored. Ianto Jones carefully catalogues each and every one. And he always works down there alone.

Only, something's not quite right. There's a secret in the Restricted Items Archive that won't be ignored any longer.

Verdict

Restricted Items Archive Entires 031-049 was a good little story to continue my way through the monthly Torchwood range! I was intrigued by this one knowing that only Gareth David-Lloyd starred as the sole actor and whilst this didn't have anything like the vibes of Heaven Sent on screen where Peter Capaldi pulled a blinder, it's still an impressive feat to keep the listener engaged and entertained for the duration of the hour that comprises this episode. Ianto is a really strong character and with this definitely being set somewhere in the middle of Series 1, he's a mature character. He's built his relationships and fought a lot in the job. It's also just very Ianto to be the one solely in control of cataloguing and documenting the items that made up this archive. It really does say a lot when Torchwood have to deem something as a restricted item because even for them it's too much. Surely the resurrection gauntlet would have been placed within if anybody at the team had sense? That should be the very definition of a restricted item! It didn't feel a million miles away from the device that told people how long they had until they died which the team thought was actually a thermometer! Talk about getting it wrong. It set the timeline though as Owen was told he had a year left to live in a powerful and quite subtle foreshadowing of the events to come in Reset. That's pretty harrowing but even without featuring his cheeky personality was on show as Ianto knew he'd been in the archive and caused some small chaos. Usually to do with the pens! Stationery is very important in office jobs, especially twenty years ago. I would have perhaps liked a little more time exploring each item in the archive so a better approach might have been a few items less to explore? Hell, we could have an entire little Short Trips series exploring these items and how they came to be acquired. Ianto making a voice note was a fun thought and I like that the audio we were listening to was very much in the real world. This would be listened back by Ianto (for what purpose I'm not sure) and that's the same thing we were listening to as well which was great. It felt authentic and I like that a lot. I thought the world's most useless time machine was a good item to explore and it was quite humorous when Ianto was returned back a few seconds to start saying the same sentence over and over. They probably played the gag one time too many, but the point was made. I wasn't expecting that to prove so crucial in the resolution though which was impressive. I thought the idea behind a device stealing the thoughts of someone who said them but them not being audible was interesting too and something I'd like to explore more in another adventure. I don't think I'll get the chance though! Ianto knowing that there weren't actually mice in the archive was good and he'd been playing the Drifter all along. I thought that was a tad predictable and the words of Ianto being played back to him was eery, but I was a little put off by the fact this had all happened before. It took away a little from what I had listened to already because Ianto was fully in control and knew what he was doing. It was clever for sure, but I just felt ever so slightly cheated that no quick thinking resolution was requited. Everything was in order. Predicting the rift flares is good and directing it into the archive to eliminate all life matter before using the time machine to get out rounded things out well. A good listen for sure! 

Rating: 7/10

Tales from the Vortex: Dark is the Devil that Walks

"The stranger is coming."

Writer: Mags L Halliday

Format: Audio

Released: April 2025

Series: Short Trips 13.06

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough

Synopsis 

In 1814 Devon, palaeontologist Isabella Kerslake rescues the Doctor from a cliff collapse. But while hs is incapacitated, who is there to protect Isabella and her sisters from the mysterious figure that stalks their estate?

Verdict

Dark is the Devil that Walks was a good little story to conclude my listening of the Tales from the Vortex thirteenth series of Short Trips! This has been a solid collection of stories from a range of eras, Doctors and companions and whilst I would prefer a return to the monthly release schedule that we had prior to Covid, I think it's great that this range continues into another series that has actually recently been released. I'm sure I will reach that soon but this served as a good finale to this particular boxset. I was keen to listen to this knowing it was a Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Turlough tale and with Janet Fielding as the narrator it had all the ingredients to be strong right from the off. She performed the story really well and I like that with her telling the story, it became Tegan focused and that's the right move in my opinion. The very happenstance of the Docot being incapacitated by a cliff collapse was pretty scary but it was a good way to remove him from the centre of things for much of the adventure. Turlough seemed to just disappear as well which was a slight shame but it was necessary when Tegan was undoubtedly the star of the show here. I thought the setting was strong and going to Georgian England is perhaps an era that has been underserved amongst the Whoniverse. There's a lot of potential there and Devon in particular can be a fascinating county when it comes to discovery. That's where Isabella Kerslake came in who was a really strong character. I liked how even here in the early nineteenth century she was defying the norms of society where women were concerned. She was tracking comets and finding fossils that defied belief. It also busted the creation myth that religion are so convinced by and I am always in favour of throwing a cat amongst the pigeons in that regard! I thought her sister was good too as a combination and it always adds that little more trepidation when familial connections and relationships get involved. Finding out that a particular fossil Isabella had found didn't and couldn't match any known animal was intriguing and that's where the extraterrestrial element came into play. I must admit, I sighed a little when the Ensova were revealed because they just sounded so generic. I was not a fan of their voice at all but the concept behind them was at least strong. I enjoy thinking about how something could live in interstellar clouds and their lifespans were certainly impressive! Generations amongst lasted for millions of years and whilst that is a little much to comprehend, it made sense in terms of their kind being lost to a cosmic storm. It was impressive that with the comets aligned they managed to even reach Earth, but the fact that Isabella had tracked the comet was really impressive considering the time and her position in society. She was defying social norms and where women are concerned in particular I love hearing and seeing that. The story rounded out in a completely fine way with the Doctor recovering to basically become a negotiator and the Ensova were off with their kind. Overall, a decent little tale to conclude a fun collection of Short Trips! 

Rating: 7/10

Jubilee

"A Dalek is never not in pain."

Writer: Robert Shearman

Format: Novel

Released: October 2025

Series: Big Finish Novelisation 01

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Evelyn

Synopsis

"The Doctor and the Daleks. Have you never thought they are really both the exact same thing?"

It is time to celebrate! Let all the citizens of the glorious English Empire come together and give thanks to that mysterious soldier in time and space known only as the Doctor. For 100 years ago he destroyed a Dalek invasion force without mercy and became the saviour of us all. 

We have just one real Dalek left. Kept alive in the Tower of London, all these years our prisoner. And tomorrow we are going to blow it up, just for you! So put up your Dalek bunting and raise a glass of Dalek Juice. Who knows, there may be a special guest in attendance – the Doctor himself! Oh, you lucky people!

Time to get this party started...

Verdict

Jubilee was an excellent novelisation of the Big Finish audio drama of the same name! It's no secret that this is one of the most revered stories from the wonderful world of Big Finish and considering it was the basis for the extraordinary Dalek, that's hardly a surprise! It really is a sensational story so it was lovely to spot the little moments here that inspired what we saw on screen. It's been eleven years since I listened to the audio version of this story and I would be lying if I said I remembered a lot about it. That made things better though for a reading experience because this largely felt like a new adventure. It was also pretty poignant in revisiting Evelyn again as companion and I was delighted with the dedication and acknowledgement regarding Maggie Stables. She's such a different companion and far from the stereotype which is marvellous. Literally calling her wrinkled and fat here feels incredibly harsh but I loved how Evelyn owned her age and appearance. She wasn't bothered. Having a Masters and Bachelors degree in History gave me a lot to ponder in this adventure as the Doctor and Evelyn seemed to have some very strong feelings about the subject of History and I was definitely on the side of the companion. I love different interpretations and I go into the world of the Whoniverse with the same sort of thinking. It's impossible for everything to be in the same timeline or continuity, so I consider things a different interpretation of what might have been or where things might fit. I think it's fun and so Evelyn seeing a world a century on from her and the Doctor defeating the Daleks was intriguing because time had gone horribly wrong. The world of 2003 under the English Empire was pretty spectacular and almost satirical. It was incredibly fascinating and how someone like Nigel Rochester got to be the President is beyond me! He was a humorous character but he hardly seemed like someone who could be in charge. Farrow as the politician seemed a tad more suited to that but he didn't last a great amount of time. The concept of a singular Dalek is brilliant because it highlights just how ruthless and heartless they can be. And yet the one here was vulnerable and built an unexpected relationship with Evelyn Smythe. I think in prose we did miss a little there of the Dalek tones saying the full name of the companion, but it was still really good to explore their relationship. Evelyn had met the Daleks before in The Apocalypse Element which made her connection with them all the more fascinating. She really believed that one might not be so evil as the rest of the race. The Doctor was having none of it. I thought this story worked really for the Sixth Doctor and we got to dive deep into the darker side of this incarnation. To him they were an abomination and he wasn't having any of it. He didn't care and that's understandable given his history with them. The Doctor being the spark to make the Dalek talk for the first time in a century was great and just getting the inner thoughts of the Dalek as it experienced intolerable pain was a big benefit of the format. It was brutal and we almost did feel sorry for the Dalek. Evelyn would also help with that sentimentality. I thought the whole celebration of the jubilee was fun and the last Dalek left would now be blown up for entertainment. That horrified Evelyn! The Doctor was challenged in a big way in this story with his internal dilemma regarding saving people but his hatred of the Daleks and what they stood for. I thought the image of him splitting open as two timelines became one in a convergence was incredible and worked well to basically undo everything that had happened. The century that never was and that angered Evelyn all the same. She had experienced a lot of emotion and was it for nothing? The Doctor convincing the lone Dalek that managed to ascend itself to Dalek Supreme to give the order that for the Daleks to survive they needed to die was impressive. It was some roundabout logic but the Doctor was passionate about challenging the Daleks on what they would do once the universe was conquered. Had they even given it a thought? There was a lot on exploring the innards of the Daleks and what they stood for which was terrific. The Dalek Juice moment was grotesque in the best way possible and I couldn't believe the Doctor then finished the glass even after knowing what it was! The soldier description for Evelyn and the Dalek likening itself to her was fantastic. And the spiders inside the Dalek casing! That was some incredible internal detail. Overall, a really strong novelisation and a delight to revisit what must be considered a classic! 

Rating: 9/10

4-D War

"Perhaps they are punishing us for crimes we are yet to commit."

Writer: Alan Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: March 1981

Printed in: DWM 51

Featuring: Time Lords

Synopsis

Twenty years on from the loss of Omega and the attack from Fenris the Hellbringer to stop the creation of the Time Lords, Gallifrey's elite attempt to extract him for answers on who hired him, and why?

Verdict

4-D War was an excellent story to continue my reading of the Black Sun Rising graphic novel collection of backup comic strips from then pages of Doctor Who Magazine! I have skipped one ahead because I have actually read and blogged Crisis on Kaldor before, and I was stunned to find that it was actually twelve years ago! Time really is flying and it's incredible to me how long I have had this blog now. But we are at nearly four thousand posts now which I'm incredibly proud of but there is still oh so much more to go. The content keeps on coming with a back catalogue that never seems to decrease which is great because I love to be kept busy. I read my blog entry for Crisis and it was quite amusing to me because as a teenager then with the blog less than a year old I was clearly ignorant of the backup format for the pages of DWM. I've learned a lot since then which I'm grateful for. I remember actually printing out the comic strip because it was so short and whilst I can't remember my source, I think I'd have been best served waiting for this graphic novel! Anyway, onto the story at hand and it was just excellent. I'm loving the idea of a trilogy within these backup pages and this being a sequel to Star Death where the origins of the Time Lords was depicted is marvellous. It's taken the Time Lords twenty years to be at a point where they can free Fenris the Hellbringer from the fate that they bestowed upon him themselves in the Zone of No Return, and it's pretty amusing that even with ten years of trying by Rema-Du that it took them a decade to realise that they might want information. Of course, Rassilon's hastiness might be a reason there. The title of the story is tremendous and really is another way of saying Time War, and just seeing those words in print in 1981 was simply brilliant. I think it's tremendous to touch on a Time War for the Time Lords in their early days and that was exactly what was happening here. I can see why the graphic novel takes the title it does from those stories collected here because that seems like it's going to be an explosive finale to this war with the Order of the Black Sun being the ones responsible for sending Fenris in the first place to try and stop the Time Lords before they were even a thing. I think it's such a good concept and I love that we actually get some visuals of very early Gallifrey and Time Lord society. That's a real treat. I thought the emergence of Wardog was amusing and I think a trick was missed slightly in not utilising a Tharil with Warriors' Gate not long having broadcast because the similarities were striking. Maybe Wardog will become one in the finale? Even with a missing arm? I have no foreknowledge but I have a hunch he might actually become Fenris from the future, but his fate would be pretty gruesome if so. The artwork for his splintering within the Zone of No Return was outstanding and really was quite the extraction! I thought the arrival and swift attack of the Order of the Black Sun was impressive even if Gallifrey's defences aren't quite here what we know them to be. Lord Griffen was strong again here as a high ranking Time Lord and I liked that he understood the concept of a Time War. He knew that the Order were attacking from the future and he was very much accepting that they might be being punished for crimes they had yet to commit. This did feel like it was setting things up for the trilogy's finale which is terrific and I'm so excited to reach that point now. Overall, a delightful comic strip adventure! 

Rating: 9/10

Voyage to the Edge of the Universe

"To see if the universe has an end!"

Writer: Paul Neary

Format: Comic Strip

Released: January 1981

Printed in: DWM 49

Featuring: Azal

Synopsis

On a discovery to see if the universe has an edge, the Daemons led by Azal get more than they bargained for as they reach zero coordinates...

Verdict

Voyage to the Edge of the Universe was an excellent story to continue my way through the Black Sun Rising graphic novel collection of backup comic strips from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine! I have been really enjoying this run of comic adventures because it gives a chance to highlight those that aren't the Doctor. I am intrigued by the current direction as following on from The Touchdown on Deneb-7 the stories seem to all be printed in the same edition of DWM. I'm unsure if that relates to it replacing the main comic strip or if the first run was just so popular that they got more of a page count! I'm sure the demand was there. I don't think it's any secret that The Daemons is something of a cult classic amongst fandom and I do wonder if enough time had passed when this was released in 1981 for it to be considered in a similar vain. I mean, surely the fact they have done an entire comic strip with just Daemons present means the story made some sort of impression! And how could it not? I must say I do think it is a bit of an overrated serial despite its qualities but I am well on board with exploring the Daemons! I thought their desire to test if there was an edge of the universe was outstanding and obviously where the tile comes in, but I just thought it was tremendous as a goal. That is some feat to try and achieve and I admire them for their bravery and determination in continuing the venture for so long. It really was an incredible voyage an after over three years of light speed, they got somewhere close. I thought the parallels to the likes of The Mind Robber and Full Circle were fascinating with the realm when arriving at zero coordinates definitely feeling reminiscent of the former. It was all white and the image and description of Azal walking on nothingness was quite something. It was certainly familiar but I couldn't trust that the Daemons would be entering the Land of Fiction even though that is a mashup I would be well up for! The use of the coordinates being zero definitely did have strong E-Space vibes and maybe that's the universe that Azai came from? The fate that befell Azal when entering the mist at the mysterious age of the universe was troublesome as he saw himself, but it was no reflection. Depicting here how Azal as the last Daemon got his immortality was incredibly audacious and I think it worked a treat. He became at one with his parallel self or so it seemed but that left him pondering on a devastating dilemma. He knew he was needed to guide his people, but now amalgamated which would he choose? That is quite the choice! Whichever universe he left behind the people would struggle without his guidance, and in continuously stalling he was leaving people to get on with things themselves. I thought that was good and Azal not being the first with others spending millennia questioning which way to go when the same thing happened to them was only why this didn't get a perfect rating from me. I wanted the focus to be kept solely on Azal which I thought that took away from him a little. It was really great though to get an answer as to what was at the edge and would Azal ever make that choice? And if he did, which way would he go? That's fun to ponder on and I think the ambiguity at the end was right. It's not often I like things left open-ended, but this was certainly the exception to the rule. Overall, tremendous comic strip adventure!   

Rating: 9/10

Comrades-in-Arms: Memnos

"He wants his crimes remembered."

Writer: Phil Mulryne

Format: Audio

Released: May 2023

Series: The War Doctor Begins 5.03

Featuring: War Doctor, Case

Synopsis

Memnos: a secret Time Lord project, recording everything lost to the Time War. A place where the War Doctor can admit his part in the conflict and seek solace – and perhaps where he can find salvation for Case. 

But the Dalek Time Strategist will not let slip her potential. She could be the Daleks' greatest weapon. The battle for Case's soul will be won or lost in Memnos.

Verdict

Memnos was a strong conclusion to the Comrades-in-Arms fifth series of The War Doctor Begins! This has been a really good series that has scored a consistent rating across the boxset, but this was probably my favourite of the set if we were to get into decimal points! I thought the concept behind the titular Memnos was really good as it was basically like a rescue mission for everything that was being lost in the Time War. And crikey there was a lot! The scale and depth of the conflict means planets, people and everything in between could rock up on Memnos and that allowed Case some incredibly deep exploration. She was trying to discover who she was and that actually felt like a dangerous thing. What would she even achieve if she did find out the truth about who she was before becoming a Dalek cyborg? I felt like the only response there was going to be disappointment and devastation. We witnessed that a little bit with how she was angered at the people's inability to fight back against the Daleks. The devastation of them was quite emotional in parts because they never stood a chance. I loved the role of the Dalek Time Strategist here and it's good to have a freaky member of the Dalek race that almost serves as an equal opposite the Doctor. I think that is good because the Daleks are often seen as a collective but the Strategist is something different altogether. I do think his relationship with time is fascinating but it can get a tad boring if that's not too harsh of a word when timelines change. Everything is always going to be in flux and I'm not convinced it would allow him to see within the vault. The Doctor showcasing his loyalty to Case despite her protestations was also a little frustrating and I must admit I'm not the biggest fan of her character, but I do like the soft side she brings out of this warrior incarnation because of how he feels responsible for her condition and essentially what she is. The Doctor feeding some of his own memories into Memnos was good and whilst I do think that might have been intended to be therapeutic, it actually just serves as another reminder of all that is lost. Salvin was a really strong character as the Time Lord responsible for Memnos as a concept and Jarast alongside her was great in his belief in what she had created. He certainly felt devoted to the cause which was nice and made his extermination all the more powerful. The Daleks even commenting how it might have been a pointless death as he'd have told them what they wanted to know anyway about the vault was chilling. The Daleks were at a level of pure evil here. That's what the Time War should bring out of them and I'm a big fan of that. I thought the harvester being within the vault was intriguing and Case knew that her kind were going to be used and he wanted her to help with the interface. She felt hurt which I could understand and I think more of that comes from the Doctor's secrecy. He sounded guilty for a lot of the episode which was a good dynamic. I thought the ending with Case and Salvin combining was strong and certainly explosive! The emergency temporal shift to bring the Strategist along with Case to Skaro was unexpected, but it sets things up nicely for the next series where I'm sure Case will really be put to the test of what she really is! Overall, a great listen to conclude a very strong boxset. I'm loving this range.

Rating: 8/10

Comrades-in-Arms: Berserker

"As long as it's killing, it won't stop moving."

Writer: Timothy X Atack

Format: Audio

Released: May 2023

Series: The War Doctor Begins 5.02

Featuring: War Doctor, Case

Synopsis 

Sunspire was devastated by the Daleks centuries ago. The last of its people are returning to seek out their heritage in an underground bunker, and save their species from extinction. Case and the War Doctor join the mission, posing as a Dalek-Killer and her squire. 

But the bunker has an occupant: a single Berserker Dalek, driven insane by four hundred years of solitude...

Verdict

Berserker was another great episode to continue my way through the Comrades-in-Arms fifth series of The War Doctor Begins! This did feel like a bit of a battle and I think that was needed at this point in the War Doctor's run. I liked how it was established by the man himself that even this early on his body was wearing a little thin and that said a lot about the extent and toll of the Time War. So much is happening and the Doctor is adjusting to becoming a warrior and it's having its effect that's for sure! I think it's good to highlight that and involving a Berserker Dalek is certainly going to be problematic. Especially when it's one that has been laying isolated for four centuries! I think the concept behind the Berserkers is good and it was made to feel quite horrifying here. It just feels messy and that's a very good thing. It shows how desperate the Daleks are in allowing the Berserkers to even exist because they are anything but pure. Hearing here how the one had literally scooped up the bodies of the attack force against it and utilised them as fuel was grotesque. especially with the Doctor walking through the liquefied and sludgy remains. That was quite the image. I thought Case was good here and posing as a Dalek-Killer gave me strong vibes of Abslom Daak. She doesn't look all that dissimilar to him and she has similar inclinations that makes me think he must have at least partially been the inspiration for her character. I thought exploring her makeup as being an augmented Dalek cyborg was strong but again there was that strong element of horror with the efforts to have her involved in the Berserker reassembly. She would become one with the manic Dalek and that was a frightening concept and not a good idea of an ending for her character! Some death, but the Berserker wasn't recognising her as death. That was a little strange and considering the title of the episode, I do think we could have seen the Berserker a bit more. I do appreciate that part of the fun though was the anticipation of where it was and the idea of a Dalek being mysterious is pretty scary. Yorkin was a strong character and I enjoyed his relationship with Case. His perishing was a powerful moment that showcased just how nothing and nobody is safe within the Time War. The whole setting of Sunspire was really good and I liked how Case was immediately protective of the people. She didn't want the Doctor thinking on a large scale and to be fair by the end he was prepared to sacrifice himself into pure energy with no hope of regeneration just to give the species a chance of survival. Pera was a very stubborn person which I liked and her position amongst her people was admirable. The Doctor teasing Case ever so subtly about her potentially having a love interest when describing what she didn't like about her and it being reminiscent of herself was a nice touch too and a small reminder that this is still the same man despite him no longer going by the Doctor name. I thought the ending was strong with Case now becoming at one with the Berserker but she got the upper hand and both sides of the conflict would be very interested in what she has become. Whose side will she be on as a weapon? Time Lord or Dalek? I guess only time will tell. Overall, a really good listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Comrades-in-Arms: A Mother's Love

"I'm done being a weapon."

Writer: Noga Flaishon

Format: Audio

Released: May 2023

Series: The War Doctor Begins 5.01

Featuring: War Doctor, Case

Synopsis

Responding to a distress call, the War Doctor arrives on Haven: a state-of-the-art Time Lord field hospital, operated by the highly advanced 'Medbay Operation Mainframe' - or M.O.M.

But the station has been compromised. M.O.M.'s secrets run deep, time is running out, and the War Doctor must renew some old alliances if everyone is to get out alive.

Verdict

A Mother's Love was a strong start to the Comrades-in-Arms fifth series of The War Doctor Begins! I'm really loving following the early adventures of the War Doctor and once again kudos must go to Jonathon Carley for an incredible impression of this incarnation. He really is incredible in the role and it's such a joy that even after twelve stunning performances from John Hurt in the role, life continues for this character in a big way. It really does still feel like we're getting started and that was clear when it was suggested by Runa that the Time War might be over soon. They must be winning at the very least? This is obviously just an audio format but I could almost feel that look of trepidation from the Doctor. Things were far from over. I'm usually wanting Daleks to feature in a Time War era story because it feels like it is a constant battle between them, but this was a really good example of showcasing how the conflict can be used as the backdrop for something else. A Time Lord medical facility fits perfectly there as they really would need somewhere to heal when constantly going to war against the Daleks! Veklin being the one that was requiring treatment was good because she's a very well known figure amongst the Time Lords in this Time War and she knew where she needed to go. Haven was a fine setting and I love the concept, but she was willing to go there fully in the knowledge of what it might do to Case. Her return was welcomed as she made a strong connection with the War Doctor in the first couple of series of this range and I like how her very being as an augmented Dalek weapon cyborg is something the Doctor blames himself for. That gives him an extra sense of responsibility for her fate which I liked and he wasn't going to leave her behind here despite what Veklin wanted. She was looking at the bigger picture and couldn't put her before winning the Time War, but the Doctor was having none of it. He would ensure she got out alive. I liked how she was able to interact with M.O.M. who was an intriguing mainframe for the medical bay. I think the use of artificial intelligence in the Time War is good and definitely something that would be utilised in the hope of gaining any kind of advantage. The concept here being that the problem for any would-be patient at the facility would be identified on arrival almost immediately was good and highlighted a good use of the tool. The Time Lords had rightly identified that something wasn't quite right with M.O.M. though and were sending a destruction TARDIS to wipe out the entire place! I was quite shocked to find that M.O.M. had actually put Runa's father into stasis whilst telling her he had gone to Gallifrey was a bit sad. I felt very sorry for her there and the Doctor just had it confirmed what he already thought regarding the AI. Runa trying to defend M.O.M. was understandable given their tenure together and to be fair she did know her better than anybody. But the Doctor and Case were able to convince her that she needed to reset the operative after this kind of malfunction. The primary objective of protecting Runa was taken way too far and literally, something that isn't much of a surprise when it comes to AI! That feels like the standard route these things go. I thought the Doctor wanting to take Case with him and her hoping he would offer the chance was a nice way to end things moving on with the series, and her Dalek connections are going to be interesting to explore! Overall, a great listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Take Our Breath Away

"I longed to be back in the forest."

Writer: Katy Manning

Format: Short Story

Released: October 2025

Printed in: The Adventures After 04

Featuring: Jo

Synopsis

Discover what happened after...

A remarkable collection of new Doctor Who short stories that give a glimpse into the moments just after the Doctor saves the world, and the credits roll.

The Doctor has had many adventures, visited many planets and made a whole host of friends (and some enemies). 

But if you thought it was all over after the TARDIS doors closed, and the time ship dematerialised, onto the next adventure, you'd be very much mistaken.

From Earth's past, present and future, to the furthest reaches of the universe, here are eight tales that give us a glimpse into the worlds the Doctor left behind. Sometimes triumph, sometimes tragedy (and always chaos) these are stories you'll never forget.

Verdict

Take Our Breath Away was a lovely little story to continue my way through The Adventures After collection of sequels! I think it’s lovely that we get a Katy Manning authored story and whilst this is listed as a sequel to The Green Death, it almost more felt like a follow up to Jo’s life after the Doctor. That’s obviously the story in which she departed as a companion and I would argue it rivalled The Dalek Invasion of Earth at the time for the most emotional the Doctor has reacted to a companion leaving. But Jo had found love and he understood. It’s so lovely that this was done in the first person and whilst I’m not usually a big fan of that approach, how could I not be here when I know it’s literally Manning writing the perspective of Jo! Who would know the character better than the woman who played there? I really do think that helps with my enjoyment because it instantly just feels more credible. I love how much she loves Cliff and it’s so exciting to think that they would be having twins now. We know from Death of the Doctor that Jo birthed her fair share of children, but here she is on the start of that road. The power and confidence just being pregnant gave her was lovely and those maternal instincts really are a superpower! I speak from experience with my partner of nearly nine years now having gone through it twice. And as a very proud father of two incredible children now, I completely related to the shock bestowed by Jo when the Master threatened her with her children. The sheer audacity! That was one of the darkest moments I can remember for my favourite villain. It was chilling to even think of using Jo’s unborn children against her, but there he was doing it anyway. I enjoyed his arrival coming in the form of the Doctor’s TARDIS and its police box exterior because it gave such a moment of hope to Jo before crushingly taking it away. That was just cruel and I adored it. Jo accompanying Cliff and the other scientists in the Amazon rainforest near Brazil was great and I liked how she was even happy to just be passing the test tubes. I thought it was lovely that one of Jo’s dogs was called Benton and also their transportation being dubbed as Aggedor was just lovely. This really was a little celebration of Jo’s time as a companion to the Doctor. Manning obviously gets the character and hearing her inner thoughts throughout was really nice. I like that she’s an environmentalist but she also longed for her time with the Doctor also. I was intrigued that those days seemed to be a few years behind her now and she definitely seemed more mature which I enjoyed. She was really trying to make an effort and here she was with the serendipity of the Metebelis III crystal to save the forest in an incredible rejuvenation! I thought that was good even if it was a bit predictable that it was going to be the case. The Master wanting that crystal and needing it to be gifted by Jo for its full effect was intriguing, and hearing the thoughts as she tried to fight the hypnosis effect of the Master was excellent. I was a little less in favour of how the crystal rejuvenating the forest defeated the Master as he just seemed to like the idea of humans saving their planet from deforestation. It’s great though that he was present with Jo even if it felt incredibly wrong for him to refer to her as Mrs Jones instead of Miss Grant! I can’t be having that in the absolute best way. Overall, a great little read. I was expecting maggots though! 

Rating: 8/10

Pisces: The Stabber

"I think the fish are talking to me."

Writer: Joseph Lidster

Format: Short Story

Released: March 2002

Printed in: Short Trips: Zodiac 12

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Peri

Synopsis

Take a TARDIS trip through the constellations, as the Doctor travels to twelve thrilling tales inspired by the mystical zodiac. 

Telepathic fish, miniature lions and twin planets are the least of his problems, as the Doctor – all eight of him – faces the Capricorn Killer, endures a mind swap with the Machiavellian Master, and dances with Death herself. 

And that's not the half of it – as the two K9s can attest.

Verdict

The Stabber was a good little story to conclude my reading of the Zodiac edition of Short Trips! I don’t think it’s any secret that I haven’t enjoyed this collection for the most part compared with other editions and I think things will only get better with the other books in this range that I currently own. I don’t think the Zodiac theme was presented very well throughout, but I did think the Pisces sign was utilised brilliantly here with the strong fishy theme. I thought it was actually one of the better representations of the star sign but I would be lying if I expected a story with this title to be about giving fish vaccines! That’s not the kind of stabbing I was expecting and it certainly caught me off guard. That wasn’t in a bad way at all as I found Tom to be a really interesting character. I’m no dabbler in drugs of anything beyond paracetamol so I think I’d have had a much different reaction to accidentally injecting myself with the fish vaccine, but here Tom liked how he was feeling! I thought it was sad that he needed a drug to smile at his wife as he left for work, but it soon became clear that he was struggling with his job. I can relate to that at the moment as pressure is a very real thing, but he really didn’t seem to like it at all. My jobs comes in swathes of momentum and I’m lucky enough to mostly work from home, but the idea of a mundane job like vaccinating thousands of fish a day does sound boring. I could imagine that is difficult to get out of bed for! Him taking three extra shots of the vaccine because it made him feel good was never going to end well, I could see that coming a mile off. What I didn’t see though was the effect being a hallucinogenic one that allowed Tom to communicate with the fish! The poor salmon were explaining how they were being hurt by the vaccine and the unnatural growth. It was hard to not feel sorry for them as all they wanted was to be released and freed. Of course, that was never going to happen because with them being farm bred they were not protected from any diseases. They needed to become immune and that’s where Tom fitted in. I thought the distress call bringing the Sixth Doctor and Peri around was intriguing because to reach them that is quite a distress call! Peri ridiculing the idea of Tom communicating with the fish was amusing because the Doctor knew that was exactly what the case was going to be. That’s so typically sixth incarnation and it was great characterisation. I thought the Doctor confronting Dr Harden about his formula was good and it made sense that the inventor hadn’t had full time to test it fully, specifically regarding the side effects. The Doctor was somewhat sympathetic to him because he was answering to someone else and was under financial pressures. The simplicity of the resolution was slightly underwhelming in my opinion as the Doctor had just jigged up an antidote to the formula to save the fish handlers from hallucinating and the fish from talking to people. I was a little surprised that Tom didn’t seem that happy at the idea of being cured and actually succumbed to the fish again in trying to inject Peri with the drug, but she cleverly turned it on him to make him drink her own cup that actually had the antidote inside rather than more of the drug. The inner thoughts of the fish as things went wrong and Tom lost communicating with them which meant no release and reprieve was coming. That was certainly emotional for them but now Tom was set to continue with his job as normal. Maybe Mary will be able to move back down South now Linda is better? That’s a nice thought. Overall, a good little read to conclude a whacky and questionable collection of stories!

Rating: 7/10

Dead Plates

"I'm stone cold dead."

Writer: David Llewellyn

Format: Audio

Released: June 2022

Series: Torchwood Monthly 62

Featuring: Bilis

Synopsis

Bilis Manger has been murdered. And he's determined to find out who did it. Four people at dinner are the suspects, and they've each got murky secrets and at least one skeleton in the closet.

What is really on the menu at one of Soho's finest restaurants? And will any of the suspects make it out alive?

Verdict

Dead Plates was a fascinating and intriguing listen to continue my way through the Torchwood monthly range! I really enjoy the character of Bilis Manger and he is just so incredibly enigmatic. That makes for a really good listen because I just find myself enthralled by him which is a hugely positive quality. I am just so engaged in every word he says and that is a huge compliment to Murray Melvin as the actor also. Sure, the writing has to be there as it was here but the performance is absolutely pivotal to really bringing this character to life. This was a typically Bilis story in that he was literally begging to die and wanted a fourth of his corpses to help get some time villains off his trail. I thought that was quite spectacular and the method in which he was going about things here was just strange. That makes it all the better for me to be honest. I liked the Soho setting and being a few decades in the past was good because it just helps highlight the time span of Bilis as a character. What we saw on screen in Captain Jack Harkness/End of Days really is just a small example of him fleeting through time. He's also no stranger to dying which is really good fun, although I do wish we got a little bit more of a concrete answer as to how he was continuously surviving. I never felt that the other guests around the dinner table understood how he was surviving. I mean nearly all of them had killed him once by one means or another! Starting with some arsenic in the establishment was somewhat lowkey which was good, but the way he just then saunters in and is completely in control is perfectly Bilis. He's just brilliant. The way he quickly deduces that he has been poisoned by Beryl Finch was terrific and it said a lot about the company at the dinner table that they all just basically admitted to their murdering. Bilis admiring Beryl for the way she killed her husband and got away with it was really strong, and she just freely admitted to it as it was good for business! Felicity was another good character and I liked how she had help from Beryl in realising her theatre dream. Bilis was one step ahead there though too as he knew that her trap to cause the lead actress to fall down the stairs left some considerable tracks if you looked close enough. Oliver Barleycorn (great name by the way!) was also a strong character and I really liked tackling with him being involved in politics as the Shadow Home Secretary. That's a pretty significant position (unless you're Zia Yusuf) and I loved his insistence on saying fuck. It was said in such a posh voice that made it seem more powerful which was great. Touching upon journalism and exposing a homosexual affair was an interesting element of the plot and felt very 1970s with it staggeringly not being long at all since that was legalised. But there was still money to be made in exposing it! That was a little sad but unfortunately that's history and life. I thought Bilis goading his fellow dinner guests into stabbing him was brutal and I was actually put off by the effects for their gore which is brilliant! Going far like that makes it feel very Torchwood and I'm a fan of that. I thought the way things rounded out with Bilis setting his plan perfectly into motion was marvellous and it seemed to just be an endless cycle. The means by which he came by the knowledge could have been elaborated upon but I do like that there's some mystery and ambiguity because it suits Bilis. Overall, a really good listen to continue the range! I liked that it was a little different. It keeps things fresh. 

Rating: 8/10

The Touchdown on Deneb-7

"Co-operation is the best policy."

Writer: Paul Neary

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 1980

Printed in: DWM 48

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, K9

Synopsis

The Fourth Doctor and K9 arrive on a small barnacled moon long after the planet Deneb-7 has ceased to exist. Trouble is to be found when K9 defies his master's orders of not exiting the TARDIS...

Verdict

The Touchdown on Deneb-7 was a bit of a rubbish comic strip adventure to continue my way through the Black Sun Rising graphic novel of Doctor Who Magazine backup tales! I was initially very excited to see the Fourth Doctor actually featuring in a panel and taking part in the story rather than acting as the narrator bookending comic strip tales, but it actually turned out to be a bit of a red herring and an instant disappointment. I have no problem at all with there being a K9 focused story because he literally has his own spinoff pilot and an alternate series that I will one day get to blogging. We saw it done well in K9's Finest Hour in The Return of the Daleks graphic novel so that's not the issue at all, but when you have the Doctor there right at the start and then take him away it feels a bit of a cheat and a missed opportunity. I think the reasoning behind him not exploring and exiting the TARDIS was also a load of poppycock because when has the Doctor ever not been curious? A planet that he was intending on landing on and then finding out that it hadn't existed for four-hundred million years sounds incredibly enticing. So he just goes to sleep?! I couldn't believe what I was reading and seeing. That's just absolutely ludicrous, and especially for the fourth incarnation! He would be blasting his way out of the TARDIS and filling his boots to find out what had happened. But instead he decides now is the time to rest? Nope, not having that. I do like that curiosity got the better of K9 and whilst it isn't a new development for companions to defy the Doctor and his highly recommended advice in the form of orders, it feels a little bit different that it's the robot dog. His being mistook for the pendant bearer was fun and I do like the idea of K9 interacting with other robots, but they were really annoying. The actual artwork wasn't bad and is obviously well drawn as a published comic strip tale, but I think the actual design of the Robs that featured just looked annoying. I don't know if that was the intention, but I was immediately not a fan of their look. Maybe that's just my design preference? Who knows. One thing I really hated about them was that they were speaking in a terrible accent that was something like cockney but it was written that way too. I hate when things are presented phonetically as I'm not sure that's how it should be written? Just because it sounds that way, I don't think it would be scripted as such. It was just really off-putting and in what was already quite a whacky little story, it didn't help with understanding what exactly was happening. The Robs awakening and being active again after millions of years of isolation and dormancy was good because they were waiting to colonise a planet that was missing. I thought that was a good premise but it wasn't in the forefront enough. It was all just very simple then which I do understand for a five-page comic story, but it's just a bit naff as a reader to know that it's still going to be millions of years before a new planet forms for the robots to colonise. Back below they go and that's that, with the Doctor then exiting after he's rested? Well, at least he did go out and explore but it would have been better for him to be around fully. Overall, not my most favourite of comic strip adventures unfortunately. 

Rating: 4/10

Tales from the Vortex: Emerald Isle

"This is all some family history lesson?"

Writer: Christian Markham

Format: Audio

Released: April 2025

Series: Short Trips 13.05

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ace

Synopsis

Family and friendship are at stake on the Caribbean island of Montserrat as ghosts of the past come for Ace and her childhood friend. What is the tangled web that connects them both, and will they be able to find a way home?

Verdict

Emerald Isle was a pretty average story to continue my way through the Tales from the Vortex thirteenth series of Short Trips! I think an inquiry is required though as does this really meet the standards of the range? I'm saying this in jest because the story is the longest in the set at forty-eight minutes long which I would argue is not all that short! It's longer than quite a few stories in the likes of the Ninth and Thirteenth Doctor Adventures ranges that have been released in the last year! I'm not bothered in the slightest as in terms of production and acting it feels like more value for money, but it's just a shame that a little bit more couldn't have been done with the time. I was fascinated prior to listening to discover what this story would be about and I was convinced the setting was going to be in Ireland given the title, but we actually ended up in the Caribbean! I must say that was a little discomforting right from the off but I do understand the name in hindsight given the familial connection and incorporating the McShane name in a big way. This no disrespect intended to Kaye Brown as the narrator, but I don't think she was the best choice for this story. It feels more authentic to have either Sylvester McCoy or Sophie Aldred in that role given that the characters they made famous feature. It takes away a little for me as I didn't find that she had any connection with the Seventh Doctor! It's just little things like that in stories like these that can help. In saying that, I do think a Montserrat setting is incredibly unique and I like the originality there. I think the likelihood of Ace catching up with an old friend felt a little too coincidental but I liked how things tied back to her family. That's a touchy subject for Ace and I think pushing her a little more there could have been beneficial. I wasn't overly encouraged by the characterisation of both the Seventh Doctor and Ace but that's probably because the focus wasn't on them. Ace having the possibility of interfering with her ancestors was good and I loved the concept of past, present and future all merging and converging into one because that just feels like an impossibility. How can they mix and blend when time is constantly flowing and the present is constant? Try to think about it too much and my head might fall off! It's really fun though but it seems to get a little too complicated where Ace is involved. Her beginning to life in the TARDIS in Dragonfire and the later revelations in The Curse of Fenric make touching into her history a difficult subject. I thought it was tackled decently well here but it never felt like the right stage for such a thing. Pondering on witchcraft from the locals was a fun element of the episode and the Doctor seemed to be smiling at that. He definitely felt like things were early on for the Doctor and Ace here which is good as he still oozed that twinkle in his eye. He hadn't quite got dark yet. Overall, a tangled web potential is very good but I think a little more clarity and an injection of action would have helped. Despite what was being said I never got that feeling of fear and trepidation. Overall though, some strong ideas. Not bad in the slightest.

Rating: 6/10

Star Death

"Welcome to the birth of a legend!"

Writer: Alan Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: November 1980

Printed in: DWM 47

Featuring: Rassilon, Omega

Synopsis

On the order of the Grand Master of the Prydonian Chapter, Rassilon, Lord Griffen and Lady Jodelex await the collapse of the dying star Qqaba. Fenris, also known as the Hell-Bringer, a mercenary from the future, travels back in time to sabotage the experiment and change Time Lord history forever.

Verdict

Star Death was an incredibly fascinating and terrific little comic strip adventure to continue my reading of the Black Sun Rising graphic novel! This second volume of collected back-up tales from Doctor Who Magazine continues to impress and this might be one of the most important stories to ever grace the Whoniverse. I'm honestly stunned at what was depicted here and it only being told over four pages because it's such a significant event! It's essentially a loose prequel to The Three Doctors in showcasing how Omega got trapped in the black hole that would send him to the universe of anti-matter, but also how Rassilon was able to utilise the black hole to build the foundation that Time Lord society would be built upon. I also didn't realise until after reading but with this comic strip actually pre-dating the broadcast of The Five Doctors by three years, this is the first appearance of Rassilon in any medium! That's staggering and whilst appearances have been rare, I think it's a wonderful move that we still didn't get a full look and got a stern glimpse. It was almost like this served as the influence for the Twelfth Doctor's surprise cameo in The Day of the Doctor which was just incredible. I am a sucker for exploring the early years of Time Lord and Gallifreyan history so this is right up my alley. I love history and even though this is fictional, I love the idea of getting a glimpse at what is quite literally the stuff of legend. I have been rather critical of the current comic strip format in DWM because I don't think six pages is enough each month, but yet so much was done here without the Doctor even in present with only four pages! I really liked the science behind the Gallifreyan technology to harness the power of the black hole and not be drawn in by its forces, and the titular death of the star Qqaba was presented really well. It just felt like a big moment and I think the artwork matched that which is important in this kind of format. Even in black and white the atmosphere felt dark and that's impressive to present. I like the mysterious and enigmatic feel of this time because a universe where Gallifrey hadn't even developed Time Lords yet is almost difficult to comprehend! I thought the threat of Fenris as someone who was trying to ambush the past and thwart the creation of the Time Lords at its very genesis was decent, and it's ironic that his intentions actually brought them into being! In terms of having directional control over time that is in what became a rather fun little paradox. Is it to be that time travel itself and the fact it was created in the future with a remote control mode coming to the past the reason that Rassilon was able to build the foundations of Gallifrey? That's ironic and just good fun. It shouldn't be possible with the whole bootstrap paradox occurrence, but the impossibility of it makes it all the more fascinating to me. How can an idea or an event not have an origin? How can something cause itself? I love it. Rassilon's emergence to thwart Fenris was a significant moment oozing with power and control which I thought was great. He cowered in sensational style and didn't last long. Rassilon picking up his device to work out what was what when it came to controlling time travel was great, and Fenris being the one to trap Omega really was something spectacular to see happen! Overall, a superb comic strip adventure! My main qualm is I wanted more. 

Rating: 9/10

And You Will Obey Me

"I'm as mortal as you."

Writer: Alan Barnes

Format: Audio

Released: April 2016

Series: Monthly Adventures 211

Featuring: Fifth Doctor

Synopsis

The Master: wanted for crimes without number, across five galaxies.

The Master: escaped his pursuers. Last known location: rural Hexford, England, Earth.

The Master: dead and buried in an unmourned grave, in a lonely churchyard. 

Apparently.

Verdict

And You Will Obey Me a great audio to continue my way through the Monthly Adventures range! I think a Master trilogy is a wonderful idea and whilst I’m excited for the final instalment in particular, the idea of the Fifth Doctor taking on the Decayed Master is just marvellous! If possible in this incarnation, I thought the cover art actually showed the incarnation looking a tad more spritely than we saw on screen. That was good because I think it helps establish that the Master was in this horrifying decayed incarnation for a considerable amount of time. It makes sense given the deterioration of his appearance but I do think it’s a somewhat strange decision to essentially wait until part three for him to fully appear in the story. When he did though he oozed charisma and stole the show which is fantastic for this familiar villain. I thought the setting of Hexford was good and I enjoyed the unexpected continuity with The Awakening with the Fifth Doctor having immediately come from those events and leaving his companions behind temporarily. It’s good fun for the Doctor to be travelling alone like that and him being on a mission in picking up the distress signal from the Master’s TARDIS was fascinating. I thought it was interesting that he was so focused on what the Master was up to and hearing the local stories about Masterson and the horror description matching his decayed appearance made sense, but could he really think his old Academy friend could be reformed? The Master seemed to have stayed put for thirty years so I guess it was possible, but would he really not be that patient in another scheme? The Master’s grave having been tampered with was intriguing but I must admit I was a little confused with the Doctor thinking his adversary will have regenerated. He even references at the end when the Master escaped that he knows the fate of this incarnation as we saw in The Keeper of Traken, so why was he concerned he might not now know what he looked like? That was a little strange to me but it didn’t stop the encounter being great. I love Doctors encountering different versions of enemies they didn’t face on screen when the timelines get a little whacky. But this was intentional from the Master as he knew the Doctor had been in the location extremely recently. I’m a big fan of that coming into play with an attempted lure. The Master’s TARDIS in the form of the grandfather clock is iconic and the idea of it being up for auction was glorious! Oh to have that piece. I love having the action figure version as it is. Annie was a really lovely character and I enjoyed the relationship that was built with the Doctor. She kind of filled that companion role for the episode which was good. I do think she sounded a little too similar to Janine though which in audio was a tad disconcerting. Michael as the grandson of the Master in name was excellent and though and him and Helen having the ability to hypnotise people into obeying them was really strong. I thought that was strong to play with and I love the idea of the Master passing that ability on. I think that’s something I’d like to see more of to be honest! It works well and is genuinely scary. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Dragonhunter species and found their involvement a little underwhelming, but thankfully they disappeared for parts two and three for the most part. The Master having offered his ‘children’ their heart’s desire but then the Doctor utilising that and the renegade’s failure to provide it as a way to make them free of his will was a strong and emotional need to the story. It was really good to explore the Master in a natural human environment. Overall, a great listen! 

Rating: 8/10

War Chest

"This place doesn't want you."

Writer: Rossa McPhillips

Format: Audio

Released: May 2022

Series: Torchwood Monthly 61

Featuring: Tosh

Synopsis

It's the largest depositary of alien artefacts ever assembled, ready to wage war against the heavens. Of course, they called it the Antebellum. Of course, they forgot about it. 

But the Dow Cohort have rediscovered it. And tonight, they're breaking in. They have one hour and Toshiko Sato as a reluctant hostage. Can they steal Torchwood's greatest secret?

Verdict

War Chest was a very strong audio adventure to continue my way through the Torchwood monthly range! It's great for stories like this to provide a spotlight on characters like Toshiko where she can really shine by herself as the main character. I wouldn't say she ever felt lost amongst the rest of the Torchwood team, but she did let others talk over her whilst she would sit back and stay quiet. She showed her brilliance here though and it was a delight to hear. I liked the concept behind the Antebellum and it was good to know that it was owned by Torchwood. Except following the events of Army of Ghosts/Doomsday, it appears that to much of the outside world Torchwood is dead. Except of course for a small branch in Cardiff that Toshiko is still very much a part of, and that's where she was kidnapped from. I was impressed with how there was no waiting around in terms of storytelling and as we start things it initially appears like Tosh might have her own little team in the form of Vernon and Nisha. That turns out to be very far from the case and the pair were very unlikeable in a strong way. That was the intention as the villains with him being quite stuck up and trying to be imposing to Tosh simply by being an older man, and she was just a bit ditsy and felt like an influencer which isn't my cup of tea at all. She did seem to come around though towards the end when Vernon was going a bit too far with his desire to leave with anything but empty hands. I thought the concept behind the Antebellum was strong and Ed being there as a guard who supposedly didn't know what he was guarding as a contractor was amusing. Later finding out that he was UNIT Black Ops was a very good twist and I honestly wish it came earlier in the episode. I think that would have shifted the dynamic considerably, but Tosh seemed to have known for most of the story anyway! I liked how she could see that Ed had military training and also knew Vernon's surname despite it not being mentioned out loud over the course of the story's events. She's a keen eye for spotting things and that's a strong talent to have. I loved how she was able to flaunt it here without too much pressure. Despite the fact she was the one who was kidnapped, I was impressed with how Tosh always felt like she was in control. She was always one step ahead and utilised her knowledge of the Antebellum very well. I particularly loved the moment she was able to free some time from the room holding it with the clocks. That was terrific. I think Ed insisting on his name being referred to as Edward was amusing because nearly everyone was ignoring his pleas. I liked that only Tosh could get them in whilst Ed could only get them out as that meant some strong significance was placed on each of them, but I like how it was subtly a battle between Torchwood and UNIT. I really don't think we've seen anywhere near enough of that and it's something that could certainly become its own conflict series. If it's alien, who gets it? That's fun to play around with. I think the way Tosh got the upper hand on Vernon was strong and I was pleasantly surprised by her boldness in leaving him to fend for himself in the Antebellum. The Dow Cohort wouldn't be too much of a problem now, and with Tosh firmly in control in using both that organisation and UNIT for the benefit of Torcwhood, neither would Ed be after the cancellation wave was enacted to stop Edward. Overall, a terrific little listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Business as Usual

"All of me is artificial."

Writer: Alan Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: July 1980

Printed in: DWM 40-43

Featuring: Autons

Synopsis

When a plastics factory starts challenging its competitors in record time, the truth behind the rapid rise is more real and alien than anyone could have dreamed of, including Max Fischer.

Verdict

Business as Usual was a very fun little comic strip adventure to continue my way through the Black Sun Rising collection of backup tales! I have thoroughly enjoyed diving through this range of backups and I really do think the fans of Doctor Who Magazine back in 1980 were given a royal treat every week. The Autons and the Nestene Consciousness clearly made a huge impression on audiences with Spearhead from Space and Terror of the Autons being stalwarts of the Third Doctor era, and here they are nine years later providing the basis for a really strong comic strip adventure. As soon as I got the mention of plastic in part one, I knew what the cliffhanger was going to be but that really didn't take anything away from the reveal. I think the Autons are such a strong concept and the way they can manipulate plastic is a huge weapon to have. They don't just convert it, they literally become it. They are it. There's a lot that can happen there and I think the Whoniverse continuing to deal with the Autons in terms of factories and some sort of retail is good fun. The imagery in this adventure was excellent and I thought they dealt with the artistic freedoms very nicely in presenting the Autons. Getting a whole panel of that arm revealing the gun within the hand was terrific stuff and injected a strong sense of a threat. I liked the throwback to Spearhead with the meteor arrival and I think that's good to establish some sense of continuity. I was intrigued by the near future setting of 1989 and into 1990 and it was good to showcase a time jump as a means of explaining how Galaxy Plastics Inc came to be so successful. The rise was rapid, but even so these things still take considerable time so that was good. I'm also intrigued because given the Inc as its legal form that must naturally mean the story takes place in the United States of America. At least that's what ought to have been the case and it does seem to have been an omission as I got the sense the story was definitely in England. That's just me being very picky because I work with finance and encounter so many company names so I know where they're based immediately. From your Sarls to your SCSps, I know them all. I thought the way Winston Blunt had a rapid rise monetarily was good stuff and using the funds from what would become your competitor to then setup the business that is the competitor was really clever and some fun storytelling. I liked how this story incorporated finance and a toy business is just perfect for the Autons. The artwork for the toy soldiers in miniature form attacking Fischer was just glorious. I thought the fact that the Nestene Consciousness was basically defeated in part three with the rogue shot was a tad disappointing and premature, but I did enjoy seeing it realised in comic strip format. It certainly looked impressive! I thought part four was still strong but it did feel a little like an epilogue, although the open-ended conclusion with Fischer perishing after the car crash and being replaced by an Auton duplicate and a whole new plastics factory restarting the cycle was a nice touch. Is the company still going post-1990? It's a fun thing to think about and I love the idea of the Autons being out there somewhere making a profit. Overall, a great little comic strip! 

Rating: 8/10

Black Legacy

"Why should a civilised race faced with extinction destroy their one means of escape?"

Writer: Alan Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: June 1980

Printed in: DWM 35-38

Featuring: Cybermen

Synopsis

In search of the ultimate weapon on the planet Goth, the Cybermen find out just why the Deathsmiths abandoned the planet.

Verdict

Black Legacy was a good little story to continue my way through the Black Sun Rising collection of back-up comic strip tales from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine! I still maintain that this collection is an absolute delight and I would bloody love if the magazine decided to do something similar again these days, even if it was in a prose format. Expanding on the Whoniverse in any way is a positive in my book and exploring the likes of the Cybermen here when the Doctor isn't around is good fun. He can't be everywhere and when! However, I must say I do have a bit of an issue with the way the Cybermen were presented here. I thought the artwork for them was magnificent and I like how the design depicted is basically exclusive to the comic strips with a nice touch of The Wheel in Space in there. It's also way before time but it does also have early elements of the design from Real Time too so I wonder if these comic strips were an influence on that webcast? I'd like to think so as I love different continuity like that. I thought the setting of Goth was drab and that was absolutely the intention. Just the name is enough to make things sound dark and dull and there really was an element of a bleak atmosphere. I think it's fascinating to present a world from a once civilised society now in ruins and abandoned, and it is fun to ponder on what happened. I think it's magnificent that last year's No Signs of Life Fifteenth Doctor comic strip served as a prequel to this comic strip and now having read this one it definitely clears things up a little there and gives me some more appreciation. A modern era comic acting as a prequel to a backup strip! That really is stellar and just fun. The mystery surrounding the Deathsmiths was strong and they really did sound impressive in terms of their name and abilities. But why would they leave their own planet abandoned? Was it stop something coming with them? The Cybermen soon learned why and initially I was disappointed with how much emotion they were showing. For them to look upon the scene at their arrival and describe it as awesome and one even potentially thinking it frightening just really felt out of character which was a shame. I felt that there was a running theme of feelings throughout the story and while some of it can be explained by the Apocalypse Device watching them in the shadows and making a big influence, I felt like some of it came too early and was just standard conversation. I don't think the story was specific to the Cybermen in particular so any other choice of villain or monster might have improved things. Throw in the Ice Warriors or the Sontarans for example in the role of the Cybermen and I don't think anything changes, but they're free to emote. It was though very strong to tackle the idea of the Cybermen dreaming once again and being injected with the fear from the Device. It was intriguing to see that there were only limited numbers of Cybermen now and playing around with each of them being knocked off one by one was good, although things did jump to just the Cyber Leader pretty quickly which felt rushed. I know we're limited by page count but that could have been better paced in my opinion. I liked how even a Cyber Leader though recognised the threat to the universe and activated the self-destruct to keep the device on the planet. The cliffhanger with the Sontarans then arriving and everything starting again as a potential means for the device to escape was great stuff. Overall, a good little read!

Rating: 7/10

The Peterloo Massacre

"This city is about to go to war against its own people."

Writer: Paul Magrs

Format: Audio

Released: March 2016

Series: Monthly Adventures 210

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan

Synopsis

"They say there'll be thousands pouring into Manchester tomorrow. From all over the county, north and south. It'll be a piece of history. People will remember this!"

Lost in the smog of the Industrial Revolution, the TARDIS crashes four miles south of Manchester, in the grounds of Hurley Hall – a grand mansion belonging to a local factory owner, a proudly self-made man. But while Hurley dreams of growing richer still on the wealth of secret knowledge locked up in the Doctor's time and space machine, his servants hope only for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. His young maid Cathy, for instance, whom Nyssa learns is looking forward to joining the working people's march to St Peter's Field, in the heart of the city. There'll be speeches and banners and music. It'll be like one big jamboree...

Or so she thinks. For the city's establishment have called in their own private militia, to control the crowd. One of the darkest days in Manchester's history is about to unfold – and the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan are right in the thick of it.

Verdict

The Peterloo Massacre was an excellent story to conclude this trilogy of Fifth Doctor stories from the Monthly Adventures! This has been a really strong following on from where Arc of Infinity left off with Tegan's return to the TARDIS following the events of Time-Flight. This might just have been the best though! I do love a pure historical and this is quite the historical event to throw the TARDIS trio into. I knew about this massacre and the importance this had to the genesis of working rights, but I adored being thrown into the world of 1819. As a fan of Liverpool FC, Manchester is not my most favourite of cities but I understand its importance to the north-west of England and that was presented really well. The fact that a reporter from London arrived in the city was met with big news and they were rather glad with the recognition. I enjoyed the simplicity of the TARDIS needing a day or two for self-repair to keep the trio put in the nineteenth century and that presented a strong challenge for Tegan. She wanted to change history to prevent the massacre that was coming and I really liked the urgency shown by the Doctor when he realised the TARDIS instruments had got the year wrong. It wasn't 1816 like they read and that meant the Doctor knew what was coming. Cathy was a wonderful character and I really liked the relationship she built with Nyssa. They blossomed into a really nice pairing and the care the Trakenite had for baby Peter was admirable. I mean, it was pretty obvious from the get go though that we were going full on The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances in him actually being the son of Cathy rather than her brother. And that just made the trampling in the charge all the more heartbreaking. It was bad enough that Cathy was knocked down and injured, but for Peter to die was just horrifying. The thought was frightening. The reaction of Cathy when she came around was equally so. Mr Hurley was a very unlikeable character and I thought he played the natural villain really well. He was so consumed by making a profit and the moment he wasn't even bothered that a child worker got caught in his equipment highlighted that from the off. He was only concerned with output. Tegan pointing out how he was benefitting from slave working was great stuff and I love how her boisterous nature comes across in the past when ideals were very different indeed. William Hurley as his son was a much nicer character though and I liked how he was going to take things into his own hands when it came to his father. Settling the account indeed! The insinuation and Nyssa working out that William was actually Peter's father was just adding to the family drama and Mrs Hurley couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was a pretty pathetic character which was absolutely the intention. I thought the story dealt with familial emotion really well whilst also tackling the importance of history and the development of working rights. I was just so impressed with everything that happened and the Doctor even being tempted to put a stop to things where Hurley was concerned in learning that he orchestrated things. The Doctor and Nyssa getting caught up as the witnesses to the Riot Act being read was devastating as well. The Doctor also trying to get Thomas Tyler to report the truth and not pander to the upper class was fantastic as despite being called posh earlier in the adventure, he was a man of the working people. Overall, powerful stuff and a great listen! It's almost funny they just leave amidst family drama after the baby bombshell. 

Rating: 9/10