Fear of the Daleks

"Doctor, exterminate us... Exterminate the Daleks!"

Writer: Patrick Chapman

Format: Audio

Released: February 2007

Series: Companion Chronicles 1.02

Featuring: Second Doctor, Jamie, Zoe

Synopsis 

Why has Zoe Heriot been having nightmares about the Daleks? Who is the Doctor, a mysterious man from her past? When an evil scientist hijacks her mind to control a galaxy-conquering weapon, Zoe must stop him. First, she and the Second Doctor will face an enemy they had thought destroyed forever.

Verdict

Fear of the Daleks was a brave story to add to the canonical Whoniverse of adventures. After the climatic scenes in The Evil of the Daleks, aimed to picture the ultimate defeat of the Skaro natives, this audio adventure tells the story of another meeting the Second Doctor had with his greatest adversaries. I like the idea of doing another Dalek story for this incarnation though as the two that were broadcast during season six are currently lost (excluding one episode of Evil). So we do have a full adventure with Patrick Troughton's incarnation and the Daleks. Wendy Padbury beautifully tells the story and this also allows us to pit Zoe, arguably the most intelligent companion of them all, against the Doctor's greatest foes. I liked the continuation from The Wheel in Space where, before joining the TARDIS team, Zoe was shown the events of The Evil of the Daleks and from this she had grown mighty fearful of the pepper pots. Telling the story, Zoe really enhanced the listener and sold the domineering presence of the Daleks quite brilliantly. Padbury really did deliver the story's title, as she eclipsed the fear she had tantalisingly well. The story itself was your typical 'Daleks trying to conquer the universe' tale but the method in which they were trying to achieve it in this time was unique. I liked how Atrika fell into a trap many more would in the future (namely Resurrection of the Daleks and Daleks in Manhattan), where you can't trust the word of the Dalek. In fact, as the Doctor points out, you should expect the very opposite of what was promised! I liked the use of two different species who were bitter at each other. The Xantha and the Tibari were both depicted excellently but the standout character was undoubtedly Atrika. His devious plan of political assassination bared some similarities to The Fearmonger but his methods were completely different. He was going to use avatars! And perhaps most significantly, Zoe's avatar who he'd be in control of using a mind control device. I thought he'd gained control of Zoe's mind and got the reluctant cooperation of the Doctor a bit too easily but the atmospheric tone of a battle for wits between Zoe and Atrika was superb. The plot playing out was relatively good, it was a bit drab in the middle but the final scenes were terrific and the highlight of the audio. Atrika printing his consciousness into that of a Dalek was just staggeringly good. A beautiful speech as he explained what the Daleks could feel, their objectives, what they were planning to achieve. It was almost like the human factor of the Daleks had returned, although this time unintentionally. Once Atrika had found the Daleks' true agenda, he obviously sided with the Doctor and put an end to their plans. A little predictable but I still enjoyed the way it panned out. The subtle references to The War Games with Zoe confused why her memory was blocked was very good but the idea of her telling new adventures from her dreams is a fantastic idea. Overall, very good! I'd just have liked Jamie to have appeared a bit more and a tad more excitement. 

Rating: 8/10

The Beast Below

"And then I find a new name, because I won't be the Doctor anymore." 

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 10th April 2010

Series: 5.03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy

Synopsis 

For Amy Pond's first trip in the TARDIS, the Doctor brings his new companion to the 33rd century, where all of Britain's citizens live onboard Starship UK, searching for a new home amongst the stars as the Earth is being roasted by solar flares. However, the Doctor soon finds something amiss onboard the vessel. The citizens appear to fear the Smilers and ignore crying children. What is going on? What secrets does the Starship hold at its depths, and who is hiding them? Soon, the Doctor is forced to make an impossible choice. No matter what he chooses, it seems death is the only outcome. 

Verdict

The Beast Below is a tremendous episode and really unites the Eleventh Doctor and Amy together as TARDIS pairing. I really liked the relationship between the pair in their first venture together after meeting in The Eleventh Hour. I adored the Doctor in how the first thing he recognised on a ship containing an entire nation was a little girl crying and nobody consoling her. So typical of the wonderful Time Lord we all love. It was majestic when the Doctor placed the glass on the floor, immediately recognising that a ship moving through space had no motorised engine. The Smilers were unique villains and I thought their design was extremely effective. It was fantastic how they barely said anything yet still had the villainous role! Liz 10 was a tremendous character and I loved that despite the whole nation (excluding Scotland, as was brilliantly referenced) being altogether on one ship, the monarchy still prevailed. I liked how it seemed the British system had reverted back to the Middle Ages with the monarchy being the highest authority, above Parliament. Hawthorne was a weird character but one I really liked. He seemed like the principal of the children somehow yet he also had the eeriness of a villain. I really liked the choices people were given, to 'forget' or 'protest.' Of course, the Doctor would wreak havoc and protest. The message Amy received from her future self was very intriguing and was my only slight problem with the excellent episode, why wasn't it explored further? The anger the Doctor had towards his new companion was particularly an insight as to who this incarnation of the Doctor may be, still in his very early days. The Winders were of particular interest and when they were revealed to be half-Smiler that was a welcomed shock! The story revolving around the Star Whale was particularly poignant and the way Amy established herself as companion was just magical. Using the knowledge she gained from the Doctor in the episode, Amy worked out that there was no need for torturing the Star Whale and she wonderfully saved the human race and rescued the Star Whale from being murdered by the Doctor. I really liked how the Doctor was still trying to show that he was angry about Amy's decision, but I think deep down he'd just found out that he'd gained a fabulous companion. 'Gotcha' indeed. The scene at the end in the TARDIS with Amy on the phone to Winston Churchill was just terrific. And with the shadow of a Dalek approaching the war time Prime Minister, we had ourselves a fantastic lead in to Victory of the Daleks. And of course, we had the image of the series, and what would later become a Smith era, alias. For my final thought, I would just like to show my appreciation towards Steven Moffat for being an incredible writer. As you can see from my opening quote, it echoes that of The Day of the Doctor, and knowing the genius that Moffat is, I like to think that it was intentional. Overall, an excellent episode! 

Rating: 9/10

War on Aquatica

"A fleet of ships was almost ready to set sail and, in a massive tank, about a hundred lumidolphs - warheads cleaving to their backs - waited listlessly." 

Writer: Glenn Rix

Format: Short Story

Released: September 1976

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1977

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah

Synopsis 

On the planet Aquatica, the Doctor and Professsor Vittorio Levi are taken hostage by the Medusians, whilst Sarah must meddle in a battle that rages across three kingdoms. 

Verdict 

War on Aquatica wasn't the greatest short story in the world by any means. At times it was confusing and complicated to follow what was actually happen. I liked the idea but the format of a short story in an annual just wasn't the place where this adventure should have been told. It would have been much better served as a lengthy comic strip in my eyes, rather than trying to squeeze everything into just 6 pages or so. I thought the character of Professor Levi was good but it was never clear why or how he was travelling with the Doctor and Sarah. With the friendly nature between the Doctor and Professor, it seemed that Sarah was out of place which hurt the story quite a bit. The conflict between the Medusians, Phyllosians and Mongs seemed all a bit silly in my eyes. The Phyllosians were the better species in terms of contributing to the story and the illustration of the Mongs just made them look like idiots sadly. I really wasn't a fan of the way the Aquatica war was rushed had things weren't explained. I didn't like how the story jumped a random three days either. Despite the negativity, I did like some of the dialogue and thought the potential of the story contributed to it being quite good in parts. I just didn't get why Professor Levi was there, Sarah's role was minimal and that the war was resolved without barely seeing it ensue! All a bit rushed but the dialogue and possible potential of the story saved it from disaster. 

Rating: 6/10

The Unquiet Dead

"Stories going back generations. Echoes in the dark. Queer songs in the air and this feeling like a shadow passing over your soul." 

Writer: Mark Gatiss

Format: TV

Broadcast: 9th April 2005

Series: 1.03

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose

Synopsis 

The dead are roaming the streets of 1869 Cardiff when the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler arrive, just in time for Christmas. Teaming up with Charles Dickens, the TARDIS team encounter the Gelth, creatures sucked through the Cardiff Rift from the other end of the universe, their home lost. Surely inhabiting dead bodies is wrong though! Can both sides be helped, or are these gaseous creatures not to be trusted?

Verdict 

The Unquiet Dead is an absolutely brilliant early episode of the revived series. The Ninth Doctor and Rose are past the getting to know each other stage and this is their first televised adventure as a proper team. Billie Piper just looks staggeringly beautiful as Rose in her Victorian era clothing. The humour regarding the Ninth Doctor's attire was very good and I think in most Doctor Who stories, there always should be a hint of humour at some point. The idea of the dead roaming Cardiff is terrific and the fact that it was as a result of the Gelth trying to get through the Rift was just magnificent. The fact that this episode somewhat forms the basis of the Torchwood spinoff is just wonderful. You have the first mention of the Rift and the stunning Eve Myles as Gwyneth, whom it was later implied was an ancestor of Gwen Cooper. The addition of Charles Dickens to help the Doctor and Rose was absolutely brilliant and I loved the Doctor's reaction to finding out who his new accomplice was! So typical of the Doctors from Tom Baker onwards. The haunted house setting was clever and I really liked the logistics of the Gelth, the gaseous creatures, hiding in the gas pipes. So simple but it's massively effective. Gwyneth's ability to see into the minds of others was really good and her reaction to seeing what was inside Rose's head was marvellous. She didn't seem overwhelmed by what she forsaw of the future, just accepted it. The reference of the season arc 'Bad Wolf' was delicately placed in the episode and at an early stage in the series the viewer of the time wouldn't have thought of it as significant (I wouldn't have thought). It's only after the whole arc is revealed can you admire the writing by placing in a sneaky reference in nearly every episode. It's just brilliant! Mr. Sneed was a fantastic character and I liked the selfishness of his persona, a typical businessman getting things as cheap as possible but now paying the price. The dialogue of the episode was outstanding throughout and the Doctor's referencing of how horror and ghost stories were created thanks to echoes from the Rift was just beautifully put. When it seemed that the Doctor and Rose were at death's door, the reference to The Myth Makers was absolutely wonderful! So subtle yet so brilliant. I love any reference to a classic serial in the new who episodes but referencing that story in particular seemed very special. At the same moment, the effects the Time War had on the Doctor, obviously this incarnation in particular, can truly be seen. As we saw in The Day of the Doctor, the War Doctor was a hurt and frailed old man prior to ending the war and regenerating. And now for this Doctor, where all is gone and he's all alone, Rose has made him happy again. She's shown him that not all is bad. And I think that's why the pairing worked so well together in this episode! The climax was chilling and the selfless death of Gwyneth was very admirable. It was also the beginning for Rose as she would learn that so many people save the world, and receive no acknowledgement. A cruel lesson whilst travelling in the TARDIS. The goodbye to Charles Dickens was a lovely sendoff to a fantastic episode! 

Rating: 9/10

The Unicorn and the Wasp

"This makes a change! There's a monster and we're chasing it!"

Writer: Gareth Roberts

Format: TV

Broadcast: 17th May 2008

Series: 4.07

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis 

In 1926, Agatha Christie mysteriously disappears, only to be found ten days later at Harrogate Hotel with no memory of what happened to her. What could have been the cause? Was it a nervous breakdown? Was it a cry for help? Or did it involve a giant alien wasp and a mysterious stranger known only as the Doctor?

Verdict 

The Unicorn and the Wasp is a fantastic episode! The atmosphere is just tremendous and the fact that the Doctor and Agatha Christie were solving a murder mystery with a giant wasp is obviously going to be brilliant Doctor Who. Add in Donna and her comical genius and it's a wonderful balance of a great story and humour. The guest cast were marvellous, I really liked the characters of Lady Eddison, Hugh Curbishley and Roger. The fact that Robina turned out to be the Unicorn was very intriguing and I liked the fact that you had that mystery added with murder and giant Vespiform hiding in human form. Arnold Golightly's Christian character was the perfect backdrop for the Vespiform and after we learned of Lady Eddison's troubled visit to India in the 1880s, it was even more fitting. The scene where the Doctor was trying to cure his poison by all sorts of barmy methods was just outstandingly hilarious! A game of charades to protect the Doctor's enzymes! The scene when all the party residents were gathered in the same room and the mystery was solved was excellent. You had Agatha's detective brilliance, the Doctor's intense intelligence and Donna's cluelessness. The humour of the episode was at a premium but I loved the ability for it to remain absolutely serious throughout as well. An accurate balance no doubt. The references to The Unquiet Dead and The Runaway Bride were good and again provided some more laughs. After more than one reference by the Tenth Doctor proclaiming his adoration for Agatha and his will to meet her, it was fitting that he got to solve an alien mystery with the brilliant writer. Surely though that it was inevitable in the Whoniverse, right? The take of Christie's disappearance was extremely clever and the way it was explained and panned out was very good. The chemistry between the Doctor and Donna was, as usual, fantastic and I like the continued shunning of the fact that they're just friends. Nothing more. The closing scene in the TARDIS was terrific and after seeing that the Doctor keeps some bits and bobs from encounters with the Cybermen and Carrionites it made me think what else is looming underneath the TARDIS. Donna's use of defeating the Vespiform by throwing the necklace into the lake was clever and rescued Agatha causing the amnesia. Very clever! Overall, a tremendous episode!

Rating: 9/10 

Rain Gods

"Basically, you hoped for lightening..."

Writer: Neil Gaiman

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Series: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, River

Synopsis 

The Doctor and River Song faced being sacrificed to the Rain Gods, and have little time to conjure up a plan of escape.

Verdict 

Finally I have my wish! A sole adventure with the Eleventh Doctor and River Song and something that should have occurred on TV much more frequently! River would have made an ideal regular companion and the chemistry between the pair is just perfect. It really is incredible. Rain Gods was perfect of how I'd imagine the Doctor, with River, getting up to in their adventures. Just causing mayhem and now they'd got themselves into being sacrificed to the rain gods! Just excellent. The Doctor's lack of a plan was very humorous and the way he tried to take credit for the lightening that saved he and River was wonderful. Overall, a terrific minisode! 

Rating: 9/10

Clara and the TARDIS

"Okay, not the first one then..."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Series: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 02

Featuring: Clara

Synopsis

Clara gets into an argument with the TARDIS after her bedroom has mysteriously disappeared from within the ship. But the TARDIS continues to play tricks on the companion...

Verdict 

Clara and the TARDIS is a terrific little minisode! To my recollection, Clara is the first companion to get into an argument with the TARDIS and fantastically it seemed that the time machine was biting back! The humour was just fantastic and when Clara sarcastically invited the TARDIS to do her worst, boy did she ever! She brought Clara one on one with many future versions of herself inside the console room! To me, that would just be heaven with loads of the Doctor's most beautiful companion yet surrounding yet for Clara herself I imagine it was hell as she just wanted some sleep! Clara's reaction to seeing some former companions on the TARDIS scanner was hilarious, particularly her reaction to Amy, or her legs rather! The continuation of the strained relationship between Clara and the TARDIS was magnificent! Overall, humour and Clara. What more do you need in a minisode?

Rating: 8/10

The Inforarium

"Clever trick, learned it from the Silence."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Season: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 01

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor 

Synopsis 

The Inforarium - the greatest source of illicit information in recorded history - is compromised as the Doctor continues his quest to erase himself from history. 

Verdict

The Inforarium was a great little minisode and I thought it was good in providing us an example of how the Doctor was attempting to erase himself from history after The Wedding of River Song. The way he achieved remained a mystery, as per usual with the Eleventh Doctor, but his methods were terrific. Using a hologram to communicate with a controller of the Inforarium was fantastic and similarly to Blink, the Doctor predicted what was being said. (No script this time though). The Doctor's anger at the Inforarium was brilliant after it sold information to the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans. The humour of the climax was excellent and as my opening quote suggests, the Doctor learns a trick or two from those he defeats. And the hologram reappeared and the Inforarium had no idea who he was. It seemed an endless circle was about to occur...

Rating: 8/10

Night and the Doctor

"It's like daylight, only magic."

Writer: Steven Moffat 

Format: TV

Released: 22nd November 2011

Series: Series 6 Minisode Exclusives 01-05

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, River, Amy, Rory

Synopsis 

Five inter-linked minisodes with the umbrella title Night and the Doctor. Any questions what the Doctor gets up to whilst she and Rory are asleep and also why she can remember two distinct versions of her life. The Doctor meets his future self on the last night that he will see River Song, whilst meeting three different versions of his wife. Craig is worried about how he'll cope looking after his son on his own for the first time, acting as a prequel to Closing Time. 

Verdict 

Night and the Doctor was a great little series of minisodes and the importance of some of the episodes was enormous! Bad Night and Good Night was all about Amy and how she was confused about remembering two versions of herself after the events of The Big Bang. I liked her seriousness in wanting to know the truth about the Doctor's whereabouts, how he went off to parties with River Song. The Doctor is clearly crazy about her and is failure to lie was so typical Doctor. I really liked how he took Amy back to herself as a child during her saddest memory when she dropped an ice cream. Instead, she could buy her past self another ice cream (and the Doctor of course) and cheer herself up. Lovely. 

First Night and Last Night was nothing short of brilliant. The Doctor swooped River from the Stormcage on her first night of the sentence which I thought was good and the humour about the dress the Doctor wanted his wife to wear was fantastic. When there were three Rivers in the TARDIS that was excellent and the constant question of who else the Time Lord had in his TARDIS was terrific. The moment when the Eleventh Doctor briefly spoke with his future self (same incarnation) was really touching. His future self was taking River to Darillium, it would be the last time he would see her before she set off for the Library, where of course she'd die. An incredible moment.

Up All Night was quite funny with Craig worrying how he'd take care of his son on his own. Not too much else happened but the dialogue was comical and it fed as a good prequel to Closing Time. 

Rating: 9/10

Meanwhile in the TARDIS

"Amy Pond, you've barely started..."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 8th November 2010

Series: Series 5 Extra 01/02

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy  

Synopsis 

Two scenes that take place after The Eleventh Hour and Flesh and Stone entirely in the TARDIS and lead into the following episode of the TV series.

Verdict 

Meanwhile in the TARDIS was a great double minisode and I really liked the use of filling in the 'gaps' between the two episodes mentioned in the synopsis. Scene one was terrific and I really loved how Amy was quite overwhelmed at what the TARDIS was capable of. She was so full of questions which I'm sure, deep down, the Doctor loved. I loved how the Doctor talked of his pride at how the TARDIS could blend itself in, only to tell Amy that it was stuck. The way he acted as if it hadn't been happening for long was just magnificent. As seen in The Beast Below's opening scene, Amy was outside the TARDIS in space and now we know why. The Doctor literally pushed her out to make her believe that it wasn't just 'special effects.' 

Scene two was great and after the events of Flesh and Stone, Amy was now used to her TARDIS setting and what the Doctor was all about. And she was feeling rather flirtatious believing that the Doctor had took a shine to Amy (who could blame him) and was using his time machine as a way of getting her into bed! And judging by Amy's actions if that were a plan of the Doctor's, of course it wasn't, then it worked! The beautiful description of the Doctor explaining why Amy was on the TARDIS was incredibly poignant. To him, the universe was just stuff. He'd seen it all before but when somebody new sees things beyond their wildest dreams then it's like he's seen them for the first time. I thought that was lovely. The humour when Amy asked of the gender of former companions and then tricked the Doctor into showing her, the flashbacks of the likes of Leela, Peri and Rose were just magnificent! They then set off to surprise Rory and lead into The Vampires of Venice. Overall, two fantastic minisodes! 

Rating: 9/10

Dreamers of Death

"Well, as long as it's nothing too exciting. You know what an unadventurous sort I am..." 

Writer: Davey Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 1980

Printed in: DWM 47-48

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sharon, K9

Synopsis 

The Fourth Doctor and Sharon arrive on Unicepter IV nearly a decade after the Doctor's last visit. Since his last adventure on the planet, the natives have gained the ability to conjure up their own dreams with the help of telepathic Slinks, but things begin to go badly during the Doctor and Sharon's first dream...

Verdict 

Dreamers of Death was a very good comic strip adventure and one I enjoyed very much. I thought part one was considerably better than the second part as I liked getting to know about the people the Doctor had previously met on Unicepter IV seven years previously. Lyan was a terrific character and her joy at seeing the Doctor again was great. The idea of people being able to conjure up their own dreams, whatever they desire, was wonderful and something I'd adore the opportunity to have! The Slinths, despite doing barely anything, were good enemies and their silent and subtle plan was fantastic. The giant Slinth in the dream wasn't all too good but I thought the devil Slinth was brilliant! I loved how it absorbed electricity, quite literally! The cliffhanger was average but its resolution allowed good story development. K9's role was fantastic as always and his savouring act was really good. The news reports regarding the Slinth army attack were terrific and the way they united to form a giant Devil, getting bigger with everything it absorbed, was excellent. I much preferred Sharon in this story as compared to The Collector she was more involved and full of action. Her decision to leave was a shock and one I probably didn't feel the effect the reader of the time did as I hadn't had Sharon as companion from her time of arrival. But nonetheless the Doctor definetly cared about her and was affected by her departure. It'd be interesting to know how the Doctor coped and if there's a new companion arriving soon...

Rating: 8/10

Pay the Piper

"They've felt what the Kindred felt - all their pain, their fear, their loss."

Writer: Scott Gray

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 2013

Printed in: DWM 468-469

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

The Eleventh Doctor takes Clara to the planet where money is held in the absolute highest regard, to the point that it is worshipped. The Doctor and Clara enter the Osidian mainframe, converting themselves abstractly. But things don't quite go to plan when Clara is put up for sale! 

Verdict

Pay the Piper was a fantastic comic strip adventure and has thrown a terrific spanner in the works of the ongoing adventures! The plot was very good and I really liked how, for what is something of a rare occasion, the Eleventh Doctor used the psychic paper which somehow only seems at home with the Tenth Doctor. The warning message the Doctor received was interesting and obviously one he would not refuse! I thought the character of Londi was fantastic as the Doctor and Clara's cabby man and the revelation of his character was just magnificent and a pleasant twist. The mini subplot that was going on between Lakka and Donaria Strul was quite hilarious, especially when the Doctor caused havoc to the mainframe. Mr Minus was a great villain and his hosting of the secret auction was excellently devilish. The Kindred's role in the story was really good and the fact that they seemed to play the role of the slaves in an alien slave trade was very brave. The cliffhanger of the story was just outstanding with the Doctor literally being chopped out of existence! His resolution was good and the way he rescued Clara from the Piper by putting the TARDIS up for auction and sending the entire mainframe into meltdown overload due it's enormous value was just terrific! The cliffhanger of the story to lead into The Blood of Azrael with someone buying the TARDIS and materialising plus the return of Anabel and Patrick Lake, as well as Anabel's brother who was actually Londi! Terrific!   

Rating: 9/10

Swarm Enemies

"Individually, they're pretty harmless but a whole bunch of 'em can eat anything."

Writer: Davey Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: September 2007

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 2008

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Martha

Synopsis 

The Doctor and Martha wake up in the middle of New Colorado groggy and not quite sure where they are nor what's going on. They are soon faced with a deadly swarm...

Verdict

Swarm Enemies wasn't a bad comic strip adventure at all. It didn't set the world alight and in all honesty is quite forgetful but it does have its highlights and the plot was pretty good. I liked the reactions of the Doctor and Martha when they awoke without knowledge of where they were or what was happening. It was bettered when the danger of the Swarm was approaching and the New Colorado natives soon hit for the hills. Sad was a good character and I really liked his interest and examinations into the Swarm discovering that they were nanobots. The Doctor's annoyance at the use of the nanobots was fantastic! The climax of the story was a bit poor though, I mean a tractor defeating the enemy? Really? I also would have liked to meet the controller behind the nanobots and decipher their method and reasoning but sadly that wasn't to be. Once the tractor got the Doctor and Martha to their desired destination of the TARDIS, the way the Doctor put an end to the Swarm was terrific though. The Jones one, two was the best part of the comic strip probably! Certainly hilarious! But overall, could have been better. 

Rating: 7/10

The Hungry Planet

"My TARDIS! Get ready to jump... and for heaven's sake don't slip, or you're dead!"

Writer: Jim Baikie 

Format: Comic Strip

Released: 1973

Printed in: TV Action Annual 1974

Featuring: Third Doctor

Synopsis 

The Third Doctor's TARDIS is swallowed by a living planet, so he turns to Harry Trant, a stranded spaceman for help in recovering his soho from the planet's stomach..

Verdict 

The Hungry Planet was a very fun little comic strip adventure! I really loved the idea of the Third Doctor just wondering the TARDIS about in space only to come across a 'new' planet! One that he would learn was alive and had swallowed his TARDIS! The adventurous actions of the Doctor in parachuting out of the TARDIS were magnificent and certainly typical of Pertwee's Doctor's madness. I liked his disappointment at the bareness of the Star Beast planet, the Doctor likes a bit more gravitas, especially in this incarnation after the boredom the Time Lords had put him through! Trant was a good character to give the Doctor somebody to talk to and to ensure that the Doctor wasn't completely mad by talking to himself all the time! The way the Doctor calmly suggested he and Trant willingly be devoured to retrieve the TARDIS was just magnificent! Only the Doctor would willingly climb down the throat of a live planet beast! The TARDIS retrieval was very good and after he returned Trant home, the Doctor was back on his travels. But where next? Overall, a very fun comic strip! 

Rating: 8/10

Hunters of the Burning Stone

"You think I ever stopped being that arrogant old fool, Ian? There was a war between my people and the Daleks. It burnt the skin of eternity. Ancient, beautiful cultures were caught in our crossfire and sent screaming into hell... and I fired the first shot. Every last drop of blood... all on my hands."

Writer: Scott Gray

Format: Comic Strip

Released: January 2013

Printed in: DWM 456-461

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Ian, Barbara

Synopsis

"What is buried in Man?"

It is a question that has echoed through the centuries, one the Doctor has been told he must answer - or disaster will fall. An alien menace is resurrected, and history itself is threatened...

The creatures that have manipulated humanity for millenia are revealed, and the Doctor is reunited with his first companions - Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright...

Verdict 

Well, I'd like to start the verdict by saying an unbelievably huge thank you to Scott Gray for this incredible 50th anniversary comic strip! Hunters of the Burning Stone is something special and certainly ranks amongst my elite stories across all formats and mediums. It really is a dream for fandom Doctor Who fans! I mean, I don't even know where to start! The Eleventh Doctor was reunited with Ian and Barbara, how amazing is that? It perfectly highlights the beauty of what you can do in the comic strips. I was in complete shock when the Tribe of Gum returned! The smile on my face took some time to be removed. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine the Tribe returning after An Unearthly Child, but here we are in present day Earth and they're back! Za, Hur and Horg wearing the beautiful illustration of skulls masked with fire. Quite incredible pictures. I thought the Prometheans were wonderful enemies and what they were trying to achieve on Earth, having started with the Tribe of Gum after the events of the first television serial, was quite something. They literally could and did revert the human race back to the Stone Age, at least mentally. The Doctor's reaction to being reunited with Ian and Barbara was just wonderful. A real heartfelt scene. You could almost hear in the words how delighted the Doctor was to see his very first companions once again. The disapproval by Ian and Barbara towards the Doctor's current TARDIS desktop theme was terrific and the reaction of the Time Lord himself was also great. The numerous flashbacks to past stories, such as An Unearthly Child, The Dakeks and The Broken Man were brilliant, as they all served relevance to the plot. The Doctor being seemingly embarrassed of his past, of what occurred in his countless incarnations after Ian and Barbara departed the TARDIS, was certainly a shock. The Doctor just thought himself a killer. However, that was in the Doctor's eyes and nobody else's. Ian showed the Doctor, after seeing terrific depictions of Pyramids of Mars, The Caves of Androzani and The Parting of the Ways, that the Doctor is a hero, a man sacrificing himself for the human race. A true gentleman. And the tear the Doctor shed was just lovely. I absolutely adored the Doctor's revelation that it was Ian and Barbara, thanks to their selflessness and desire to help, were who inspired him to favour humans as companions and frequently visit Earth. The quick visit through the Doctor's timeline and seeing how he developed as a man was staggeringly good! The flashback to The Edge of Destruction was a subtle highlight! I adored every single reference to the many First Doctor serials that were made, The Keys of Marinus, The Aztecs and The Crusade particular standouts. The fact that Ian briefly stepped on Gallifrey's surface was magical! I was pleasantly surprised by the return of Annabel Lake, now all grown up, fighting in her mother's honour after the events of The Broken Man. The tie in of many previous comic strip stories featuring the psychic metal was genius, but the ultimate genius was the way the metal along with the Prometheans and Tribe of Gum was defeated. The Eleventh Doctor went to 76 Totters Lane, entered the TARDIS and was in the unfamiliar surrounding of the First Doctor's desktop theme control room. With the Prometheans having used the metal as a symbol throughout history on Earth, with the sun at its centre as a symbol that united the human race, to revert it back to the Stone Age. But an age old question was answered. Why is the TARDIS stuck as a police box, how is the chameleon circuit broken? To my unexpected glee, we found out! Inside the TARDIS during the time of his first incarnation, the Eleventh Doctor destroyed the chameleon circuit! The TARDIS, with the endless ventures it would have throughout Earth's history, needed to be a symbol. And boy, isn't it just. The fact that the symbol of the TARDIS, due it's historical value and hope properties, was why police built the police boxes. Just beautiful! There's so much more that can be mentioned, like the amazing graphic of the Cyberman, Davros and a Zygon, but there's just too much! The wedding of Ian and Barbara was an extra special bonus and it's extremely fitting that the Doctor stood with them as Miss Wright became Mrs Chesterton. Overall, one of, if not the best, stories in Doctor Who history. Just amazing! There aren't enough adjectives to describe its greatness. Wow, an absolute pleasure to read.

Rating: 10/10

The Collector

"Dead? Oh dear... that wasn't supposed to happen." 

Writer: Steve Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: November 1980

Printed in: DWM 46

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sharon, K9

Synopsis

The Fourth Doctor, against the odds, returns his companion Sharon home to 20th century England. But just before the pair can enjoy being back home, the TARDIS is teleported to a house right in the middle of the asteroid belt, and there's no welcoming committee...

Verdict 

The Collector was a terrific comic strip story, I really enjoyed it! This was my first adventure with Sharon as companion, somebody I had absolutely no knowledge of prior to reading this story, and to be honest, she was pretty useless in this story. The Fourth Doctor was the main lead and other than Sharon providing the location for the TARDIS to go to before being teleported, she seemed irrelevant. But, this was my first story to feature her and it was only one adventure, so I cannot judge her as a companion in the slightest. I'm more than willing to give her chance! K9 was terrific in this story and I loved how he was kind of like the Doctor's secret weapon. Where his trustee sonic screwdriver failed, his robot dog certainly would not! Varan Tak was an intriguing character to say the least, using a teleport device to literally kidnap humans from Earth and place them in a time stasis in different rooms in his house. The house's location, in the middle of the asteroid belt, was uniquely fantastic! I liked the resemblances to Smith and Jones and The Doctor's Wife, with the teleportation to an impossible place and the house having feelings of sort, respectively. The Doctor punching a duplicate version of himself from the past was an instant highlight! He just walloped himself right in the kisser! K9's destruction was a shock but the way it was reverted was excellent. The mother ship robot, a robot with feelings, was very good and looked impressive! Her reaction to Varan Tak's teleportation to Earth by the Doctor was certainly something. The scale of her lifespan was also envious! Overall, a wonderful adventure but, despite the fact I don't know her well, I still think Sharon should have done something more in the companion's role. But K9 more than made up for her lacklustre presence! 

Rating: 9/10

The Forbidden Time

"We are the Vist! Time belongs to us."

Writer: David Lock

Format: Audio

Released: March 2011

Series: Companion Chronicles 5.09

Featuring: Second Doctor, Polly, Ben, Jamie

Synopsis

Time Walkers have descended upon the Earth. The alien race, known as the Vist, has claimed an area of time for itself - sky species entering into the immediate future will pay the most terrible forfeit. 

The human race is in a state of panic, but one woman knows the truth. Her name is Polly Wright and she visited that future manly years ago, with the Doctor, Jamie and Ben. 

She has stepped into the Forbidden Time - and this is her story...

Verdict 

The Forbidden Time is an excellent audio adventure! Having one of my all time favourite companions, Polly, as the narrator and main character for the story was brilliant. I really loved the idea of having Polly, a former trustee companion of the Doctor, giving a news conference to assure people that things were fine after a threatening telepathic message swept through the world. The idea of most of the attendees of the conference having some detailed knowledge of the Doctor and his capabilities was terrific! The enemies of the story, the Vist, once introduced after a good build up, were certainly unique in appearance and intriguing in their life form. As described in the story and seen on the CD cover, the tall, thin somewhat messed up creature didn't look all that threatening. It just looked wrong, as Polly pointed out. But it's voice was very commanding and aggressive and sparked fear on the planet. Their attempts to block off the Earth years 2011-2019 was outstanding, and anyone that passed through (yes, the time periods, unavoidable for humans) would have to pay with half of their life energy, on which the Vist fed. The way that time was just another direction, literally, for these creatures was incredible and somewhat hard to comprehend. Going from the Bronze Age to the distant future could be done as easy as going up the stairs for us human folk. Quite an incredible concept! The atmosphere of the story was extremely tense and eery after the apparent death of Ben. Polly's reaction was heartbreaking and made me think of her reference to him in the 2011 news conference. I found it rather sad how, after everything they went through together, Polly said she only occasionally saw Ben. Surely the pair must've gotten together after they departed the TARDIS? A missed opportunity in my eyes. The references to The War Machines and The Dalek Invasion of Earth were very much welcomed, as are any references in any story! The humour between Ben and Polly about them subtly wanting to learn of cars and fashion developments in their future was great! Jamie's reaction to the voice recording machine was brilliant and I really liked its use in the story. It served a terrific purpose! The climax was excellent and the Doctor's genius in defeating the Vist was just superb. I thought it was extremely intriguing how, despite not name-dropping or mentioning by name, that the Second Doctor referrered to the Time Lords and how they were the masters of time. In a chronological sense from the Doctor's perspective, was the first detailed mention of his own people? Polly's reaction was great and I was further intrigued by the Doctor's shunning, almost shameful reaction when asked why he doesn't talk of his people. I can't bring it about me to think that he regrets for one minute leaving his home planet! The Doctor lying about his people though to send the Vist to a time before time existed, therefore making their existence null, was just wonderful and expertly explained. A very precise and clever audio adventure! But the only main let down for me was the cliffhanger. Polly telling the attendees to have a tea break halfway through? Please, something better! 

Rating: 9/10

Myth Maker

"I've seen some stuff on my travels with you, but dragons? They're just a myth, right? Just a story."

Writer: Davey Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: September 2007

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 2008

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Martha

Synopsis 

The Tenth Doctor takes Martha to merry olde England so she can take in the feel of the country long before she was born. But the pair find something distressing as they exit the TARDIS and soon learn of the dragon myth...

Verdict

Myth Maker was an excellent comic strip. With the much shorter length of comic stories that appear in the Annuals, the potential failure is sadly present in masses. But the last few I have read from the Annuals (not chronologically) have been fantastic! I really liked Martha's enthusiasm in this story and her willingness to be adventurous and even learn of her country's history. The role of the Doctor in this was extremely clever in this story as despite his presence being minimal, everything he said progressed the story and answered one question whilst creating another. Excellently done by Davey Moore. The unnamed character who the Doctor and Martha helped and were repaid for by a ride of story telling was terrific! I really liked his wisdom and the myth of the dragon was brilliant. The Doctor's refusal to dismiss myths as false was majestic, and as we've seen with the several appearances of Vampires in the Whoniverse, all stories have to begin somewhere, with something igniting them. The plot being tied up with the appearance of the rumoured dragon was great, and the Doctor having sympathy for if was even more so! The use of the TARDIS to fully activate the dragon's distress call to its parents was magnificent and for Martha, it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. A fitting finale to a brilliant comic strip! 

Rating: 9/10