Empire's Fall

"Come on. Clara, give us a smile. You make the Weeping Angels look cheerful!"

Writer: Jason Quinn

Format: Comic Strip

Released: April 2015

Printed in: Panini DWA 01

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

The Doctor and Clara take on an alien empire's tax collector - but all is not as it appears!

Verdict 

Empire's Fall was a pretty good story to kickstart Panini's new Doctor Who Adventures comic strip adventures with the Twelfth Doctor but I think it's safe to say I won't be purchasing any future issues. With Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who Comic and usually the Doctor Who figurine to collect each month (each fortnight for the figurine!), the extra £3.99 just isn't worth it for 9 pages of comic strip that's aimed at an audience for children. After reading the preview for DWA in DWM, they seemed to be selling it on the fact that it was similar to Harry Potter in that it appeals to both children and adults. However, that's certainly not the case with this new regeneration of the magazine. It was 100% aimed at children - and that's fine - but I'll just be sticking to DWM and the wonderfully good comic strip of Blood and Ice that's currently ongoing. Through in the continuing story of The Swords of Kali from DWC and I think my Twelfth Doctor and Clara appetite will more than be fulfilled whilst the pair are off screen. This story wasn't too bad at all but as with the previous DWA comic strips, this was just basically an extension of what we got there. There's no doubting the artwork was hugely improved (it couldn't really get worse), but the story felt similar to ones that went before it. There was a decent story idea in the works and if it was extended upon I think it has the possibility to be pretty good but whilst it stays where it is, it's never going above my generous rating. The Governor arriving on Earth claiming the planet was overdue in paying its tax by some five billion years! The Doctor soon saw the flaw in the con-artist's plan - Earth wasn't even five billion years old! The characterisation of Clara was actually good (in DWA of all places) and it reminded of A Wing and a Prayer where she debuted in this format and the characterisation hasn't been bettered since in my opinion. It was good in the novels I must add though. The reveal that the Governor's mighty force was all actually an illusion was a good twist but immediately the enemy just got ridiculed. The appearance of UNIT and what I assume was Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was unexpected but I had mixed feelings about it. It was hardly the situation of Death in Heaven! But they were there and that was something to remember at least. The Doctor not being merciful was nice to see and I liked how he just sent the Governor on his way without his illusions. That ability was gone, and with it my chances of getting a future issue (unless the front page preview looks decent)! Overall, a decent story but I'm just the wrong audience. 

Rating: 7/10