Gangland Part 1

"A place of shattered dreams, lost innocence, dashed hopes and frittered-away fortunes. Why would anyone want to come here?"

Writer: Robbie Morrison 

Format: Comic Strip

Released: 5th November 2015

Printed in: DWC 2.02

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

When UNIT scientist Paul Foster crossed dimensions to reunite with his family, a crack was created in our universe. A horrifying group of of body-hopping entities known as the Fractures spilled out of the void. The Doctor and Foster worked together to trap the creatures and return them to the void - but not without making a potent enemy of the Fractures... 

Now, Clara and the Doctor are off to 1960s Las Vegas for some relaxation! But unearthly danger lurks beneath the city's neon lights...

Verdict 

Gangland started off in super fashion with this opening part to the newest Twelfth Doctor and Clara story from the pages of the wonderful magazine that is Doctor Who Comic. Now, I would usually read the stories in the order they are printed but instead of continuing on with part four of Four Doctors, I thought I would continue my current run of Twelfth Doctor and Clara stories with my last two blog entries being Sleep No More and the conclusion of The Highgate Horror. So as one comic strip adventure another immediately begins! I'm a bit late getting to the pages of DWC but that is no fault of my own! On release day I strolled down to WH Smith to find the previous issue sitting there. Upon going home the following day, I thought I'd try my old local Smiths but the same scenario was in place there! Thankfully, when I went to pick up DWM the new issue of DWC was out so I quickly purchased! I guess it'll just mean less of a wait for issue three now, something I can live with. I noticed in the next time preview of the issue, The Other Doctor will be printed. And upon checking the running order I am delighted that the stories with each Doctor are continuing on from where they left off. DWC haven't just skipped ahead altogether thankfully! I loved the prelude of this story with an excellent reference to Terrorformer and an intriguing insight to Rassilon, something that we haven't really seen much of at all in the past other than in The End of Time. I must say though, I've got to question the Alliance of the Races. I mean, what exactly are the Hath going to offer? And the Vigil certainly don't seem to fit in with the likes of Zygons, Ice Warriors and Sontarans! But the picture is something to behold I must admit. Enemies of the Doctor united, Rassilon included. The Cybok Imperium was an intriguing enemy and I liked the humour in that it was from the planet Octus. The game of chance played between Rassilon and Count D'If was quite something though! Imagine the consequences for Gallifrey had Rassilon been wiped from the timeline. But that didn't occur. The characterisation of both the Twelfth Doctor and Clara was magnificent and with them being so cheery together on screen it really is making their comic strip adventures all the more enjoyable. 1960s Las Vegas is such a great setting and I loved the modesty of the Doctor in making Clara's $50 into nearly a million in less than an hour! It wasn't quite the methods as in the latest episode of the incredible series that is The Blacklist, but I was as equally impressed. Dragotta was a decent character and I liked how immediately concerned he was when the Doctor nearly broke the bank! He easily broke the house record that was for sure. Mikey was also an interesting character and I liked the story behind him very much, especially with the Cybok Imperium using his body as a disguise! Clara being hitted on by nearly every man in the casino was interesting but if I was there I'd be doing the same! Especially if things were reversed and she had the accent from across the pond. The climax to this first part was pretty good though I did think the cliffhanger could have been stronger. It wasn't bad though! Overall, a very strong start to what seems to be an excellent story! I look very much forward to part two in the next issue of DWC, and that is where the rating will appear.