The Pestilent Heart Part 2

"Never trust appearances."

Writer: Mark Wright 

Format: Comic Strip

Released: 28th July 2016

Printed in: DWM 502

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor

Synopsis 

Something isn't right in London's Underground. The Doctor is no stranger to trouble in these areas but he hasn't seen anything quite like this. What connects a cyborg and an ancient plague pit? The Doctor soon finds the horrifying answer... 

Verdict 

The Pestilent Heart continued in excellent fashion with this great second part of the story! It advanced things on very nicely, had terrific artwork and was full of excitement. I liked how this story takes a new direction with things similar to Doctor Who Comic's latest Twelfth Doctor story The Twist. We see things ahead of the television series now rather than alongside it and that presents a bundle of opportunity. Speaking of the televised series though, I'll get back to the comic strip itself shortly. So as is the case with my blog entries of the Doctor Who Magazine comic strips, I'll preview my reading of the magazine itself. Although it's been over a week since issue 502 was released, my reading of this story was the first words I read from the magazine. I only purchased it on Tuesday and I have been delved into reading A Game of Thrones so I haven't fancied reading anything else, in terms of text rather than a comic, whilst I'm reading the novel. I will be finishing it tonight though so and a familiar train journey awaits tomorrow so I'm sure I'll be straight into a Who novel followed by delving into this magazine. I'm really looking forward to some talk on Series 10 as everything has been a bit hush hush lately but seeing Pearl Mackie on the cover, as well as Matt Lucas, alongside Peter Capaldi has instantly got me excited for the new series. That TARDIS team looks like it's going to be a bundle of fun and I'm really looking forward to things panning out. I anticipate the episode preview issues of this magazine greatly. As per usual, I'm looking forward to reading Relative Dimensions which I noticed no longer follows the comic strip after I finished this comic strip. I'm not sure why that is but it doesn't make much difference as I hardly ever read the magazine in order. An interview with Steven Moffat isn't exactly rare but it's always insightful so I look forward to reading that. Galaxy Forum is always a wonderful read and I'm sure that after the last issue the focus will be firmly on Tom Baker, and why wouldn't it be? That humongous interview spread over six years was superb. Gallifrey Guardian and the DWM Review will also be good reads as usual. Now, back to the comic strip itself and after spending time reading DWC this week it seemed strange to be doing a comic strip on pages as big as the magazine. The artwork was very good and I liked the continuation of the 1972 setting with the London Underground focus. The characterisation of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor was fantastic with his likeness being captured tremendously. The resolution of the cliffhanger wasn't quite as good as I was hoping but it was logical so I can't complain too much. Jessica filling in the companion role again was expected and I'm really liking her character more and more. I wasn't so fussed on her in The Highgate Horror but I am liking her now. Seeing her parents was interesting, especially Lloyd who seems to have gotten a dose of the bubonic plague, whose strain has conveniently advanced considerably in the 300 years it has had in isolation in the London Underground. The Doctor's reaction to a railway being placed alongside an ancient plague pit was humorous to say the least. The Doctor and Jessica being taken into space (not literally) was good and I liked how they saw Moan'na and the Hakuai's history explained. Something that did need explaining though was the cliffhanger in which Jessica's Dad appears to have undergone quite a transformation! Overall, a very good second part of the story!