Thinktwice

"I urge you to ignore the screams."

Writer: Dan McDaid
Format: Comic Strip
Released: September-November 2008
Printed in: DWM 400-402

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Majenta

Synopsis

The Tenth Doctor is posing as a medic on galactic penitentiary Thinktwice. There, crazed scientist Jonah Gripton is feeding the Memeovax with the memories of weak criminals. With a plan to extend this process across the Human Empire, the Doctor plans to put the station out of action.

Verdict

Thinktwice was an excellent comic strip adventure to continue my reading of The Crimson Hand graphic novel! I really got the sense of something big starting and it's clear that a story arc is on the cards following this adventure - and that's something I'm very excited about. I thought it was a good way to reintroduce Majenta following her appearance in Hotel Historia but I was quite intrigued by how she had no memory of meeting the Doctor. She soon remembered that it was him that saw her placed in Thinktwice and humorously whacked him in the face after he pleaded for her not to hit him. He didn't get his wish though. Whilst I think it's a shame that Donna barely got an appearance in the DWM comics, the prospect of a comic strip only companion is one I'm a fan of as it gives the format its own identity and seeing how Majenta fits in with the Doctor at this point of this incarnation will be a really good adventure. They got off to a shaky start here but I'm sure they'll grow to respect each other if they don't already. I thought the cliffhanger to part two was absolutely outstanding and the image of the Doctor and Majenta falling out of the waste banks and into the void of space was superb. The Doctor looked desperate and that was quite an image to see. The resolution was decent and quite comical with the dialogue and I think that's going to be a common theme amongst the pair of new travellers. Gripton was a fantastic villain and just a vile creature which is exactly what you want in an enemy. He totally disregarded life and just waved off the fact that the Memeovax fed on the entire security force. They could easily be replaced so what did it matter? Flatch was another good villain and I liked how he altered his stance on Gripton once the Memeovax went rogue and demanded feeding. He was shot by his boss though and Royce would not be the replacement that the madman would hope for. The Doctor's willingness to take on Knowsall was fantastic and I liked the little snippets of his memories with the likes of Izzy and Destrii showing up. The ease at which he was able to defeat the Knowsall was great and the analogy of pouring the ocean into a cup showed just how much the Doctor has gone through in all his lives and how much there is for him to fear. Zed was a lovely character and I really liked her relationship with Majenta. They worked very well together and it was nice to see them come together at the end. The way she stood up to the Memeovax was brilliant. The scenes in the TARDIS where Majenta basically welcomed herself on board as a companion were magnificent and with the Doctor being forced to take responsibility for his newfound patient, we have a good little pairing on our hands and I'm excited for the rest of the graphic novel. Overall, a fantastic comic strip!

Rating: 9/10