Alternating Current

"Something went wrong in the past to change your present."

Writer: Jody Houser

Format: Comic Strip

Released: November 2020 - February 2021

Series: Thirteenth Doctor #3.1-3.4

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan, Graham, Tenth Doctor, Rose 

Synopsis

The Tenth and Thirteenth Doctors accidentally created an alternate timeline where Earth was overrun by Sea Devils. Discovering the Skithra were actually behind the invasion, they teamed up once more, along with the fam, a war-torn Rose Tyler, and human-friendly Skithra Queen, to set things right...

Verdict

Alternating Current was a fantastic comic strip adventure to continue the run from Titan Comics! Unfortunately, due to production and scheduling issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this story was released a lot later than planned which is a big shame considering it was due to form the second half of the second year of Thirteenth Doctor comics. I love the continuity with it turning out to be a direct sequel to A Little Help from my Friends with immediate continuation from those events and I love the idea of having a paradox stemming from the actions of both Doctors in defeating the Weeping Angels and Autons last time out. There was a lot going on in this one which was very good and I thought the concept of the alternate timeline of an Earth where the Sea Devils had ruled the planet for a century was so much fun. To be honest, I thought we would be getting a little more from the Classic series foes but it was still great to see them in comic strip form. The cover of issue 3 that I chose as part of my pre-order is definitely up there as one of my favourites, even if it didn't quite resonate with the story within. They're a superb villain. What I wasn't expecting was having the Sea Devils joined by the Skithra! I think it's a good move to have a returning enemy from the era of the Thirteenth Doctor and that species having direct involvement in where the timeline went wrong was really nicely done. Referencing and almost returning to the events of Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror was magnificent and I loved how genuinely excited the Tenth Doctor was at getting to meet the scientist. The inclusion of Rose from the alternate timeline was an intriguing move and whilst it wasn't clear why the Tenth Doctor had ended up seeking her out, the contrast to the companion we know that travelled with the Doctor was superb. I liked how she was good with a gun and the Tenth Doctor not liking how she didn't suit that was excellent. I think one of my favourite elements of the comic strip was how the speech shifted between the Tenth and Thirteenth Doctors prior to the TARDISes merging. That was wonderfully done and it was really fun for the anticipation of the different incarnations meeting once again, even if we have just had that occur. It's still so much fun. I liked how the fam were always one step behind the Doctor and their inability to comprehend that they couldn't just repeat events with Tesla was terrific. The Skithra Queen of the alternative reality being on the side of the humans was a good contrast and I thought her sacrifice to save humanity was admirable. The Doctor begrudgingly leaving her behind after time had been restored was a powerful moment and the questionable reaction and looks she got upon returning into the TARDIS alone had a big impact. Tesla and Edison getting comic cameos was fantastic and the way they were saved was quite simple, but it still worked and was definitely fun. The inclusion of an alternate Pete and Jackie Tyler was brilliant and whilst the artwork was surprisingly not quite up to the Titan standards, it was good to see the Thirteenth Doctor's reaction to them. Rose having to deal with her whole world being 'fixed' was something good to play with and I liked how she wasn't comfortable on Earth where things had been restored. This Rose wanted to fight for a cause and the Doctor would find her planet where the Skithra had invaded for her to settle on instead. I liked how this story led into the events of Time Lord Victorious with Defender of the Daleks but it ending on its own cliffhanger with a returning Corsair was wonderful! I'm a huge fan of hers so another adventure featuring her is definitely most welcomed. Overall, a fantastic comic adventure!

Rating: 9/10