The Land of Happy Endings

"All ideas are dangerous."

Writer: Scott Gray

Format: Comic Strip

Released: November 2003

Printed in: DWM 337

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, John, Gillian

Synopsis

The Doctor, John and Gillian visit Darbodia, where they discover that the inhabitants have been purged of all imagination. Upon discovering that villainous scientist Wargonn has imprisoned the native species, the Doctor and his grandchildren work to foil his schemes.

Verdict

The Land of Happy Endings was a terrific little comic strip adventure to continue my way through The Flood graphic novel! As a celebration of forty years of Doctor Who comics, this was wonderful and really did a stellar job in paying homage to the early era of adventures during the TV Comic run. I really would love for there to be a graphic novel collecting the early adventures of the First, Second and Third Doctors prior to Doctor Who Magazine becoming the home of the Doctor's comic strip stories, as they seem like such an enigma as far as I am concerned. I've done some research and I know a little about John and Gillian and the issues of continuity between the televised series and comic strips of the early days, but I would love to be able to read them in full. The illustration here was impressive with stellar artwork capturing the feel of those early days so well. I must admit it was a little disorienting to have the Doctor referred to as Dr Who, and even introduce himself as such, but it was really good in honouring those early tales. The art design is so weird but it works. Even the dialogue felt like it was from a different era as it advanced the story through dialogue rather than just a little narration box. That was really noticeable and impressive in capturing the style of comic it was honouring. It was a little strange for the Doctor to be travelling with grandchildren that didn't include Susan, but I quite like the idea of him really being a grandfatherly figure and taking his younger grandchildren on adventures in the TARDIS. It was more in line with the Dr Who of the two cinematic movies released in the 1960s, and the entire story felt like it should have been the First Doctor featured. I'm sure that was intentional, but it was a little weird to be seeing the Eighth Doctor but so clearly hearing the characterisation of the First Doctor. The setting of Darbodia was strong and I liked the idea of dreams being taken. What that did to the local population was quite horrific, but having that tie back in with the Doctor was really good stuff. The suggestion that the Doctor's adventures in TV Comic and beyond with John and Gillian being nothing more than a dream was great and it was fun to read after in my research that this caused a little uproar at the time of release! I didn't think it decanonised them in the slightest, although whether they are or not is sceptical, but providing a potential explanation for them is welcomed. Just seeing the Eighth Doctor smiling about happy endings and reminiscing was lovely. The use of the bigger on the inside bag to trap Wargonn was amusing and he didn't take long in surrendering when it came to the prospect of being trapped within for all eternity. As a whole, this was simple and enjoyable, just what an anniversary celebration story over one part should be! No complaints. Overall, a fun adventure that more than served its purpose. 

Rating: 8/10