"And you, stop fretting. It was nice."
There are only so many times I can praise the tone, the art, the charm, and the sheer fun of this without constantly repeating myself, so just take it as read. But I'll simply note, once again, that the sheer complexity of the plot- now with even more characters- somehow manages to be a breeze to follow.
I love the Rani's reaction to Glitz coming on to her, as well as that he isn't actually selling Davros a sample of Lazar's Disease (Yes, he WOULD do it, such a power would set him up above the gods and all that) but simply "Gumblejack liver oil", which is at once very much in character and top example of all the subtle references. These scenes also help to alleviate a concern that had been evolving in my mind- that the Seventh Doctor was somewhat overshadowing Two. That's much less the case here... and didn't Troughton always used to remain on the edges of the screen?
The clash between Six and Four is interesting... although, so far, Four feels the Doctor most left in the background. I love the reaction from his subsequent selves when he's hurt, though. Oh, and, of course, even more characters! Winifred and Captain Jack, who know each other because of course they do. Grace Holloway... and a lovely little cameo from Martha before the events of Smith and Jones, which is set after this but had been broadcast by now- nice moment!
And yeah... love the moment of mistaken identity with Romana being revived by Grace's kiss! Also love that UNIT have glitter guns because of Sarah Jane (must cost a few bob!) and the Tenth of all Doctors meeting the Valeyard...
Still having enormous fun. I'll keep these coming thick and fast.
You can tell Rich took the opportunity to add in references to every era of the show thus far, paying special attention to Classic Who. You can even tell he gives every character, even those that may be unpopular with some fans, good moments. I seem to remember finding a 2009 podcast after he finished the comic in which he stated he didn't like the 6th Doctor TV stories but still respected Colin Baker. He further stated he wasn't a big fan of the Doctor and Rose's relationship but he still gives Rose respect, as shown when Ace and Rose were first bickering with each other but ultimately warm up to each other.
ReplyDeleteI like how after 7 reveals Davros to 2. 2 stares grimly at Davros with an air of contempt that made it clear that he thoroughly disapproved of the very concept of what Davros had done despite his own limited experience with the Daleks to date. the Doctor almost wished that he could remember how it felt to be so young and comparatively innocent, believing that all he needed to do was travel before he understood the scale of the evil that he would discover in his journeys, but those days were long gone and only the facts remained in his mind.
Evidently, when I discuss notes, I am going to have go with the context of the 2007 to 2009 era of the show, rather than what has come since, but the issue clearly makes future references to season 3 which would have aired by this time; Martha Jones is a trainee doctor at a hospital (Royal Hope), where we see the Plasmavore Florence Finnegan, who makes a cameo, hiding in a doorway as Martha walks by. And the part where Grace Holloway kisses Romana, thinking her to be the Doctor in a female incarnation, and Romana's understanding reaction is brilliant.
By the way, props for realizing the Valeyard was the keeper; the fact he might look like the actor that played him but is dressed in time lord clothes, could make him unrecognizable.
The hints that the Keeper was the Valeyard were enough for me to suspect... especially with remembering how The Ultimate Foe ended!
ReplyDeleteAnd props for spotting Florence Finnegan- I had no idea.
Morris does great expressions, which often push the comic over the edge from great to brilliant; he is particularly good at capturing Doctor #10's expressions and Doctor #4's goofy yet dangerous vibe, but my personal favorite in this chapter is when 7 reveals Davros as the creator of the Daleks to 2. It may because the Troughton glare is so realistic in the drawing but 2 stares grimly at Davros with an air of contempt that makes it clear that he thoroughly disapproves of the very concept of what Davros has done despite his own limited experience with the Daleks to date. 7 perhaps almost wishes that when he was 1, and to a lesser extent, 2, he could remember how it felt to be so young and comparatively innocent, believing that all he needed to do was travel before he understood the scale of the evil that he would discover in his journeys, but those days are long gone and only the facts remain in his mind.
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