The Ninth Doctor Mini-Series - Issue Four

Writer - Cavan Scott
Art/Color Finishes - Blair Shedd
Colors-  Anang Setyawan
Letterer - Richard Starkings + Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Editor - Andrew James
Assistant Editor - Kirsten Murray
Designer - Rob Farmer
Released October 21st 2015, Titan Comics

This penultimate component of the miniseries makes the thoroughly widespread consequences ofthe Time War very apparent, and the Doctor is forced to make another choice that will affect countless life forms across all of time, space and potentially all reality as well.

Thrilling incident follows astounding revelation in this story, as we have every right to expect given the potential demonstrated in prior months. Captain Jack has to somehow control an especially emotional TARDIS stranded in the Vortex which faces an imminent threat from the Unon.

The Lect reveal that their considerably bulky and powerful frames are just a shell for a very much organic alien life form. As that happens the captured Rose is forced to hear their side of the story and possibly change her very attitude to the scenario previously assumed to be clear-cut by the TARDIS crew.

The Time War has already been explored in much length by both TV Doctor Who and the recent Four Doctor special event series. But yet more secrets are un-mined in the narrative as the Doctor converses with several of the Unon. This prompts him into doing the most direct and game-changing action since the adventure first commenced. As that happens his more proud, even pompous side is on full view for all to see.

Whereas previous issues were wholesale action or slower paced showcasing of lovely scenery and character imaging this issue is a smooth blend of the two.

Now we have the more light hearted characters dispensed with, and perhaps rather brutally given the supernova that has decimated Fluren's world, focus swings squarely onto the two opposing forces of Unon and Lect. More personal clashes are resumed in the case of the two alpha males that are Jack Harkness and the Doctor. Whilst it may be a bit more of the same dynamic, and so lack the freshness when employed in issues One and Two, but is still enjoyable and offers up some choice dialogue. It also does not distract from all the important new plot developments.

The writer is also possibly still trying to wrong foot his readership as although we see much of the background of the Unon and marvel at their articulate and noble personalities, there is still scope for them to actually be a lot less benign than they seem. The Lect forces make sudden contact with Rose apparently their newly-appointed and seemingly non-coerced spokesperson. The fine cliffhanger leads the way for a  finale that will almost certainly see a decisive and big battle. And more immediately of concern is just what will the Doctor have to do to regain the Rose Tyler that he thought he knew(!?).

As ever Cavan Scott's characterization and dialogue are well above par - even by the strong Titan Comic standards. I eagerly await what he has to bring in Issue Five, as much as I dread having to move on as the mini-series comes to its end.

Of course, presentation is the bread and butter of any comic book; be it intellectual, emotive, a romp or a heady combination of all these. Blair Shedd goes from strength to strength as he has the stern test of having to convey so many large-scale concepts. Fans will enjoy the fleeting re-visits to foes of the Doctor such as the Sontarans and the Cybermen that had three digits on each hand. The colour work is simply top-notch, and i continue to enjoy the silhouette change-up which almost is the signature touch to this mini-series.

It is also probably the most realistic and photo-style artwork of any Titan range I have reviewed thus far, and for my tastes anyway this is a great approach. Artistic licence is never a bad thing but can sometimes be pushed too far in order to stand out from the crowd. With Series One of modern Doctor Who being such a leap forward in terms of visuals, it seems appropriate to have a 'cutting edge' style here which almost an irrelevance of the decade since Ecclestone, Piper and Barrowman first played their parts together on TV.

BONUS:

There is no humour strip in this issue, but we do get a nice insight into the artwork process which only reinforces the care and attention Shedd brings to the table. Some alternate front covers are also present so as to add full value to this edition.