Perhaps moreso than is the case with any of the show’s other recurring antagonists, finding an inspired new way in which to off the titular menaces of “The Weeping Angels of Mons” must be one of the most unenviable tasks a Doctor Who scribe can encounter. That their creator Steven Moffat has already produced three largely acclaimed serials based around the Deadly Assassins’ antics can’t help matters either, particularly since 2007’s “Blink”, 2010’s “The Time of Angels / Flesh & Stone” and 2012’s “The Angels Take Manhattan” (not to mention Toby Whithouse’s “The God Complex” and Moffat’s “The Time of the Doctor”, wherein the Angels play second fiddle to a more substantial manner yet still make quite the impact in the space of but a few minutes of screen time) each use them to such great effect before resolving the threat they pose to the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors in an equally surprising manner.

No wonder, then, that in bringing the second full arc of Titan Comics’ New Adventures with the Tenth Doctor range to a timely conclusion after four instalments, Robbie Morrison can’t help but seem to struggle to wrap up proceedings without evoking the final moments of beloved episodes gone by. As if Tennant’s Doctor, Gabby Gonzalez and their newfound wartime comrade Jamie Colquhoun’s campaign beneath the trenches to rescue the TARDIS from the Angels’ clutches wasn’t enough of a call-back to their eternal foes’ on-screen history, as the final chapter of his “Mons” narrative grinds to a halt, Morrison moreover goes so far as to stir up memories aplenty of “Human Nature / The Family of Blood” (with the present day-set closing pages owing a particular debt to Paul Cornell’s haunting TV adaptation of his own New Adventures novel), “The Angels Take Manhattan” (via his second investigation into the Angels’ physical shortcomings in as many issues) and even Blackadder Goes Forth’s most poignant shot of all, though one could perhaps forgive the latter allusion in light of the plethora of Great War fiction available for us to experience nowadays. Indeed, add in an dishearteningly abrupt resolution to the romantic sub-plot brewing between Gabby and Jamie that simply reeks of necessity and readers might well start to wonder whether or not the “Mons” arc is as doomed as the waylaid soldiers who stumbled onto battlefields such as the Somme between 1914 and 1918.

As will surely have become clear by now, had this at times derivative mid-season finale (of sorts) persisted with this reliance upon its esteemed predecessors without injecting any original moments of note, then little doubt exists in this reviewer’s mind as to the extent that the “Mons” quartet as a whole would have been rendered as an unsatisfying tale, particularly in light of the number of instances where the words ‘déjà vu’ came to mind as the Angels made their initial appearances amongst the rubble and shadows of the trenches. The truth of the matter is mercifully different, though; thanks in no small part to Morrison’s sustained implementation of the creatures who give this arc its name as a metaphor for the conflict in which “Mons” takes place, the military chaplain who until now had served as little more than a cliché-spouting secondary player becomes of paramount significance at the very last moment, affording Part 4 no shortage of emotional resonance as he justifiably calls into question everything which the Christian faith has taught him in light of the angelic forces of (super)nature assaulting him and his companions from every corner. Better yet, whereas past televised Who serials such as “Tooth and Claw” have seen fit to simply have their antagonists slay these theistic devotees, here we’re presented with an entirely different send-off which leaves that much more of a lasting impression as a result (and one which we therefore shan’t spoil for fear of ruining the scene in question).

Whereas Morrison therefore tows the line between narrative familiarity and symbolic innovation, Arianna Florean, Elena Casagrande and Daniel Indro – the former two of whom open Part 4 with another of Gabby’s rather delightfully whimsical notebook sequences before the latter resumes his work as the series’ resident central artist – collectively give their all in terms of ensuring that from an aesthetic perspective, the Tenth Doctor’s escapades in the early 20th Century remain a joy to see play out from page to page. Even if Part 3’s “Blink”-riffing cliff-hanger didn’t so much shock as doubtless remind many readers of the aforementioned 2007 serial’s “the Angels have the police box” t-shirt, the shot made for one hell of a tour de force of Indro’s visual capabilities, a trait which carries through to this predictably action-packed fourth instalment, wherein the artist in question renders underground skirmishes, 19th Century villages and even stirring Great War memorial gatherings without missing so much as a single crucial opportunity to stimulate the reader’s optic nerves.

In fact, in spite of its occasional missteps into the realms of dependence upon what’s come before, that notion of aiming to keep its onlookers thoroughly engaged throughout its running time seems a fine summary of “The Weeping Angels of Mons”’ overall aspirations. Whether or not Morrison could have ditched some of the early moments of Angel mythology-recapping exposition and derivative set-pieces so as to condense Tennant’s sophomore Titan arc into three instalments as opposed to four is a matter which we could debate until the end of time itself (though this reviewer would personally wager that there’s a strong case to be made in that regard), but that Morrison and the team of apparently infinitely accomplished artists tasked with bringing his monthly narratives to life remained intent on leaving their audience with no option but to turn straight to the next page (or indeed head to the nearest relevant retailer in order to pre-order their copies of subsequent issues) in hindsight seems beyond dispute. It’s an admirable goal too, although as we move out of the blood-soaked battlefields of the early 1900s and back to the streets of New York for the final days of Gabby’s first year alongside a Time Lord who’s running on increasingly borrowed time, those involved with depicting this intriguing new companion’s scribbled writings and actions alike might well consider prioritising further layered moral dilemmas like that of the chaplain’s and in doing so placing less emphasis on the infrequently repetitive action set-pieces which formed the crux of “Mons”, at least if they’re hoping to leave Paul Cornell with a strong foundation upon which to build with his “Four Doctors” crossover event later this year.

Bonus Humour Strip Mini-Review:

Less surprising than Morrison’s success in turning his oft-predictable antagonists into a compelling metaphor for modern conflicts and the harrowing psychological toll they carry for those desperate to cling to their faiths is Rachael Smith’s decision to integrate the Sisters of Plentitude (of “New Earth” and “Gridlock” fame) into the latest gripping chapter of “A Rose By Any Other Name” as Rose – better known to regular readers as the Tenth Doctor’s hastily acquired feline pet – attempts to find her owner a date somewhere in the depths of time and space. Much like an elderly cat on its last legs, it’s difficult not to wonder whether this storyline (or series of narrative-light skits, to put the situation more accurately) has run its course at this point. On the plus side, though, even if that’s indeed the case, with only around half a dozen issues remaining until Cornell temporarily takes the helm of Tennant (as well as Smith, Capaldi and even Hurt)’s comic-book adventures, those who share this reviewer’s growing apathy with this particular line of mini-strips can at least rest safe in the knowledge that Rose’s short-lived tenure aboard the TARDIS will surely go the same way as K-9, Kamelion and Theta Sigma’s other non-human companions soon enough.

Were we to assign sub-titles to the various instalments of the Tenth Doctor’s second full ‘New Adventures’ arc, “The Weeping Angels of Mons”, by far the most fitting name for its penultimate outing would be “The Benny Hill Chapter”. Why? To put it quite simply, whereas Part 2 placed a profound emphasis on strengthening the backstories of the various supporting players as well as the tension surrounding the Weeping Angels’ ominous presence amongst the battlefields of World War Two, Part 3 places the chase sequences which served as highlights in televised Angel tales such as “Flesh & Stone” front and centre. This structural move predictably has just as many negative repercussions as positive ones, yet even so, the overall “Mons” arc continues to elevate the graphically novelised adventures of David Tennant’s beloved take on Theta Sigma to promising new heights.

There’s admittedly an irony in this reviewer’s use of the words “heights”, however, since such is the nature of a Great War-set tale of this ilk that much of this particular issue takes place within or around the trenches of the titular Belgian city, not least the bold cliff-hanger sequence, which places an intriguing new spin on one of the most significant plot points from 2007’s “Blink”. That said, it’s a welcome surprise to see writer Robbie Morrison use the time spent by the Doctor, Gabby and their British military comrades evading the universe’s deadliest assassins to his advantage, specifically by tackling some of the long-running misconceptions surrounding the limits – or lack thereof – of the Angels’ semi-mystical powers such as their collective ability to withstand blasts that would otherwise shatter ordinary stone edifices and whether or not weaponised vehicles such as tanks stand a chance when crossing the paths of one of the Doctor’s most relentless foes.

The perfectly-timed fan service doesn’t come to a halt there, either; whilst it’s easy at times for the casual – or indeed the hard-core – reader to forget that the Tenth Doctor’s ‘New Adventures’ are intended to take place during the final days of its eternal protagonist’s lifespan, namely as “The Waters of Mars” and “The End of Time” (itself) dawn, Morrison moreover takes a moment to offer us a firm reminder of the present chronology, briefly electing to have the aforementioned Time Lord turn on his companion in remorse as she struggles to come to terms with the joint horror of the historical and extra-terrestrial conflicts unfolding before her eyes. Better yet, there’s little in the way of evidence to suggest that Morrison intends to leave this particular plot thread dangling next time around, indicating that a more thorough psychological analysis of precisely why Tennant’s incarnation declined Lady Christina de Souza’s request to join the TARDIS crew after the events of “Planet of the Dead” – as well as refusing other offers from various supporting players in other novels, comic-books and the like – could be just around the corner.

Regardless of what’s to come from a narrative perspective, what’s more than assured at this point is the sustained visual power of Daniel Indro’s ever-alluring imagery. Given how easy it would be for this talented artist to allow the drab grey backdrop of a World War One battlefield to overshadow the entire colour palette of “Mons” – a shortcoming which this reviewer would argue Rachel Talalay perhaps fell prey to from a directorial perspective in last year’s televised Season Eight finale, “Death in Heaven”, though that debate’s of course for another time and place – that he constantly does quite the opposite, injecting moments of warmth and variety through dazzling explosions and through adaptive backgrounds meant to reflect the emotion of the characters featured within the relevant panels, is an astonishing feat to say the very least, one which makes all the difference in terms of ensuring that the overall reading experience remains engaging throughout.

All the same, that the chase sequences littered throughout Issue 8 warranted a Benny Hill comparison in this review’s opening paragraph only goes to show the extent to which they dominate proceedings here, and much as Morrison’s efforts to add depth through exploration of the Angels’ and the Doctor’s respective mythologies keep Part 3’s isolated narrative compelling – as does Indro’s artwork – a little less emphasis on action and more on creating a genuinely satisfying resolution come this second mini-arc’s denouement would certainly not go amiss. Just as “Blink”, “The Time of Angels / Flesh & Stone” and “The Angels Take Manhattan” each presented truly memorable means by which the Doctor could dispatch perhaps the universe’s oldest alien menaces, so too could “The Weeping Angels of Mons” benefit in no small part from putting as much time and effort into providing another such worthy conclusion as early as possible in Part 4 rather than holding out until the last moment in the hope of throwing a needless deus ex machina element into the - already busy - mixture.

Bonus Humour Strips Mini-Reviews:

As to-the-point miniature comic strips go, At-Mosphere-Choo most certainly ranks up there with the most succinct of them, presenting its onlookers with the most straightforward yet hilarious one-shot image possible in the form of Tennant’s Time Lord drifting above Earth after inadvertently sneezing his way out of the TARDIS. Look out in particular for one of the most impressive renditions of humanity’s home-world – not to mention a frankly stunning sunset on the horizon – in recent Who memory courtesy of scribe and layout handler AJ.

Whereas AJ’s one-page contributions to the ‘New Adventures’ range continue to be isolated affairs, Rachael Smith’s ongoing A Rose By Any Other Name continues the captivating adventures of the Tenth and his newfound companion, Rose-the-Cat, both of whom appear to be on perfect terms with one another until the subject of a certain metallic canine comes to the fore. Nothing particularly revolutionary crops up here from a comedic standpoint, although in fairness, Smith’s artwork is at once characteristically charming and remarkably accurate, whilst the resolution to Rose and K-9’s rather abrupt confrontation will surely garner chuckles aplenty, as will the slight nod to Jim the Fish present in the strip’s tantalising final panel.

If the seventh issue of Titan Comics’ ‘New Adventures With The Tenth Doctor’ saga is any indication, then in the case of the Weeping Angels, the eponymous pinstripe coat-wearing time traveller simply cannot catch a break. Thankfully, the character’s struggle to succeed in the face of overwhelming odds isn’t reflected in the text’s quality, since Part 2 of his second comic-book story arc – “The Weeping Angels of Mons” – easily maintains the momentum which its predecessor gained in terms of action, Hammer-esque horror set-pieces and (for the most part) a compelling set of secondary characters.

That said, before delving any further into how these elements combine to form one of the more memorable graphic adventures produced by Titan to date, it bears recognition that those aforementioned supporting players might irk some long-term Who fans given that half of their time seems to be spent inquiring as to what the mythology of the Weeping Angels entails, leading scribe Robbie Morrison to take the opportunity to throw in no shortage of exposition-laden lines of dialogue extracted near-directly from “Blink” and the Angels’ subsequent TV serials. For the scarce number of readers who picked Issue 7 up as a result of nothing more than mild curiosity as to what Doctor Who’s narratives centre on, Morrison’s approach will doubtless provoke a sigh of relief in that he ensures that knowledge of these silent antagonists’ backstory is anything but a prerequisite here, but one has to imagine given the show’s dual longevity and overwhelming popularity (at present, anyway) that most who shell out cash for these miniature tales will find themselves echoing this reviewer’s bemusement at the need for such heavy-handed call-backs to episodes gone by.

At the same time, it’s extremely encouraging to see that the odd instance of needless exposition – and the fairly uninspiring setting, though that’s more a product of the tale taking place in 1916 than anything else – barely detracts from the overall reading experience in the slightest. Whilst he doesn’t leave those who missed Part 1 of “Mons” to completely fend for themselves, Morrison certainly appears to appreciate the need for notably brief yarns such as these to get down to business sooner rather than later, hence his opting to only dwell but fleetingly upon the plight of two Great War soldiers who became stranded on a 19th Century steam-train last issue (in a turn of events which has tragic results this time around) before reuniting us with the Doctor, Gabby and their newfound accomplice Jamie Colquhon – whose all-too-familiar first name is naturally dealt with by the ever-nostalgic Time Lord in a humorous aside – as they discuss with medics, corporals and other officials (each of whom benefit hugely from some intricate characterisation in spite of the relatively constrained running time) how long their not-so-angelic pursuers have spent feasting on the temporal energy of displaced World War One veterans.

Had these exchanges formed the bulk of this (for the most part) gripping issue, then given its scribe’s evident talent for writing dialogue which mimics that of the TV show, few of us would likely have complained, but even so, a few action-packed chase sequences break up the dialogue-heavy scenes in an electrifying manner on a number of occasions. It is here where the series’ resident artist, Daniel Indro, comes into his own, not least by showcasing his ability to depict shattering windows, advancing statues, frustratingly erratic light-bulbs and an all manner of obstacles placed in the TARDIS crew’s path in such a way that one becomes wholly aware of both the immensely unique beauty of the comic-book as a form of pictorial literature and its development to a point where those with sufficient experience can render beloved characters in an uncannily realistic light. Whereas some might dispute the extent to which the Titan version of Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor resembles his on-screen counterpart, then, no such questions of representational fidelity need to be asked of Indro’s marvellously authentic take on Tennant’s incarnation or his persistent adversaries.

Even if viewed in isolation, these consistently impactful contributory elements would be considered worthy of plaudits in their own right, yet as they come together on the page, the readership must surely come to realise that both Morrison’s rapidly developing (in spite of its exposition and the familiarity of its premise) period narrative and Indro’s increasingly accomplished accompanying graphics work best by far in each other’s company. As a result, much as Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor appears to be making waves on TV screens across the globe nowadays, in the region of his comic-book escapades, he still seemingly has plenty of work to do if he’s to catch up with his spectacles-donning predecessor in the foreseeable future.

Bonus Humour Strips Mini-Reviews:

AJ treats us to a strip which pays homage to both the days of the First Doctor - via a subtle twist on his contemplation of what it's like to "touch the alien sand" - and the Tenth's encounter with the Vashta Nerada in 2008 with Shadows on the Pier. This innocent skit prioritises excessive dialogue over impressive visuals in order to get across its gags over the course of just six panels, yet does so with surprisingly effortless aplomb.

Rachel Smith's A Rose By Any Other Name, meanwhile, threatens to drive any reader whose tolerance for text language is limited close to insanity by throwing in non-words such as "soz" and "jeeez", but on the plus side, its lighthearted spin on how Tennant's Doctor might have spent his time post-"Doomsday" (when he wasn't busy getting a "Runaway Bride" to the church on time, of course). Although Smith - evidently an enthusiast of 1960s rock - might lose UK readers in namechecking Janis Joplin and needn't have included 'To Be Continued...' (a tag which will more than likely confuse newcomers to the strip) beneath the final panel, hers is a delightfully surreal contribution which only serves to strengthen the final product.

After a chilling pre-titles sequence set mere weeks into the First World War and featuring a pair of young British soldiers, this new story picks up again several years on during the Battle of the Somme. The Tenth Doctor and Gabriella Gonzalez are seemingly thrown into an all too familiar and haunting source of peril - following their somewhat bizarre first two escapades together. The TARDIS is quickly put out of commission by one of the more potent forms of artillery available in the early 20th century, and the Doctor sustains an injury that forces him to rely on his young friend's initiative and bravery. Although they manage to stay on the side of the battle where the British have control, their presence as casually dressed civilians is naturally viewed with suspicion. But the military trial system is the least of anyone'sworries as a terrifying foe that operates on time itself has come back to haunt the Doctor once again. 

The creative team has an overhaul in this new multi-part story for the Tenth Doctor and Gabby. Robbie Morrison who has been behind the recent Twelfth Doctor stories now gets to show his creativity with the iconic former incarnation of the Time Lord. Artist Daniel Indro makes his debut for Titan's Doctor Who line; his track record including famous characters 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'The Green Hornet'. For those drawn to this edition by the superlative cover it is worth clarifying that Tommy Lee Evans is the person responsible, but the overall standard in the main content is by no means inferior - just markedly different in style. 

Some enemies from Doctor Who are made just as intimidating in comic strip form as they in the parent TV format. I believe the Weeping Angels are one such successful translation. The sudden change of expression from any given panel to the next being distinctive and imposing. Even to this day they are arguably Steven Moffat's finest villainous creation. Just to recap on their unique style: a simple touch from any of the stone statues is enough to send a person back in time to live out the rest of their life, but sometimes in a manner which makes that remaining lifetime a cruel form of imprisonment. There is also the certainty that the victim never gets to meet anyone they cared for again in their 'normal' lifespan. Doubly obstructive is the Angels' capacity to turn to impervious stone when being observed, with any 'blink' allowing them to advance so much faster than a normal sentient being would in that fraction of a second. 

But while it is good to have the Angels back, it is somewhat more jarring to have such a change in style after two very successful stories that balanced darkness and light ably. This story is incredibly grim, and while that may be appropriate for the dark time that was the Great War, there is not even some black humour included as a concession. Some of the minor characters are not drawn terribly well and seem rather overshadowed by the premise and the setting. Still, the first person narration from Jamie - a British corporal - makes him by far the best original guest character. He seems astute enough to bond with his fellow soldiers and know their key attributes. Captain Fairbairn is serviceable also, if a little too routine in his mistrust of the Doctor and Gabby. Perhaps there is something more to him though that later instalments can offer? 

Another difficulty lies in distinguishing one uniformed character from another. There is not enough in terms of different builds or facial expressions at times. However, this is just the first instalment of four and perhaps this will be remedied as the plot allows for more back-story and idiosyncrasies to filter in. I also was a bit confused by the rather spiky dynamic between the Doctor and Gabby - which perhaps hints at some further story, or altercation in the TARDIS, which preceded these current events. But the cynic in me reckons that minimal communication between prior scribe Nick Abadzis and Morrison is just as likely. 

Despite all this, the reader is provided with a strong visual work overall, with backgrounds being consistently good, and the colouring suitably grey/brown for the most part. There have been better opening entries in the Tenth doctor series and also the other two Titan Who lines, but I cannot deny the potential for this story to go places and do something special. I have always been interested in historic wars, and regarded the Weeping Angels as first rank adversaries. With a bit more tweaking and clarity this story could still be one for the ages. 

Bonus Humour Strips: Rather in keeping with the main feature, these are just a touch below-par this month. 'To Heck and Back - Part Two' by AJ takes the decent opening and goes a little too far in defusing the original tension that featured when the Doctor took on the 'Beast' with the power of voice alone. The demonic entity seems to have morphed into a rather cuddlier type of alien and barely manages to make a dent when replying to a supremely confident Time Lord. The story ends up feeling pointless, and lacking the right brand of satire. 
The latest 'Rose By Any Other Name' - from writer/artist Rachael Smith - has still enjoyably vibrant art and a truly lovable feline protagonist to rival K9. But the conceit that this cat would liken human being Rose to any type of household pet simply evokes a raised eyebrow rather than a chuckle.

The Arts in Space Conclusion

The Doctor is in a very compromising situation, and seemingly outwitted by the trap that has been sprung by the disturbed apprentice of artist supremo Zhe Ikiyuyu - who may be lost now forever, Once again it is up to the latest companion onboard the TARDIS to try and save the situation, and thus protect all those who live on the unusual world of Ouloumos. Will Gabby be able to cope given just how alien the environment is compared to her native New York?

This is a very good story to show the multilayered personality that underlines the Tenth Doctor. Even in comparison with the solid first story in this series ('Revolutions of Terror') this really feels like an authentic portrayal on paper of Tennant's magnetic characterisation. The Time Lord is very assured but also quite concerned about the potential ramifications of the apprentice taking over the art zone. He has a quip or two always to hand, but appreciates that he perhaps was a little too late to help his good friend Zhe - such is the somewhat arbitrary nature of when and where the TARDIS lands.

The team behind this comic continue to chart a course of fine conceptualisation and execution. Abadzis knows how to balance plot, characterisation and overall continuity very well, and clearly has thought through his abundant ideas so that the key skill of firm storytelling is not lost along the way. The constant threat posed by the antagonist is certainly played just right: Zhe has become victim to her own amazing computations, with her apprentice now a creature that is strong enough to form a 'male' and 'female' persona in separate corporeal forms. This two-parter has lots of deliberate confusing moments, almost as if the readers themselves have turned up in an absurdist, surrealist and nightmarish world.

Yet with some solid exposition this state of bewilderment is not over done, and there is a clear sense of what is fundamentally going on as the story reaches a crescendo. Also effective is the gentle set-up for the next adventures to feature the Doctor and Gabby; potentially leaving space for a return to the world of Ouloumos and/or its inhabitants. Art work this time is almost all done in the 'main style', as used in issues 1 to 3 and some of issue 4 - Casagrande and Florea doing some fine work together. One excellent visual device is the variety of odd animated objects - particularly the butterfly lips that perhaps reveal a little too much of characters' inner secrets.

However one especially large panel by Florea does see a brief appearance of the diary sketches that Gabby is able to put down as she makes use of spare time in-between high-risk escapades. This perhaps means that the entire story is best read in a single sitting. The journal is the most overt way of portraying a youngster joie de vivre and relative lack of world weariness, and reflects just what is most needed by the Doctor. He is by this point time-and-space-weary; maybe owing to how late into his original life cycle of regenerations he has progressed. The fine artwork seems to be fully reflective of the heavy themes and topics of the art world in the story, and is arguably at the highest level of the series thus far. Of particular note is how clearly the various characters are drawn - with the apprentices being particularly well-done as sinister and yet somewhat sympathetic living entities. The variety of frame sizes and how much dialogue is utilised also shows the strong harmony the writer and artist for these comic books have generated together.

And there is a lot of subtext at work in this story, making it a lot more memorable and imposing than the somewhat run-around nature of 'Revolutions'. We are made to consider what it is like to see a world and its occupants from another perspective entirely. There are also emotive topics such as lacking belief in oneself and allowing isolation to cause a flawed decision making process. Overall this is another winner in a very consistent series.

**
Bonus strips this time round are following suit with the main features by forming multi-part stories. 'To Heck and Back' by AJ sees the apparent return of the Satan creature (from the 'Impossible Planet' story in Series 2 of the parent TV Show). Although it is quite an imposing figure, we are never in any doubt that the Doctor is up to the challenge of fending it off once again.
The latest entry in the 'Rose by Any Other Name' storyline - courtesy of Rachael Smith - is again quite amusing. The new cat onboard the TARDIS is playing up to the 'prima donna' stereotype, managing to dash the lofty dreams that the Doctor had in mind for it. This is a good mini-story with nice traditional artwork. Composition is solid and there are clear emotions on the faces of the characters which don't feel forced.

This new multi-part story takes place almost immediately after the end of 'Revolutions of Terror'. Gabriella Gonzalez has joined the Doctor for a one-off trip in the TARDIS; which of course will not turn out to be the case in practice. The Doctor saw something in Gabby’s courage and resourcefulness, and so allows another companion to join him. This despite the deep trauma of losing perfect pal Donna. The destination is a deliberate one as the Doctor wishes to introduce his New Yorker friend to 'Ouloumous' - a considerably more futuristic art gallery than the likes of the Guggenheim. The Time Lord has many acquaintances across the cosmos, and the visit is designed to lead to a reunion with mega-gifted artist Zhe; a being who can sing her works into existence, using the familiar device of block transfer computation (as seen in 1980s Doctor Who). After a comprehensive tour of the museum proper, a visit to Zhe's retreat is in order, and the real adventure and danger begins to show itself. Zhe appears to not be quite her normal self, and there are other beings present who seem to have a chip on their sculptured shoulders.

As with issues 1-3 artwork is consistently impressive and helps convey the story very well. But there is an added hook here as much of the story is told from Gabby’s point of view through the medium of her diary. Many sketches exist to portray her deepest thoughts and impressions concerning this remarkable change to her lifestyle. This serves the story by both making things refreshing, as well as broadening Gabby's character to include aspirations of being a comic illustrator one day in her own right. Well-judged humour abounds, and since the Tenth Doctor is so magnetic and engaging a new person's reaction to his many quirks is always going to be of interest.

Whilst many of us fans may be now quite familiar with the 'new recruit' on the TARDIS, it is worth remembering that as each person is unique, so their ability to adjust and appreciate the sights and sounds of the cosmos will be unique as well. Gabby is a clearly thoughtful and deep-thinking type and documents her perception of the animals, plant life, topography and even the sensations of an alien world's weather system. And somehow just as spellbinding for her is the Doctor's total relaxation at being somewhere so different to Earth. So what could just have been a gimmick ends up being a wonderfully creative way of adding to an already promising character. She has grown quickly in the short span of time since we saw her in the Laundromat, and is now pretty much outside of being subservient to her family - particularly her domineering patriarch.

The story itself regarding sinister beings using Zhe's shape-altering powers is solid but takes a back seat for much of this issue. Presumably this is to allow for more focus on plot and the requisite twists and turns in next month's installment. I regard Nick Abadzis as a man who really tells a story in an engaging manner, and he is clearly taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by the Doctor's vulnerability from the end of Series 4. Exposition is mostly delivered well, although if one were to be fussy there some self-indulgence with one or two sections of the gallery that the Doctor covers in his role of 'tour-guide' which adds little to proceedings. Tennant's on-screen interpretation shines througjh well, and I really can appreciate how carefully Titan have made sure each of the ongoing lines provides the right stories and material for the particular incarnation of the Doctor. Elena Casagrande’s art again impresses and the eeriness of being on a lunar landscape in the dark is perfect for the autumn release date of the comic. And when it comes to the journal written by Gabby, we can enjoy a rather different style of sketching, courtesy of secondary artist Florean’s own brand of illustration. As the icing on the cake there are some good subtle references to Classic Who - in addition to the strong reminder of Logopolis and Castrovalva's hard-sci-fi concepts. So another very enjoyable entry from Titan, and David Tennant fans will be well-catered for.

**
As with other issues, there are comedic bonus entries. Wardrobe Malfunction by AJ, features the Doctor trying on various costumes inbetween adventures; whilst A Rose by any other name, from Rachael Smith, concerns the iconic first modern day companion and a new spin on well-known Shakespeare text.