Writer: Nick Abadzis
Artist: Elena Casagrande
Ink Assistant: Michelle Pasta

Colour: Arianna Florean
Publisher:  Titan Comics
On Sale: Wednesday 10th June 2015

The Book: New Yorkers Cindy and Gabby have a falling out after Gabby’s homecoming after her recent adventures with the Doctor – as an ancient artefact from the centre of the universe, a rogue Black Ops organisation, and a secret auction conspire to cause galaxy-shattering chaos!

I’ve said before that Nick Abadzis has captured the tone of the Tenth Doctor’s on screen adventures well in this book, and this latest issue continues to the same high standards, with some lovely touches (the TARDIS phone app, the sonic screw driver’s “self defence” mode) that add to the fun. Most importantly, Nick further develops his ongoing companion character and neatly outlines protagonists and allies in style.

While the artefact auction is an idea that’s been used in Doctor Who stories before (most recently in Doctor Who Magazine, when the Doctor lost his TARDIS to a secret bidder), the story doesn’t dwell on that aspect (although there are seed laid, potentially, for further exploration) and quickly sees the Doctor and Cleo track down the buyer of a dangerous item, although things, as you’d expect, don’t go as the Doctor perhaps hoped – and certainly not on such a wonderful cliffhanger (no spoilers).

Elena Casagrande continues to deliver some enjoyable art, although I’d argue she does tend to favour the use of mid figures and on occasion, her characters unecessarily ‘crowd’ a panel (such as in scenes where UNIT soldiers make an appearance). That said, the scenes with Gabby and Cindy are exquisite, unhampered, unlike the ‘Doctor’ scenes, by the need to ensure David Tennant’s likeness is captured (which I feel she does well).

Overall, an enjoyable scene setter, some entertaining new cast members and, as I said, a terrific cliffhanger. Worth checking (but don’t read the book from the back!)