Writer: Nick Abadzis Artist: Elena Casagrande
Ink Assistant: Michelle Pasta
Layout Assistant: Giorgia Sposito
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!
The Review: Eisner award-winningNick Abadzis (2000AD, Laika) with art by Elena Casagrande (Angel, Suicide Risk) lay out all the strands of a new tale of the Tenth Doctor set
in New York, with the Tenth Doctor investigating an auction of alien artefacts (meeting an armed and dangerous, quirky ‘collector’ going by the name of Cleo) and Gabby trying to make up with her old friend.
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).
The Doctor gatecrashes a very unique auction in downtown New York.
A new friend – or foe? The Doctor meets Cleo for the first time
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!)
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.