Today’s Comic> Doctor Who #9

"Use the force, Luke."

Doctor Who #9

IDW Publishing (March 2010)

WRITER: Tony Lee

ARTIST: Blair Shedd

COLORIST: Charlie Kirchoff

LETTERER: Robbie Robins

EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton

COVER “A”: Paul Grist (art) and Phil Elliott (colorist)

COVER “B” (shown): Blair Shedd

Three kids stumble upon a dead man being absorbed by a tree. UNIT calls in Martha Jones (now a freelancer) and the Doctor, who is given “aid” by a man who claims to be part of a special group of horticulturalists. He is actually in league with the cause of this mess–and thanks to tricking the Doctor, she’s been set free!

What they got right: Even with the “A” plot, Tony hasn’t forgotten his “B” plot, which also fits into this story seamlessly. (One of the few things I give Davies credit for in the TV series.) I may not get a lot of the references here, like the designers of Greenwich Park, where the story takes place, but that’s never stopped me from enjoying the TV version, and Tony does try to help out us Americans when he can. What I really like is the art. While not the best of the comic series, it’s rather good–sort of a cartoon feel to it.

What they got wrong: However, I do wish they’d pick an artist and stick with them. My choice would be Kelly Yates, the fill-in artist for a few issues of Doctor Who: The Forgotten or Al Williamson from the first arc of the ongoing. But changing artists every arc is getting old.

Recommendation: Have I chased you off any of the DW comics, much less a Tony Lee-written one? I’m not starting now.

You would think after that whole Gelth business, the Doctor would have learned by now!

Tomorrow’s Comic: Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #61