Today’s Comic> Doctor Who Classics S3 #3

"Hmmm, I wonder where Frobisher went to?"

Doctor Who Classics Series 3 #3

IDW Publishing (May 2010)

(originally presented in Doctor Who Magazine #95-97)

While searching for Astrolabus, the Doctor and Frobisher come upon the Time Lord’s old friend Dr. Asimov (not the author, an alien umm…sci-fi author named Ivan), who is trying to free a creature called a Zyglot from captivity. Our heroes learn that Astrolabus is involved in the situation. While they are able to free the Zyglot, Astrolabus escapes and kidnaps Frobisher in the bargin.

What they got right: I like when the comic brings back old friends of the Doctor, something the TV show didn’t (or possibly couldn’t) do as often, outside of reoccurring enemies. The Astrolabus story is going to go on for a while, much like the “Key to Time” or “Black Guardian” arcs of the TV series, and that works here.

What they got wrong: I just checked the black-and-white reprints from Panini, and while there is some extra shading in the artwork, it’s not at the levels Kirchoff often employs, where it sometimes comes off as overshading for the artwork (designed to be in black and white). It’s not horrible, but a little too noticeable.

Recommendation: If you haven’t caught these stories before, now is a good time to. Parkhouse’s run was some of the best of the magazine comics.

Tomorrow’s Comic> Superman/Batman Annual #4, finally a comic with the potential for a “Best Scene” nomination.