"Santa robots. Why is it always Santa robots? Well, except for the angel robots. Or Cybermen. Or that time..."
Doctor Who Vol 2. #12
IDW Publishing (December, 2011)
WRITER: Tony Lee (final issue as writer) ARTIST: Paul Grist COLORIST: Phil Elliott PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE: Shawn Lee EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton COVER “A” (shown): Mark Buckingham (artist) and Charlie Kirchoff (colorist) COVER “B” is a photo cover and the comic artists did the “retailer incentive” cover
With Rory and Amy not around, the Doctor heads for the beach…and ends up at the North Pole. There he teams with Santa Claus to battle robots trying to steal his toys (and a working rocket launcher). When the reindeer are hurt, the Doctor offers the use of his TARDIS to make all the deliveries this year.
What they got right: I realize that the comiXology version of this review doesn’t have my synopsis, but let’s make the important part clear: the Doctor teams with Santa at the start of the wonderful craziness. This alone should be enough for you to buy there. If that doesn’t do it for you, then how about the fact that this is Tony Lee’s last issue on the series, he’s shown the ability to take an idea that’s been done before and make it work. There is no dialog (except a moment where the Doctor breaks the fourth wall to wish the readers a Merry Christmas), which just makes the story even better, and still manages to feel like I read a full comic. Finally, Rory finally gets a bit of respect even though he’s not in the issue.
What they got wrong: Where DID Amy and Rory go anyway? Also, no goodbye message from Lee at the end of the story.
Recommendation: Tony Lee leaves the series with a great Christmas present for fans. Definitely get this. And to Mr. Lee, thank you for some of the best Doctor Who comics I’ve ever read, all the way back to “The Forgotten”. I’ll judge new writer Joshua Hale Fialkov on his own merits but he has some big shoes to fill.
Like I'd be able to pick ONE Santa moment?
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