“Yesterday’s” Comic> Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #8

“You can’t be a party crasher. I’m not throwing a party.”

Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #8

IDW Publishing (July 2009)

“The Stockbridge Horror” part 1

reprints the strips in Doctor Who Monthly #70-72

WRITER/PENCILER/CO-INKER: Steve Parkhouse

CO-INKER: Paul Neary

EDITOR: Alan McKenzie

IDW COLORS: Charlie Kirchoff

IDW EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton

IDW DESIGNER: Amauri Osorio

The Doctor is surprised to read in the morning paper that the TARDIS was found in a quarry, but still finds it where he left it (although covered in clay). Then he’s attacked by a creature that can shoot fire from his palms and wants the power of the TARDIS for itself. Even the return of Shayde is no help. When the Doctor fights back, the creature decides to take him out.

What they got right: Steve takes on the dual role of writer and primary artist (he has help inking one to three of the 3 parts) and does a great job with both (although he seems to be missing the external “Police Box” writing on the TARDIS). The fire-spraying creature in the final panels work rather well for the period.

What they got wrong: When we first see it, however, he’s dressed in a hood and nothing else, which just looks weird. Also, I don’t know if it’s the inks or the added IDW coloring (not having seen the original, which was in black-and-white or the Marvel color if the US comic ever reprinted this storyline), but there are times the characters look over-shaded, if that explains what I’m thinking. It’s not that big a detraction, but it is a slight distraction at times.

Updated Thoughts: I’m wondering looking at it now that maybe the TARDIS in the quarry was found on its side and that’s why you didn’t see the lettering? However, going through it again it’s not on the front either, and neither is that notation on the door. It may just be the way the artist decided to draw it. There’s also a cute scene where the Doctor is trying to find out if the TARDIS had been running around without him, the computer keeps showing “negative” and the Doctor verbally asks if it’s lying. There’s an audio response with the comic’s “VWORP” sound that was neat. The TARDIS is usually treated more like a living being to a point than the show outside of that one Neil Gaiman episode. Also, we’re back in Stockbridge, a place the comics visit often.

Recommendation: I would love to see a current Doctor story by Parkhouse. Is he still alive and writing?