REVIEW: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #3 (Comic Book)

"“Tell me Time Lord, how do you exist?”"

There’s a dramatic moment in the third issue of Titan‘s Ninth Doctor miniseries that I thought was extremely well done. While in the middle of a battle between the two warring factions in this story, the Doctor is apparently killed. Of course, we aren’t worried because we know he will survive. However, the closeup on Rose when she thinks the Doctor has been killed was captured beautifully by artist Blair Shedd. The Doctor’s supposed demise paralleled Rose’s own apparent death in ‘Bad Wolf.’ The ability to make the reader feel worry when the outcome is already known is a tremendous feat, one that Shedd and writer Paul Cornell masterfully achieve.

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The Doctor of course ends up being merely transported to a sub-dimensional void where he comes face-to-face with the leader of the Unon. The character of Arnora, the Mother Empress of the Unon shapes up to be a fantastic foil for the Doctor. We finally get some information regarding what is happening. Arnora states that the Unon are attempting to cleanse the universe from the damage caused by the Time War. Besides being able to exist in a void, she is also able to enter the Doctor’s mind, which can never bode well. Meanwhile, Rose and Jack learn that they only have a few minutes before the time bubble bursts that is holding back a giant supernova that will vaporize everyone.

This series continues to deliver, providing a story that could easily fit into televised Doctor Who while providing fantastic visuals that only a comic book could deliver. Cornell’s characterization of the Ninth Doctor is at its best in this issue, with great dialogue that fits this incarnation. The Doctor manages to be playful while still taking matters seriously. I thought Arnora made a fantastic villian and am eager to see what she does next. If this isn’t enough to entice you, then perhaps the cameo by two other Doctors will.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this series, or of the Titan line in general. Sound off below!

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