Adrian Tchaikovsky's The Final Architecture sci-fi series is taking a leap to the past with the upcoming prequel graphic novel Salvation's Child, and for fans of Doctor Who, there'll be a familiar face gracing the book's pages. Or a number of familiar faces, to be exact, all drawn from the same real-life person. Today, publishers Cosmic Lighthouse and Comixology have announced that Doctor Who star Sophie Aldred has lent her likeness to the graphic novel for the Partheni, an army of clone soldiers. We're thrilled to offer readers an exclusive first look at some of her characters below!
Fans of Doctor Who know Aldred best as Ace, a companion of Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor who appeared in the show from 1987 to 1989. She later returned as the character in the final episode featuring Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor in 2022. But she's also a seasoned hand when it comes to Tchaikovsky's work, having narrated all three of The Final Architecture audiobooks.
“What I have loved so much about narrating Adrian’s work is the vividness of the world he has created. The characters are so easy to imagine and finding voices for them, which is quite a responsibility, was a delight," she said.
The Final Architecture is Adrian Tchaikovsky's Hugo Award-nominated series that includes Shards of Earth, Eyes of the Void, and Lords of Uncreation. The prequel book will be the multi-award-winning author's debut graphic novel, as well as the inaugural release from Cosmic Lighthouse, a new company formed by Hugo-nominated editor Lee Harris and acclaimed comic and TV writer Paul Cornell. Salvation's Child is slated to release in summer 2026, and will be available digitally from Amazon's Comixology Originals.
"The chance to revisit this universe in a new medium is an incredible opportunity," Tchaikovsky said in a statement earlier this year. "I'm grateful that Paul [Cornell], Comixology, and Cosmic Lighthouse have given me this opportunity to return to the Architects and look at parts of the setting the original books didn't get the chance to linger on. Working with the artistic team has been an exciting experience and I think together we've created something really special."
Renowned artist Mike Collins provided the artwork for the book. He's previously worked on a number of well-known series, including Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Flash, Teen Titans, and X-Men. He's also created storyboards for TV and film for series like Doctor Who, Good Omens, and His Dark Materials. It's obvious from his artwork that he's a seasoned hand at genre artwork, and a fantastic match for Tchaikovsky's imaginative storytelling. Salvation's Child also features colors by Pippa Bowland, letters by Simon Bowland, a cover by Steve Stone, and is edited by Cosmic Lighthouse Editor-in-Chief Paul Cornell.
The Final Architecture is an epic sci-fi saga that sees humanity brought to the bring of extinction by the Architects, massive space-faring entities capable of destroying entire planets. Salvation's Child dials back the clock to before Idris Telemmier and the Vulture God crew's desperate attempt to save humanity. In the graphic novel, the Architects have already torn the Earth apart and reworked it to better suit their vision for the universe, and stand as a grave threat to every colony world. But one small child may hold the key to sensing their approach.
More details for Salvation's Child are slowly coming to light, but for now, we have our first real look at Sophie Aldred's Partheni clone soldiers. And it's enough to give a chilling first impression:
“When I was sent the first peek of myself as many different characters who all bear my (mostly much younger!) face, it was overwhelming and brilliant in equal measure," Aldred said. "Mike has such a talent for likenesses, and I’m honoured to be drawn as the whole of the Partheni! His world is very much as I imagined it in my head.”
Salvation's Child will release in the summer of 2026. For fans of The Final Architecture, this is going to be a massive treat that delves deeper into a series that has captured readers the world over. And for Whovians who may just now be hearing about Tchaikovsky's sci-fi books, you can jump right into the story today with Shards of Earth to get ready for Aldred's debut in the book next year.