As we approach the 50th anniversary of the longest running Science Fiction show in television history, more and more adventures with the original Doctors are making their way to the forefront. For someone who was introduced to the realm of the Doctor with the newer seasons (known as NuWho), this wave of reminiscence allows me to really get in touch with the originals. Scott and David Tipton add to the excitement by bringing us a story of the the Third incarnation of the Doctor.
The story begins sometime in the sixties, with Dr. Liz Shaw asking for the Doctor to come assist. The Brigadier, normally bossy but not insane, has been ordering UNIT’s (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) troops into various locations with seemingly no rhyme or reason. Her concerns pay off when the Doctor discovers that the Brigadier is under the influence of an intergalactic parasite named a Remoraxian. With the assistance of Liz Shaw and his companion Sarah Jane Smith, the Doctor helps free the Brigadier of the parasite and begins a quest to rescue the planet from the invasion of the creatures. With set backs from president Nixon and the CIA, the story is peppered with campy 1960’s concerns, the threat of nuclear war, and the underlying tensions between the United States and Great Britain.
Mike Collins’ artwork has a particular 1960’s flair to it. He keeps in touch with the hairstyles and outfits of the time period, as well as keeping true to form for the recognizable face of the Third Doctor. The coloration is bright in regards to the 1960’s style clothing worn by Liz Shaw and Sarah Jane Smith, yet able to keep the drab look of the military for the Brigadier.
Fans of Dr. Liz Shaw, the Brigadier and beloved Sarah Jane Smith will find themselves delighted with a wonderful story line and a brief trip down memory lane. For newer fans of the show, the issue provides and insight into the earlier days of their Doctor. I look forward to more of these delightful flashbacks as we approach November 23, 2013.
