Customer Reviews
High whimsy and science fantasy - By: S. Bentley, 28 Oct 2007 
It's been commented that the writer of the Fifth Doctor comic strips wasn't much for viewing the TV show, & it does show. Whereas the Fifth Doctor's TV stories were mostly played highly seriously without the whimsy of the Tom Baker era, the stories in this collection are much more a Lewis Carroll kind of science fiction. Demons try to take over the universe by taking control of a hammond organ that can control the nature of time & is beaten by a magic sword. A giant frog not unlike Baron Silas Greenback in his choice of wardrobe is a ruthless businessman. None of the TV companions appear, which was standard for the time, but the Doctor does get a couple of interesting companions in a WW2 soldier & Sir Justin.
And it's quite good fun. There's some art by comics legend Dave Gibbons, some by Steve Dillon, more famous now for Preacher & some by less well known names, who aren't quite a match for the first two but still very readable. It's strong work that avoids the exaggerations of the super hero genre. All art is black & white, save for a spread by Dave, which is reproduced in colour inside the cover. But this is from the time when artists were drawing to be shown in black & white, so this is not a deficiency.
The volume also introduces some big additions to the comic strip mythology, particularly Shayde, agent of Rassilon, who will have a part to play in the Eighth Doctor comic strips.
I wouldn't say that you'll sit there & say, oh! it's just like watching the show, but as a different take on good old Pete's time as the Doctor it's very interesting & well worth a read.
Mostly hits, but some misses... - By: A Reader, 03 Dec 2006 This is the third Doctor Who "graphic novel"(actuallly a series of six linked stories), covering the fifth Doctor's reign.The stories are well illustrated, especiallly the first two, drawn by the venerable Dave Gibbons.
The stories were written by Steve Parkhouse, who apparently didn't care much for the T.V. version. This could be a strength,but it could also be a weakness.
The first story is the acclaimed "Tides of Time".This is a true epic, taking the Doctor & his companion Sir Justin across time as they battle the demon Melanicus, who is engineering a galaxy-devastating war.The fertility of the writer's imagination is amazing-on almost every page there's a new concept or plot twist.The next story,"Stars fell on Stockbridge",about a likeable UFO spotter, is both humourous & scary at the same time.
Unfortunately,"The Stockbridge Horror", centring on a malevolent fire elemental, descends from a promising beginning to an unsatisfying ending full of loose ends."Lunar Lagoon" is better, a poignant WWII story where the Doctor meets a Japanese soldier
in the Pacific."4-Dimensional Vistas" is the worst story,featuring the return of enemies from the TV show, & a muddled plot with dull cliffhangers.This story also features SAG3, a UNIT or Torchwood style group with psychic powers-an interesting idea that wasn't used to its full potential.
However,the final story,"The Moderator" is a fitting end to the series.
It's somewhat similar to the TV story "The Caves of Androzani",-both feature an evil businessman,a masked villain & chases through caverns.
Featuring action,wit (one of the Doctor's jibes made me laugh out loud!) & tragedy,it's neglected gem.
As a bonus,the book also features an okay Tom Baker strip.
So,despite the two stinkers, this is a good collection of comics.Recommended.
Eoin Philpott.
