Doctor Who: Prisoners Of Time #9
Written by Scott Tipton and David Tipton
Art by David Messina, Giorgia Sposito, and ScarletGothica
Covers by Francesco Francavilla, Dave Sim, Charlie Kirchoff
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 2, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Entering into the new era of Doctor Who, Prisoners Of Time centers on the Christopher Eccleston Doctor, and his companion Rose – in a standalone adventure that would have made a great television episode. But more importantly, we finally get some answers in this chapter, including the identity of the previously unknown nemesis that has been kidnapping the companions of all the Doctor’s incarnations.

Sometime after the Doctor’s first visit to Satellite 5 and before his return to it, he takes Rose to the Grand and Glorious Monument to Drake Ayelbourne of Altair VII. Suggested to be the wealthiest human in the galaxy, the Doctor claims the man dwarfs the likes of Bill Gates, Howard Hughes, and Scrooge McDuck combined.

But while the monument itself is impressive, deep below Rose is kidnapped by the real Drake Ayelbourne – and when the Doctor finds them both, he has some serious questions: specifically how Ayelbourne has been able to live 150 years beyond his death and still look young. With his soul still tormented by the after effects of the Time War, though starting to cool because of his grounding from Rose, the Doctor must act, but it may put them both in peril.

The writing of the ninth issue of Prisoners of Time continues to be of a high standard, and though Rose’s attractiveness is overplayed in this issue with a plot element that’s been overused in many stories ("If I can’t have her, then no-one will!"), it is made up for by the major nemesis’ revelation at the end of the issue.

While many may have predicted who the overarching villain was, the revelation was no less spectacular than the Writers Tipton could have planned.

It’s an outstanding moment, and truly makes me wish that it were possible to turn this entire series into a televised event. The BBC need to get some animators on this right now!!

The depictions of Rose and the Doctor are fantastic, perfect renderings of their personalities directly from the television series. Many writers struggle with being to translate this across to comic book media, but it is done exceptionally well in this series. Their chemistry is as electric on the page as it is on the screen, and the speech style and mannerisms of the Eccleston Doctor are nailed perfectly.

The artwork is similarly brilliant. With David Messina and Giorgia Sposito taking over the visual duties with this issue, they have picked up an element from earlier chapters that has worked well: go for good likenesses, but don’t be afraid to integrate your own style and form.

The mix is electric, delivering an immersive feel throughout. The colors are of major importance in this issue too, with ScarletGothica taking on this duty, delivering an important element that enhances the emotional state of the standalone baddie for this installment.

The ongoing story is clearly coming to a head, and now that we’re on the home stretch and that the identity of the nemesis finally uncovered, I’m a little saddened that it will be coming to an end soon. Prisoners of Time has been an outstanding event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, but it truly has become an epic comic event of 2013. This series continues to be a must-read.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5