Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #3
Written by Scott & David Tipton
Art by Mike Collins
Colors by Charlie Kirchof
Cover Artwork by Francesco Francavilla
IDW Publishing
Publication Date: March 20, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The 50th anniversary celebrations by IDW for Doctor Who resume in the third issue of Prisoners of Time – a series that is getting better with each issue, with this one focusing on Jon Pertwee‘s portrayal of the Third Doctor. Writers Scott and David Tipton have made yet a further chapter that tops the previous edition and I cannot emphasize enough how much I recommend this noteworthy series.

Each issue of Prisoners of Time focuses in on one incarnation of the Doctor, to close with a 12th issue in which all presumably join forces. The Doctor is plagued by the kidnapping of his companions from each of his major eras, from an unseen (or rather now, unknown) enemy. While this is the story arc, each chapter focuses on an adventure that beautifully represents that specific Doctor’s era with much respect and reverence.

For the Jon Pertwee Third Doctor issue, we find the Doctor back in his UNIT days in 1974. He comes with Sarah Jane Smith, one of the most memorable companions of all time; as the Doctor is also reunited with a former companion from the same era, Liz Shaw. Having been summoned to UNIT in an extraordinary emergency during a thundering deluge of rain, the Doctor finds Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart acting irrationally and ordering troop movements that make no sense whatsoever.

Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #2
Written by Scott & David Tipton
Art by Lee Sullivan
Colors by Phil Elliott
Cover Artworks by Phil Elliott, Francesco Francavilla, Lee Sullivan
IDW Publishing
Release Date: February 27, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

The intriguing and enjoyable IDW series commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, Prisoners of Time, continues with the second issue focusing on the second incarnation of the Doctor, originally portrayed by Patrick Troughton, with his most memorable companions Zoe Heriot and Jamie McCrimmon. The solid writing from the debut issue not only continues with this follow-up, but is markedly improved with some absolutely brilliant artwork that also tops the previous chapter.

With the debut chapter of Prisoners of Time, we were introduced to the concept of the anniversary series: one issue on each Doctor, and a final 12th issue to bring it all to a riveting conclusion. Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #2 the Doctor with his companions materialize in a store that specializes in selling Police Boxes”¦ a store that sells Police Boxes in outer space! The ridiculous premise echoes elements of modern Doctor Who as well as Troughton’s era, which truly grabs your concentration immediately.

Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #1
Written by Scott & David Tipton
Art by Simon Fraser
Colors by Gary Caldwell
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 30, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Fantastic! Grab your bow ties, scarves, recorders, celery sticks, and sonic screwdrivers for some wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey lunacy: 2013 is going to be a squall of a year for Whovians. Being the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, aside from the broadcast plans from the BBC, there are bound to be a variety of other celebrations in a range of media for us all to sop up. And IDW are jumping on the celebratory TARDIS with their special series for the anniversary, entitled Prisoners of Time.

Ostensibly a limited series that will eventually include every single incarnation of the Doctor, Prisoners of Time #1 begins with the inevitable nemesis, shrouded in darkness and hidden from our view, drawing his/her designs against the Time Lord. Meanwhile or later or yesterday or after breakfast or whenever, the First Doctor arrives at the Royal College of Surgeons in London in 1868, with his three companions.