Comics - Doctor Who: Once Upon A Time Lord: Exploring time and space through comics

By Mulder, 07 november 2023

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic Doctor Who series, a comic book adaptation starring the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) is now available. Directed by the renowned Eisner Award winner Dan Slott, famous for his work on Spider-Man, this comic offers a lively continuation of the Doctor's temporal adventures, captivating not only an existing audience, but also a cosmic threat.

Doctor Who is much more than just a TV series. It's a cultural phenomenon in the UK and around the world, whose appeal has been sustained through the decades by its unique ability to reinvent itself. The concept of the Doctor, a Time Lord capable of changing his appearance, offers unprecedented narrative flexibility, keeping the series fresh and relevant.

Now, this TV icon is propelled into the world of comics by BLACK RIVER, a publishing house specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror. This comic book adaptation offers a fascinating dive into the Whoniverse, exploring new tales while remaining true to the spirit of the series.

In Doctor Who: Once Upon A Time Lord, Martha Jones, the Doctor's traveling companion, finds herself the captive of the dreaded Pyromeths. Her only hope of survival lies in her ability to entertain these creatures by telling them three stories about the Doctor. Thus begins a captivating adventure, in which each tale reveals a different aspect of the temporal hero.

The comic is divided into two main stories: Firelight and Rhyme Or Reason. Both explore the art of storytelling, a central theme that fits perfectly into the complex Doctor Who universe. Firelight features Martha Jones, deftly playing with the Scheherazade trope, where her life depends on her storytelling skills. Meanwhile, Rhyme Or Reason offers a lighter adventure featuring the Ninth Doctor and Rose, with a particular emphasis on linguistic play to outwit opponents.

Dan Slott demonstrates a deep respect for the Doctor Who universe through his writing. The characters, particularly the Tenth Doctor and Martha, are faithfully portrayed, perfectly capturing their essence as established in the TV series. The sub-story with the Ninth Doctor also offers a breath of fresh air, while remaining consistent with the overall narrative.

Artistically, the illustrations by Christopher Jones, Matthew Dow Smith and Mike Collins enrich the reading experience. The contrasts between the different artistic styles add depth to the stories and captivate the reader's attention. However, the transition from one artist to the next can sometimes disrupt narrative cohesion for some readers.

Doctor Who: Once Upon A Time Lord is a must-read for die-hard fans of the series, and an excellent introduction for newcomers. This graphic novel celebrates the legacy of the Tenth Doctor through innovative storytelling and dynamic art. With its thrilling storytelling and captivating exploration of the Whoniverse, this comic book adaptation perfectly embodies the essence of Doctor Who: adventure, humor and the timeless struggle against cosmic forces of evil. Whether you're a fervent fan of the series or simply eager to discover new temporal adventures, this comic deserves a place in your collection.

Synopsis: 
Martha Jones, the Doctor's traveling companion, has been captured by the dread Pyromeths, and her only hope of survival is to distract them with three sensational tales of the Doctor facing his deadliest enemies.

Doctor Who: Once Upon A Time Lord
Author: Dan Slott
Illustrators: Christopher Jones, Matthew Dow Smith, Mike Collins
72 pages - Comics - 16.90 euros 
Available on Amazon and in most bookshops.