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geekwayne's review
3.0
Doctor Who is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, and this is one of many projects that are celebrating that. It's a television show that has cleverly survived by building in a feature for it's main character to turn into different actors over the years and yet remain the same character.
Like a few of the other nostalgic tributes, it's a trip back in time (pun somewhat intended) to visit previous doctors, companions, etc. This means it isn't a very good starting place as a new fan to the show because there are lots of nods to 50 years of history, actors and actresses, etc. It also suffers a bit because the story arc isn't complete (hence the "Volume 1" in the title). Additionally each issue features one Doctor (and companions), so the flow between issues feels a bit sudden.
But for those with some familiarity with the characters, it's great to see old friends (and enemies). The art by Simon Fraser and Lee Sullivan doesn't focus on exact photo realism, but more of a comic, cartoon style that still brings the characters to life. I'm curious to know how the series will continue and roll more of the story arc in.
Like a few of the other nostalgic tributes, it's a trip back in time (pun somewhat intended) to visit previous doctors, companions, etc. This means it isn't a very good starting place as a new fan to the show because there are lots of nods to 50 years of history, actors and actresses, etc. It also suffers a bit because the story arc isn't complete (hence the "Volume 1" in the title). Additionally each issue features one Doctor (and companions), so the flow between issues feels a bit sudden.
But for those with some familiarity with the characters, it's great to see old friends (and enemies). The art by Simon Fraser and Lee Sullivan doesn't focus on exact photo realism, but more of a comic, cartoon style that still brings the characters to life. I'm curious to know how the series will continue and roll more of the story arc in.
mxsallybend's review
4.0
As an old-school Doctor Who fan who grew up with Tom Baker, I've been thoroughly enjoying the excitement leading up to the 50th anniversary. We got something similar a long time ago in The Five Doctors (celebrating 20 years), but with some recasting and stock footage necessary to bring it about. It was 'neat' but certainly nothing like what we're seeing now.
Anyway, that brings us to Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 by Scott and David Tipton. It's tough to review the basic storyline, since the ARC only represents the first three issues (there are five in the published edition) of a longer miniseries, but it was more than enough to excite me and make me feel nostalgic. It all begins with a mysterious villain, surveying the long history of Doctors on a wall of monitors, and laying his plans to bring them down through their companions.
In terms of artwork, I thought the three issues looked great. They immediately captured the look and feel of those classic episodes, with Doctors and companions instantly recognizable. The monsters are left deliberately cheesy, evoking memories of low budget special effects from long ago, which is just how I like them. In terms of action, these are exciting pieces, with a lot going on - so much so that they feel a little bit rushed.
If I had one complaint about the opening issues, that sense of being rushed would be it, but I understand we have a lot of Doctors to revisit . . . and a lot of companions to remove from the stage. These three stories are interesting, reminiscent of the classic storylines, with some great historical celebrities involved. I am really curious how they'll all come together, and whether the Doctors will necessarily meet in order to resolve the end-game, and that's all you can really ask.
Whereas so many comic adaptations have left me disapointed and wanting more, I quite enjoyed Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 and am looking forward to Volume 2 in September.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Anyway, that brings us to Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 by Scott and David Tipton. It's tough to review the basic storyline, since the ARC only represents the first three issues (there are five in the published edition) of a longer miniseries, but it was more than enough to excite me and make me feel nostalgic. It all begins with a mysterious villain, surveying the long history of Doctors on a wall of monitors, and laying his plans to bring them down through their companions.
In terms of artwork, I thought the three issues looked great. They immediately captured the look and feel of those classic episodes, with Doctors and companions instantly recognizable. The monsters are left deliberately cheesy, evoking memories of low budget special effects from long ago, which is just how I like them. In terms of action, these are exciting pieces, with a lot going on - so much so that they feel a little bit rushed.
If I had one complaint about the opening issues, that sense of being rushed would be it, but I understand we have a lot of Doctors to revisit . . . and a lot of companions to remove from the stage. These three stories are interesting, reminiscent of the classic storylines, with some great historical celebrities involved. I am really curious how they'll all come together, and whether the Doctors will necessarily meet in order to resolve the end-game, and that's all you can really ask.
Whereas so many comic adaptations have left me disapointed and wanting more, I quite enjoyed Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 and am looking forward to Volume 2 in September.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
eoghann's review
2.0
Graphic novels and comic books of movie or television properties are challenging to do well. The first problem they face is a comparison of the visuals to the established look of the characters. Then they have to find a story that justifies its telling without getting in the way of the core story lines of the show/movie. It's difficult to do well and there are a lot of examples of it being done very, very badly.
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 is the first part of what is intended to be a big 50th Anniversary story that will feature all 11 Doctors and some of their most popular companions. What that actually means in the case of this first volume is that we get stand alone stories for the first, second and third Doctors. At the end of which the Doctor's companions mysteriously vanish.
It's not a terribly original plot idea but the bigger problem is that what we're actually left with is three very average unconnected stories. In each case they do feel like the sort of thing that Doctor would have been involved in. But there's very little tension at all. They're simple scenarios featuring previous enemies that are then easily resolved. They certainly don't give me any reason to care about the larger story.
As far as the art is concerned the quality varies significantly. In the first story it is functionally adequate. It's not particularly detailed but the characters are recognizable for who they are supposed to be although there are a few expressions that look odd. It's not particularly dynamic though and while it tells the story it honestly doesn't add much to it. The likenesses are better in the second story but it still feels very flat. The best artwork in the series so far comes from the third story which does capture the look of that era quite well.
So it's supposed to be a celebration, but in truth it comes across as a series of capable but uninspired short stories with very little tying them together. For something that's supposed to be special... it's just not that special.
If the rating was available I'd give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. It's not bad, it's just not what I'd call good.
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1 is the first part of what is intended to be a big 50th Anniversary story that will feature all 11 Doctors and some of their most popular companions. What that actually means in the case of this first volume is that we get stand alone stories for the first, second and third Doctors. At the end of which the Doctor's companions mysteriously vanish.
It's not a terribly original plot idea but the bigger problem is that what we're actually left with is three very average unconnected stories. In each case they do feel like the sort of thing that Doctor would have been involved in. But there's very little tension at all. They're simple scenarios featuring previous enemies that are then easily resolved. They certainly don't give me any reason to care about the larger story.
As far as the art is concerned the quality varies significantly. In the first story it is functionally adequate. It's not particularly detailed but the characters are recognizable for who they are supposed to be although there are a few expressions that look odd. It's not particularly dynamic though and while it tells the story it honestly doesn't add much to it. The likenesses are better in the second story but it still feels very flat. The best artwork in the series so far comes from the third story which does capture the look of that era quite well.
So it's supposed to be a celebration, but in truth it comes across as a series of capable but uninspired short stories with very little tying them together. For something that's supposed to be special... it's just not that special.
If the rating was available I'd give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. It's not bad, it's just not what I'd call good.
jhstack's review
3.0
Each issue so far reads like one of each Doctor's adventures, and while the overarching event is hinted at bit by bit, I could do with a little more momentum. And the inclusion of issue 4, because why release a graphic novel with only 3 issues?
ciska's review
3.0
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Review
I do not watch Dr. Who. I had heard about the serie in the past and obviously when it returned I heard a lot of people being so happy. I am not a real Science Fiction person or time travel or scary aliens. Still all the hype surrounding Dr Who made me curious and when I found this comic on Netgally I decided to give it a try and see what it was all about, especially after someone told me you did not have to be a Whovian to get the stories.
The book holds three short comics that are slowly building up to a greater plot. Though that is obvious from the beginning I felt they could have made a bit more of an effort to make the stories more interesting. They feel a bit rushed as if they are building up to a plot but something has to happen so we throw in an alien or two and the Doctor has to fight them and we can move on to the next story.
The art itself was various. The first story had a different illustrator and I did not really like those. The images where to vague. I like details more. The other two stories had images I liked better.
I do feel the comic gave me a proper introduction to Doctor Who and in I very much appreciated getting more of an insight of what it is.
Review
I do not watch Dr. Who. I had heard about the serie in the past and obviously when it returned I heard a lot of people being so happy. I am not a real Science Fiction person or time travel or scary aliens. Still all the hype surrounding Dr Who made me curious and when I found this comic on Netgally I decided to give it a try and see what it was all about, especially after someone told me you did not have to be a Whovian to get the stories.
The book holds three short comics that are slowly building up to a greater plot. Though that is obvious from the beginning I felt they could have made a bit more of an effort to make the stories more interesting. They feel a bit rushed as if they are building up to a plot but something has to happen so we throw in an alien or two and the Doctor has to fight them and we can move on to the next story.
The art itself was various. The first story had a different illustrator and I did not really like those. The images where to vague. I like details more. The other two stories had images I liked better.
I do feel the comic gave me a proper introduction to Doctor Who and in I very much appreciated getting more of an insight of what it is.
old_tim's review
3.0
With the impending 50th anniversary of Doctor Who we are being treated to a variety of special treats celebrating the long history of the Doctor in his various regenerations. This limited series is part of that celebratory overview.
Its premise is intriguing, if rather bold. Each incarnation of the Doctor will have an adventure. Each adventure will be connected, forming an overall story arc.
This first volume contains the first three issues of the series, featuring each of the first three doctors. So far there is no obvious connective thread between the stories, except for the disappearance of the companions.
I’m no expert on the early incarnations of the Doctor, but the characterization of each seems to fit with what I know of each Doctor—the grandfatherly first Doctor, the weird second Doctor, the James Bond third Doctor.
Overall this volume is a bit difficult to evaluate. Since the storylines haven’t really come together, it’s difficult to tell where this series is going. Only three issues in a collection seem more than a bit slight, my preference would have been for the series to be collected as a whole, or divided into two volumes at most.
Its premise is intriguing, if rather bold. Each incarnation of the Doctor will have an adventure. Each adventure will be connected, forming an overall story arc.
This first volume contains the first three issues of the series, featuring each of the first three doctors. So far there is no obvious connective thread between the stories, except for the disappearance of the companions.
I’m no expert on the early incarnations of the Doctor, but the characterization of each seems to fit with what I know of each Doctor—the grandfatherly first Doctor, the weird second Doctor, the James Bond third Doctor.
Overall this volume is a bit difficult to evaluate. Since the storylines haven’t really come together, it’s difficult to tell where this series is going. Only three issues in a collection seem more than a bit slight, my preference would have been for the series to be collected as a whole, or divided into two volumes at most.
nnebeluk's review
2.0
A collection so bad the printers didn't even pay attention. Nothing worthwhile to read here.
geese82's review
4.0
This is a great 50th Anniversary comicbook special for Doctor Who tv show. This volume which features the first 4 Doctors and their companions sets the upcoming volumes and who was the mysterious hooded fellow. The artwork felt rushed but still delivered storywise. Looking forward to reading the next two volumes.
bb_laurens's review
5.0
I love graphic novels! They are so wonderful and can often reveal more about the stories we love that we missed in the original novels, like in this one. Instead of following Tilly, it follows Shay. Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written.