The prison break continues as it becomes clear not everyone is getting out alive in this fast paced adventure
The Prison Paradox continues with issue 2 as things take a dark, and rather wet, turn. Now that the first issue has established the basic setup of the adventure, the second issue of the latest Doctor Who series from Titan Comics wastes no time hitting full speed. The Doctor and Belinda have been separated aboard the supposedly inescapable prison Pantopolis. The space station’s unhinged, wild eyed Warden has taken the nurse as his personal captive. Meanwhile, the Doctor and his new gang attempt to navigate Pantopolis’ many dangers to rescue her and escape.
Those are the broad strokes, but it’s the detail that makes this one of the darkest stories in the Whoniverse in years. As with writer Dan Watters’ Everyone Must Go! last year, it fits beautifully with some of the aspects of the television series’ ongoing subplots. The Warden’s exact reason for becoming so obsessed with Belinda, for example, reflects her storyline with its own clever and unique twist. Although it’s difficult to imagine the threat to add her head to his trophies broadcast on BBC One.
Artist Sami Kivelä succeeds in making even the most alien of creatures deeply sympathetic
Similarly, while the Doctor’s own quest has a superficial similarity to Voyage of the Damned, and that episode’s own inspirations in films like The Poseidon Adventure, there’s a certain brutality to the rate at which The Prison Paradox is chewing through its supporting cast. Its possibly due to how good Watters is at making us care about even them. Artist Sami Kivelä’s ability to make even the most alien of creatures seem sympathetic helps massively too.
Kivelä also uses the opportunity of the prison setting to fill the background with fun cameos from across Doctor Who history. In fact, issue 2’s journey through the prison’s aquatic cell block provides some wonderfully deep cuts. There’s even a reference all the way back to the cover of a 1976 audio drama starring Tom Baker.
At the halfway point one of The Prison Paradox’s greatest strengths is also its one real weakness. There’s a fantastic energy and speed to the adventure that makes it a fun ride and what would be perfect as a four part story in an ongoing title. It’s just a shame Titan is now giving us only four issues a year, when they blast past this swiftly.
Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox #2
In the deep water containment unit of the prison station Pantopolis, evil lurks. As the Doctor and his squad of unlikely allies swim further into danger, underwater menaces are revealed and they have a score to settle.
Elsewhere, Belinda gambles for her life as the mysterious Warden’s plans are revealed.
Order your copy now, from your local comic ship or from Forbidden Planet or Titan Comics using the links here.
The adventure will continue with Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox #3 on the 21st of January before concluding with the fourth issue in February.
