It’s back to school for the Doctor and Clara in this second release from Titan’s second run of 12th Doctor Comics. However, this is likely to be an education far worse than you may remember!
Official Synopsis–
Chaos descends on the private Scottish school of Ravenscaur, as secrets sunk at the bottom of the bay are dragged into the light! As the Doctor investigates reports of a Tunguska-style event that shook the heavens decades previous, Clara unravels an establishment conspiracy that cuts to the country’s heart!
(Shh!) Spoilers- Beware that this article will obviously contain some details about the plot.
Last issue, an old friend of Clara’s dies at the school under mysterious circumstances, she and the Doctor go undercover to investigate.
While there, Clara learns a few lessons of her own. The school is like something out of the ‘The Demon Headmaster’, filled with self-centered staff and kids who never smile. While the Doctor, steps on board a ship, where he find a couple of survey seadogs. It’s clear that something fishy is going on in Scotland. It’s not until the climax, that we find out what old foe (with a beautiful ‘re-booted’ appearance) is behind these goings on…
This reads like a classic TV episode- Mixing adventure, wit, and comedy with gothic horror. It’s a story that is set between ‘The Witches Familiar and Under the Lake. Writer Robbie Morrison perfectly captures the personalities of our ‘heroes’ throughout. Clara portrays the intelligence and thrust for adventure that she has portrays in Series 9 and The 12th Doctor is also more relaxed and ‘fun-loving’. Artist Racheal Stott’s designs are brilliant, mixing cartoon with detailed close-ups and bringing the gothic school setting to live fantastically.
All in all, this is a brilliantly, fast-paced, humorous, yet spooky realise from Titan Comics. That accumulates in an ending that will not only take you back but will leave you wanting to spring forward for the next one.
Blogtor Rating- 8/ 10
DOCTOR WHO: THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.2 Out Now!
Credits
Story: Robbie Morrison
Art: Rachel Stott
Colors: Ivan Nunes
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancour
CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE
My only disappointment (is that the story seems to be following the Series 9 pattern of separating the Doctor and Clara at every opportunity … though their, um, interaction in this issue is likely to raise some eyebrows.
Really liking the Titan series, looking forward to this new arc.