Doctor Who #1
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Writer: Tony Lee
Penciler: Al Davison
Publisher: IDW
Back in March, IDW announced an ongoing Doctor Who comic series, after the success of Doctor Who: The Forgotten. Part of the big announcement was that the first issue will team the Doctor up with classic star of silent films Charlie Chaplin. They even released early cover art featuring a man who is clearly Chaplin. Unfortunately, as noted by writer Tony Lee, Chaplin’s estate wouldn’t allow IDW to use his name or likeness at the last minute. The result is a few last minute edits to the artwork and lettering, as Charlie Chaplin and his signature tiny mustache have been transformed into Archie Maplin with a comically large mustache.
A different man, I assure you.
Fair warning: My reviews often summarize entire issues, and are thus heavy on spoilers.
The story takes us to the year 1926, at a party being held by Archie Maplin. The Doctor, of course, has crashed the party for the fun of it. He uses several aliases throughout the evening, calling himself Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Pee-Wee Herman, and (believe it or not) Harold Knowles from Isn’t It Wonderful News. The party is halted when a guest named Maximilian Love arrives. Maximilian is the biggest new name in Hollywood, which is a big problem since his name doesn’t exist in Hollywood’s major history.
The next day, the Doctor comes by Maplin’s studio and encounters Archie in what greatly resembles but is legally distinct from traditional Charlie Chaplin getup. Meanwhile, on the other side of the studio lot, an aspiring actress named Emily Winter tries to audition for Maximilian’s business partner Leo Miller, but it turns out Miller and Maximilian are aliens with ill intentions. They use a machine to steal Emily’s sense of hope and ambition, and transfer it to Maximilian to make him a better actor. The Doctor later sees the change in Emily, and he and Maplin decide to investigate Miller’s office. There they discover his machine of alien origin. Love and Miller then use a stun gun to knock out Maplin and the Doctor. Maplin’s hopes and talent will be stolen, but the Doctor wakes to find himself tied to railroad tracks without his sonic screwdriver.
As always, Tony Lee is crafting a fun story and has the most dead on 10th Doctor seen in comic book form. He’s a fantastic writer, and it’s always a joy to read his take on Doctor Who. That said, the art was less than pleasing. How much less than pleasing? It was ugly. Al Davison’s art was made tolerable only by Lee’s writing. The poses are stiff. Any character not made to resemble a real life actor has an undetailed face that sits awkwardly on its neck with dead eyes and a nonsensical haircut. And good god, the women look like men. If bad artwork can be a deal breaker for you, then it’s best that you avoid this ongoing until the next penciler takes over with issue #3.
