In DOCTOR WHO: MISSY #1, available from Titan Comics on April 14th, 2021, Missy approaches the imprisoned Master with a simple proposition in exchange for freedom — help retrieve a fragment of The Key Of Time.
The Details
- Written By: Jody Houser
- Art By: Roberta Ingranata
- Colors By: Enrica Eren Angiolini
- Letters By: Richard Starkings
- Cover Art By: David Buisan
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: April 14, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes. If you’re looking for a Doctor Who comic that captures the spirit and feel of a Doctor Who episode that sits neatly between series 8 and 10, this is a very good start. The writing sounds authentic for the actors and the characters they portray, the stakes are sufficiently universe-threatening, and the art captures the likenesses of the actors extremely well.
Check out our DOCTOR WHO: MISSY #1 preview to see how good this comic looks.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
We begin with a long-distance temporal call between the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and the prison holding the Master. The Doctor is unconvinced the security measures are enough to keep the Master from causing any more harm. The administrator assures the Third Doctor they’ve done everything possible and more.
Silently, Missy appears before the prison administrator as soon as the call ends with the Third Doctor. She introduces herself as Doctor Who from a more distant future, and she’s decided that an in-person inspection is more effective than a long-distance call. The exasperated administrator agrees to allow Missy to inspect as much as she likes.
If there’s one down point in this story, it’s the ease with which the prison administrator accepts Missy’s introduction and request. Surely a prisoner this dangerous would require all visitors to go through a security verification, but not here. A complete stranger suddenly appearing, claiming to be somebody else, is given free access to the most dangerous prisoner. It doesn’t quite work. Moving on.
Missy approaches the Master’s cell and introduces herself as a future incarnation of Doctor Who. The Master is at least more skeptical than the prison administrator, and he questions Missy about her arrival.
Missy explains she’s on a mission to save lives (consistent with a Doctor-ism) but he needs the Master’s help. The planet in question has a vault containing a fragment of The Key Of Time. Missy/Doctor needs help saving the lives of all inhabitants on the planet where the fragment is kept, and in exchange, the Master can prevent the villain from trying to destroy the planet while seizing the fragment for themselves.
What the Master doesn’t realize is Missy is the threat to which she is referring. It’s a clever play on words to tell a lie buried in a whole lot of truth. There’s an argument that Missy doesn’t make quite a convincing Doctor in her impersonation with silly turns of phrases and quippy/corny jokes, but the Master appears to go along with the proposal.
Missy releases the master from his cell and the two start towards the exit. However, as soon as Missy’s back is turned, the Master is gone.
How Does It End?
The Master finds a sword. Missy laments her whimsical accessories. “…It’s even better.”
Final Thoughts
DOCTOR WHO: MISSY #1, available from Titan Comics on April 14th, 2021, is a brisk, consistent, and recognizable start to a classic Season 8-ish Doctor Who adventure. The art does justice to the recognizable actors, and the setup feels authentic to the Doctor Who experience.
Score: 8/10
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