DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #1 REVIEW

21 Tuesday Jun 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Titan Comics

Tags

Doctor Who, Doctor Who Fugitive of the Judoon, Doctor Who Origins, Doctor Who Origins #1 Review, Fugitive Doctor, Jo Martin, Jody Houser, Judoon, Roberta Ingranate, TARDIS, Warnia K. Sahadewa, Weeping Angel

Doctor Who Origins #1

Doctor Who Origins #1 from Titan Comics kicks off an untold adventure for the Fugitive Doctor. This brand new four-part mini-series finds the Doctor working for the mysterious Division on a highly dangerous assignment, where she uncovers a dark, insidious secret. This never-before-seen adventure will reveal why this incarnation of the Time Lord became known as the Fugitive! Way back in 2020 we were first introduced to Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor in the TV episode Fugitive of the Juddon. We discovered that she was a former agent of the Division, now on the run from her own people, and destined to one day have all her memories erased. The Doctor Who Free Comic Book Day 2022 Edition paved the way for this story, now Titan Comics are exploring this intriguing missing era of the Time Lord’s life even further with Doctor Who: Origins, a tale that delves into the Fugitive Doctor’s work for the Division alongside her Weeping Angel travelling companion.

The excellent creative team that brought us the Doctor Who comics Missy and Time Lord Victorious, of writer Jody Houser, artist Roberta Ingranata and colorist Warnia K. Sahadewa have reunited to for this exciting new chapter from the Fugitive Doctor’s mysterious past. Having narrowly avoided a particularly sticky encounter with an angry Racnoss, the Fugitive Doctor and her Weeping Angel companion return to the TARDIS, where the Doctor promptly gets a summons to a not-so-clandestine meeting where she receive her first mission from the Division, and a new Time Lord companion fresh out of the academy – Taslo.

One thing I always like about Titans Doctor Who comics is the fact they are always self-contained stories, and perfect for fans both old and new to jump on to at any point. Doctor Who Origins is a great example of this trait and writer Jody Houser skilfully weaves the plot and mystery surrounding the Doctor and Taslo’s mission. The Fugitive Doctor’s quirky deadpan humour is evident throughout, nailing Jo Martin’s portrayal of this incarnation perfectly. This Doctor is clearly not overly thrilled at being lumbered with a new companion, especially considering how naive and gung-ho she can be at times, but the Doctor gradually warms to Taslo and seems to welcome her role as mentor to the young graduate.

Roberta Ingranata’s stylish artwork and free-flowing page layouts nicely convey the story and emotional beats, the early action sequence to recover alien spider eggs is well paced, and the scenes in the TARDIS with the Weeping Angel are another highlight – I really like the Classic Who vibe of the Fugitive Doctor’s TARDIS interior. The characters are all impressively rendered along with the environments, especially the planet where they make first contact with what is supposed to be a hostile species, and colorist Warnia K. Sahadewa’s vivid tonal pallet really shines here as we see the Time Lords step out onto a bizarre alien world.

Along with the impressive regular cover, Doctor Who Origins #1 is also available in a choice of variant covers — including a glow-in-the-dark Weeping Angel cover! This is a great scene-setting issue to explore the concept of the Doctor’s perviously unknown regenerations, and the creative teams interpretation of Jo Martin’s wonderful Fugitive Doctor is brilliantly realised. Doctor Who Origins #1 explores a forgotten era – one that presents a wealth of untapped possibilities – to provide an exciting adventure for the Doctor’s most mysterious and eclectic incarnation of all.

Publisher Titan Comics

Writer Jody Houser

Artist Roberta Ingranate / Colorist Warnia K. Sahadewa

Letterer Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt

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Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

Sci-Fi Jubilee 10th Anniversary!

14 Tuesday Jun 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

Blogging, Paul Bowler, Paul Bowler YouTube Channel, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Sci-Fi Jubilee 10th Anniversary!, Sci-Fi Jubilee Facebook

Sci-Fi Jubilee 10th Anniversary!

Blimey, my little blog Sci-Fi Jubilee is now 10 years old! My how that time has flown eh? I’ve had a fantastic time writing this blog over the years, writing film, TV and comic book reviews as well as numerous articles. I’m so happy Sci-Fi Jubilee is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the fact my blog has reached that milestone is all down to you. Sci-Fi Jubilee wouldn’t be anything without any of you. Its been quite a journey and knowing you’ve been here with me all this time means so much to me. So I wanted to take this opportunity to say a big, heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for reading and supporting my blog.

You have given me so much amazing support via your comments on Sci-Fi Jubilee, you’ve nominated my blog for awards, shared my reviews on Twitter, WordPress, Sci-Fi Jubilee’s Facebook page and subscribed to my YouTube Channel as well – something that has also become a key feature on the blog over the years. I really enjoy making gameplay videos, especially Boss Fights, and I’ve even had a go at making short cinematic style gameplay videos too with added music tracks.

I’ve also had a go at sketching again as well and doing some artwork. I’ve always loved to draw but injured my hand many years ago getting a glass out of the dishwasher – the glass shattered as I removed it from the rack and caused a nasty laceration. I never really recovered full use of that hand, so I kind of gave up on art, but recently I thought I’d give it another try.

This is my first real attempt at drawing and art again in years and I’m loving it! I doubt I’ll ever be able to draw like I used to but I’m having great fun sketching again. Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement you’ve given me with this.

Of course, the last couple of years has been unimaginabley difficult for us all in so many ways because of the COVID 19 Pandemic and lockdowns we’ve endured. Sadly, my dear mother passed away during the first lockdown here in the UK. That was a terrible, heartbreaking time for me and my family, and I know many of you experienced the loss of a loved one during those awful times as well. Needless to say it did make me step back a bit and take some time out, reevaluate priorities, and spend time with my family. I kept on blogging though, but with less of a schedule, and more of a relaxed approach which I still intend to maintain going forward from here with the blog.

I really like the interactive aspect of blogging the most. The way we interact and share opinions here on Sci-Fi Jubilee has also spilled over to my Twitter account as well, where I often chat about the reviews I’ve done or the things I’m writing about. I also started doing a Friday Film choice during lockdown on Twitter, and that turned out to be so much fun its something I’ve continued doing as well.

When I started blogging, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that Sci-Fi Jubilee would become such a big part of my life as ultimately it has, and I can’t thank you enough for that. It is your support and feedback that makes Sci-Fi Jubilee and blogging so enjoyable and special to me. This blog has grown so much in the last ten years, its given me amazing opportunities, allowed me to write on other websites and projects, and that’s all thanks to you! So cheers for all your awesome support everyone, I couldn’t have done any of it without you, and here’s to many more fun years of reviews on Sci-Fi Jubilee!

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AQUAMAN ANDROMEDA #1 REVIEW

07 Tuesday Jun 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Aquaman, AQUAMAN ANDROMEDA #1 REVIEW, Aquaman: Andromeda #1, Black Label, Christian Ward, DC Comics, Ram V

Aquaman: Andromeda #1

Review by Paul Bowler

The world of Aquamam comes to DC’s Black Label for a new three part series Aquaman Andromeda, from writer Ram V (Venom, The Swamp Thing) and illustrated by Christian Ward (Thor, Invisible Kingdom). Aquaman Andromeda #1 is a highly compelling and immersive experience that works on many levels. Blending rich sci-fi themes and dark psychological horror, Ram V take us on a deep dive into the Pacific Ocean, where Arthur Curry, a crew of scientists on an experimental submarine, and even old foes will find themselves facing a dark terrors in the depths of beyond that will test even the King of Seas to breaking point. Initially, Aquaman’s presence is slightly cursory at best. Ram V shows us a more contemplative side to Arthur Curry, where his need for solitude and dedication to the duty of his aquatic realm strikes a much finer balance than anyone could’ve suspected.

Much of the action takes place on the prototype submarine Andromeda, the incredible high-tech vessel is powered by an experimental quantum drive, and her crew is a diverse mix of coutures and specialities — some of whom have a far more intuitive understanding of the nature of the sea than even they themselves realise. It is this Marine Biologists haunting backstory almost unconsciously drives the narrative as the Andromeda embarks on its mission to investigate a mysterious signal emanating from Point Nemo – the infamous spaceship graveyard used by the various nations of the world for their crafts splashdowns on returning to Earth since the dawn of the space race.

Aquaman Andromeda is beautifully illustrated throughout by Christian Ward. Every page is like an aquarium of encapsulated drama and mystery, rich with detail, vivid color, and mesmerising clarity. Aquaman’s time above and below the waves strikes distinct parallels between story beats, with warm tones and an almost soft focus conveying his treasured solace in a simple task, while ominous shadows creep in before descending into the deep to face a strange new calling. Ward gives Aquaman’s traditional costume a slight makeover as well; with accents reminiscent of a coral reef. The Andromeda submarine is another marvel to behold, with its futuristic corridors and instruments.

This series looks set to take full advantage of the edgier format Black Label can offer. The sense of building dread is palpable throughout, events also set master pirate Black Manta on a collision course with his old nemesis, and the attack by a giant Cephalopoda leads to a jaw-dropping confrontation with Aquaman. This cracking first issue unashamedly wears its sci-fi-horror influences on its sleeve, and provides an intriguing set-up for what’s to come as something begins awakening down in the dark at Point Nemo. If you like comics being a tad edgier then you’ll be amazed at how DC’s King of the Seas takes a voyage to the darker side of sci-fi here, as Aquaman Andromeda #1, with its thrilling story by Ram V and fantastic artwork by Christian Ward, is sure to float your boat!

Publisher DC Comics (Black Label)

Writer Ram V

Artist Christian

Letters Aditya Bidikar

Cover Christian Ward

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