‘Doctor Who: Empire of the Wolf #2’ Review
Written by Jody Houser | Art by Roberta Ingranata | Published by Titan Comics
Every time I see Jody Houser’s name on the cover of a Who book I’m a happy man. Always delivers. Never some generic action adventure that you could slot any old character into, but something that is designed purely for The Doctor and his universe. Old faces return, adventures take place in and around events that have already taken place, adding more richness and enjoyment to the Whoverse. I’m a fan if you couldn’t tell. The first issue of this latest arc, Empire of the Wolf, did nothing to change my mind. It had a strong setup, nice plot development, and a promise of lots to come. Two Doctors? Two Roses? I’m in.
So quick recap time. ‘Our’ Rose Tyler, who has been living in an alternate universe Earth with the human regeneration of the Tenth Doctor, had been pulled back to ‘our’ Earth, where she has met the Eighth Doctor for the first time. He has no idea who she is of course. Meanwhile, The Eleventh Doctor is about to meet Rose, just not ‘our’ Rose. He remembers Rose of course, just not this one. This Rose is Empress Rose, seemingly a force for good in her alternate timeline. Time to get to Creerm and meet Rose. Meet they do, but he of course is not ‘her’ Doctor. So, business as usual for The Doctor then.
Let’s go back to The Eighth Doctor and Rose in his TARDIS, where Rose is adjusting to yet another new interior. This is her third TARDIS and Doctor after all. It’s a slightly stilted reunion, as Rose is conscious that she cannot tell this incarnation of the Doctor about his future, so its agreed to just focus on returning Rose to her universe, and her husband and daughter. One scan later, even more confusion as it becomes clear that Rose has visited , or will, a planet called Creerm. Nope, wait a sec, Rose is apparently right there now, even she’s also standing in front of The Doctor right now. I suspect there will be a meeting of Doctors soon.
Back on Creerm, Eleven is also realising this is not the Rose he thought she was. She explains to him about her dreams, of a time and place that she doesn’t remember or recognise, and he tries to help. Apparently these are ‘paradox’ headaches. Nasty things. There’s also an interesting undercurrent of suspicion between the two. Empress Rose claims to be a champion for the downtrodden, to help those in need, yet as The Doctor points out, normally this entails bringing down Empires, not building them. Rose has him shown to a ‘secure’ room. Not a cell, of course. It’s all in the language.
Still, the cavalry are on the way. The Doctor and Rose are on their way to see, er, The Doctor and Rose. Timey-wimey, universy-twisty stuff, emphasised by having two versions of the TARDIS nearly crash into each other. Time for everyone to meet. Our Rose meets her second Doctor of the day, as she finds Eleven muttering to himself in his room. That’s good fun right there, but nothing ever beats The Doctor meeting himself. Eighth Doctor, meet your future self. 3.2.1. Commence bickering, an understanding of sorts, and a mutual agreement to avoid spoilers.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
As always, a solid slice of entertainment. Houser’s scripts are always excellent, with perfect characterisation I just love, and the knowing throwaway lines that just make you smile. My one teeny issue is that sometimes a little padding creeps in, as the story has to usually neatly fit the four issues format, but that’s not the writers fault. Roberta Ingranata also never fails to deliver, she seems to particularly enjoy drawing The Eleventh Doctor. Never over-complicates the script, just lays out and draws what’s written, keeping the pacing and look in tune with the words.
Two Roses, but one may have (slightly) hidden thorns. Can’t wait.
