REVIEW: Doctor Who - 1

Let me just come out and say - I was quite simply stunned by this comic. I wish wholeheartedly that I was reading my own copy of it, and not someone else's.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Tie-in comic books are generally considered to be of pretty shabby quality. Only a few series ever manage to achieve the same greatness of the original show / film, and all too many fade away into nothingness.

When I was at the comic shop last week, I looked at this comic, scoffed at it under my breath ("HA! American comic about a British sci-fi show..."), turned up my nose at it and walked away.

What a huge mistake.

The book follows The Doctor and Martha Jones' travels in time (which puts it's continuity somewhere around series 3 of the TV series), and in this particular issue, a quest for the greatest chocolate milkshake ever...!

At first glance, you might be put off by it's somewhat simplistic concept - but don't you dare put that book down - you'll be smiling away long before the end of it!

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(this is a fantastic comic book - and well worth a read, for fans of the series or otherwise)

REVIEW: Star Trek - New Frontier: Second Stage - 1

Before I start off with the review - I'm going to 'declare my interests'. I like Star Trek. I know - I know - to some people that's almost enough for me to be immediately shunned - but I don't care - I'll still carry on watching the shows and reading the comics.

I might even go to see the new Abrams Star Trek film when it comes out (although even the mention of it makes my fists shake with anger - the original series should not be recast or rebooted).

But anyway - it's safe to say that I'm a fan.

Now - I'm declaring this ahead of time because... Well - part of me wonders if I've been generous in giving this book the score it's got.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Any Star Trek fan out there that's worth their salt will know that a few years back, an experiment (of sorts) was conducted. Peter David was given the ability to have creative control over a new crew / starship in the ongoing book series: Star Trek - New Frontier.

Some of you will know the name Captain Calahoun already from these books (or from the online fan series) - but to those of you who don't, the series is set in the Next Generation era on board the starship Excalibur. Stories have linked in with Next Gen series characters such as Commander Shelby and Dr Selar, and the series' concept and execution has received much praise.

So having said all that - you'd probably be expecting a fairly reasonable comic book, seeing as this is written by Peter David too.

But - as has always been the way with all but a few Star Trek books - the temptation is there to provide just a 'passable' story and artwork, as it will almost certainly sell no matter the quality.

In this case - the story is great (to those who have read the books - not so much to those who haven't) - but the artwork does leave a lot to be desired.

Overall, good, worth picking up if you're a fan of the New Frontier crew as you'll lap up the sub-plots -  but definitely not worth picking up if you're hoping to 'jump on' to the series from this point.

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5

(why on earth can't Star Trek books get artwork as good as Marvel or DC books?!? *screams* "KKKHHHHAAAAANNNNNN!")