Advance Review: ‘Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox’ #3 Continues To Countdown
by Benjamin Hall
Summary
The Doctor is continuing in to attempt to rescue Belinda Chandra from the prison that is Panotoplis. Yet, The Doctor still retains the help of some of his/their “prison gang.” Besides The Doctor and his/their companions trying to escape Panotoplis there are others striving for the same. Will these others be of help against the Warden or just more trouble?
Overall
6.9/10Writer Dan Watters includes a reference in the script that also acts as commentary for both the reference and the situation The Doctor’s crew face. This is arguably a clever bit of writing. Unfortunately, Watters is still relying on a ton of apparently omniscient narration. A result of this narration is a loss of character interactions which could also develop them and the story. Thus, the loss of characterization equals a dropping of sequences in scenes. Meaning Watters is using a shortcut too much to give readers information from telling more than showing. While this mini-series is not developing into a good one the individual issues have some decent strengths when it comes to the tales of the crew.
Artist Sami Kivelä does well with most of the minimalism in the interiors. Though there is one important item that is so minimalistic that several readers may miss. One of the drops in sequencing occurring on the script level happens during this scene as well. Thus, Kivelä is doing some great work with facial expressions and mannerisms, but faces pacing problems because of Watters. Kivelä’s does nice work with the overall composition of cover C. Yet, there is one poster that does not work without exposition because of the respective species’ ability.
Colorist Valentina Bianconi selects a wide enough range of hues. This range sees use not just to bring color to the comic book, but to enhance suggestions about things like heat and states of being.
Cover A is by artist V.V. Glass creates a design that is original, or if not at least feels like it is. There is terrific and horrifying use of colors, posing, and proportions to accomplish this design’s uniqueness.
Letterers Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith do fine with the placements of the anchors and subsequent word balloons. However, their best work in this issue is probably with the text boxes for the narration because of the font they use.
The photo cover is okay for what it is. Yet, there is nothing that makes it really differ from seeming like any stock photo with additional effects.
Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox #2 sees release from Titan Comics on January 21st.
