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Doctor Who Magazine Comic Collections #2
Doctor Who: Dragon's Claw
Join the heroic Time Lord in eleven wild and witty sci-fi stories: "Dragon's Claw," "The Collector," "Dreamers of Death," "The Life Bringer," "War of the Words," "Spider-God," "The Deal," "End of the Line," "The Free-Fall Warriors," "Junk-Yard Demon," and The Neutron Knights!"
Featuring artwork from the award-winning Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and scripts from 2000 AD's Steve Moore and Steve Parkhouse ― plus a bonus strip from Mike McMahon ― these classic comics have been digitally restored for the twenty-first century and are reprinted for the very first time in their original format.
Featuring artwork from the award-winning Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and scripts from 2000 AD's Steve Moore and Steve Parkhouse ― plus a bonus strip from Mike McMahon ― these classic comics have been digitally restored for the twenty-first century and are reprinted for the very first time in their original format.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
95 people want to read
About the author
Steve Moore
220 books47 followersSteve Moore was a British comics writer known for his influence on the industry and his close connection with Alan Moore (no relation). He was instrumental in guiding Alan Moore early in his career and collaborated with him under pseudonyms in various projects.
Moore contributed extensively to British comics, particularly in anthologies such as 2000 AD, where he helped shape the Future Shocks format and wrote for Dan Dare. His work extended to Doctor Who Weekly, where he co-created Abslom Daak, and Warrior, where he revived Axel Pressbutton. His involvement with Marvel UK included writing for Hulk and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Outside of comics, Moore had a deep interest in Chinese history, mythology, and the I Ching, which influenced much of his writing. He edited Fortean Times and contributed to works on the unexplained. His novel Somnium explored his fascination with the moon goddess Selene.
Later in his career, Moore scripted Hercules: The Thracian Wars, which was adapted into a film in 2014. He ultimately retired from mainstream comics to focus on non-fiction and research, maintaining his lifelong engagement with esoteric studies.
Moore contributed extensively to British comics, particularly in anthologies such as 2000 AD, where he helped shape the Future Shocks format and wrote for Dan Dare. His work extended to Doctor Who Weekly, where he co-created Abslom Daak, and Warrior, where he revived Axel Pressbutton. His involvement with Marvel UK included writing for Hulk and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Outside of comics, Moore had a deep interest in Chinese history, mythology, and the I Ching, which influenced much of his writing. He edited Fortean Times and contributed to works on the unexplained. His novel Somnium explored his fascination with the moon goddess Selene.
Later in his career, Moore scripted Hercules: The Thracian Wars, which was adapted into a film in 2014. He ultimately retired from mainstream comics to focus on non-fiction and research, maintaining his lifelong engagement with esoteric studies.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 27, 2016
Enter the fourth Doctor, the mad one played by Tom Baker. Also my first Doctor who really never got matched in sheer brilliance by the later Doctors. My daughters would probably hit me around the head with their Tennant books and whatnot.
This time in this second 4th Doctor collection less epic but far more intimate and smaller scale stories which also shows so much more about the Doctor than the grandness we got used to in the revival series of the new Who. We see far more of his Humanity (or Gallifreyan in his case) and what makes him tick.
Well drawn and great little stories that makes this second installment far more fun than the previous book. Still a must read for all who really enjoy Doctor Who.
This time in this second 4th Doctor collection less epic but far more intimate and smaller scale stories which also shows so much more about the Doctor than the grandness we got used to in the revival series of the new Who. We see far more of his Humanity (or Gallifreyan in his case) and what makes him tick.
Well drawn and great little stories that makes this second installment far more fun than the previous book. Still a must read for all who really enjoy Doctor Who.
April 27, 2023
The first run of comics in "Doctor Who Magazine" -- or as it was then, "Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly" -- are justly famous, but this second run leading to the end of the Tom Baker/4th Doctor era are quite surprising in their quality and desire to push the bounds of imagination. It might not be to everyone's taste, but I found it enjoyable AND full of the golden nostalgia of my spotty youth.
July 29, 2021
As this is a collection of several comic stories here are links to reviews for each of them:
Dragon's Claw: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Collector: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Dreamers of Death: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Life Bringer: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
War of the Words: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Spider-God: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Deal: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
End of the Line: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Freefall Warriors: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Junkyard Demon: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Neutron Knights: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Dragon's Claw: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Collector: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Dreamers of Death: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Life Bringer: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
War of the Words: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Spider-God: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Deal: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
End of the Line: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Freefall Warriors: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
Junkyard Demon: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
The Neutron Knights: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...
April 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this set of collected comics from Doctor Who Monthly way back in the late 1970s. This collection really gets the feel of the character of the Fourth Doctor and both likenesses, in terms of dialogue and illustration, are spot on. Part of what makes this anthology is the shorter single-issue stories. Sometimes they are funny, sometimes tragic, but they never stick around long enough to be boring. This collection feels like proper Doctor Who Magazine comic strips. By this point in the 70s, the template had been set. In the future, the stories may be wackier, more epic, stranger, and more intimate, but the foundation and the style of what was to come are firmly here.
It is nice seeing the Fourth Doctor by himself. Tom Baker was right; it does work. You see different sides of the Doctor. He is more sociable, actively seeking out friends and acquaintances to chat, reminisce, and adventure with.
Dave Gibbons' artwork is phenomenal and really captures the tone each time, knocking it out of the part so much so that when Mike McMahon takes over for two issues, it is jarring. Read in isolation, McMahon's 'Junk-Yard Demon' is beautiful, but as part of a larger set focussed solely on Gibbons' work, this feels odd and out of place.
The next volume is the turn of the Fifth Doctor and I can't wait.
It is nice seeing the Fourth Doctor by himself. Tom Baker was right; it does work. You see different sides of the Doctor. He is more sociable, actively seeking out friends and acquaintances to chat, reminisce, and adventure with.
Dave Gibbons' artwork is phenomenal and really captures the tone each time, knocking it out of the part so much so that when Mike McMahon takes over for two issues, it is jarring. Read in isolation, McMahon's 'Junk-Yard Demon' is beautiful, but as part of a larger set focussed solely on Gibbons' work, this feels odd and out of place.
The next volume is the turn of the Fifth Doctor and I can't wait.
September 23, 2018
More classic strips from the "Doctor Who Weekly" comic and its cunningly titled successor, "Doctor Who Monthly". Dave Gibbons' artwork is excellent as ever and captures Tom Baker's fourth Doctor perfectly. It's fizzing with wit & charm; K9, jelly babies, sonic screwdriver and a couple of classic villains. How I miss the days when companions left speedily & happily ("I'm staying to get married Doctor" "Oh, I'll miss you, cheerio") without all the Sturm und Drang of recent TV series.
Apart from the rather disappointing opening story set in medieval China ("Dragon's Claw") there aren't any multi-episode arcs. Some of the tales are surprisingly bleak - the satirical "Spider God" and especially post apocalyptic "End of the Line". The only story not illustrated by Gibbons is "Junkyard Demon". Mike McMahon & Adolfo Buylla's weird & wonderful pics are a good fit for this jolly if lightweight two parter. All in all, good fun in a lovely big glossy book from Panini that presents the original stories Marvellously (pun intended) .
Apart from the rather disappointing opening story set in medieval China ("Dragon's Claw") there aren't any multi-episode arcs. Some of the tales are surprisingly bleak - the satirical "Spider God" and especially post apocalyptic "End of the Line". The only story not illustrated by Gibbons is "Junkyard Demon". Mike McMahon & Adolfo Buylla's weird & wonderful pics are a good fit for this jolly if lightweight two parter. All in all, good fun in a lovely big glossy book from Panini that presents the original stories Marvellously (pun intended) .
November 30, 2009
Steve Parkhouse and Steve Moore, along with Dave Gibbon's art, really begin to hit their stride. The first group of DWM strips, collected in "The Iron Legion" were ok, but existed in an awkward space between the TV show and the new comic feature, not quite their Own Thing yet.
"Dragon's Claw" shows the creative team grow in confidence, maintaining all the great things about the Fourth Doctor, while not striving as hard to be just like the TV show. I especially enjoy the larger galactic world that they create, with references to worlds and histories beyond that which the comics present to us. And the writers are also taking risks in some of these stories, where tragedy and humor coexist.
"Dragon's Claw" shows the creative team grow in confidence, maintaining all the great things about the Fourth Doctor, while not striving as hard to be just like the TV show. I especially enjoy the larger galactic world that they create, with references to worlds and histories beyond that which the comics present to us. And the writers are also taking risks in some of these stories, where tragedy and humor coexist.
December 28, 2019
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3301917.html
The second volume of Fourth Doctor strips from Doctor Who Magazine, in between those published in the collections The Iron Legion and The Tides of Time. These are all solid stories, with the two standouts for me being "The Life Bringer" also by Moore and Gibbons, which brings the Doctor into the Prometheus legend, and the grim "End of the Line" by Steve Parkhouse and Dave Gibbons, in which there is no happy ending. I enjoyed them a lot when I first read them almost forty years ago and I enjoyed revisiting them.
The second volume of Fourth Doctor strips from Doctor Who Magazine, in between those published in the collections The Iron Legion and The Tides of Time. These are all solid stories, with the two standouts for me being "The Life Bringer" also by Moore and Gibbons, which brings the Doctor into the Prometheus legend, and the grim "End of the Line" by Steve Parkhouse and Dave Gibbons, in which there is no happy ending. I enjoyed them a lot when I first read them almost forty years ago and I enjoyed revisiting them.
June 19, 2020
This wasn’t quite as good as the first volume. Rather than deal with the repercussions of Sharon being older than she was when she left her time period on Earth, “Dreamers of Death” has her decide to go start a new life elsewhere in the universe, which I find to be an unimaginative direction. Most of the stories in this are short, but they’re not as memorable as some of the longer ones from the previous volume. I did think it was funny how “Doctor Who and the Free-Fall Warrior” began with The Doctor seemingly shooting up planets, only for it to be revealed to have been an arcade game.
January 8, 2021
some good stories
I liked dreamers of death, end of the line and the neutron knights, the latter two could have their own book , quite interesting concepts , a lot of depth to the stories would have liked to have known more.
I liked dreamers of death, end of the line and the neutron knights, the latter two could have their own book , quite interesting concepts , a lot of depth to the stories would have liked to have known more.
June 15, 2025
Note; this is a reupload of a review of these batch of strips posted at the end of my Letterboxd review of Logopolis.
Whilst this doesn’t feel as consistent quality-wise as the last batch, this is head and shoulders above the (sometimes completely wacko-crazy and drug-fuelled) fluff TV Comic was offering and still manages to give us some excellent stories like Spider-God where the Doctor makes an ignorant survey team who terrorise an alien civilisation see the error of their ways, End of the Line which really pushes how far Doctor Who can go in terms of outright horror with an especially bleak ending and Junkyard Demon which feels the sort of Cyberman story that Graham Williams would’ve produced had it been on television. Steve Parkhouse has to be given praise for the way he sets up the forthcoming Fifth Doctor debut The Tides of Time, not only with The Neutron Knights acting as some quasi-sequel to it but by having The Deal (Parkhouse’s first story) act as a midquel during the Millenium Wars.
Whilst this doesn’t feel as consistent quality-wise as the last batch, this is head and shoulders above the (sometimes completely wacko-crazy and drug-fuelled) fluff TV Comic was offering and still manages to give us some excellent stories like Spider-God where the Doctor makes an ignorant survey team who terrorise an alien civilisation see the error of their ways, End of the Line which really pushes how far Doctor Who can go in terms of outright horror with an especially bleak ending and Junkyard Demon which feels the sort of Cyberman story that Graham Williams would’ve produced had it been on television. Steve Parkhouse has to be given praise for the way he sets up the forthcoming Fifth Doctor debut The Tides of Time, not only with The Neutron Knights acting as some quasi-sequel to it but by having The Deal (Parkhouse’s first story) act as a midquel during the Millenium Wars.
August 31, 2014
Fresh adventures with solid plots. Classic elements of the fourth doctor well inked. Would have liked to been introduced to a new, and more robust, companion after Sharon but K-9 is a mainstay.
April 16, 2008
Nice mix of stories, great Dave Gibbons art, a decent new companion and K-9!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews