Writer: Jody Houser from a story by James Goss

Artist: Roberta Ingranata

Titan Comics, out now

Dragged into a vortex where the Time War never took place, the Tenth Doctor is being hunted by his deadliest enemy, the Daleks. But things aren’t what they seem.

And so it begins – the first instalment in the ambitious multi-platform Time Lord Victorious project which between now and next spring will embrace comics, books, records, figurines and more. Titan Comics launch the range with two comics, in the safe hands of the writer and artist of their ongoing 13th Doctor series – Jody Houser and Roberta Ingranata.

As you’d anticipate, not too much is given away in this opening salvo – we need to pace ourselves – and we find the Tenth Doctor drawn into a time vortex, significantly with some gaps in his memory. On landing his TARDIS, he is immediately confronted by Daleks, who are then waiting for him at subsequent stops. They want to take him to their bulbous-headed leader on Skaro – the Emperor – as there’s an alien race who are even more belligerent than them and they need his help.

It’s a tantalising set-up, and it’s always a treat to see the Daleks. The script, based on a story by James Goss, feels authentic to Tennant’s Doctor, his resistance to the pepper pots’ demands being both witty and strong and the visuals are well-realised.

Verdict: There’s enough here to draw you into this alternate reality where the Time War hasn’t taken place, offering plenty of opportunities for adventures in the Time Lord Victorious stream over the coming months. 8/10

Nick Joy