Writer: Jody Houser

Artist: Roberta Ingranata

Titan Comics, out now

The Doctor and her crew agree to join old friend the Corsair on a mission, but what exactly are her motives?

Having signed up to a space heist last issue, Team TARDIS prepare for their interstellar caper, and thankfully the Doc has taken the time to pause and reflect on what she previously missed. Just why didn’t the Corsair contact her directly for help rather than manufacturing an elaborate event to be spotted at, and why doesn’t she want to use her own TARDIS.

Graham, Yaz and Ryan are ready for the fun in the sky city of Radoplina, but they certainly aren’t prepared for what’s waiting behind the impossible door – let’s say it’s Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home by way of The Beast Below. It’s all painted on a grand canvas that BBC Studios’ budget would struggle to achieve, but a greater concern here is that the Doctor does something that I really believe she wouldn’t. Let’s see how the consequences play out.

Verdict: Old Friends comes to life after the set-up and exposition of parts one and two, and the pirate-like Corsair continues to amuse as a hybrid of Captain Jack Harkness and Captain Jack Sparrow, with a bit of Lynda Baron’s Captain Wrack from Enlightenment thrown in. The architect of the whole scheme is not a huge surprise, but this could at least tie up some unfinished business. 7/10

Nick Joy