The opening chapter of the new the Gods & Monsters series, this time featuring legacy Doctor Who villains Sutekh and Omega.

In Sutekh the Heretic (Writer: Ian Winterton, Artist: Adrian Salmon) banished Sutekh the Destroyer is called back to the land of the dead to assist with new threat Azog, in a spectacular tale that’s packed with panels that fly off the page. What I love about the story is the way that it takes the villain from Pyramids of Mars and takes him into an entirely new realm that’s universes away from the 1970s serial.

In the same issue is Omega Eltralla  (Writer: Mark Griffiths, Artist: John Ridgway), with the Gallifreyan exile trying to amuse himself in his solitude, then taking advantage of a colony ship, the Eltralla, that has crashed into his realm from another universe. This provides a means of escape to the positive-matter universe and the opportunity for mayhem. Ridgway is a familiar artist to Doctor Who fans, serving Griffiths’ script well. As with the Sutekh story, it ends ‘To be continued’.

The impressive package also includes a bonus DVD with conversations with Doctor Who Weekly editor Dez Skinn, writers Mark Griffiths and Ian Winterton, a Sutekh animated trailer, Pyramids of Mars commentary with Philip Hinchcliffe and Gabriel Woolf, and a podcast about Adrian Salmon.

Verdict: Action and expansive world-building with legacy Doctor Who villains being bigger and bolder than TV can allow. 8/10

Nick Joy