avcsa0203_themadhatter_1417Steed gets a new hat; Emma changes colour…

Matt Fitton has had to do a lot of extrapolating and expanding for this seventh comic strip adventure – it’s based on a story that only ran for two issues in Diana, albeit with a lot of detail crammed into the text descriptions. He’s gone for the humour of the situation, with the visiting Princess having problems with English, and Steed engaging in so many double entendres that there was the odd moment it felt like Carry On Up the Avengers! There’s also an underlying note of jealousy from Emma which is never pushed too far, and so works well in context.

One of the aspects of these adaptations that has been consistently enjoyable is the way in which the writers have added Avengers-esque characters to the mix. Terry Molloy’s Inspector Corduroy of the Yard joins in the proceedings this time around, and were things to align and further adventures of Steed and Emma to follow, it would be great to hear him return. The Mad Hatter himself is fleshed out with John Voce giving a very distinctive performance as Mr Tom Bowler (pause for groan at the pun), and Maggie Service has fun as Princess Helga of Varania flirting with Steed.

Verdict: A slightly different approach is the crowning glory for this story. 8/10

Paul Simpson

avcsa02_slipcase_1417sqSteed and Mrs Peel Volume 2 is available from Big Finish