Doctor Who: Dragon's Claw (Doctor Who Graphic Novel) Paperback – Illustrated, 7 Nov. 2005

This is the second volume of Fourth Doctor comic adventures from the pages of Doctor Who Weekly and Doctor Who Monthly (now regenerated into the Doctor Who Magazine). They various strips are taken from issues 39-60, thus following on directly from the first volume entitled ‘The Iron Legion’, and initially continue to feature K-9 and Sharon as companions.Unlike the first volume, though, the stories collected here are generally of a shorter length. This means that there are a lot more stories (too many to talk of individually in an Amazon review). Enjoyable as they might be they are certainly not as memorable or, perhaps, as well written as those in the first collection.The exception to this is probably the title story, ‘Dragon’s Claw’, which as a longer story, feels thematically and stylistically like it belongs more to the first volume. This is probably due to it being the last main story under the Doctor Who Weekly moniker. Being set in a 16th century Shaolin monastery in China it is more of a ‘historical’ story which contrasts to the general science fiction, alien worlds, even space opera nature of the bulk of the Fourth Doctor strips. It also pits the Doctor against some of his greatest foes and is probably the highlight of this particular volume.To a certain degree ‘The Dreamers of Death’ has a bit of the feel of the previous collection as well. Partly this is a result of still featuring Sharon, Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly/Magazine’s first original companion. This is notable for being her final story and virtually straight after that K-9 takes a greatly reduced role before disappearing altogether. This leaves the Doctor appearing solo as he does in the first few stories of ‘The Iron Legion’ collection.‘Junk-Yard Demon’ is also notable (indeed, it later had a sequel). Mainly because it features the Cybermen. Oddly enough these are not the Cybermen that appeared onscreen during Tom Baker’s tenure. Instead they are primarily the cloth-faced, Mondasian versions with a few affectations from the Troughton era. Oddly though ‘Junk-Yard Demon’ features a Cyberman who is capable of operating the Tardis with ease and also seems to grow with the absorption of energy.During the latter strips the Fourth Doctor is decked out in the long red outfit associated with his final onscreen series as his regular adventures in DWW/M/M also draw to a close. On the way though he meets spider gods, Greek gods, daredevil space pilots, giant demons and even Arthur and Merlin. Perhaps, not as quality as the first volume but thoroughly enjoyable all the same.

It arrived quickly and is interesting and great for adults and children.

My favourite is the first story Dragon's Claw which puts he Doctor in medieval China.The slightly redundant assistant Sharon is married off about half way though the book, there are lots of idea that come from 2000AD.Indeed the TV show has borrowed from the comics for example, TARDIS in a junk yard, there's a story here with a Cyberman here which bears some resemblance the the 'Centre of the TARDIS' story in season 7 of the new Dr Who.Well worth a look if you remember the Dr Who magazine comics.

Very good arrived before the stated time

Excellent!