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“CROSSING THE RUBICON: SEVEN’S ROMAN HOLIDAY OF MIND GAMES, MASTERPLANS, AND MURDER PLOTS”

Crossing the Rubicon is a compact but remarkably complete little comic that manages to distil the essence of a classic Seventh Doctor tale into just a handful of pages. Set in ancient Rome at the momentous crossing of the Rubicon, it weaves mystery, manipulation, and Machiavellian meddling into a short but satisfying historical yarn.

SEVEN’S GAME OF GODS AND EMPERORS

This is exactly the kind of story where the Seventh Doctor thrives—one where he already seems ten steps ahead of everyone else. He arrives in Rome as “Septimus Doctor,” already on friendly terms with Julius Caesar and already seemingly part of the timeline. It's that quintessential Cartmel-era sleight-of-hand: we never really know how much he knows or what he's already done, and that’s the fun of it.

He’s delightfully manipulative here, scolding the Master with the disappointment of a weary schoolteacher rather than righteous fury—because of course he knew who was behind the plot all along. And that final twist? Caesar surviving the poisoning before the warning has technically been sent? That’s pure Seventh Doctor: temporal chess with a touch of paradox.

ACE IN ARMOUR

Ace, meanwhile, is in her element—striding through Roman corridors in full soldier regalia, baseball bat in hand, ready to take on whatever ancient baddie crosses her path. Her enthusiasm for the historical setting is charming, and her fierce loyalty to the Doctor shines through. The image of her in Roman gear perfectly blends the anachronistic joy of the era with her punk attitude, giving us one of those fun visuals that comics do so well.

THE MASTER’S POISONED PLANS

The twist of the Master being disguised as Caesar’s advisor is both predictable and perfect—it fits so well with the classic Who formula that it feels more like an homage than a cliché. His desire to overthrow Caesar and seize control is textbook Ainley – and having Seven berate him for always choosing evil adds a moral gravity that sits well in this short tale. Even in a comic strip, the Doctor never stops trying to redeem his oldest friend.

ROMAN FLAVOUR AND STRONG FINISH

The setting is beautifully realised, and the art is one of the story’s biggest strengths. It captures the grandeur of ancient Rome, from its palaces to its politics, all while keeping the characters recognisably themselves. Seven’s likeness is spot-on, the Roman attire is stylish without being ridiculous, and the moody, tense atmosphere helps elevate this to more than just a silly historical romp.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

Crossing the Rubicon is a punchy and faithful slice of Seventh Doctor magic. With atmospheric art, pitch-perfect characterisation, a neat use of historical context, and a deliciously timey-wimey twist, it channels the spirit of the McCoy era wonderfully. The Master’s meddling, Ace’s Roman antics, and the Doctor’s quiet omniscience all blend into a clever little tale that proves you don’t need many pages to tell a properly satisfying Doctor Who story. A mini gem.