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“SHARPER THAN A SERPENT’S TOOTH: MYTH, CLONES, AND ANCIENT CHINA”

Picking up directly from Breakfast at Tyranny’s, Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth sees the Tenth Doctor, Gabby, and Noobis chasing the Red TARDIS to Ancient China in an attempt to rescue Cindy. What sets this story apart is its inventive framing device: the events are narrated by a village elder as a traditional Chinese tale, with the Doctor reimagined as the wise man Xian and his companions as devoted pupils seeking to save their lost friend from an ominous stranger.

The mysterious Red Jade General, Cindy’s captor, looms over the story with an eerie presence, filling the Red TARDIS with an army of cloned Cindys. It’s a bizarre yet compelling premise, and when the General finally steps into the light in Issue 2, his sharp-toothed menace does not disappoint.

A TWIST ON THE NESTENE CONSCIOUSNESS

One of the most intriguing elements here is the nature of the villain. The Red Jade General is revealed to be a Nestene from another reality—one that doesn’t create living plastic but instead produces higher organic forms of clones. This concept adds an interesting layer to the Cindy duplicates, all assigned designations rather than names. The Doctor argues that despite their intended perfection, individuality always shines through—highlighted in small details like variations in hairstyles among the clones.

This theme of identity is reinforced when Gabby discovers that one of the clones, dubbed No-Name, has developed independent thought. The story celebrates self-expression and resisting external control, making for a thoughtful character-driven subplot.

SHOWDOWN AND STORYTELLING

The climax sets up an epic battle between the Doctor and the Red Jade General, though this chapter only offers a taste of what’s to come. The Doctor’s ability to turn his enemy’s own tactics against them is a classic move, though the real confrontation is yet to unfold.

The story does an excellent job of weaving Chinese cultural elements into the narrative, from the village elder’s perspective to the Doctor’s interactions with a wise old ally who recognises him from past visits. The TARDIS team’s era-appropriate clothing is a nice touch—especially the Doctor’s outfit, which is essentially a Chinese-styled version of his usual attire.

Gabby and Noobis also get to showcase their unique skills as they work together to mount a rescue operation. However, one notable letdown is the defeat of the elemental guardians, which is only briefly described in the elder’s narration rather than shown in a fully visualised sequence. Given their intriguing setup, a more dramatic battle would have been a welcome addition.

ART AND ATMOSPHERE

The artwork is fairly basic, but the large panels allow for rich depictions of the setting. The occasional shift into a more traditional Chinese art style adds an extra layer of immersion, reinforcing the story’s mythological framing.

📝VERDICT: 7/10

Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth blends a classic Doctor Who adventure with Chinese storytelling traditions, crafting a unique and engaging rescue tale. The Nestene twist, Cindy clones, and themes of individuality provide strong narrative hooks, even if some elements—like the elemental guardians—are underdeveloped. The atmospheric setting and cultural details shine, and with a larger battle looming, this story sets up an exciting conflict to come.