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“THE STEAMPUNK CONUNDRUM: CLOCKWORK COLONISERS IN A BRASS-BOUND THRILLER”

In The Steampunk Conundrum, the Eleventh Doctor and Alice step into 1876 San Francisco and discover a household staffed with robotic servants—because of course they do. What begins as an intriguing oddity quickly spirals into a classic alien infiltration plot, set against the rich tapestry of a steampunk-tinged America on the brink of industrial transformation.

Despite the comic's brevity, the setting is impressively atmospheric. The fusion of Victorian aesthetics and science-fiction machinery is well-executed, and there’s a real sense of place that adds depth to the otherwise straightforward plot.

AN ALIEN AGENDA WITH A CLOCKWORK TWIST

At the heart of the story is a dying alien race’s slow-burn colonisation strategy: one of their own has been sent to Earth to assess its potential and begin the process of robotic conversion—gradually and insidiously—beginning with America. Their logic? Wait for the USA to become a global superpower and then take over completely. Subtle, steely, and suitably sinister.

The "proto-form" design is a particularly neat detail. Alice draws a clever comparison between it and ARC, the living thought-animal companion from earlier in the Eleventh Doctor comic run, only this one is far less cuddly. The comparison adds a nice in-universe nod for long-time readers and helps deepen the worldbuilding without overexplaining.

A PAIR THAT POP OFF THE PAGE

The Eleventh Doctor and Alice continue to be one of Titan's most effective TARDIS teams. Their dynamic here is full of charm and dry wit, with Alice proving yet again to be more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Doctor. There’s a playful rhythm to their exchanges, and her Dalek-themed dress adds a cheeky visual punch to the otherwise period-authentic costumes.

And speaking of visuals, the artwork is particularly strong in this outing. The blend of mechanical design and 19th-century style is rendered with flair, giving the comic a distinct look that fits the steampunk setting perfectly. From dusty streets to polished brass gears, the panels breathe life into the world.

TIDY ENDING, BUT A TIGHT PACKAGE

The plot does wrap up a little too cleanly. The resolution is simple and swift, not giving much time to build real tension or deliver a truly clever solution. That said, the journey is immersive enough that the slightness of the ending doesn’t derail the experience. Compared to The Ghost Ship, this is far more engaging and fleshed-out, making better use of its compact page count.

📝 VERDICT: 7/10

The Steampunk Conundrum is a charming, well-paced slice of steampunk sci-fi with a dash of classic Doctor Who alien conspiracy. The Doctor and Alice make a winning pair, the artwork is lush, and the atmosphere is pitch-perfect. While the ending is a bit neat, it’s still a far more satisfying entry than some of Titan’s shorter one-shots. A stylish, clockwork-laced caper worth your time.