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“THE WOLVES OF WINTER: VIKINGS, ICE WARRIORS, AND A FLOOD OF TROUBLE”

The Time Trials continue as Bill Potts joins the Twelfth Doctor for her first comic adventure, set in the icy North Atlantic during the Viking era. Released just days after Bill’s TV departure, The Wolves of Winter wastes no time throwing her and the Doctor into an action-packed battle with Ice Warriors, Vikings, and a returning foe from The Waters of Mars: the Flood.

The story cleverly blends elements from both classic and modern Doctor Who, bringing the Ice Warriors and the Flood together for the first time. With the Ice Warriors fleeing a deadly virus outbreak on Mars, they seek refuge on Earth—a planet teeming with water, making the Flood an even greater threat. The Viking setting adds a fresh historical backdrop, though the era itself isn’t explored in much depth beyond showcasing the warriors’ bravery and resilience.

A THREE-WAY SHOWDOWN

Most of the story is a relentless, action-heavy battle as Vikings, Ice Warriors, and the Doctor’s team fight to contain the Flood. There’s something inherently satisfying about Vikings wielding Ice Warrior weaponry, and seeing the Doctor and Bill don Sanctuary Base spacesuits is a nice callback to The Waters of Mars. However, while the Flood is the primary threat at first, they soon take a backseat when another classic villain enters the fray: the Haemovores from The Curse of Fenric.

The Haemovores, on the verge of unleashing Fenric himself, shift the story’s focus, leaving the Ice Warriors somewhat redundant by the climax. The narrative intricately ties into The Curse of Fenric, with the Doctor carefully considering how to defeat Fenric while ensuring his WWII-era return still happens. It effectively functions as a prequel to that serial, adding weight to Fenric’s legend.

PACING, DIALOGUE, AND ART STYLE

Despite the excitement of seeing multiple returning threats, the story feels overstuffed. With so many elements vying for attention, neither the Twelfth Doctor nor Bill stand out as much as they should. Bill, in particular, is often overshadowed by the Vikings and monsters. The dialogue also feels a bit stiff at times, particularly in the first half, making it a heavier read than necessary.

The rougher art style suits the rugged setting and characters, giving the comic a gritty atmosphere. However, the panelling and scene transitions can be somewhat jarring, occasionally making it difficult to follow the action.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

An ambitious but slightly overloaded story, Wolves of Winter delivers an exciting clash of classic and modern Doctor Who elements but struggles with pacing and focus. The Viking setting is visually striking, and the links to The Curse of Fenric are well-handled, but the sheer number of threats results in some feeling underutilised. A fun but slightly cluttered entry in The Time Trials.