A fine story but the way it's told is just so fun I can't give it anything less.

Plot-wise, eh, sea devils infiltrating humanity and trying to destroy Scotland. It's a solid premise, but we've seen stories like it before. The execution however puts this over the edge.

The opening scene feels very much like a cold open from the show, teasing the threat and killing off a character to bring our main cast in, and then we get the one-two punch of Twelve making HHGttG and comic references while making light work of a villain, and Clara turning down a guy in the greatest way possible.

The setting here is great, a remote scottish isle for elites feels very real. The prime-minister being an alumni is initially set up as an offhanded comment which works great for establishing, but then also becomes a part of the plot really smoothly. The general tone of the school is also a great contrast to our two leads.

And then there's the stuff outside the school. Twelve in the bar is just a laugh, and Clara discovering the hidden underground base is really fun and brings back memories of Hungry Earth/Cold Blood from the art.

And then the ending, it feels a bit rushed but it's so fun. Everything with <s>David Cameron</s> the legally distinct Prime Minister is a blast, the quips from UNIT are all great. Twelve's picture for Kate in his phone has made me laugh twice already and I'm writing this review immidiately after reading.

It's an alright story with a great execution.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“The School of Death: Clara Goes Undercover, Swordfish in Tow”

The School of Death drops Clara Oswald into the exclusive Ravenscaur Institute, where she goes undercover as a teacher to investigate the disappearance of her friend Christel Dean (likely a nod to real-life Doctor Who fan Christel Dee). The remote boarding school setting is a tried-and-true classic for Doctor Who, and it’s used effectively here. While the comic hints at the privileged atmosphere among students and staff, it doesn’t delve deeply into these dynamics.

The Doctor’s role initially takes a back seat, with Twelve posing as a seafarer (and hilariously failing at it) to gather intel at the local pub, mostly annoying the locals. True to his Series 9 characterisation, the Doctor’s lack of social tact and compassion is on full display, making for some delightful moments. A standout detail is the Doctor’s new "companion," a stuffed swordfish named Sonny, whom he carries everywhere, reminiscent of Eleven’s Handles.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Mr. Beck, a blustering teacher with an inflated sense of his military prowess, is as irritating as intended, while the headmistress is a classic authoritarian foil. The two students aiding Clara initially come across as spoiled but soften as the story progresses and the truth unravels.

The alien threat is revealed as a race of fish-like aliens posing as humans, culminating in the Sea Devils’ dramatic reappearance in issue 2. Redesigned to be more menacing, these Sea Devils stand out as the story’s most striking element, with a sinister edge that feels fresh while still paying homage to their classic roots.

The comic boasts some of Titan’s best artwork, with detailed, lifelike designs, vibrant colours, and dynamic splash pages. The action sequences in the latter half lean into the New Who style, adding energy and spectacle. However, the inclusion of UNIT, with Kate Stewart and Osgood, feels shoehorned, as they serve little purpose beyond fan service. Similarly, the UK Prime Minister (predictably revealed as an alien and named Claremont) is a thinly veiled homage to X-Men writer Chris Claremont, likely a nod to the story’s boarding school setting.

While the setting and character interplay evoke a Classic Who vibe, the rushed and messy final issue lets the story down. Clara’s deus ex machina role in resolving the conflict feels overly familiar and underwhelming.

📝Verdict: 9/10

Ultimately, The School of Death is a visually stunning and occasionally witty story that struggles with pacing and originality but still manages to entertain.

I really enjoyed The School of Death. I felt it captured the Twelfth Docter and Clara’s dynamic and personalities well. The Sea Devils were fun to have again, and I enjoyed the reference back to TV: The Sea Devils, with the Doctor’s interaction with them as the Third Doctor.

Other elements that were fun were having the Doctor surprise Clara in the bath, the one-off “companion” of Sonny, the art of the prehistoric area of the Sea Devils in the caverns, Clara and the students getting to use telekinesis, and the inclusion of UNIT with Kate Stewart and the Osgoods.

I think this is a really good comic. The idea is incredibly solid and executed very well. It really kept me interested and the twists felt deserved. The art and dialogue/characterisation was strong as always from this series. The original characters were interesting. I definitely recommend this one.