All fans have to contend with the fact that the first episode of our favourite show is outstanding, but the first story as a whole is a bit limp. What this comic does excellently is wrap a new story around that old one which makes the overall tale substantially more satisfying.

This comic goes from decent to good when the hunters of the burning stone turn up - a stand out bone chilling set of villains. It then goes from good to great when Ian and Barbara are folded into events. A very rare crossover event for DWM! I like that they don’t immediately trust that it’s the same Doctor who left them in 1965, needing convincing before committing to this “young child”. Both eras fit together perfectly, it is most certainly one show.

The introduction of elements from previous stories from across the year has been done more elegantly than in the previous “season wrap up” style comic they did The Children of Time. Managing to present this alongside The Tribe of Gum is quite a feat. This is certainly a comic which you need to be pretty Doctor Who literate to fully appreciate. I am very impressed at the number of threads Scott Gray manages to keep in motion without overcomplicating or diluting the story. Even giving us flickers of what is to come in the 50th anniversary. If it sounds like this is just fan service, it’s really not, it’s an enhancement of the world of the show.

In a beautiful 50th anniversary tribute, Ian Chesterton and The Doctor, while stuck in the void of The Doctor’s memories, reflect on The Doctor’s life and provide a neat appraisal of the events so far. This is before events ramp up and become truly epic. It is a tough thing to keep the drama relatable once the entire human race is overtaken. But they manage it. You are on the edge of your seat going into the final part of this 6 part epic.

My one critique would be that the threat to humanity ends pretty much as soon as it’s started, but there is further peril so the momentum doesn’t falter. The tribe’s sacrifice is emotionally rewarding. Finishing things off with Ian and Barbara’s wedding and an explanation of the broken chameleon circuit within the same page is so beautiful. A perfect anniversary treat.