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“SUPREMACY OF THE CYBERMEN: A CELEBRATORY CYBER CROSSOVER WITH AN OVERPOWERED FINISH”

Supremacy of the Cybermen was Titan Comics' major 2016 event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cybermen with a grand, multi-Doctor crossover. Featuring the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors, it delivers an ambitious storyline spanning multiple eras, each incarnation facing a different front in the Cybermen’s vast invasion. Twelve crash-lands on Karn before making his way to Gallifrey, Eleven deals with Cyber-Silurians in prehistoric Earth (because Titan loves dinosaurs), Ten is captured by the Sontarans and pulled into their war against the Cybermen, and Nine fights a present-day London under siege. The rapid scene shifts maintain a strong pace, ensuring the reader stays engaged while juggling the sprawling narrative.

THE CYBERMEN ASCEND—AND SO DOES RASSILON

The heart of the plot involves the Cybermen taking control of Gallifrey, assisted by a partially converted Cyber-Rassilon, in a storyline eerily similar to what The Timeless Children would do years later. By merging Cyber and Time Lord technology, they launch invasions across different time zones, using airborne conversion viruses and temporal tactics to rewrite history. There’s a strong sense of scale to the Cyber threat, making them feel more dangerous than usual. The story also weaves into TV continuity well, positioning itself as a direct sequel to Hell Bent, explaining Rassilon’s return after his exile.

A UNIQUE MULTI-DOCTOR STRUCTURE

This crossover takes a different approach from most multi-Doctor stories—the incarnations never meet. Instead, their struggles are interwoven, each dealing with their own piece of the larger puzzle. While this might be disappointing for those expecting a grand team-up, it’s explained in-story as Rassilon’s attempt to keep them separated, which actually strengthens the narrative. There’s also something refreshing about seeing each Doctor operate independently rather than immediately pooling their resources.

CHARACTER MOMENTS AND CALLBACKS

The comic makes good use of its companion roster. It marks the Ninth Doctor’s first encounter with the Cybermen post-Time War, which the TV series never explored, and also features Rose’s first meeting with them—specifically, the Mondasian variety. Jackie and Captain Jack add some levity and emotional weight, with Jackie’s panic and complaints clashing with Jack’s usual swagger. Her moment of bravery after Rose is converted is a rare but strong character moment. The Cyber-Planner’s return and the introduction of the new Cyber race help freshen up the villains, and the final pages include a delightful montage of classic Doctors encountering Cybermen in unexpected places, a lovely bit of fan service.

WHERE IT FALLS SHORT

Unfortunately, the story stumbles in its final act. The tension builds well as each Doctor faces overwhelming odds, but the resolution feels too convenient. All four incarnations gain sudden “super Cyber powers” at their most desperate moments, allowing them to turn the tide against their enemies. Meanwhile, Rassilon’s ultimate plan—trapping Time Lords in a state of endless regeneration to harvest their energy—is undone when the Cybermen predictably betray him. This leads to a frustratingly overused sci-fi trope: a massive reset button, erasing the Cyber operation from history and undoing all their damage. After such a grand setup, the climax feels disappointingly hollow.

ART STYLE—A MIXED BAG

Visually, Supremacy of the Cybermen is a bit of a mixed experience. The paneling and layouts are strong, with large splash pages that showcase the scale of the conflict well. Action sequences are fluid, and the big set pieces—Gallifrey under Cyber rule, the Sontaran battlefield, the prehistoric Cyber-Silurians—are visually striking. However, character likenesses are inconsistent, with some faces looking wildly off-model, which can be distracting. The art style shines in depicting Cybermen and battle sequences but falters when it comes to the finer details of the Doctors and companions.

📝VERDICT: 9/10

Supremacy of the Cybermen is a fun, fast-paced, and ambitious crossover that celebrates the Cybermen’s legacy while incorporating elements of Doctor Who's ongoing TV continuity. The multi-Doctor structure is refreshing, the scale of the Cyber threat is well executed, and the action is engaging. However, the story stumbles in its final act, relying on overpowered resolutions and an unsatisfying reset button that undercuts the stakes. A worthy anniversary special, but one that could have stuck the landing much better.