Always fun to see Doctor Who talk about literally any non-European history, so setting this in both India's past and future with a lot of ties to Hindu mythology was really fun.

I think it’s fair to say that had this comic been made a decade later someone of Hindu faith or at the very least South East Asian heritage would have been somewhere in the vicinity of the development of this story. I loved the art. The story is pretty so so. Some of the explorations of Hindu Gods inspired visuals are truly stunning, others are a little clunky and insensitive.

Separately, because this is an early Twelfth Doctor story, he has to be needlessly mean for a portion of part 1. I am so glad this Doctor moves beyond that.

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

“THE SWORDS OF KALI: A BOLD SETTING WITH A SLOW BURN”

After the icy landscapes of Terroroformer, The Swords of Kali (or Okti, depending on the version) brings a much-needed change of pace, transporting the Doctor and Clara to India in 1812 and the future. Doctor Who rarely explores Indian history, so the setting alone makes this adventure stand out. The story taps into Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom vibes with its focus on the Okti cult, a mysterious religious order with sinister intentions.

STRONG CHARACTERS BUT A LAGGING PLOT

The supporting cast is impressive—a Maharaja and his daughter who previously encountered the Fourth Doctor, an assassin girl from 1825, and the villainous Scindia family, whose immortality is granted by their alien masters. However, the pacing suffers in the middle, focusing heavily on exposition before picking up in the final issue. The climactic sword fight between Twelve and Okti is a highlight, though Clara becoming a vessel for Okti feels like an overused trope.

VERDICT: GREAT ATMOSPHERE, BUT INCONSISTENT PACING

With its rich setting, engaging side characters, and vibrant artwork, The Swords of Kali delivers a visually striking and refreshingly different Doctor Who story. However, the slow middle section and predictable climax keep it from reaching its full potential.

📝8/10

The Swords of Kali is an Improvement over the last one. For me, it uses some of Who’s Core Elements so well. We explore a different Culture and jump with time. A much better Story of utilizing how limitless Comics can be, because if you can draw it, you can make it, no worries about Budget or having to sound convincing. I also think the Art goes more out there and is much more appealing to me. The guest Characters are also much more memorable here. Sadly, the Ending is disappointing, but at least the World building is fun (that being the Defeat and not the actual Ending of the Story itself, which I thought was rather nice)!

Exploring different cultures, showing their past and a future based on them, time travel as a big part of the plot, gay people, great art, what more could you ask for?

Well, apparently cultural sensitivity and more interesting villains, but can’t have everything I guess