Well, this is odd! Only a few months ago I wrote a review for the original comic version of this story as part of the Audio/Comic Companion Debut Marathon, and now here I am reviewing the audio adaptation! Well, some of this review, particularly the look at the story itself, are copied and pasted from that, but with some extra thoughts on the audio side of things, obviously. So let’s once again take a look at “and the Star Beast”, or just “The Star Beast” for simplicities sake…
Thought I was done with new Doctor Who releases this month? Ha! There is one more audio box to go through, and that starts with The Iron Legion (or “Doctor Who and The Iron Legion”, but that’s a bit of a mouthful…) Unlike the next story in the set, I haven’t gotten around to reviewing the comic this is adapted from on this site, but I know I will some day, so I’ve future proofed the title! Anyway, The Iron Legion is a crazy and very cartoony story in comic form, and I’m happy to say it’s just as crazy and cartoony in audio form as well! Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
The Kamelion Empire is a story of two very clear halves, one is a moody tale going into the unique and interesting history of Kamelion’s people, and the second half a generic run-around with a very one-note sneering villain. The problem comes from the fact that this is supposed to be one story, not two like last month! Still, does the good outweigh the predictable? Let’s find out!
This was an awkward one to review, as it felt to recent to re-listen to it retrospectively, yet it was obviously far too long ago to review it from memory. Still, there were worst things to relisten to than the introduction of The Eleven, and the debut story of Helen Sinclair (though mostly because it’s a really good story, rather than for the debut itself) So while it may be a fair few years before I review the rest of Doom Coalition, let’s take a look how it started, shall we?
Continuing the many audio companions of the Eighth Doctor we have Molly O’Sullivan, who appears solely in the Dark Eyes series of audios. Dark Eyes begins the Eighth Doctor’s transfer from the single-disc “Eighth Doctor Adventures” range to series of four, four-story boxset “series”, a theme that continues today, although that really begin with Dark Eyes 2, as this boxset was clearly written as a stand-alone story, a four-parter in all but name, which is why I’m reviewing the whole box rather than splitting it in half like I do for later releases. With all that being said, is it any good? Erm…
When I announced this Audio/Comic companion marathon I actually excluded Tamsin Drew because in reality she’s just a cog in the larger Lucie Miller storyline and only lasts two or three stories as an actual Doctor companion, but you know what? The Eighth Doctor names her in his death monologue, so why not? Save someone complaining I “left her out” anyway! With that all said, let’s take a look at Situation Vacant, a really fun hour of Doctor Who!
If you thought “The False Guardian / Time’s Assassin” was Daleks’ Master Plan-y, then you haven’t seen anything yet! Yes, the four part, two hour story “The Perfect Prisoners” goes even more all-in with its sequel to the 12-part Hartnell TV classic, including either the return of or the son of every delegate remaining from the original story, plus more! Is is worth a listen on its own, or is it just hanging on its sequel-ness? Let’s take a look!
We take a break from all the Syndicate side plots and Daleks’ Master Plan references for a more traditional, self-contained Fourth Doctor Adventure. Fever Island manages to mix a James Bond parody with a good old-fashioned Doctor Who “force from another dimension” plot to create an enjoyable hour. Let’s take a closer look…
When is using existing continuity going too far? That’s what question was on my mind while listening to this story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very fun story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but I do have to wonder about… well, the continuity it uses. Want to know more? Then by all means skip to the “Spoilers appear from here on out!” part of the review and find out!
The first ever Big Finish story starring Kamelion is now in the books, meaning this second (and third, I guess) story in the run has a little less intrigue around it, and if anything highlights a potential flaw in writing for the character: originality. Both stories once again feature Kamelion being influenced by another powerful mind, the only real plot point he had on TV, and a plot point from the previous audio story… Still, are Black Thursday and Power Game still worth listening to? Well…
Hogan Reviews 