Distractions (comic story)

Distractions was a Seventh Doctor comic strip published in Doctor Who Magazine. It served as the second prequel to The Mark of Mandragora and was later reprinted in the graphic novel.

Summary
The Doctor is brooding when Ace asks him about his old study, which they head for. He wonders why he hasn't been able to take the TARDIS away from Earth recently, and why they've encountered creatures that should never have been there. When they arrive at the study, its actually the secondary control room, and he remembers when he previously used it. After all this time, a part of the Mandragora Helix is still aboard the TARDIS, and the Doctor fears it is now powerful enough to direct the path of the TARDIS as well as draw other forces to Earth. He and Ace leave the control room. And mandragora energy appears.

Characters

 * Seventh Doctor
 * Ace

Continuity

 * The Doctor mentions his "recent" encounters with the Kalik, (COMIC: Train-Flight) Morgaine, (TV: Battlefield) and the Hitchers. (COMIC: Fellow Travellers)
 * He previously encountered the Mandragora Helix in 15th century Italy. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora)
 * Ace previously wore a Batman earring, another piece of popular culture. (TV: Remembrance of the Daleks)