Metal Mania (comic story)

Metal Mania was a comic story published in Doctor Who: Battles in Time. It was written by Simon Furman.

Opening narration box
The Doctor is attacked by Renaissance robots in the home of Leonardo da Vinci.

Plot
Ludovico's intervention with a chair distracts the robot holding the Doctor's throat long enough for the Doctor to deactivate it with his sonic screwdriver. Examing Leonardo, who has been watching in a trance, the Doctor discovers a spider-like robot has attached itself to his neck. When the Doctor tries to use his sonic screwdriver to detach the creature, more robotic suits of armour become animated.

The Doctor defends himself with sulphuric acid. The creature controlling Leonardo senses intelligence and communicates. It requires a new body after its old one was damaged in a crash. The Doctor agrees to help. He lures the creature into one of the suits of armour he has adapted. Once inside the suit of armour the robotic spider shuts down.

The Doctor explains the creature's mobility depended on a gas-delivery system which the Doctor "forgot" to switch on as part of his deal for the creature to leave Leonardo's body. With the creature trapped inactive in the armours' helmet, the Doctor leaves to take it home, wherever that may be! As he departs, the Doctor leaves instructions for Ludovico to burn the notes on making a robot.

Characters

 * Tenth Doctor
 * Leonardo da Vinci
 * Ludovico

Original print details

 * 2/2 DWBIT 62 (4 pages) TO BE CONTINUED...!
 * No reprints to date.

Continuity
to be added