Summary
The Doctor and K9 drift into contact with a deep space entity that feeds on time itself. As time begins to move backwards, K9 reverts to the components in which he was made and the Doctor moves back through his regenerations, regressing to the point where he first throws the switch to bring life to his TARDIS. As the power reversal switches the power off, the entity weakens and time moves forward enough to throw the switch on, then back off, then on and so on. Each time the switch is changed the entity experiences indigestion and eventually weakens. As time rolls forward once again all that is left of the entity is a puddle on the TARDIS floor.
Characters
- Fourth Doctor
- First Doctor
- K9 Mark II
- The Second Doctor and Third Doctor appear briefly
- Space amoeba
References
to be added
Notes
- Announced in the previous issue of Doctor Who Weekly as Time Trap
- This is the first comic strip story to feature another depiction of the Doctor other than the then-current fourth incarnation, and the first appearance in the comic strip of K9.
- This marked the first DWM appearance of the First Doctor, Second Doctor and Third Doctor. While the First and Fourth Doctors drive the story, the Second and Third appear only transitionally.
- The full page regression of the Doctor (which relied heavily on photo-reference of stock photos) through his earlier selves was used as the basis of a colouring competition in DWM 24.
- The images of the various Doctors (and enemies) appear to have been based on various promotional images that were around at the time.
Original print details
- Publication with page count and closing captions
Reprints
- DWMS Summer 1981
- DW84 18 Reprinted in colour.
- DWCC 27 Reprinted in colour.
- The Tides of Time Reprinted in black and white, with closing captions. (Unlike the rest of the stories, printed in full colour).
Continuity
- Reference is made to the Randomiser being operative, placing this story after the events of DW: The Armageddon Factor (and therefore quite a bit later than the preceding strip, DWM: City of the Damned). Romana II is said to be absent, but the presence of K9 and absence of Adric indicates this story (as well as those immediately following in which the Doctor travels with K9 and Sharon) has to occur prior to the TARDIS entering E-Space in DW: Full Circle.
- The reason for Romana's absence is not explained. The Doctor expresses a wish that he could contact her, suggesting that where ever she is (or perhaps due to the randomiser) that communication is difficult.
Timeline
- This story occurs after: DWM: K9's Finest Hour
- This story occurs before: DWM: The Star Beast
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