| From Doctor Who Magazine #256 |
A Review by Tom May 9/1/99
"You really haven't got this time travel lark sussed yet, have you?"
-Izzy, speaking to the Doctor
By Hook Or By Crook is a very useful diversion for the comic strip after the hefty Fire and Brimstone. A tone far more light-hearted than usual is noticeable. Despite the pictorial distractions of a bizarre-looking group of aliens, it's clear that this one-parter is characterisation on the part of The Doctor and Izzy. Their relationship is excellently conveyed, with the Doctor left helpless, and hapless throughout much of the story, while Izzy has to save his skin. Indeed, Izzy's character is used very nicely, coming across as witty, cynical, cunning and very likeable -- a far cry from successive whingeing TV Series companions in the '80s (ie. Tegan and Peri). Izzy has (as regular readers of the DWM comic strip will gather) a distinct propensity for name-dropping (generally of Science Fiction films et al), and it's unsurprising, but neatly post-modern to see her mentioning of Fritz Lang.
The Eighth Doctor appears to be almost a fully rounded figure for once (unlike in some offending BBC Novels), and displays a wonderful hangdog expresion in the penultimate picture. The art is exceptional, and done very differently than usual -- there's little attempt at realism, and the starring pair are given just that little bit more character because of the incisively basic drawings of them in this comic strip.
As I believe a cordial relationship between Doctor and Companion is very necessary in any medium, it's great to see the warm, witty rapport between The Doctor and Izzy, and for this alone, the story is brilliant. Aside from this, it's a pleasant little yarn, with many knowingly ironic touches, the odd in-joke and effectively drawn images.
In summary, By Hook Or By Crook is brilliant, winning light relief, that features Izzy and the Doctor at their finest. 9/10