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{{retitle|''Time Bomb!'' (comic story)}}
{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{TitleComic}}
{{ImageLinkComics}}
{{Infobox Other Comics
{{Infobox Story SMW
|name        = Time Bomb!
|image            = Time Bomb! Seven and Death's Head 3.jpg
|image            = Time Bomb end.jpg
|series            = Stories in [[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]] using characters that originated in the [[DWU]]
|series            =[[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]]|
|main character    = [[Death's Head]]
|main character    = [[Death's Head]]
|featuring        = [[Seventh Doctor]]
|featuring        = [[Seventh Doctor]]
|enemy            = [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]]<br />[[Hob]]
|enemy            = [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], [[Hob]]
|year              = [[Los Angeles]] Resettlement, [[Earth]]; [[82nd century|8162]]<br />[[Intra-Venus, Inc.]]; [[82nd century|8162]]<br />[[Thetford]]; [[17th century|1646]]<br />[[Earth]]; [[Triassic Period]]<br />[[France]]; [[June]] [[1916]]<br />[[England|English]] pier; [[20th century]]?<br />[[New York City]] ([[Earth-616]])
|setting          = {{il|[[Los Angeles]] Resettlement, [[8162]]|[[Intra-Venus, Inc.]], [[8162]]|[[Thetford]], [[1646]]|[[Earth]], [[Triassic]] Period|[[France]], [[June]] [[1916]]|[[England|English]] pier|[[New York City]]}}
|writer            = [[Steve Parkhouse]]
|writer            = Steve Parkhouse
|editor            = [[Steve White]]<br />Managing editor:<br />[[Jenny O'Connor]]
|editor            = [[Steve White]], Managing editor:[[Jenny O'Connor]]
|artist            = Pencils: [[Art Wetherell]]<br />Ink: [[Steve Parkhouse]]<br />[[Cover art]]:<br />[[Bryan Hitch]] & [[Mark Farmer]]
|artist            = Pencils: [[Art Wetherell]]<br />Ink: [[Steve Parkhouse]]<br />Cover art:<br />[[Bryan Hitch]] & [[Mark Farmer]]
|colourist        = [[Louise Cassell]]
|colourist        = [[Louise Cassell]]
|letterer         = [[Annie Halfacree]]
|letterer         = [[Annie Halfacree]]
|publication = [[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]] #8  
|publication       = [[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]] #8  
|release date = [[July]] [[1989]]
|reprint          = TIDH 9
|publisher        = [[Marvel UK]]
|release date     = July 1989
|format            = {{w|American comic book}} - 22 pages
|publisher        = Marvel UK
|prev   =  
|format            = [[American comic book]] - 22 pages
|next        =  
|epcount          = 1
}}
|prev             = Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling! (comic story)
{{you may|Time Bomb|Time Bomb (comic story)|n1=the weapon|n2=the DWM comic story}}
|series2          = Stories reprinted in ''[[The Incomplete Death's Head]]''
'''''Time Bomb!''''' was the second story in the pages of [[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]] to cross over with ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. Unusually for stories involving the character of [[Death's Head]], it was not written by [[Simon Furman]], but rather another ''DWM'' veteran, [[Steve Parkhouse]].
|prev2            = The Deadliest Game (comic story)
|next2            = Clobberin' Time! (comic story)
}}{{dab page|Time Bomb (disambiguation)}}
'''''Time Bomb!''''' was the second story in the pages of [[Death's Head (1988)|''Death's Head'' (1988)]] to cross over with ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. Unusually for stories involving the character of [[Death's Head]], it was not written by [[Simon Furman]], but rather another ''DWM'' veteran, [[Steve Parkhouse]].
 
The story is notable for the fact that it knits together characters that were never before associated. In particular, it depicted a meeting between [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]] and his [[robot]] assistant [[Hob]] — two characters from the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s ''DWM'' run — with [[Death's Head]], who hadn't appeared in ''DWM'' until the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s era. More significantly, it unmistakably showed [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] on top of the iconic [[Four Freedoms Plaza]], home of the [[Fantastic Four]], thereby making [[the Doctor]] a character in the mainstream {{w|Marvel universe}}.
 
The story was vague in its conclusion on whether Hob and Dogbolter had survived the confrontation, or if they had been been killed in the final frame. The comic series ''[[The Incomplete Death's Head]]'' would serve as a sequel to the story; showing [[Hob]], splintered across all of time and space by the blast, searching across archives of Head's life for any sign of where Dogbolter might have ended up. Stories like [[COMIC]]: ''[[The Stockbridge Showdown (comic story)|The Stockbridge Showdown]]'' would answer the mystery simply by ignoring it, and instead showing the two characters living up to the same status quo expected before the release of the story.


The story is notable for the fact that it knits together characters that were never before associated.  In particular, it depicted a meeting between [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]] and his [[robot]] assistant [[Hob]] — two characters from the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s ''DWM'' run — with [[Death's Head]], who hadn't appeared in ''DWM'' until the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s era.  More significantly, it unmistakably showed [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] on top of the iconic [[w:c:marvel:Baxter Building|Baxter Building]], home of the [[w:c:marvel:Fantastic Four|Fantastic Four]], thereby making [[the Doctor]] a character in the mainstream [[wikipedia:Marvel universe|Marvel universe]].
== Summary ==
== Summary ==
[[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], head of [[Intra-Venus, Inc.]], hires [[Death's Head]] to kill [[the Doctor]], and gives the mercenary a new [[time machine]]-in-a-backpack that his company is developing. He spins through time, stopping off in various historical spots, like the [[Battle of the Somme]]. Eventually he discovers the [[Seventh Doctor]], who lets the [[robot]] into [[the TARDIS]].
[[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], head of [[Intra-Venus, Inc.]], hires [[Death's Head]] to kill [[the Doctor]], and gives the mercenary a new [[time machine]]-in-a-backpack that his company is developing. He spins through time, stopping off in various historical spots, like the [[Battle of the Somme]]. Eventually he discovers the [[Seventh Doctor]], who lets the [[robot]] into [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]].


The unlikely duo soon discover that Dogbolter had dealt them both a bad hand. Attached to the time machine is a [[nuclear weapon]], which Dogbolter can activate remotely.   The Doctor thus transports to the Intra-Venus headquarters and helps Death's Head take off the time machine. They dump it right on top of Dogbolter's base and take off in the TARDIS. A mushroom cloud expands over the horizon, apparently indicating the Dogbolter's demise.  
The unlikely duo soon discover that Dogbolter had dealt them both a bad hand. Attached to the time machine is a [[nuclear weapon]], which Dogbolter can activate remotely. The Doctor thus transports to the Intra-Venus headquarters and helps Death's Head take off the time machine. They dump it right on top of Dogbolter's base and take off in the TARDIS. A mushroom cloud expands over the horizon, apparently indicating the Dogbolter's demise.


After that's done, the TARDIS materialises elsewhere, and the Doctor drops off Death's Head on the top of another building. The [[Time Lord]] tries to explain to the robot the necessity of self-improvement, and how that's a quality that organics will always have over mechanical beings. The plea seems to fall on deaf ears, however, and the Doctor returns to the TARDIS for another adventure. As he does it becomes apparent that this isn't just any old building.
After that's done, the TARDIS materialises elsewhere, and the Doctor drops off Death's Head on the top of another building. The [[Time Lord]] tries to explain to the robot the necessity of self-improvement, and how that's a quality that organics will always have over mechanical beings. The plea seems to fall on deaf ears, however, and the Doctor returns to the TARDIS for another adventure. As he does it becomes apparent that this isn't just any old building.


The Doctor has in fact landed on top of the [[w:c:marvel:Baxter Building|Baxter Building]], its distinctive number ''4'' heralding only one thing: Death's Head is about to come face to face with the [[w:c:marvel:Fantastic Four|Fantastic Four]].
The Doctor has in fact landed on top of the [[Four Freedoms Plaza]], its distinctive number ''4'' heralding only one thing: Death's Head is about to come face to face with the [[Fantastic Four]].


== Characters ==
== Characters ==
* [[Death's Head]]
* [[Death's Head]]
* The [[Seventh Doctor]]
* [[Seventh Doctor]]
* [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]]
* [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]]
* [[Hob]]
* [[Hob]]
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* [[Dave (Time Bomb!)|Dave]]
* [[Dave (Time Bomb!)|Dave]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* The [[Dogbolter Temporal Rocket]] - a prototype [[time machine]].
* Dogbolter once again has images of previous incarnations of the Doctor he has encountered (the [[Fifth Doctor]] and [[Sixth Doctor]]) as well as the current one. Dogbolter wants revenge on "that [[Seventh Doctor|pipsqueak Doctor]]".
* Death's Head notes real paper is worth four million "megabux" a ream in 8162. Hob carries a sheet with a letter of introduction. (Dollars are in use in L.A. elsewhere in the series. [[Mazuma]] are never referred to.)
* Hob explains everything his robotic body is made from.
* Dogbolter once again has images of previous incarnations of the Doctor he has encountered (the [[Fifth Doctor]] and [[Sixth Doctor]]) as well as the current one. Dogbolter wants revenge on "that [[Seventh Doctor|pipsqueak Doctor]]".
* The first [[Battle of the Somme]].
* [[Thetford]]'s parish records record a sighting of Death's Head as "the Horned One".
* [[Thetford]]'s parish records record a sighting of Death's Head as "the Horned One".
* A [[dinosaur]] is present in the Triassic.
* The Doctor tells a joke during his [[pantomime]] about [[Napoléon Bonaparte|Napoleon]].
* The Doctor tells a joke during his [[pantomime]] about [[Napoléon Bonaparte|Napoleon]].
* Dave tells the Doctor that next year the panto will be [[Aladdin]].
* Dave tells the Doctor that next year the panto will be [[Aladdin]].
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== Notes ==
== Notes ==
[[File:DH8cover.jpg|thumb|right|The original cover to ''Death's Head'' #8]]
[[File:DH8cover.jpg|thumb|right|The original cover to ''Death's Head'' #8]]
* As with the previous crossover with [[Doctor Who Magazine]], none of the recurring characters in ''Death's Head'' appeared other than Death's Head himself. Unlike the previous one which built heavily upon the title character of ''[[Keepsake (comic story)|Keepsake]]'' and made use of the city Death's Head lived in, only two pages are actually set in Los Angeles and remain entirely within the confines of Death's Head's office. [[Keepsake's vulture]], the only recurring character in the Death's Head series ''from'' ''Doctor Who Magazine'' is not even mentioned.
* As with the previous crossover with [[Doctor Who Magazine]], none of the recurring characters in ''Death's Head'' appeared, including [[Keepsake's vulture]], the only recurring character in the series ''from'' ''Doctor Who Magazine''. Unlike the previous crossover, which built heavily upon the title character of ''[[Keepsake (comic story)|Keepsake]]'' and made use of the city Death's Head lived in, only two pages are actually set in Los Angeles and remain entirely within the confines of Death's Head's office.
* The two pages the Doctor and Death's Head spend in Earth-616 are never dated in this issue. The next issue specifies [[1989]] but because of [[Marvel Comics]] shifting timeline policy, the more accurate statement made in that issue is that Franklin Richards is five years old.
** Furthermore, the year of 8162 is not mentioned in this issue, but Death's Head refers to having no ability to return to 8162 in [[COMIC]]: ''[[Clobberin' Time! (comic story)|Clobberin' Time!]]''.
* The cover does not represent events that happened in the story.
* The two pages the Doctor and Death's Head spend on the Baxter Building are not dated in this issue. The next issue specifies [[1989]] but because of [[Marvel Comics]] "sliding timescale", the more relevant statement made in that issue is that Franklin Richards is five years old.
* The cover depicts a meeting of Dogbolter and Death's Head, which does not actually happen within the comic.


=== Reprints ===
=== Reprints ===
* Reprinted in [[The Incomplete Death's Head]] Issue 9 (as a [[Maruthea]]n archive)
* Reprinted in ''[[The Incomplete Death's Head]]'' Issue 9 (as a [[Maruthea]]n archive)


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor is still carrying his [[vibrator piklok]]. ([[DWM]]: ''[[Voyager (comic story)|Voyager]]'')
* The Doctor is still carrying his [[vibrator piklok]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Voyager (comic story)|Voyager]]'')
* Dogbolter finally achieves his goal of getting a [[time machine]]. Previous encounters with the Doctor involved trying to take [[the Doctor's TARDIS]].
* Death's Head since being sent to 8162 ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Crossroads of Time (comic story)|The Crossroads of Time]]'') has set up an office in LA.
* Hob later revealed on [[Maruthea]] that he and Dogbolter didn't make it to the sub-basement in time and were caught in the explosion. Hob miraculously survived and believed Dogbolter had as well. ([[The Incomplete Death's Head]])
* Death's Head since being sent to 8162 ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Crossroads of Time]]'') has set up an office in LA.  
 
== Timeline ==
* This story occurs after [[DWM]]: ''[[Invaders from Gantac]]''
* This story occurs before [[DWM]]: ''[[The Infinity Season]]''


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{dwrefguide|deathhead.htm|Time Bomb!}}
{{dwrefguide|deathhead.htm|Time Bomb!}}
{{Death's Head}}
{{Dogbolter stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[Category:Seventh Doctor comic stories]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor comic stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 82nd century]]
[[Category:Stories set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Stories set in 8162]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Stories set in New York City]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1646]]
[[Category:Stories set in France]]
[[Category:Stories set in France]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1916]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1916]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 1640s]]
[[Category:Stories set in New York City]]
[[Category:Stories set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Death's Head comic stories]]
[[Category:Death's Head comic stories]]
[[Category:Stories that crossover with non-DWU series]]
[[Category:1989 comic stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in World War I]]
[[Category:Reprinted TIDH comic stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1989]]
[[Category:One part comics]]

Latest revision as of 20:31, 9 November 2023

RealWorld.png

You may wish to consult Time Bomb (disambiguation) for other, similarly-named pages.

Time Bomb! was the second story in the pages of Death's Head (1988) to cross over with Doctor Who Magazine. Unusually for stories involving the character of Death's Head, it was not written by Simon Furman, but rather another DWM veteran, Steve Parkhouse.

The story is notable for the fact that it knits together characters that were never before associated. In particular, it depicted a meeting between Josiah W. Dogbolter and his robot assistant Hob — two characters from the Sixth Doctor's DWM run — with Death's Head, who hadn't appeared in DWM until the Seventh Doctor's era. More significantly, it unmistakably showed the Doctor's TARDIS on top of the iconic Four Freedoms Plaza, home of the Fantastic Four, thereby making the Doctor a character in the mainstream Marvel universe.

The story was vague in its conclusion on whether Hob and Dogbolter had survived the confrontation, or if they had been been killed in the final frame. The comic series The Incomplete Death's Head would serve as a sequel to the story; showing Hob, splintered across all of time and space by the blast, searching across archives of Head's life for any sign of where Dogbolter might have ended up. Stories like COMIC: The Stockbridge Showdown would answer the mystery simply by ignoring it, and instead showing the two characters living up to the same status quo expected before the release of the story.

Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

Josiah W. Dogbolter, head of Intra-Venus, Inc., hires Death's Head to kill the Doctor, and gives the mercenary a new time machine-in-a-backpack that his company is developing. He spins through time, stopping off in various historical spots, like the Battle of the Somme. Eventually he discovers the Seventh Doctor, who lets the robot into the TARDIS.

The unlikely duo soon discover that Dogbolter had dealt them both a bad hand. Attached to the time machine is a nuclear weapon, which Dogbolter can activate remotely. The Doctor thus transports to the Intra-Venus headquarters and helps Death's Head take off the time machine. They dump it right on top of Dogbolter's base and take off in the TARDIS. A mushroom cloud expands over the horizon, apparently indicating the Dogbolter's demise.

After that's done, the TARDIS materialises elsewhere, and the Doctor drops off Death's Head on the top of another building. The Time Lord tries to explain to the robot the necessity of self-improvement, and how that's a quality that organics will always have over mechanical beings. The plea seems to fall on deaf ears, however, and the Doctor returns to the TARDIS for another adventure. As he does it becomes apparent that this isn't just any old building.

The Doctor has in fact landed on top of the Four Freedoms Plaza, its distinctive number 4 heralding only one thing: Death's Head is about to come face to face with the Fantastic Four.

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Dogbolter once again has images of previous incarnations of the Doctor he has encountered (the Fifth Doctor and Sixth Doctor) as well as the current one. Dogbolter wants revenge on "that pipsqueak Doctor".
  • Thetford's parish records record a sighting of Death's Head as "the Horned One".
  • The Doctor tells a joke during his pantomime about Napoleon.
  • Dave tells the Doctor that next year the panto will be Aladdin.
  • Dogbolter and Death's Head identify the Doctor as a Gallifreyan. Death's Head also calls him a Time Lord.
  • Intra-Venus HQ is unstaffed on Sundays.

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

The original cover to Death's Head #8
  • As with the previous crossover with Doctor Who Magazine, none of the recurring characters in Death's Head appeared, including Keepsake's vulture, the only recurring character in the series from Doctor Who Magazine. Unlike the previous crossover, which built heavily upon the title character of Keepsake and made use of the city Death's Head lived in, only two pages are actually set in Los Angeles and remain entirely within the confines of Death's Head's office.
    • Furthermore, the year of 8162 is not mentioned in this issue, but Death's Head refers to having no ability to return to 8162 in COMIC: Clobberin' Time!.
  • The two pages the Doctor and Death's Head spend on the Baxter Building are not dated in this issue. The next issue specifies 1989 but because of Marvel Comics "sliding timescale", the more relevant statement made in that issue is that Franklin Richards is five years old.
  • The cover depicts a meeting of Dogbolter and Death's Head, which does not actually happen within the comic.

Reprints[[edit] | [edit source]]

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

v • e
Death's Head stories
Doctor Who Magazine
Death's Head (1988)
The Incomplete
Death's Head
Other
v • e
Dogbolter family stories
Josiah W. Dogbolter
Comics
Audio
Complete list of appearances
Berakka Dogbolter
Comics
Complete list of appearances
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