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{{title|''Voyager'' (comic story)}}
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{{Infobox Comic|
{{Infobox Story SMW
comic name= Voyager |
|range          = DWM comic stories{{!}}DWM Comics
image= [[file:Voyager!.jpg|250px]] |
|number in range = 25
series= [[Doctor Who Magazine comic strips|Doctor Who]] -<BR> [[Sixth Doctor comic strip stories]]|  
|image           = <gallery>
doctor= [[Sixth Doctor]]|
Voyager!.jpg|B&W
companions= [[Frobisher]]|
Voyage_colour_reprints.jpg|Colour
enemy=[[Astrolabus]] |
</gallery>
year=[[Arctic|North Pole]] |
|series         = [[DWM comic stories|''DWM'' comic stories]]
writer= [[Steve Parkhouse]]|
|doctor         = Sixth Doctor
artist= [[John Ridgway]]|
|companions     = [[Frobisher]]
editor= [[Alan McKenzie]] |
|featuring      = [[Voyager]]
colourist=[[Gina Hart]] ([[Voyager (1985)|reprint]])|
|enemy           = [[Astrolabus]]
lettering= [[Annie Parkhouse|Annie Halfacree]] |
|setting        = [[Edge of the universe]]
publication title= [[Doctor Who Monthly]] [[DWM 90|90]]-[[DWM 94|94]]|  
|writer         = Steve Parkhouse
publication dates= July - November [[1984]] |
|artist         = [[John Ridgway]]
publisher= [[Marvel Comics UK]]|
|editor         = [[Alan McKenzie]]
format= Comic - 5 parts|  
|colourist       =  
previous story= [[The Shape Shifter]]|
|letterer        = [[Annie Halfacree]]
next story= [[Polly the Glot]]
|publication     = [[DWM 90]]-[[DWM 94|94]]  
}}
|release date    = 14 June - 11 October 1984
:''For other uses of Voyager see [[Voyager (disambiguation)]].''
|publisher       = Marvel Comics UK
|reprint        = DWMAC 6
|reprint2        = Voyager (1989 graphic novel)
|reprint3        = Voyager (2007 graphic novel)
|reprint4        = DWCS3 1
|reprint5        = DWCS3 2
|reprint6        = Doctor Who Classics Volume 6
|reprint7        = Doctor Who Classics Omnibus Volume 2
|format         = Comic  
|epcount        = 5
|prev            = The Shape Shifter (comic story)
|next           = Polly the Glot (comic story)
}}{{dab page|Voyager (disambiguation)}}
'''''Voyager''''' was a [[Sixth Doctor]] comic published in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. It introduced the character of [[Astrolabus]] and began the [[Voyager]] arc.
'''''Voyager''''' was a [[Sixth Doctor]] comic published in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. It introduced the character of [[Astrolabus]] and began the [[Voyager]] arc.
==Summary==
The Doctor and [[Frobisher]] find themselves in [[Antarctica]], but things take a turn for the worse when they meet [[Astrolabus]] and the mysterious Voyager.


==Plot==
== Summary ==
===It Was a Devil Ship... (1)===
The [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Frobisher]] find themselves in [[Antarctica]], but things take a turn for the worse when they meet [[Astrolabus]] and the mysterious Voyager.
The Doctor is a prisoner aboard Voyager's "Death-ship". They journey to the edge of the world and fall off. The Doctor wakes in the TARDIS to find the door open. Outside, his coat is draped over a [[snowman]], his [[umbrella]] under its arm. He collects them and continues to journey the wastes, considering how he has come to enjoy Frobisher's [[companion]]ship.


The Doctor meets with Frobisher. They see a ship frozen in the ice. The Doctor recognises it as the one from his dream. Boarding it, they find [[star chart]]s in the hold and prepare to leave with them when a man enters behind them, threatening the pair with a [[firearm|gun]].
== Plot ==
=== It Was a Devil Ship... (1) ===
The [[Sixth Doctor]] is a prisoner aboard [[Voyager]]'s "Death-ship". They journey to the edge of the world and fall off. The Doctor wakes in [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to find the door open. Outside, his coat is draped over a [[snowman]], his [[umbrella]] under its arm. He collects them and continues to journey the wastes, considering how he has come to enjoy [[Frobisher]]'s [[companion]]ship.


===The Lighthouse at the End of the World... (2)===
The Doctor meets with Frobisher, and they spot a ship frozen in the [[ice]], which the Doctor recognises as the one from his [[dream]]. Boarding it, they find [[star chart]]s in the hold and prepare to leave with them when a man enters behind them, threatening the pair with a [[firearm|gun]].
The man ties the Doctor to a chair and then makes his escape with the charts. Frobisher goes up on deck and the Doctor quickly frees himself. They watch through a [[telescope]] as he makes his escape in an original [[Leonardo da Vinci|da Vinci]] flying machine.


The Doctor and Frobisher return to the TARDIS and follow the man, arriving finally at a [[lighthouse]]. [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] picks up powerful energy readings. Outside, the Doctor finds Frobisher has gone into the water. He emerges to regurgitate a fish for the Doctor. Suddenly, a robot-like [[humanoid]] appears and advances upon them.
=== The Lighthouse at the End of the World... (2) ===
The man ties the Doctor to a [[chair]], then makes his escape with the charts. Frobisher goes up on deck and the Doctor quickly frees himself. They watch through a [[telescope]] as he makes his escape in an original [[Leonardo da Vinci|da Vinci]] flying machine.


===The Lighthouse... (3)===
The Doctor and Frobisher return to the TARDIS and follow the man. They arrive at a [[lighthouse]]. [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] picks up powerful energy readings. Outside, the Doctor finds Frobisher has gone into the water. He emerges to regurgitate a [[fish]] for the Doctor. Suddenly, a [[robot]]-like [[humanoid]] appears and advances upon them.
The Doctor tells Frobisher the being is an [[Automaton (Voyager)|Automaton]], a living soul in a mechanical body. It walks past them and into the sea. The Doctor guesses that it could be connected to a craft Frobisher saw under the water.


The Doctor instructs Frobisher to return to the TARDIS. He peers through the keyhole of the lighthouse and sees the man he chased sitting within. Opening the door with his [[sonic screwdriver]], the Doctor threatens the man with his own gun. However, the man notes the Doctor would not kill him and makes his escape. The Doctor follows and falls, finding himself hanging on to the side of the lighthouse, far above the ground. The man leans over him and suddenly the Doctor finds he is in fact hanging from a table, inside, with his legs safely on the ground. He asks the man who he is. The figure tells him various aliases and then proclaims himself legend.
=== The Lighthouse... (3) ===
The Doctor tells Frobisher the being is an [[Automaton (Voyager)|Automaton]], a living soul in a mechanical [[body]]. It walks past them and into the [[sea]]. The Doctor guesses that it could be connected to a craft Frobisher saw under the [[water]].


===Dreams of Eternity (4)===
The Doctor instructs Frobisher to return to the TARDIS. He peers through the lighthouse's keyhole and sees the man he chased sitting within. Opening the door with [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|his sonic screwdriver]], the Doctor threatens the man with his own gun. However, the man notes the Doctor wouldn't kill him and makes his escape. The Doctor follows and falls. He finds himself hanging on to the side of the lighthouse, far above the ground. The man leans over him and suddenly the Doctor finds he is hanging from a [[table]], inside, with his [[leg]]s safely on the ground. He asks the man who he is. The figure tells him various aliases and then proclaims himself legend.
Astrolabus tells the Doctor the story of [[Alexandria]], a city he helped make great. It fell and Astrolabus took to the stars. However, the Doctor identifies him as the thief who stole [[The Book of the Old Time]]. The Doctor flees and finds the world around him transforming.


Running down a winding staircase, he sights only a door left in the bland interior. Tentacles come from behind and try to squeeze him, but he breaks free. With a final effort, he escapes and finds himself in space.
=== Dreams of Eternity (4) ===
[[Astrolabus]] tells the Doctor the story of [[Alexandria]], a city he helped make great. It fell and Astrolabus took to the stars. However, the Doctor identifies him as Astrolabus, the Time Lord thief who stole ''[[The Book of the Old Time]]'' before the Doctor himself was even born. He identifies the lighthouse itself as [[Astrolabus' TARDIS]]. The Doctor flees and finds the world around him transforming.


===The Final Chapter (5)===
Running down a winding [[staircase]], he sights only a door left in the blank interior. [[Tentacle]]s come from behind and try to squeeze him, but he breaks free. With a final effort, he escapes and finds himself in space.
The Doctor finds himself back on Earth, in the sea. Inside the TARDIS, Frobisher activates the [[TARDIS scanner]], spots the Doctor in the water and runs to help him. Astrolabus makes his way to the top of the lighthouse and it turns into a rocket. Voyager appears in his ship as the rocket takes off, disappearing into the clouds.


The Doctor finds himself once more on Voyager's ship, at the edge of the world. Again he wakes to find himself on a rocky outcrop with Frobisher. They return to the TARDIS and the Doctor sees Voyager once more, instructing him to return his star charts.
=== The Final Chapter (5) ===
The Doctor finds himself back on [[Earth]], in the [[sea]]. Inside the TARDIS, Frobisher activates the [[TARDIS scanner]], spots the Doctor in the water and runs to help him. Astrolabus makes his way to the top of the lighthouse and it turns into a [[rocket]]. Voyager appears in his ship as the rocket takes off, disappearing into the clouds.


==Characters==
The Doctor finds himself once more on Voyager's ship at the edge of the world. Again he wakes to find himself on a rocky outcrop with [[Frobisher]]. They return to the TARDIS. The Doctor sees Voyager once more, instructing him to return his star charts.
*[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]]
*[[Frobisher]]
*[[Astrolabus]]
*[[Voyager]]


==References==
== Characters ==
===[[:Category:Individuals|Individuals]]===
* [[Sixth Doctor]]
*Frobisher claims to have spent fourteen years as a till in a [[Walthamstow]] supermarket.
* [[Frobisher]]
*Astrolabus claims to have an appointment in [[China|Cathay]] with [[Marco Polo]].
* [[Astrolabus]]
*Astrolabus tried to follow Voyager in a skyship, but his efforts were defeated by [[electro-magnetic storm]]s.
* [[Voyager]]
*[[King]] [[Ptolemy I]] of [[Egypt]] built a lighthouse at [[Alexandria]].


===[[:Category:Earth fish|Earth fish]]===
== Worldbuilding ==
*The Doctor ponders whether there are [[angler fish]] in the waters.
=== Books ===
* Astrolabus owns a variety of books including ''[[Einstein Got It Wrong]]'' by [[Nostradamus]].


===[[:Category:Technology|Technology]]===
=== Cosmology ===
*An [[Automaton (Voyager)|Automaton]] is a living soul in a mechanical body.
* The area beyond the [[edge of the universe]] is called [[the Void]].
===[[:Category:Foods and beverages from the real world|Foods and beverages from the real world]]===
*The last time the Doctor left Frobisher alone with the [[food machine]], he nearly filled the console room with [[Mars Bar]]s.
===[[:Category:Entertainment|Entertainment]]===
*Astrolabus tells the Doctor to pick one of his [[playing card]]s.
*Angered by the Doctor's assertion that he is mad, Astrolabus hits him with a [[Punch and Judy|Punch]] doll.


==Notes==
=== Individuals ===
* Reprinted in [[Voyager (graphic novel)|graphic novel]] format on [[26th May]] [[1989]], making it one of the first ''Doctor Who'' graphic novels.
* Astrolabus claims to have an appointment with [[Marco Polo]].
* Reprinted as part of the 2007 graphic novel [[Voyager (2007 graphic novel)|Voyager]].
* Frobisher claims to have spent fourteen years as a [[till]] in a [[Walthamstow]] [[supermarket]].
* Frobisher's idea of a "disguise" is a pair of [[glasses]] and false [[nose]].
* [[King]] [[Ptolemy I]] of [[Egypt]] built a lighthouse at [[Alexandria]].
* The Doctor uses a "little technique" he learned from [[Harry Houdini|Houdini]] to escape his bindings after being tied up.


==Continuity==
=== Earth fish ===
*Astrolabus stole [[The Book of the Old Time]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'')
* The Doctor ponders whether there are [[angler fish]] in the waters.
*The First Doctor met [[Marco Polo]] and here Astrolabus claims to have an appointment with him. ([[DW]]: ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]'')
*The First Doctor previously visited Alexandria. ([[VD]]: ''[[The Book of Shadows]]'')


==[[Sixth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]==
=== Technology ===
*This story takes place after [[DWM]]: ''[[The Shape Shifter]]''
* Astrolabus's [[lighthouse]] is in fact [[Astrolabus' TARDIS|his TARDIS]].
*This story takes place before [[DWM]]: ''[[Polly the Glot]]''
* The Doctor carries a vibrator piklok that he can use to spy through keyholes and open doors.


==External links==
=== Foods and beverages ===
* {{Dwrefguide|comic6.htm#voyager|Voyager}}
* The last time that the Doctor left Frobisher alone with the [[food machine]], he nearly filled the console room with [[Mars Bar]]s.
*[http://alteredvistas.co.uk/html/sixth_doctor.html Altered Vistas The comics - The Sixth Doctor, '''The Shape Shifter''']


{{comic stub}}
=== Entertainment ===
{{Early Sixth doctor DWM comics}}
* Astrolabus tells the Doctor to pick one of his [[playing card]]s.
* Angered by the Doctor's assertion that he is mad, Astrolabus hits him with a [[Punch and Judy|Punch doll]].
 
== Notes ==
[[File:Astrolabus ethnicity crisis.png|thumb|right|The present-day Astrolabus and his purported past self in the colourised version of the story.]]
* The colourised version of the story gives [[Astrolabus]] a [[White person|Caucasian skin tone]]. This could be interpreted to introduce a discrepancy with the portion of the story in which Astrolabus claims to be an older form of the Alexandrian astrologer, who, without the facial hair, is more clearly depicted as black, and indeed colourised as such.
* This story marks the first time Frobisher is seen identifying himself as "Frobisher" and using the form of a [[penguin]], which would become his most common and preferred appearance.
* ''Voyager'' was reprinted in [[Voyager (1989 graphic novel)|graphic novel]] format on [[26 May (releases)|26 May]] 1989, making it one of the first ''Doctor Who'' graphic novels. It was also reprinted as part of the 2007 graphic novel ''[[Voyager (2007 graphic novel)|Voyager]]''.
[[File:DWM 501 Voyager.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jamie Lenman]]'s [[Free gifts (Doctor Who Magazine)|poster]].]]
* A poster for this story by [[Jamie Lenman]] was included as a [[Free gifts (Doctor Who Magazine)|free gift]] with [[DWM 501]].
 
== Continuity ==
* This story follows on from [[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Shape Shifter (comic story)}}, in which the [[Sixth Doctor]] took [[Frobisher]] on as a [[companion]]. Here, he settles on the form of a [[penguin]], which would become the character's iconic default appearance throughout his many subsequent appearances.
* [[Astrolabus]] stole ''[[The Book of the Old Time]]'', first discussed in [[TV]]: {{cs|The Deadly Assassin (TV story)}}.
* The Sixth Doctor recognises Astrolabus as "[[the Thief of Time]]" and the plunderer of many treasures from across space and time. The [[Third Doctor]] had previously battled an infamous Time Lord known as [[the Time Thief]] in [[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Time Thief (DWAN short story)}}, who was disgraced for robbing various planets, and to whom Astrolabus bears a strong physical resemblance. However, this original Time Thief's name was given as [[Madrigor]]; neither the apparent name change nor the prior encounter between the Doctor and the Thief are referenced here, making it uncertain that this was actually intended as a point of continuity.
* The Doctor's battles with Astrolabus would continue in [[COMIC]]: {{cs|Polly the Glot (comic story)}} and [[COMIC]]: {{cs|Once Upon a Time-Lord (comic story)}}.
* The character was indirectly referenced in [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Going Once, Going Twice (short story)}}, where the character of [[Auteur]] is depicted as dropping various hints that he is a surviving form of Astrolabus after the events of ''Once Upon a Time-Lord'', although this is strongly implied to be a self-serving lie or delusion on his part.
 
== External links ==
{{dwrefguide|comic6.htm#voyager|Voyager}}
{{Sixth Doctor DWM comics}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Sixth Doctor DWM comic stories]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor DWM comic stories]]
[[Category:1984 comic stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Stories set in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Voyager arc]]
[[Category:Five part comics]]
[[Category:Stories released in 1984]]

Latest revision as of 16:18, 4 December 2024

RealWorld.png

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

Voyager was a Sixth Doctor comic published in Doctor Who Magazine. It introduced the character of Astrolabus and began the Voyager arc.

Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Sixth Doctor and Frobisher find themselves in Antarctica, but things take a turn for the worse when they meet Astrolabus and the mysterious Voyager.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

It Was a Devil Ship... (1)[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Sixth Doctor is a prisoner aboard Voyager's "Death-ship". They journey to the edge of the world and fall off. The Doctor wakes in the TARDIS to find the door open. Outside, his coat is draped over a snowman, his umbrella under its arm. He collects them and continues to journey the wastes, considering how he has come to enjoy Frobisher's companionship.

The Doctor meets with Frobisher, and they spot a ship frozen in the ice, which the Doctor recognises as the one from his dream. Boarding it, they find star charts in the hold and prepare to leave with them when a man enters behind them, threatening the pair with a gun.

The Lighthouse at the End of the World... (2)[[edit] | [edit source]]

The man ties the Doctor to a chair, then makes his escape with the charts. Frobisher goes up on deck and the Doctor quickly frees himself. They watch through a telescope as he makes his escape in an original da Vinci flying machine.

The Doctor and Frobisher return to the TARDIS and follow the man. They arrive at a lighthouse. The TARDIS picks up powerful energy readings. Outside, the Doctor finds Frobisher has gone into the water. He emerges to regurgitate a fish for the Doctor. Suddenly, a robot-like humanoid appears and advances upon them.

The Lighthouse... (3)[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor tells Frobisher the being is an Automaton, a living soul in a mechanical body. It walks past them and into the sea. The Doctor guesses that it could be connected to a craft Frobisher saw under the water.

The Doctor instructs Frobisher to return to the TARDIS. He peers through the lighthouse's keyhole and sees the man he chased sitting within. Opening the door with his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor threatens the man with his own gun. However, the man notes the Doctor wouldn't kill him and makes his escape. The Doctor follows and falls. He finds himself hanging on to the side of the lighthouse, far above the ground. The man leans over him and suddenly the Doctor finds he is hanging from a table, inside, with his legs safely on the ground. He asks the man who he is. The figure tells him various aliases and then proclaims himself legend.

Dreams of Eternity (4)[[edit] | [edit source]]

Astrolabus tells the Doctor the story of Alexandria, a city he helped make great. It fell and Astrolabus took to the stars. However, the Doctor identifies him as Astrolabus, the Time Lord thief who stole The Book of the Old Time before the Doctor himself was even born. He identifies the lighthouse itself as Astrolabus' TARDIS. The Doctor flees and finds the world around him transforming.

Running down a winding staircase, he sights only a door left in the blank interior. Tentacles come from behind and try to squeeze him, but he breaks free. With a final effort, he escapes and finds himself in space.

The Final Chapter (5)[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor finds himself back on Earth, in the sea. Inside the TARDIS, Frobisher activates the TARDIS scanner, spots the Doctor in the water and runs to help him. Astrolabus makes his way to the top of the lighthouse and it turns into a rocket. Voyager appears in his ship as the rocket takes off, disappearing into the clouds.

The Doctor finds himself once more on Voyager's ship at the edge of the world. Again he wakes to find himself on a rocky outcrop with Frobisher. They return to the TARDIS. The Doctor sees Voyager once more, instructing him to return his star charts.

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Books[[edit] | [edit source]]

Cosmology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Earth fish[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor ponders whether there are angler fish in the waters.

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Astrolabus's lighthouse is in fact his TARDIS.
  • The Doctor carries a vibrator piklok that he can use to spy through keyholes and open doors.

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The last time that the Doctor left Frobisher alone with the food machine, he nearly filled the console room with Mars Bars.

Entertainment[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Astrolabus tells the Doctor to pick one of his playing cards.
  • Angered by the Doctor's assertion that he is mad, Astrolabus hits him with a Punch doll.

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

The present-day Astrolabus and his purported past self in the colourised version of the story.
  • The colourised version of the story gives Astrolabus a Caucasian skin tone. This could be interpreted to introduce a discrepancy with the portion of the story in which Astrolabus claims to be an older form of the Alexandrian astrologer, who, without the facial hair, is more clearly depicted as black, and indeed colourised as such.
  • This story marks the first time Frobisher is seen identifying himself as "Frobisher" and using the form of a penguin, which would become his most common and preferred appearance.
  • Voyager was reprinted in graphic novel format on 26 May 1989, making it one of the first Doctor Who graphic novels. It was also reprinted as part of the 2007 graphic novel Voyager.
Jamie Lenman's poster.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story follows on from COMIC: The Shape Shifter [+]Loading...["The Shape Shifter (comic story)"], in which the Sixth Doctor took Frobisher on as a companion. Here, he settles on the form of a penguin, which would become the character's iconic default appearance throughout his many subsequent appearances.
  • Astrolabus stole The Book of the Old Time, first discussed in TV: The Deadly Assassin [+]Loading...["The Deadly Assassin (TV story)"].
  • The Sixth Doctor recognises Astrolabus as "the Thief of Time" and the plunderer of many treasures from across space and time. The Third Doctor had previously battled an infamous Time Lord known as the Time Thief in PROSE: The Time Thief [+]Loading...["The Time Thief (DWAN short story)"], who was disgraced for robbing various planets, and to whom Astrolabus bears a strong physical resemblance. However, this original Time Thief's name was given as Madrigor; neither the apparent name change nor the prior encounter between the Doctor and the Thief are referenced here, making it uncertain that this was actually intended as a point of continuity.
  • The Doctor's battles with Astrolabus would continue in COMIC: Polly the Glot [+]Loading...["Polly the Glot (comic story)"] and COMIC: Once Upon a Time-Lord [+]Loading...["Once Upon a Time-Lord (comic story)"].
  • The character was indirectly referenced in PROSE: Going Once, Going Twice [+]Loading...["Going Once, Going Twice (short story)"], where the character of Auteur is depicted as dropping various hints that he is a surviving form of Astrolabus after the events of Once Upon a Time-Lord, although this is strongly implied to be a self-serving lie or delusion on his part.

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

v • e
DWM Sixth Doctor comic stories
Original run
Frobisher
Frobisher & Peri
Later stories
Peri & Davros
Frobisher
Doom
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