Attack of the GateBots! (comic story)

Attack of the GateBots!
Doctor:	Eleventh Doctor
Companion(s):	Amy
Main setting:	Ekthelios
Key crew
Publisher:	BBC Magazines
Editor:	Moray Laing
Writer:	Christopher Cooper
Artist:	John Ross
Colourist:	Alan Craddock
Release details
Release number:	175
Printed in:	DWA 175
Release date:	15 July 2010
Format:	Comic - 1 parts (4 pages)
DWA comic stories
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Next →	Blue Skies Thinking

Summary

The Eleventh Doctor is drawn to a shop selling gadgets at a spaceport departure lounge. Amy is thinking of where the Doctor can take her as a reward for saving the Ekthelios from becoming part of the Croidun Expansion (it was her idea to use nail varnish!). She is apprehended by the GateBots, robot ticket inspectors. After Amy is scanned and found not to be on any flight lists, an Execution Pod is activated and she is held in a soundproof holding pod and expected to answer a Customer Questionaire requiring a 100% correct answer rate to avoid execution.

The Doctor intervenes but is unable to secure her release even by invoking ancient Ekthelios Identity laws – because he is unable to verify his own identity. The GateBots are also immune to the influence of the Doctor’s psychic paper, his library card is still out of date and his membership card for the Thaarg Appreciation Society is not recognised in this quadrant.

Chased around the departure area, the Doctor sees copies of the Daily Eon newspaper proclaiming Amy and himself national heroes and being apprehended him at the gadget show. He surrenders after modifying some equipment which the GateBot is persuaded to view. This transmits proof of their heroic identities around the spaceport.

Amy is saved and a pardon with an apology from the Central Governors of Ekthelios is offered, as well as a special freedom of the planet ceremony. Offering to make their own way the Doctor and Amy return to the TARDIS and make a quick escape. The Doctor says that he is not really one for fuss!

Characters

• Eleventh Doctor
• Amy Pond

References

• The reference to the Thaarg Appreciation Society is a nod to the long established UK comic title’2000AD’ delivered to Earth by the Mighty Thaarg.
• The TARDIS in flight uses the long established ‘VWORP VWORP’ sound lettering.

Notes

• The DWA comic strip adventures were aimed at a younger audience and the artwork and colours were bold and bright, reflecting the tone of the magazine.
• Self contained, one part stories were the norm.

Original print details

Publication with page count and closing captions

1. DWA 175 (4 pages) NEXT WEEK – Trouble on the planet Thelka

• No reprints to date.

Continuity

• The Doctor’s psychic paper and out of date library card are mentioned, reflecting the Doctor's use of a library card featuring an out-of-date image (showing the First Doctor) in TV: The Vampires of Venice.
• The Doctor being drawn to the gadget shop ’Gadjitz’ echoes the Tenth Doctor's love of little shops. (TV: New Earth/Smith and Jones/Silence in the Library)