Designs of the Dust (comic story)
Designs of the Dust was a comic story published in Doctor Who: Battles in Time. It was written by Steve Cole.
Opening narration box[[edit] | [edit source]]
Strange things have been happening to the Doctor since he visited a prison...
Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
Arriving at the Asteroid Bazaar, the Doctor finds that his now dusty suit has taken on a life of its own. He struggles to control his movements and causes havoc around him.
The suit has been turned into a surrogate body by Skalesh, a dictator of the planet Delossa who was deposed and imprisoned by his own people after being disassembled, to exist only as raw matter. Fed by the Doctor's kinetic (motion) energy, Skalesh grows stronger, imbuing the Doctor's suit with his own life force. Skalesh directed the TARDIS to the bazaar to acquire weapons that he may exact his revenge on his homeworld. The Doctor's suit or Skalesh's new body has been atomically altered to withstand assault.
In a nearby notorious den of arms dealers, the Doctor finds he is impregnable to weapon attack. The suit, as well as defending him, alter its shape to snatch a gun from one of the dealers. Throwing a can of lemonade over himself, the Doctor reminds Skalesh that he is still dust and doesn't mix with liquids. Skalesh turns the arm of the suit holding the gun towards the Doctor but the Doctor throws himself in front of a engine, putting out a nearby fire.
The water weakens and disorients Skalesh long enough for the Doctor to take off the suit. Skalesh recovers, having absorbed enough energy to make his escape, and head off to take his revenge on the people of Delossa. The Doctor, responsible for Skalesh's release, is determined to stop him.
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Supporting the series of collectible Doctor Who trading cards, the magazine carried a regular four page, individually titled comic strip of the Tenth Doctor's adventures.
- The artwork and colours were bold and bright, reflecting the tone of the magazine and, as did Doctor Who Adventures, reflected the appeal to readers younger than those catered to by Doctor Who Magazine.
- The Battles in Time comic strip sought to reinforce the association of its Doctor with the one seen on screen with "props" from the TV series: blue/brown suit, sonic screwdriver, psychic paper and his intelligent glasses.
Original print details[[edit] | [edit source]]
- 3/4 DWBIT 40 (4 pages) TO BE CONTINUED...
- No reprints to date.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
