DOCTOR WHO • AN EVEN COLDER DAY IN HELL!

DOCTOR WHO • AN EVEN COLDER DAY IN HELL!, originally uploaded by richstarkings.

COLD-BLOODED WAR!

In this standalone tale, the Doctor and Donna attempt to broker a peace plan between two very hierarchical and pompous alien races, the Draconians and Ice Warriors. But their best efforts are derailed by someone who stands to gain from the continued conflict.

Diamond order code is JUN09 0969. 

Synchronistically, right after wrapping up my introduction to COLD DAY IN HELL, those awfully nice chaps at IDW asked me if I could script a story for the Tenth Doctor and Donna from a plot by my good friend and all-round good egg, Gary Russell (Gary succeeded John Freeman as editor of DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE -- having worked for him as assistant editor for some time in the 90's -- and has worked in the DOCTOR WHO field ever since, writing, producing and directing audios for BIG FINISH and, more recently, script editing DOCTOR WHO, SARAH JANE ADVENTURES and TORCHWOOD for BBC WALES). 

As noted in my introduction to the Panini collection, my time as editor of the strip started and ended in Hell. Simon Furman's COLD DAY IN HELL -- kicks off the volume, and my last strip, NEMESIS OF THE DALEKS, which I co-wrote as Richard Alan with John Tomlinson (Steve Alan) was set on a planet called Hell. Check out John Freeman's blog, DOWN THE TUBES for more on COLD DAY IN HELL.

Stranger still, the first strip in COLD DAY IN HELL features the Ice Warriors, and my story for IDW, COLD-BLOODED WAR, features... the Ice Warriors! And the Draconians. And Alpha Centauri, just for kicks.

Adrian Salmon's art on this issue is Just Beautiful! It was an unexpected pleasure to work with him. Ade's seemingly effortless storytelling and simple linework is amazing -- right up there with Paul Grist.

You can see more preview art from the issue on Chris Ryall's blog here.