Here it is, the final chapter. Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #12 is the build up the previous eleven chapters lead to – the one great hurray for all things Doctor Who. That said, can it live up to the promise?

The official description from IDW:

Our yearlong celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary concludes! All eleven Doctors must team up if there’s any hope of defeating his latest and most surprising adversary! Everything has been leading up to this epic conclusion!

It may bother a small minority, but this issue is fairly predictable but, given the context, that works in its favor. You know you’re going to see all eleven Doctors and, with so many companions, this is a showcase that aims to blitz through the best and the greatest the series has to offer. On the plus side, this is great for fans that want a little bit of everything. If you wanted to see certain interactions between people, don’t get your hopes up. There’s only limited space and this title does a good enough job of doing what it can. Heck, even the plot itself, wonderfully daft as it is, get’s a satisfying conclusion.

The writing is very smooth, although this is because it likely wrote itself. When you know each Doctor and the things they would say, Scott and David Tipton let their knowledge and experience do the talking. Some things are just expected, after all, so this issue celebrates it in full force. Yet I have to give credit for the ending and last page  the Tipton’s let the writing stop for just artwork, a focus on the most recent Doctor. It’s rather poignant, yet beautiful refreshing as it brings us back into the present today Doctor.

As I’ve just said, Prisoner of Time #12 holds up rather well visually. Kelly Yates easily captures each Doctors, with large panels giving way for definition. Of course, the costumes help – there’s no confusing half of these guys quite so easily. That said, the colors of Charlie Kirchoff add vibrancy, if a little too much blue, and depth to further add definition.

All in all, this isn’t a story for the ages – but as a quick flick through 12 issues celebrating such a beloved series it’s a fantastic effort.

4/5