Cutaway Comics has released a one-shot, Orcini, “From the world of BBC TV’s Doctor Who”. The Orcini character first appeared in Doctor Who’s Revelation of The Daleks from 1985’s Season 22.
Writer Eric Saward has us joining the duo as they travel across the Hinterlands. But then, it looks as if they have been recruited for a quest. It’s a proper journey into chaos as things unfold!
Saward gives us a good start toward adventure, as we follow the motorcycles of newly exiled Grand Master Orcini and his squire Bostock. There are some nicely dramatic moments as they get their bearings among the sagebrush, and while rappelling from mountain cliffs. Altogether, this is a nice solid read, especially for those familiar with the Doctor Who brand and its many fables and foibles. It can be a bit opaque to new readers.
The artwork by Adrian Salmon favours a very heavy line, almost a woodcut look. Look for big shadows, carved profiles, and very little mid-tone line work. This all contributes finely to a moody, dark atmosphere, albeit with little subtlety. Occasionally, though, the art is a bit TOO rough, for example in the introduction of Vera. We strain to understand her features. Is she Sherlock Holmes? His sister? Otherwise, the going is great, the action poses are dramatic, the block figures serving to represent shadow cutouts in this one-off, special tale. Vary capably coloured by Adrian Salmon, letters by Colin Brockhurst.
Extra content includes rough sketches, character drawings, and conversations with the creators.
Cutaway Comics Orcini one-shot, US$7 plus shipping for 25 pages of story content.
https://www.cutawaycomics.co.uk/publications/orcini
When ordered directly from Cutaway Comics, Orcini also comes with an exclusive DVD featuring the following:
Audio Content:
• Newly recorded ‘Revelation of the Daleks’ commentary with Trevor Cooper (Takis), Colin Spaull (Lilt), and Graeme Harper (Director), moderated by Justin Johnson
Video Content:
• Extended Highlights from In Conversation with Graeme Harper, hosted by Matt Charlton
• Trailers for Omega and Paradise Towers
Newsdesk