Marvel Premiere Presents was a short-lived comic book series that featured a variety of characters from Marvel Comics and other franchises, including Doctor Who. The Doctor Who stories were published as backups in issues #57-60 of the series and featured the fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker, and his companion Leela, played by Louise Jameson. We take a look at these issues which included the first appearance of Doctor Who in a US Marvel comic along with a price guide. As is often the case with comics prices vary greatly on condition and CGC graded comics in high grades are much higher than ungraded issues.
The four part series reprints, in colour, stories featuring The Fourth Doctor from the UK Marvel Doctor Who Magazine.
Issue #57: Title: Doctor Who and The Iron Legion
Release Date: December 1980 Writer: Pat Mills and John Wagner Illustrator: Dave Gibbons
In “The Iron Legion,” Doctor Who’s Fourth Doctor, as portrayed by Tom Baker, made his debut in the Marvel Universe. The story revolved around the Doctor landing in an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire never fell, and a technologically advanced legion of robot centurions, known as the Iron Legion, enforced the Empire’s rule. The Doctor teamed up with a local resistance group to combat the evil General Ironicus and thwart his plans for universal conquest.
Issue #58: Title: Doctor Who and The Iron Legion Book Two Against the Gods
Release Date: February 1981 Writer: Pat Mills and John Wagner Illustrator: Dave Gibbons
In “The Iron Legion – Book Two: Against the Gods,” the Doctor continues his battle against General Ironicus and the Iron Legion. After teaming up with a local resistance group in an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire never fell, the Doctor had to confront the true power behind the Iron Legion – the Malevilus, a group of malevolent gods that were manipulating General Ironicus and the Empire for their own nefarious purposes. The Doctor, with the help of his newfound allies, ventured into the heart of the Malevilus’ domain to put an end to their evil schemes.
Issue #59: Title: City of the Cursed
Release Date: April 1981 Writer: Pat Mills and John Wagner Illustrator: Dave Gibbons
In “City of the Cursed,” the Doctor and his companion, Sharon, arrive in a seemingly desolate city ruled by the Zoms, a group of emotionless beings who forbid any display of emotions. The city’s inhabitants live in constant fear of punishment from the Zoms, who enforce the prohibition of emotions using advanced technology and a strict police force. As the Doctor and Sharon explore the city, they come across a small group of rebels who secretly resist the Zoms’ oppressive regime.
Together with the rebels, the Doctor and Sharon devise a plan to infiltrate the Zoms’ headquarters and dismantle the emotion-suppression technology. Along the way, they uncover the truth behind the Zoms’ rise to power, revealing a tragic history that led to their desire to control emotions.
Issue #60: Title: City of the Cursed Part Two Night of the Barbara
Release Date: June 1981 Writer: Pat Mills and John Wagner Illustrator: Dave Gibbons
“City of the Cursed: Night of the Barbara” continues the story from issue #59 as the Doctor, Sharon, and the rebels infiltrate the Zoms’ stronghold. The group confronts the Zoms’ leader, Barbara, who turns out to be a misunderstood figure driven to enforce emotional suppression due to her traumatic past. As the Doctor and Sharon learn more about Barbara’s story, they realize that the key to restoring emotions in the city lies in healing Barbara’s emotional wounds. Using their wit, compassion, and resourcefulness, the Doctor and Sharon help Barbara confront her past and find a way to move forward. With Barbara’s change of heart, the Zoms’ regime crumbles, and the emotion-suppression technology is dismantled. The city’s inhabitants are finally free to express their emotions, and the Doctor and Sharon bid farewell to their newfound friends before embarking on their next adventure through time and space.
Overall, the Doctor Who stories in Marvel Premiere Presents were a fantastic addition to the Doctor Who mythos, with some top-notch writing and artwork from some of the best creators in the business. While the series may have been short-lived, it remains a beloved part of Doctor Who history, and a must-read for fans of the fourth Doctor and his adventures in time and space.
Related
The Fourth Doctor Who Collectibles and Action Figures
Marvel Premiere Doctor Who comics on ebay
The Fourth Doctor collectibles on ebay
