The Macrobe Menace was a comic story published in Doctor Who: Battles in Time. It was written by Steve Cole.
Opening narration box[]
The Doctor and Rose try to track down more of their old friends before they disappear...
Summary[]
The Doctor and Rose arrive at the Reading Dome of the University of Rago Rago 56 Rago (home to some ten trillion books), to catch up with the Chosen Scholars of Class 55. Instead of books, this library offers data discs, which allow users to download information directly into their brains via a mindlink. Rose takes a virtual tour using the mindlink, but the software has been infected by Macrobes which have been hiding in the university's computer network, waiting for the chance to infect living brains and spread their infection.
Sensing the Doctor is a Time Lord, and wanting to use the TARDIS and the Doctor to spread themeselves throughout Time and Space, the Macrobes emerge from the system. Using the mindlinks they take over the wearers, including Rose.
With Head Librarian Kriz's help, the Doctor hides in a room full of books to be junked as they've been deemed to be too boring to be stored (including Toenail Clippings of the Ug-Raptor, A History of Peas and How to Speak Zarbi in 10,000 Steps).
The Doctor downloads the boring books, sending the infected students to sleep and the Macrobes retreating back to the net, which the Doctor then disconnects. With the Macrobes trapped in the storage, a clean-up team is sent in to remove the infection. The Chosen Scholars have also disappeared and the Doctor prepares to read through all the information looking for answers to the mysterious disappearances of Platform One's surviving guests.
Characters[]
Worldbuilding[]
- There are no physically bound books in the university library.
Notes[]
- 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 Macrobes are reminiscent of the manifestation in the Ghostbusters movies.
- The Battles in Time comic strip often sought to associate its Doctor with the one seen on screen by using "props" from the TV series: blue/brown suit, intelligent-looking glasses, sonic screwdriver and psychic paper. Apart from the brown suit and coat, only the Doctor's glasses appeared in this strip.
Original print details[]
- 4/6 DWBIT 4 (4 pages) TO BE CONTINUED!!!
- No reprints to date.
Continuity[]
- The Zarbi were an ant-like species whom the Doctor encountered on Vortis in his first incarnation. (TV: The Web Planet)
