Doctor Who Comic exterminated

The issue of Doctor Who Comic that's in newsagents today is the final issue. From next month the strips move over to the companion title Tales From the TARDIS: Doctor Who Comic. It's kind of a merger but not stated as such.

Sadly, this isn't unexpected. Titan's decision to launch Doctor Who Comic as a nice big A4 size publication was a welcome move that showed off the art better but it immediately met with problems. Even though Titan had a 'Rated T teen' advisory on the barcode, most branches of WH Smith I visited tended to stock it alongside the younger readers comics such as The Beano and nursery titles. (In my local branch it was often tucked behind Doctor Who Adventures so no one could even see it!) In such circumstances it just wasn't being noticed by the intended older audience as it would if it was displayed in its correct place with SFX, Doctor Who Magazine, and the Titan and Panini US reprint comics. 

Bizarre as it seems, I can only guess that Smiths staff made this decision based on the comic's size, as exactly the same thing occurred to Titan's Arrow and Superman comics in that format several years ago. Quite staggering really, considering publishers pay the shops a hefty fee for display space.

Next month, Tales From the TARDIS No.4 picks up the adventures of the 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors. TftT is has a smaller US-style format so it's always displayed in the correct place. 

Next Month's TALES FROM THE TARDIS.

Morrison and Stott's Doctor Who No.2 in stores today

One of the most talented new artists to emerge on the comics scene in recent years is Rachael Stott, who first came to reader's attention by illustrating the Star Trek/Planet of the Apes mini-series for IDW. Her fluid style and attention to detail has already earned her the respect of her peers and fans alike, and she's currently wowing Doctor Who fans with her work on Titan Comics' 12th Doctor comics. 

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor No.2 (series 2) will be on sale in comics speciality shops today. As it's written by Robbie Morrison, the imaginative author of 2000AD's Nikolai Dante series, you're already guaranteed an enjoyable and well scripted story but add Rachael Stott on art and you've hit the jackpot. 

For those of you who don't live near a comics shop, never fear. The story will soon be reprinted in Titan's newsstand edition of Doctor Who Comic. But for those of you who do shop at Forbidden Planet etc, pick up a copy of Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor today. (And issue 1 too if you don't already have it.)

To read a preview of the first few pages, visit Comic Book Resources at this link:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/doctor-who-twelfth-doctor-2-point-2-titan-comics-2015    

Doctor Who 2015 Holiday Special (Updated)

Cover by Alex Ronald.

London-based Titan Comics certainly turn out a lot of Doctor Who comics these days. There are now separate series for the 8th through to 12th Doctors, with a new series for the 4th Doctor starting next year. This latest issue of their 12th Doctor series (No.16) is also labelled the 2015 Holiday Special with a suitably seasonal complete tale.

Yes, despite this being a British comic, it's called a Holiday Special rather than a Christmas Special. Presumably because the comic is distributed to American comic stores as well as UK comic shops. Make no mistake though that this is most definitely worth including under the Christmas-themed comics I've been covering on this blog this month.

On TV, the Christmas Doctor Who episodes are usually good upbeat romps, and this comic follows that tone. Written by George Mann and Cavan Scott, the 28 page story Relative Dimensions is a fast-paced, fantastically enjoyable adventure for the 12th Doctor and Clara, with some surprising guest stars.

The artwork by Mariano Laclaustra is a delight to see. The script takes quite a few twists and turns and Mariano is called upon to depict various scenes and figures but handles it admirably. 

I won't reveal the plot for you as you'll enjoy it more without any spoilers. Suffice to say this is a great fun read for all ages and worth checking out. 

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor No.16 (2015 Holiday Special) is $3.99 (about £3.15) and available from comic speciality shops such as Forbidden Planet, and online sellers.  

UPDATE: There will be a newsstand edition of this story in a 76 page comic alongside two chapters of a Ninth Doctor story in Tales from the Tardis: Doctor Who, on sale this Thursday, 17th December. Available in WH Smith and selected newsagents. My thanks to James Spiring for the information. More details here:
http://titanmagazines.com/t/souvenir-one-shots/uk/tales-from-the-tardis-doctor-who/1/ 

Doctor Who Comic restarts at No.1

Titan's Doctor Who Comic was given a revamp today by renumbering with Volume 2 No.1. The new issue is a great 'jumping on point' for new readers as the 84 page comic features the first three chapters of The Four Doctors written by Paul Cornell. Here's the PR direct from Titan...

What universe-shattering event brings the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors crashing together, fuelled by the actions of a mysterious face from their past? Joined by their loyal companions Gabby, Alice and Clara, can the most recent incarnations of the Time Lord work together to overcome an unexpected foe and keep the laws of time and space intact – or will they be betrayed by one of their own? 

As history warps around them and the future looks increasingly uncertain, only three Doctors thinking and working together offer any chance of getting out of this trap alive! If only they didn't distrust each other on sight!

This epic, world-first adventure is written by Paul Cornell (Doctor Who TV episodes ‘Father’s Day’, ‘Human Nature’ and ‘Family of Blood’, and comics Wolverine, Captain Britain, MI: 13), with astounding art by Neil Edwards (Justice League Unlimited, Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man) and glorious colours by Ivan Nunes!

The comic also features humour pages written by Cornell, with art by Marc Ellerby and Rachael Smith. 

Doctor Who Comic is an 84 page full colour British comic published every four weeks at £3.99. My local branch of WH Smith had a big display of them today, along with the Panini Marvel comics, so it's good to see them getting a bit more exposure than usual.                                                       

Doctor Who Comic No.2 preview

In the shops today was the second issue of Titan's Doctor Who Comic. Another 84 pages packed with strips featuring the 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors by some top talent including Robbie Morrison, Dave Taylor, Al Ewing, Simon Fraser, Nick Abadsis and Elena Casagrande. 

Here's a few snapshots I took of my copy...

Doctor Who Comic No.2, £3.99. Not to be confused (although some do) with Panini's Doctor Who Magazine which is still going strong every 4 weeks (see here) or Immediate Media's Doctor Who Adventures mag for younger readers.