Review: Titan Comics' New Adventures with the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors

If you've followed the Doctor from the screen to the pages of comic books, you most likely know that Titan Comics picked up the license for stories about the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors from IDW Publishing. BBC Worldwide made a new deal with Titan Comics, and the partnership was announced in January. The first comics from the deal are out this week with #1 issues for new adventures with  Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. You can read my spoiler-free reviews of the comics after the image.

The Tenth Doctor #1 features writer Nick Abadzis and artist Elena Casagrande and is set after Donna Noble has left the Doctor's side. We meet Gabriella Gonzalez, a young woman caught up in what she feels to be dead-end work in her family's businesses. She has dreams but doesn't see a way out of her current situation. Enter the 10th Doctor. While I could do without the "saving a young girl" bit, I realize it's a standard part of a Doctor Who tale... for now, at least.

The story definitely has the right vibe, and it's easy to picture an on-screen version of the events in your head as you read. Abadzis found the Tenth Doctor's voice, and I found myself hearing the Doctor's lines as though David Tennant were speaking them.

I can see that Gabby has potential as a companion, but I don't get a complete sense of her personality just yet. It's only the first issue though, and there's plenty of time to get to know her more. As it stands, I'm intrigued enough to keep reading.

This comic features a mystery that needs to be solved, and the Doctor and Gabby have barely scratched at the surface. It looks like their first adventure together could cover several issues.

Being a huge fan of Casagrande's work, I wasn't disappointed by the art. Her landcapes are enchanting, and she's skilled at making the characters' emotions jump right off the page.

The Eleventh Doctor #1's story appealed to me a little more and not necessarily because the Eleventh Doctor is my Doctor. Writers Al Ewing and Rob Williams and artist Simon Fraser infused a lot of feelings into the issue. It takes place after the Doctor left the Ponds after they got hitched.

We meet Alice Obiefune. Again, it's a similar set-up of the Doctor sweeping in and making things better. Alice is down on her luck when the Eleventh Doctor shows up, and she's presented in such a way that you empathize with her immediately. I felt a strong connection with her, and I like seeing the Eleventh Doctor paired up with a personality so different from Amy's and Clara's - those two feel like the same person at times.

Anyway, the first issue for the Eleventh Doctor presents a one and done story with an adorable but troublemaking alien dog, and despite Alice's heavier moments, it's a light and feel good story. It's a well mixed combination.

Fraser does a spendid job at capturing Matt Smith's expressions, and I like the brighter palette of the Eleventh Doctor's story.

I recommend giving both #1s a shot. They'll be available at a comic shop near you tomorrow, July 23rd.

Full disclosure: Titan Comics provided these comics for review purposes. This did not affect my opinion of the comics or my reviews.