Close Menu
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough keyart

    The First Descendant Season 3 Looks Like A Gamechanger

    05/11/2025
    Mafia: The Old Country promotional still

    Everything We Know About ‘Mafia: The Old Country’

    05/08/2025
    Sunderfolk Phone Players

    10 ‘Sunderfolk’ Tips To Help You And Your Party Thrive

    05/02/2025
    Bob in Thunderbolts But Why Tho

    ‘Thunderbolts*’ Visualizes Depression As Only A Superhero Movie Can

    05/02/2025
    Games to Play After Expedition 33

    5 Games to Play After Beating ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’

    05/01/2025
  • Star Wars
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Blood of Zeus
  • MCU
But Why Tho?
Home » Indie Comics » ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Doctor Who,’ Volume 1

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Doctor Who,’ Volume 1

William TuckerBy William Tucker05/05/20215 Mins ReadUpdated:07/13/2021
But Why Tho - Doctor Who volume 1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

But Why Tho - Doctor Who volume 1

Doctor Who Volume 1 is a trade paperback published by Titan Comics, based on the BBC sci-fi series. The writer is Jody Houser, and the artist is Roberta Ingranata. Colours by Enrica Erin Angiolini. Flatters by Shari Chankhamma and letters by Richard Starkings and Sarah Hedrick. 

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In their previous adventure, The Tenth and Thirteenth Doctor teamed up. But after separating, the Doctor and her companions discovered that the Earth is now changed immeasurably. The Sea Devils have taken over the world and have kept the human population as slaves. Leading the human resistance is Rose Tyler, fighting a losing battle. Both versions of the Time Lord arrive on this changed planet, realizing that a familiar historical figure is part of the reason for the alterations. With two Doctors, three companions, a companion that doesn’t know she was once one, and a surprisingly friendly alien queen, the group must try and save history yet again.

The plot itself is well-paced and fun, constantly moving forwards (and backward) in time. While the paradox’s reveal appeared at the end of the last volume involving these two regenerations, that information isn’t necessary for new readers to jump on. Most of these revelations are just as powerful in the opening pages of this comic. Likewise, this series takes strong inspirations from the TV episode “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror.” But the characters involved and the way Houser scripts the references means that previous knowledge isn’t required. 

The fantastic part of the story is that it takes multiple elements from both Doctors’ world and tells a brand new story. It isn’t just a stream of references and callbacks, the events in this comic matter. There are some incredibly poignant moments within Doctor Who Volume 1 but also moments of intense fun. One of the endings was entirely unexpected and one of the most profound Doctor Who moments. The final page is a cliffhanger, leading into the next Thirteenth Doctor adventure.

Perhaps Houser’s biggest strength in the Doctor Who comics is just how precise she replicates the voices and personalities of the characters. The characters act and talk exactly as they do in the TV series, which makes the exploration of them on page seamless. There isn’t as much conversation between the two Doctors as there were in their last team-up, as the script focuses on their experiences with other figures in the comic. The comments between the Doctor and this completely different Rose are beautiful. The Doctor can hardly keep his emotions in check around her while Rose has become someone he barely recognizes. But even having them in the same room together will always bring a lump to any Who fan’s throat.

The other alien character that appears as a companion is a terrific addition to the comic. Their inclusion was a surprise and took the story in a whole new direction, but it adds more depth to a species that hasn’t had extensive development. Their arc is significant and is completed by the conclusion. That can be said for many of the characters used solely for the duration of this trade paperback.

However, it may have been beneficial to see more of the changed world that Rose lived in. Beyond the first chapter, the time-travelers are back in their TARDIS’ and moving into multiple timezones. More explanation and depth to the dystopia would have been largely appreciated. Even the Sea Devils lose importance quickly. And some deeper exploration of the human resistance would have been fun. There are many cast members already, but cameos from other characters left on Earth by the Doctor may have added some small moments of gratification. 

The art is superb as Ingranata and Houser reunite as a creative team. The artist has a similar approach to the writer in their rendition of the characters: take existing elements and adapt. Each of the known protagonists looks amazing and is instantly recognizable. There is a variety of time periods involved, and all of them are fantastically created. The backgrounds have small, thin lines that display terrific landscapes. This version of London has been completely redesigned as the paradox altered the city’s growth entirely. And the Doctors being in the same place at one time fuses their time TARDIS together. This creates a brilliant amalgamation of the two designs.

Angiolini and Chankhamma also return in Doctor Who Volume 1, providing sublime colours. Many of the intricate details come from the shades as opposed to the line art. The design of the alien newcomer is utterly amazing, and there are beautiful flecks of light on their face. The lighting frequently changes, from dystopian futures to the TARDIS to the past.

The lettering is easy to read and dynamic. Starkings and Hedrick give custom word balloons to certain characters, but they are always legible. 

Doctor Who Volume 1 is a brilliant comic that brings back old stories to tell new ones. The reader will feel heavily invested in the characters, from the ones we already know to the brand new ones. The old characters that existed feel authentic to their TV counterparts. When Rose speaks, you can almost hear the London accent. The plot is exciting, but this new world itself could have done with some more exploration. Overall, as a sequel to the Doctor’s last team-up, it is extremely effective. 

Doctor Who Volume 1 is available on May 11th, wherever comics are sold.

Doctor Who Volume 1
4

TL;DR

Doctor Who Volume 1 is a brilliant comic that brings back old stories to tell new ones. The reader will feel heavily invested in the characters, from the ones we already know to the brand new ones. The old characters that existed feel authentic to their TV counterparts. When Rose speaks, you can almost hear the London accent. The plot is exciting, but this new world itself could have done with some more exploration. Overall, as a sequel to the Doctor’s last team-up, it is extremely effective. 

  • Buy via ComiXology Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleReedPop, Metro Esports Partner to Form Diverse Co-ed Valorant Team
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Villainous,’ Volume 1
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Who Killed Sarah Shaw

REVIEW: ‘Who Killed Sarah Shaw’

01/20/2025
Katabasis #1

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Katabasis’ Issue #1 (2024)

11/20/2024
Space Ghost Issue #3

REVIEW: ‘Space Ghost’ Issue #3

07/03/2024
Space Ghost #1

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Space Ghost’ Issue #1

04/30/2024
The Devil That Wears My Face Issue #5

REVIEW: ‘The Devil That Wears My Face’ Issue #5

03/06/2024
The Devil That Wears My Face #4

REVIEW: ‘The Devil That Wears My Face’ Issue #4

01/31/2024
TRENDING POSTS
Murderbot Season 1 keyart from Apple TV Plus
9.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Murderbot’ Continues Apple TV+’s Sci-Fi Winning Streak

By Kate Sánchez05/12/2025

Humor, action, and the weirdness of science fiction keep Apple TV+’s Murderbot hitting every single episode.

The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough keyart Features

The First Descendant Season 3 Looks Like A Gamechanger

By Kate Sánchez05/11/2025

At PAX East 2025, NEXON previewed the groundbreaking mega-update for The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

Razer Joro product image
9.0
Product Review

PRODUCT REVIEW: The Portable Razer Joro Is A Travel Gamechanger

By Kate Sánchez05/08/2025Updated:05/08/2025

Reliable and uncompromising in its gaming features on the go, the portable Razer Joro is a travel gamechanger.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here