In addition to being a Multiversity staffer and podcaster, Chris Thompson is the brand manager for Doctor Who’s publisher, Titan Comics.
Despite a lack of Doctor Who on our television screens, 2016 has been an incredible year within the pages of his various comic series at Titan Comics. We’ve seen a new incarnation of The Master, the return of Abslom Daak, swashbuckling adventures with Julie d’Aubigny, the mechanical might of the Cyber-Kings, new mini-series for the Third & Fourth Doctors, the return of classic UNIT, and some wonderful character development in the lives of the Doctor’s many companions.
We spoke with a number of the creators behind all these Doctor Who comics to find out what 2016 meant to them, and what had them excited about the year ahead:
Chris Thompson – As a creator, what was your personal highlight of the Doctor Who comics line in 2016?
Rob Williams (writer on The Eleventh Doctor) – Probably just the different kinds of collaboration involved. Si Spurrier and I co-writing the 11th Doctor and trying to tell this one long novelistic story with timey wimey plotting has been a challenge and fun. Si’s one of the cleverest writers I know, so that pushes you to keep up. And seeing the likes of Simon Fraser and Ian Culbard interpreting that story, coming up with fun, unique riffs like the Time War incarnation of The Master, The Volatix Cabal – who are a really nasty set of villains that stand up in the Who pantheon, I think. Oh, and Abslom Daak. Especially in light of Steve Dillon’s sad passing. To be writing Abslom and bringing him back – that’s been real fun.
Paul Cornell (writer on The Third Doctor) – Seeing Chris Jones’ skill at portraying the Pertwee era, from body language to appropriate props. I’ve also really enjoyed working again with my first editor (!) John Freeman, after more than 25 years!
Cavan Scott (writer on The Ninth Doctor) – Titan have given me so many opportunities to do cool things. Having monsters destroy my home town, teaming up the Ninth Doctor with UNIT, bringing back Mickey, and, of course, finally writing the Cybermen with my buddy George for the summer event. Oh, that’s more than one, isn’t it?
Robbie Morrison (writer on The Twelfth Doctor) – It’s a pen-fight to the death between Rachael Stott & Mariano Laclaustra, both doing a great job of bringing the Twelfth Doctor’s comic-book adventures to life.
Nick Abadzis (writer on The Tenth Doctor) – I write the characters, but I never know how each artist will “perform” them. We’ve had some great guest artists but I worked extensively with Giorgia Sposito this year and seeing her, panel by panel, get her head around and explore our main cast of the Tenth Doctor, Gabby and Cindy and give each character a sort of emotional intimacy has been an incredible pleasure. She also nailed our Big Bad, Sutekh, with aplomb. Kudos too to our main colourist, Arianna Florean who can go to Gallifrey, Osiris, New Orleans in the Jazz Age or ancient Earth and imbue them all with exactly the right moods and shades. [Applause.]
George Mann (writer on Supremacy of the Cybermen) – So much to choose from! I feel very lucky to have been involved as a creator at a point in time when there’s so much exciting stuff going on with the comics. For me it’s a toss up between writing the big summer Cybermen event with Cav, and the chance to tell some post-Clara stories for the Twelfth Doctor, working with Mariano and Rachael and our wonderful team to bring our new companion, Hattie, to life.
Brian Williamson (artist on The Fourth Doctor) – Reading Emma and Gordon’s scripts, as they came in, for the Fourth Doctor story Gaze of the Medusa. It was like being the first person to get to see a “lost” adventure.
Rachael Stott (artist on The Twelfth Doctor) – I don’t think there’s another publisher that comes close to having such a high consistency of quality across an entire brand range like the Doctor Who books from Titan. No easy feat either, as each book differs in style, pace, tone, week by week. So to be part of that has been amazing, and so inspiring. The team at Titan work so hard to put them together too – it makes you want to deliver your very best efforts. Being on the Twelfth Doctor book is so much fun as you really feel like you’re contributing to the ongoing development of his character, and as the show’s been on hiatus in 2016 we got to keep the flag waving for his Doctor in a small way, which is nice. Also getting to hang out with a lot of the Doctor Who comics’ writers and artists in NYCC was amazing fun.
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Chris Thompson – How about as a fan? What really tickled your fancy in your work or someone else’s?
Rob Williams – Well, Daak’s just a blast to write. There’s all the intellectual and verbal wordplay of The Doctor, so contrasting textures really help, and having a big angry rage ball with a chainsword and ‘KILL! KILL! KILL THE DALEEEEKS!’ is a hoot. I think we’ve all really enjoyed having Daak in the Tardis. I know Simon Fraser was a huge Daak fan as a kid.
Paul Cornell – I enjoy all the ongoing series, but I loved what Gordon and Emma did to bring Sarah Jane forward, and what Cav did with UNIT and to Bristol.
Cavan Scott – The fact that the Delgado Master’s masks were linked to his TARDIS in Paul and Chris’s mini (makes soooo much sense) and Rachael Stott’s amazing work with the ever-expanding house in the Twelfth Doctor. Oh, and Nick’s Tenth Doctor. He just nails Ten’s voice!
Robbie Morrison – All the ongoing titles are worth a shout, but it was nice to see Pertwee & Baker – my personal favourite Doctors – make their Titan debuts.
Nick Abadzis – I stand back in amazement at the incredible talent continually on show in this range. Given the quality, the love and outstanding effort that goes into all of these books, it’d be extremely difficult to pick favourites, but I think it’s allowable to say that it’s been very enjoyable to see my old mate Si Fraser draw Abslom Daak.
George Mann – I’ve loved how Cav and Adriana have captured the Ninth Doctor’s era so well. It’s pitch perfect. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ongoing adventures of both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, and how they’ve felt so different from one another, and yet both quintessentially Doctor Who. And then there’s Paul’s Third Doctor, and Gordon and Emma’s Fourth… The truth is, I’m reading and thoroughly enjoying all of them!
Brian Williamson – I’ve really enjoyed the variety of styles on the cover art across the Doctor Who line of books – the characters seem to encourage artists to bring their “A-game” to the work.
Rachael Stott – Working alongside Mariano on the Twelfth Doctor books has been an incredible learning experience. His work is so beautiful that it provides amazing motivation to try to “up my game” with each issue, and his covers are some of the very best out there, not just in Doctor Who comics.
Chris Thompson – Who was your favourite character (major or minor) to appear in the series this year?
Rob Williams – The Doctor. It’s always The Doctor. You can take him for granted with the colour and variety of the companions and villains but he’s always the smartest, funniest man in the room, and he has so many shades and layers. he’s a treat to write.
Paul Cornell – A lot of people are going to say Daak, but I’ll vote for the new Sarah.
Cavan Scott – In my own series, I’m very fond of UNIT Nurse Tara Mishra. Elsewhere, it has to be Daak. Back in comics, where the big-boozing, chain-sword wielding brute belongs.
Robbie Morrison – As I said above, Pertwee & Baker. In the Twelfth Doctor series, I’m pleased we managed to introduce Julie d’Aubigny, a real-life swordswoman & opera singer, whose scandalous life we had to tone down considerably to include in the comic.
Nick Abadzis – Abslom Daak? I’d like to see him go up against Rachael Smith’s Rose the Cat or Cav’s Harry Sullivan.
George Mann – I think it was brilliant to see Penny, the ‘missing’ companion from the Ninth Doctor era, who popped up in the first Ninth Doctor story.
Brian Williamson – I think Peter Capaldi really hit his stride this season, keeping it playful, but growing in authority.
Rachael Stott – I’ll have to say the Twelfth Doctor! Which is no surprise to anyone who follows my Twitter feed. However I’ll always have a special ‘plaice’ (groan) in my heart for Sonny the Swordfish, who was Robbie Morrison’s amazing creation. Robbie has a very similar sense of humour to me… not sure he’d take that as a compliment! Haha.
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Rob Williams – More collaboration! Season 3 sees us bringing in a couple of new writers to the team, where we’re handling it as a ‘Writer’s Room’ – Alex Packnadel and George Mann are joining Si and myself. There’s an A plot running through the series spine, as you’d expect, but we’re far more back to an ‘adventure of the week’ format this time. Who readers will know George well – he’s great and knows the world inside out. Alex is a real clever up-and-comer in the comics world, i think. We’re lucky to have him.
Paul Cornell – Just two more issues, and then that’s me done with Doctor Who. The last issue of The Third Doctor is a deliberate finale for my time with this universe. You’ll see why.
Cavan Scott – With the Ninth, we’re bringing together a lot of strands from the run so far in the Year One finale. There are going to be a lot of aliens. Away from comics, I have Twelfth Doctor audios on the way from BBC Audio (Weeping Angels, people! Weeping Angels!) and the last Big Finish script (for now) that I’ve written with my old pal and long-time writing partner, Mark Wright. The Eternal Battle sees Sontarans taking on the Fourth Doctor, Romana and K9. I’m still giddy about the fact that I’ve written lines for Tom Baker.
Robbie Morrison – Swashbuckling action with the Doctor & Julie in The Twelfth Doctor #2.12-13, & then Invasion of the Mindmorphs in #2.14-15, a follow-up of sorts to the comic-centric story I did with Rachael in #2.5.
Nick Abadzis – They can look forward to meeting the Sports-TARDIS, Tyranny’s Department Store and later, the Governance of Second Chances. Time heals all wounds, so they say. We know the Tenth Doctor’s story and how it ends – or we think we do. As with all stories, there are details missing… and some of these are becoming holes. The Time Sentinel(s) will be back – there will be a reckoning.
George Mann – More galavanting around the universe for the Twelfth Doctor, meeting foes both old and new, and a surprising array of companions!
Brian Williamson – I’ve just signed on for a three-part Twelfth Doctor story featuring the new companion, Bill. There’s a chance I’ll be drawing her without having seen much footage of her in character.
Rachael Stott – I mean, here’s some juicy spoilers for you – lots more stuff with time travel and aliens and guitar-playing pinky, sassy Scottish beings with eyebrows and lovely velvety coats.
Chris Thompson – What message do you have for all the Doctor Who comics fans out there?
Rob Williams – Engage cryptic mode: In space no one can hear you SCREAM.
Paul Cornell – What a good time to be a fan of the Who comics. Titan curates the whole line so well. A lot of that is down to Andrew James.
Cavan Scott – We’ve never had it so good. There’s never been a better time to read Doctor Who comics, from Titan’s brilliant series, to the amazing work Mark and co. have been doing on the Doctor Who Magazine strip. I mean, wow! Doctor Who is alive and well in four colors!
Robbie Morrison – I’ll echo Paul & ask the readers to wish Doctor Who comics editor Andrew James and his team a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for the great job they do behind-the-scenes in battling the time vortex.
Nick Abadzis – Thank you for reading these stories. Doctor Who on the page, whether printed or digital, is a different experience from the show itself, or even the audio plays, as it’s not performed. So we work very hard to make it be authentically Doctor Who, to make it a part of that universe while bringing a lot of ourselves as fans and as writers and artists to it. I wish I could tell you how hard Giorgia Sposito, Arianna Florean, Elena Casagrande, Eleonora Carlini and Valeria Favoccia work to bring these new adventures of the Tenth Doctor alive, how hard all the backstage people like Andrew James and Jess Burton work to co-ordinate and balance all these books. Creating them is a fantastic job but a tough one too, so thanks for all the support, for picking them up. We love making new Doctor Who and we love that you’re out there reading it.
Continued belowGeorge Mann – Keep reading! We’ve got lots of great stuff on the cards. But most of all, thank you for your continued patronage. Our readers are so generous and supportive, and it makes such a difference. I really have to echo everyone’s comments about Andrew James and the amazing team at Titan, too. Not only are they brilliant to work with, they clearly love what they do.
Brian Williamson – Thanks for your support, and for all the kind words. For artists and writers it can be a bit solitary when you’re actually creating the work, so it’s always great to get positive feedback from real live people in the world beyond the studio.
Rachael Stott – Live long and prosper!
Chris Thompson – Outside of the comics world, what was your favourite Doctor Who thing this year? Audio, video, book, event, etc.
Paul Cornell – I really loved Class. The individual episodes, and the season, had such good storytelling shapes.
Cavan Scott – Big Finish’s War Doctor audios have been ace (John Hurt rocks!) and I really enjoyed their Classic Doctors, New Monsters boxset too. In books, The Doctor Who Cookbook was a big hit in our house and on telly, Class was great, proving that the Doctor Who universe constantly evolves and adapts. I haven’t seen The Power of the Daleks animation yet. I’m hoping Father Christmas brings that for me on Christmas day. I have been a *very* good boy this year.
Robbie Morrison – I can’t remember. 2016 has been such a topsy-turvey year that I’d need to borrow the TARDIS to go back & remind myself!
Nick Abadzis – It’s a toss-up. Loved hearing David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to their roles in Big Finish’s Tenth Doctor box set of audio plays earlier this year, but am wowed by November’s animated version of The Power of the Daleks. A lot of those guys – Martin Geraghty, Mike Collins, Adrian Salmon – they’ve worked for years on the DWM strip and to see them bring such an important story missing from the BBC archives back to visual life was an incredible treat. Blinding work, a huge achievement – hats off to them.
George Mann – I’m hugely excited by the news there’s a Doctor Who miniatures game in the works, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Nardole return in the Christmas special.
Brian Williamson – The Doctor Who Day event at the Excel Centre was fun – signing, sketching and meeting fans of the show, from 4 year olds running about in Tennant-era trench coats to a pair of sisters who turned up as Osgood and a Zygon (though they wouldn’t say which was which!)
Rachael Stott – Doing workshops with Cavan Scott at the Doctor Who Experience! Such a wonderful exhibition, and we got to see so many talented kids, plus I got to throw ‘old guy’ jokes at Cav into a microphone for a few hours.
Finding Your Local Comic Shop.
How can you get your hands on comics by all these delightful people? Well, your friendly local comic shop can help. Most of them do mail order, and you can find your closest store with the Comic Shop Locator.
Looking Further Afield.
Big Finish Productions :
Our friends over at Big Finish Productions have also had an incredible 2016 with new adventures for Doctor Who, UNIT, and Counter Measures, as well as further adventures for David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor and John Hurt’s War Doctor.
And they’ll be starting the new year strong with a brand new instalment in their Diary of River Song series. Line producer David Richardson describes his role within the company and what were some of the highlights for him:
Chris Thompson – You’re the line producer at Big Finish, as well as being creative producer on a number of titles. In lay terms, what does that entail?
David Richardson – They are two different jobs really. As line producer, I’m overseeing the company’s release schedule – setting release dates, and then working with the different producers to ensure all the different stages of the productions can be realised in time. So that involves storylines, scripts, cover designs, final packaging, edits… My job also intersects to a large extent with executive producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs, and Sue Cowley and Ian Atkins in the production office – Big Finish runs on team work. As creative producer I’m running a number of different ranges, planning out (with the script editor) the overall direction and feel of stories, working out logistics, hiring writers, noting scripts, booking the studios and actors, and then seeing through post production with the sound designer, musician and director until the release stage. I find being a producer largely involves surrounding yourself with people who are much cleverer than you, and then watching them doing amazing things!
Continued belowChris Thompson – What message do you have for all the Doctor Who audio fans out there, and what can they expect over the coming year?
David Richardson – Just thank you for listening, and for the support which enables us to do the job, and work with people, that we love. There are lots of exciting things coming in 2017 – some of which haven’t been announced, and others (like the UNIT: Assembled, which combines new and classic UNIT members) which have.
Chris Thompson – Aside from Doctor Who and all your work there, which of the Big Finish ranges got you most excited, and why?
David Richardson – Oh, it’s too hard to single out one, I’m afraid. It’s usually whatever I’m working on at the time. I must say I’m really grateful for the opportunity to work on the new series ranges, largely because of all the additional wonderful people it’s brought into our lives – in a couple of weeks we have Alex Kingston back in the studio, and aside from knowing it’s going to be a great day’s work, there’s the fact that we’re welcoming back someone who has become a friend to us all at Big Finish too. It’s always so great to catch up.
Chris Thompson – Outside of the audio adventures, what was your favourite Doctor Who thing this year? Book, video, comic, event, etc.
David Richardson – I loved the animated Power of the Daleks. Really beautiful work – I’m hoping we’ll get to see more like that. The Dalek Masterplan next, please!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at some of the Doctor Who comics creators’ personal highlights from 2016. What were yours? Send us your comments and feedback @ComicsTitan on Twitter and Facebook.
