A Little Help from My Friends

"There are statues and mannequins coming to life?"

Writer: Jody Houser

Format: Comic Strip

Released: January-May 2020

Series: Thirteenth Doctor #2.1-2.4

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan, Graham, Tenth Doctor, Martha

Synopsis

Brought together by fate (and a slightly paradox-sick TARDIS), the Thirteenth Doctor and the Tenth Doctor must work together to stop two deadly foes from taking over the Earth – all without causing time itself to implode!

Verdict

A Little Help from My Friends was a wonderful comic strip adventure as part of A Tale of Two Time Lords! I absolutely loved this one from start to finish and I have been anticipating reading for a long time now, so much so that I pre-ordered the graphic novel and despite it being delayed, I have even put off starting Time Lord Victorious to ensure I read the comics in the right release order! Of course, I knew the premise from the off and the very idea of setting a story within the events of Blink is magnificent, but then throwing in a different incarnation of the Doctor is just fantastic. I loved that we got to see events pertaining to Blink from the persecutive of the Tenth Doctor and Martha and then adding in the Thirteenth Doctor and the fam was marvellous. I was a huge fan from the off and I thought after making us wait for two parts before having the different incarnations of the Doctor meet, it was really good to split crews up and have a crossover. The Thirteenth Doctor realising how thick she was back in her tenth incarnation was excellent as now from the side and with hindsight she could see just how much Martha had fallen for the Tenth Doctor. That was quite a shame but it was nice for the current Doctor to acknowledge that and give her a big hug at the end. It was quite humorous to have Yaz, Ryan and Graham chase after the Tenth Doctor with his gizmo gadget as he was trying to find a way out of 1969 without enduring the long way around. There was just so much fun and the links back to Rose were tremendous with the Nestene Consciousness and the Autons returning in emphatic fashion. Linking that then with The Runaway Bride with the Thames underground was very well done and some great continuity. Yaz and the Tenth Doctor meeting was a lot of fun with the companion claiming to be from the Time Agency when the Doctor had confirmation she was a time traveller, but she didn't last very long with that disguise after giving up her mobile. I would have expected a bit more interaction from the Tenth Doctor with him at least wanting to know the names of his future friends, but it was still just a joy to have a crossover like this one. The Tenth Doctor's disliking of the TARDIS paint job was amusing and what I come to expect now in multi-Doctor stories like this. The meeting between the Tenth and Thirteenth incarnations was just marvellous and I thought it was a lot of fun for the male's reaction to simply be about hair colour. Still not ginger! All of the companions being in the background as the two Doctors worked the plan out was great and whilst I think there should have been time for the companions to interact with each other, allowing the Doctors to shine was not a bad thing at all. Having the Autons and Nestene Consciousness alone was terrific, but throwing in a lone Weeping Angel was fantastic given the connotations with Blink. The Thirteenth Doctor's reaction to that was brilliant and I liked how she was unable to leave 1969 because she was convinced the TARDIS had brought them and risked a paradox for a good reason. That reason turning out to be the result of the Weeping Angel's attraction was good and the timey-wimey nature was right up my alley. There just wasn't anything to dislike about this comic strip to be honest. The Thirteenth Doctor's library cards showing past incarnations was great and Graham's desire to get to Woodstock was amusing. The Thirteenth Doctor using a Jane Smith alias to Martha was just magical as well and great to see her using that. The ending with London ravaged was unexpected but I look forward to seeing how this might tie in with the Sea Devils! Overall, an outstanding and super enjoyable comic strip adventure!

Rating: 10/10