Doctor Who: Voyager

Doctor Who Graphic Novels: The Sixth Doctor #1

by Steve Parkhouse, Alan McKenzie, John Ridgway (Illustrator)

Classic comic strips from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine!
The Sixth Doctor, Peri and their shapeshifting penguin chum Frobisher take a madcap journey through space, time and magical realms in this first volume of their comic strip adventures from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine!
This book features the following digitally restored stories, reprinted in their original episodic format for the first time: THE SHAPE SHIFTER, VOYAGER, POLLY THE GLOT, ONCE UPON A TIME LORD, WAR-GAME, FUNHOUSE, KANE'S STORY, ABEL'S STORY, THE WARRIOR'S STORY and FROBISHER'S STORY!
Tasked to retrieve a set of stolen starcharts by the awesome and terrifying Voyager, the Doctor must pursue the insane Time Lord Astrolabus across the universe, across world of fantasy and imagination, far-flung planets, and even the pages of a children's storybook.
Along the way there are reunions with the eminent Professor Ivan Asimoff and the despicable Dogbolter, a run-in with a sentient house, swordplay with a Draconian Overlord, and even a quick trip to New York!
Featuring astonishing artwork from the legendary John Ridgway (Judge Dredd, Hellblazer) plus scripts from Steve Parkhouse (The BoJeffries Saga) and Alan McKenzie (2000 AD).
AN ESSENTIAL COLLECTION FOR FANS OF DOCTOR WHO AND CLASSIC BRITISH COMICS!

Genres: Doctor Who, Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie In

172 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2012

About the author

Steve Parkhouse is a writer, artist and letterer who has worked for many British comics, especially 2000 AD and Doctor Who Magazine.
(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great collection of Sixth Doctor comic strip adventures which were originally published in DWM during the mid-eighties.

Most notable for the introduction of Frobisher, the shape shifting penguin who travels with the Doctor.

I’m not the biggest graphic novel reader, but I really enjoyed this collection.
Frobisher is such a great character, it would be impossible for him to appear in the TV show.
It’s always nice to have more Sixth Doctor stories!

Would recommend!

[Otherwyrld · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/5 stars

I picked this up on a whim from the library, mostly because it was by artist John Ridgway. I'm not a huge fan of his very distinctive black and white work, but he has done a lot of really good stuff for 2000AD in the past, so I was curious to see what he could do with some Doctor Who material. For the most part he does quite a good job. His portrayal of the Sixth Doctor and Peri is very well done, they are instantly recognisable. His work is very crisp and clean here, and benefits from the oversized pages in this book.

Pity the same can't be said of the stories by Steve Parkhouse that he has to illustrate. I found them to be silly and childish for the most part, certainly not helped by the addition of a shape-shifting alien that decides to become a talking penguin called Frobisher for no apparent reason. At times the Doctor acts in a most un-Time Lord like way that does the stories no favours. Given that the Sixth Doctor is often considered to be one of the weakest of the Classic Who Doctors, and the evident hatred that the BBC had for the series during this period, these stories do little to endear itself to any loyal readers out there.

Occasionally there are glimpses of a darker story to be seen, and the artist clearly relishes these parts more than the rubbish he otherwise has to illustrate at times here. It's a pity that the whole thing was played for laughs because a dark and gritty Doctor Who might have been much better received.

There are quite a few of these books around, which I should mention reproduce stories that were originally printed in the Official Doctor Who Magazines. These days they are little more than curiosities, a reflection of a low point in the long running history of a certain rogue Time Lord. The book does have some charms, I just wish it didn't poke such fun at loyal fans who should have had richer fare than this to feast on.

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Previous volumes in this series - the Tom Baker and Peter Davison ones - hit me like hammer blows from the past, but this first Colin Baker collection is even better: like the Paul McGann volumes this was all brand new to me. Before I get onto saying why it was brilliant, I should cover the two things that are slightly annoying about it. Like all of these Doctor Who books from Panini it has the words "Graphic Novel" on the front cover, when it patently isn't. A graphic novel is a lengthy comic book conceived as a single piece of fiction. At a push it might cover a single storyline pulled out of an ongoing series, but this is a collection of short serials. The other thing is that on the back it says "The Complete Sixth Doctor Comic Strips", when the Colin Baker-penned special, "The Age of Chaos", doesn't appear in this volume and isn't scheduled for the next either (maybe they'd argue that as a graphic novel itself it doesn't qualify as a comic strip). Those minor irritations aside, this is a glorious book. John Ridgway's art is magnificent (and reproduced beautifully) - pages 26 and 51 being particular examples of his talents being given free rein - and the storytelling retains the cosmic scope of the Fifth Doctor stories while reining in the more confusing elements. None of the television stories in which the Sixth Doctor appeared could stand even the slightest comparison to these stories, and it isn't often you can say that about a tie-in.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the comics published in 20th century issues of Doctor Who Magazine, THIS is the one to read. This is a glorious, mad, irreverent, melancholy, hilarious, magical, utterly bonkers ride -- an alternative universe for the 6th Doctor & Peri to play in...and they are having a blast! It's ultimate gift is the creation of the hard-boiled, comic genius that is private detective Frobisher: a shapeshifter stuck in the form of a grumpy penguin. What's not to love about this? It's Doctor Who meets Lord of the Rings on a cosmic scale...with extra dry & snarky humour.

[Jacob Licklider · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this is an anthology of comic strip stories, this review will consist of links to reviews of the various stories included here:

The Shape-Shifter: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

Voyager: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

Polly the Glot: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

Once Upon a Time-Lord: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

War-Game: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

Funhouse: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

Kane's Story, Abel's Story, The Warrior's Story, Frobisher's Story: https://jacoblickliderreviews.blogspo...

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprinted from Doctor Who Magazine #88-#107, Voyager contains the adventures of the Sixth Doctor and his alien companion Frobisher, a shape-changing alien Whifferdill who prefers to look like a penguin, all illustrated by John Ridgway who gets a two-page interview at the start. The first half of the book has stories by Steve Backhouse, which are visionary and surreal and take the Doctor to strange places in inner and outer space, swirling around the sinister magician Astralabus, but including of all things a Rupert Bear pastiche. The second half, by Alan McKenzie, is a little (though not much) closer to the TV series, even bringing in Peri for the last story, but is still rather better than the TV show was at the time. Ridgway's art is superb as well. It is well established that I am not a Sixth Doctor fan but I recommend this volume.

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not reviewing the edition pictured, but the Marvel coloured version from the late eighties which just keeps the first Frobisher story, Voyager itself, Polly the Glot and Once Upon a Time Lord and collects them as a graphic novel. And furthermore, it’s 100% my favourite Doctor Who thing ever: it’s eccentric, eerie, silly, baffling, brilliant and just full of invention and ideas. Ridgway is an astonishing artist at his very best here, and Parkhouse’s writing is just glorious, especially nailing Baker’s slight pomposity, Frobisher’s affability and Astrolabus’ ornate and disingenuous prattle. Baker is my favourite classic series Doctor and honestly part of that is the Frobisher stories - it delights me that Baker is obviously very fond of this era too. Every page of this is a joy and contains more ideas than whole eras of the later comics would ever manage. A masterpiece

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shame that Colin Baker's Doctor never got a TV episode as good as some of the comics/novels featuring his Doctor. I liked the sixth Doctor a lot, but he was unfortunately caught in a bad period of the shows history and got a bit of a raw deal.

This graphic novel is a wild story that walks the border between sci-fi and fantasy, as the sixth Doctor and his sidekick, Forbisher the talking penguin, is caught up in the plots of two cosmic beings, an eccentric thief/inventor that may or may not be a renegade time lord and the mysterious Voyager.

Loved the scenes in the arctic and at the light house. The whole story has a wonderful dream like quality to it that makes you wonder what is real and if the Tardis actually ever landed on earth.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel uses the Colin Baker doctor and a very interesting character called the Whifferdill who can change shape into almost anything. He seems to get the best of the Doctor at first, but ends up joining with him and helping on a series of adventures.

There's a lot of humor in the stories, and there's also a very serious, very dark-seeming character that appears, searching for some star maps that a crook had managed to steal.

The individual stories are quite good and vary enough from each other, particularly the way the last story is done. An interesting addition to any Doctor Who collection.

[Justin K. Rivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetic, surreal, punchy, and funny. Parkhouse's writing really elevates this material, although there is a letdown towards the end. It needed a stronger denoument that was less abstract. But Frobisher, a character I was deeply skeptical about, won me over. And I appreciate the ambition of the whole creative team on this one, pushing a story past the traditional confines of a Doctor Who script.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good graphic novel/newspaper comic strip collection. The Sixth Doctor stars in this collection of stories that introduce his shape-shifting companion Frobisher and sets the Doctor on a journey where he doubts his own perceptions at every turn. I'm not the biggest Colin Baker fan, since he was never really allowed to develop his character properly on the TV show, but I enjoyed these stories immensely!

[Terrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Number Six may have been short changed on screen, but his comic adventures are most welcome to me. It is an era of the show that I missed when it was first broadcast in the US, and I am trying to make up for lost time. The comic is very whimsical and could never have been pulled off on television in the 1980s. Frobisher, the shape shifter, is a unique companion for The Doctor and I enjoyed reading their banter.

[Arthur B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid collection of the first half of the Sixth Doctor's comics run in Doctor Who Magazine, showcasing how John Ridgway had a knack for getting the best visual ideas out of sometimes shaky scripts. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frobisher is introduced, joining a more proactive, less bombastic Sixth Doctor in an adventure trippy enough to have rounded out The Trial of a Time Lord. A preponderance of dark hues serves to foreground the SF (and make Baker’s coat blend in!).

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories are brilliant and atmospheric. Others are forgettable. Frobisher shines, and can still change shape. Peri really isnt in it much, so don't buy it for her comic adventures.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penguin is the CUTTEST!

[Al Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to turn it back in. Someone placed a hold on it

[C S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and subversive tales featuring Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor and shapeshifter Frobisher the Penguin are brought to life by Alan Ridgway’s stunning art.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and twisty stories that definitely remind me of the 80s. I finally see why Frobisher gets much love from devoted Doctor Who fans.

[Nathan Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own only the first four stories as printed in 1989 as a 'Marvel Graphic Novel'.

Story 1- The Shapeshifter

Fine! Shapeshifter antics. scripting is... strange. So many colloqialisms, even in the narration!? But. Fun concepts, even if flawed- like of COURSE it should be easy to make money as a whifferdill!? Colin looks right often (sometimes not), and the fun alien nonsense tends to be fun. A bit old-comic gross sometimes tho (sexism/etc vibes)...

Personal Rating: 6.5/10

Not the best Frobisher start, but why not?


Story 2- Voyager

Mixed. When good, fucking great. But was a bit too expansive lore explaining near the end for my tastes. Great gags tho! Goregeous. Beautiful full page spreads. Lovely visuals.

Personal Rating: 8/10

It didn't really end?


Story 3- Polly The Glot

Huh! Strange. Love to see returning characters I guess, but not one I know... And Frobisher doesn't get to do much in this! Hm... Huh. Strange one. And also why is the title named after such a maguffin of a creature!? oy. Astrolabus doing some villain of the week shit. Oy. I mean, Asimoff is certainly a character design. Uhhh. Idk how I feel about these aliens tbh.

Personal Rating: 6/10

Story 4- Once Upon a Time-Lord

Well! Silly fun in my favourite way until the Doctor does an out of character thing. Wild. Yeah, I feel the same about Ridgeway still.

Personal Rating: 8/10

Annnnd surprise turn for me including one of my favourite Doctor Who realms heehee. Giddy thinking about it.

[Michael Duane Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is faithful to the version of the 6th Doctor we know, without the extreme violence that characterized his first series. There is a breadth of imagination the BBC would never have been able to achieve in 1985, and unfortunately shows what would have been possible for the character if the show had better writers then.

[DrAshleyWho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note; this is a revised version of a review of these batch of strips posted at the end of my Letterboxd review of The Mark of the Rani.

Much as Big Finish has been praised to high heaven for giving the Sixth Doctor a lighter edge, it was actually the DWM comic strip that started this trend. The opening set of stories from Steve Parkhouse and Alan Mackenzie (with picturesquely tour de force artwork by John Ridgeway) show immense levels of creativity and jaw-droppingly weird visuals, and the sheer brevity of their imagination is just enough to make these some of the best strips ever made for DWM despite some of the conclusions being anti-climatic. The height of the magic is Parkhouse’s Voyager/Once Upon a Time Lord which takes the ‘fairytale’ aesthetics Moffat would later adapt for series five to a majestic degree with unforgettable imagery and dreamlike storytelling pushed to the limits.

[Kristina Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like surrealism and out-of-this-world fantasy but it simply wasn't suited here. No explanation is given for Frobisher joining the Doctor instead of turning him in for the whole ransom. Why does he sometimes shape-shift and sometimes not? Astrolabus' manner of speech is insane. Overall there was simply a sense that the artists were revelling in free imagination and the unlimitless budget.
One point of interest was the story 'Funhouse'. A strange alien house that tried to absorb the energy of the TARDIS. It felt like the idea behind "The Doctor's Wife".

[Adam James · Rating 1 out of 5]

F*&$ing awful.