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Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor (Titan Comics) #5
Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Vol. 5: The Twist
Collecting Year Two #6 - 10 of the ongoing Twelfth Doctor comic adventures!
The Doctor visits planet Twist, the colony with 'the best punk scene this side of the 40th century!' But something is amiss when a murder mystery occurs, leading the Doctor and the planet's inhabitants to question their very origins!
Then, a haunted house also causes problems for the Doctor, having strange ramfications a house should never have... and this one feels decidely Time Lord!
The Doctor visits planet Twist, the colony with 'the best punk scene this side of the 40th century!' But something is amiss when a murder mystery occurs, leading the Doctor and the planet's inhabitants to question their very origins!
Then, a haunted house also causes problems for the Doctor, having strange ramfications a house should never have... and this one feels decidely Time Lord!
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
George Mann
365 books675 followersGeorge Mann is an author and editor, primarily in genre fiction. He was born in Darlington, County Durham in 1978.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 10, 2019
I pick this up in the sales on Thursday 7th Feb at Waterstones for £1! instead of £13.99 George Mann has written a number of Sherlock Holmes books that I have read as well as Who books.
So Knowing the author has help but at £1 well was no brainier anyway.
The Twelfth Doctor looks like the Doctor I found that some graphic novels can have bad art work this isn't one them & with graphic you illustrate more even than TV can because of budget. Werewolves, music & lots of cups of tea with punk hair styles but Is more Heavy metal music I cannot see the Doctor been Sex pistol fan but Could see him as Kiss fan.
This no Clara zone but In new series we often have periods when He/She could be on there own.
Well that was well spent quid
So Knowing the author has help but at £1 well was no brainier anyway.
The Twelfth Doctor looks like the Doctor I found that some graphic novels can have bad art work this isn't one them & with graphic you illustrate more even than TV can because of budget. Werewolves, music & lots of cups of tea with punk hair styles but Is more Heavy metal music I cannot see the Doctor been Sex pistol fan but Could see him as Kiss fan.
This no Clara zone but In new series we often have periods when He/She could be on there own.
Well that was well spent quid
September 6, 2025
i say this with all due respect to the writers and artist but what is happening here?
November 4, 2021
Freshly Clara-free, the Twelfth Doctor visits The Twist, a space station with a dark secret (don't they all have one of those?), before heading to a haunted house with some distinctly scientific explanations for its hauntings.
These stories aren't bad at all, and they definitely address the pacing problems I've had with the last few volumes. The lead story's one we've seen before in DNA if not execution, but while Hattie is neat and all, she doesn't really make much of an impression before leaving again. The same problem persists with the haunted house story as well - the family that the Doctor enlists in his latest quest come across as annoying rather than important.
Again, the artwork's great - Rachael Stott and Mariano Laclaustra double-team the stories really well even if their styles are pretty far from one another.
These stories aren't bad at all, and they definitely address the pacing problems I've had with the last few volumes. The lead story's one we've seen before in DNA if not execution, but while Hattie is neat and all, she doesn't really make much of an impression before leaving again. The same problem persists with the haunted house story as well - the family that the Doctor enlists in his latest quest come across as annoying rather than important.
Again, the artwork's great - Rachael Stott and Mariano Laclaustra double-team the stories really well even if their styles are pretty far from one another.
June 14, 2024
the stories were kind of nothing but the 12th doctor jamming with a cool punk dyke was made for me specifically so <3333
May 8, 2017
This is the first Twelfth Doctor comic volume I've read - apart from Twelve comic stories in the Doctor Who magazine - and I loved it.
+1 Twelve is in his awesome rock star and Rebel Time Lord phase (my favourite version of the Twelfth Doctor). Bonus points for fanboy!Twelve going to a rock concert in the 40th Century and mentioning about having collected all albums of the rock band he goes to see :D
+1 The Doctor meets brief companion Hattie Munroe, the lead in said rock band, and they alternate adventure with electric guitar playing in the TARDIS :D Really liked the dynamics between Twelve and Hattie. Equal footing, both proactive, 0% romance.
+1 Bonus points for representation (Hattie is black and from the punk-rock subculture), and for Hattie's proactive and assertive personality.
+1 And more bonus points for the fact that Hattie is never sexualized (No exaggerated body parts! No unrealistic heels! Practical clothing all round! Am I dreaming??). She's also hardly ever - I would say in 99+% of the cases-, depicted in objectified poses (see, the fact that she wears a crop top in the first story and shorts with leggings in the second has nothing to do with objectification as long as it fits with her context - she's a punk rock in a band, all men and women are dressed in a similar fashion -, and as long as her poses are not sexualized for the male gaze).
-1 There's only one potential 'booty shot posture' when she's leaning over a table looking at data that seems slightly exaggerated, but overall her poses are refreshingly non-sexualized.
See, comic book artists and readers? It's so easy to depict women who are not hypersexualized and mainly seen as objects for the male gaze, jeesh. Also so easy to give them practical and realistic clothing, especially if they're going to spend most of their time running and fighting.
+1 So overall, a round of applause for the artists, Mariano Laclaustra (first story) and Rachael Stott (second story). Hattie is depicted in a refreshing way, and the Doctor's ressemblance to Peter Capaldi is great.
+1 I found the stories, especially the first one, to be engaging and interesting. The first story features a good dose of the good 'ol Whovian moral integrity, with pro-pacifism and anti-war values. Twelve encourages two species to cooperate together instead of fighting and saves the day playing (an alien) guitar at an impromptu rock concert xD.
The second story involves a woman looking for her husband and children in her house, which has merged with a dying TARDIS (moral of the story: Be careful about the antiquities you get at the shops, they might be TARDISES in disguise xD).
+1 She is proactive and the fact that it's she and not the man who searches actively for her partner (and children) can be seen as subversive - she kicks a door down in one moment and is way more angry than frightened, so she's pretty great in that respect. And she's wearing pants and flats!
-1 But all the 'family values' were more of a con for me. The relationship portrayed was OK enough (although marriage+two children+big antique house in the middle of nowhere is hardly my life ideal :S), but I'm a bit fed up of all the (heteronormative) relationship+family propaganda appearing pretty much everywhere, not really my cup of tea.
+1 However, the visuals involving Twelve and Hattie being stuck inside a dying TARDIS were pretty awesome. Additional feels for the poor dying TARDIS who even then was trying to protect the people stuck inside :(
+1 Twelve is in his awesome rock star and Rebel Time Lord phase (my favourite version of the Twelfth Doctor). Bonus points for fanboy!Twelve going to a rock concert in the 40th Century and mentioning about having collected all albums of the rock band he goes to see :D
+1 The Doctor meets brief companion Hattie Munroe, the lead in said rock band, and they alternate adventure with electric guitar playing in the TARDIS :D Really liked the dynamics between Twelve and Hattie. Equal footing, both proactive, 0% romance.
+1 Bonus points for representation (Hattie is black and from the punk-rock subculture), and for Hattie's proactive and assertive personality.
+1 And more bonus points for the fact that Hattie is never sexualized (No exaggerated body parts! No unrealistic heels! Practical clothing all round! Am I dreaming??). She's also hardly ever - I would say in 99+% of the cases-, depicted in objectified poses (see, the fact that she wears a crop top in the first story and shorts with leggings in the second has nothing to do with objectification as long as it fits with her context - she's a punk rock in a band, all men and women are dressed in a similar fashion -, and as long as her poses are not sexualized for the male gaze).
-1 There's only one potential 'booty shot posture' when she's leaning over a table looking at data that seems slightly exaggerated, but overall her poses are refreshingly non-sexualized.
See, comic book artists and readers? It's so easy to depict women who are not hypersexualized and mainly seen as objects for the male gaze, jeesh. Also so easy to give them practical and realistic clothing, especially if they're going to spend most of their time running and fighting.
+1 So overall, a round of applause for the artists, Mariano Laclaustra (first story) and Rachael Stott (second story). Hattie is depicted in a refreshing way, and the Doctor's ressemblance to Peter Capaldi is great.
+1 I found the stories, especially the first one, to be engaging and interesting. The first story features a good dose of the good 'ol Whovian moral integrity, with pro-pacifism and anti-war values. Twelve encourages two species to cooperate together instead of fighting and saves the day playing (an alien) guitar at an impromptu rock concert xD.
The second story involves a woman looking for her husband and children in her house, which has merged with a dying TARDIS (moral of the story: Be careful about the antiquities you get at the shops, they might be TARDISES in disguise xD).
+1 She is proactive and the fact that it's she and not the man who searches actively for her partner (and children) can be seen as subversive - she kicks a door down in one moment and is way more angry than frightened, so she's pretty great in that respect. And she's wearing pants and flats!
-1 But all the 'family values' were more of a con for me. The relationship portrayed was OK enough (although marriage+two children+big antique house in the middle of nowhere is hardly my life ideal :S), but I'm a bit fed up of all the (heteronormative) relationship+family propaganda appearing pretty much everywhere, not really my cup of tea.
+1 However, the visuals involving Twelve and Hattie being stuck inside a dying TARDIS were pretty awesome. Additional feels for the poor dying TARDIS who even then was trying to protect the people stuck inside :(
February 28, 2019
I don’t hold ratings for comics the same as for books. So this isn’t exactly the same as the four star u would give for like The Great Gatsby but I completely enjoyed this l! I LOVED Hattie!! And the Foxkin were great, not to mention I just loved the art
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 28, 2017Oh, he's so much better without Smuggy McSmugface! And yes, it's a double-edged sword that his companion for this volume is a 40th century punk; she's not a contemporary young Earth female, which is great, but the band bit does mean we get a reprise of the second worst thing about this Doctor, namely the rock god business. Still, aside from that fly in the ointment these are both perfectly fun stories - a mysterious killing on an orbital habitat, and a haunted house story with its own kind of twist. Which is incredibly obvious, to be fair, but it's beautiful enough that I don't really mind.
February 27, 2017
I was rather putting off reading this volume as I'm still desperately missing Clara and new adventures for Twelve without her just have that bittersweet tinge to them, but once I finally picked it up ... well, I couldn't really put it down until I'd finished both of the adventures in this volume.
So, yeah. The art was consistently excellent in this one, and I really rather enjoyed the stories, too - both the Foxkin-and-punk!Doctor tale (even though it got a bit heavy-handed with the message for my liking in the end but eh, some things probably need spelling out these days) and the mysterious house one. And Hattie made a fun enough temporary companion.
So, yeah. The art was consistently excellent in this one, and I really rather enjoyed the stories, too - both the Foxkin-and-punk!Doctor tale (even though it got a bit heavy-handed with the message for my liking in the end but eh, some things probably need spelling out these days) and the mysterious house one. And Hattie made a fun enough temporary companion.
November 2, 2019
I started this as individual issues, then got derailed and have now finally gotten to finish it as the collected volume. I also re-read the first three issue arc that I had previously read. Good stuff. Nothing spectacular, but a solid story for the twelfth Doctor and an interesting new companion. I think I prefer the comics stories that have companions different than the ones in the episodes, not sure why - but it feels more interesting. I also loved the inclusion of the Doctor's interest in guitars. Fun, fun, fun.
July 31, 2017
3.5 stars
The artwork for the first story in "The Twist" is the best I've seen so far in the 12th Doctor comics. Really, really nice! And hey, we get a good story and fairly good story in the collection, so that was good.
WARNING: SOME SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW!
The story takes place after Clara has left the TARDIS, but we get the chance to have the Doctor interact with a new (if temporary) companion, a bass player named Hattie who lives on "the Twist" which seems like half space station, half artificial world. Hattie is pulled into the Doctor's adventures after he walks off with her bass guitar and soon find themselves trying to solve a murder. The chase and story is interesting, although there was a rather large plot hole that did not get filled (or even really noticed). But the Doctor got to play in Hattie's band in concert, so that was sweet.
The second story (which doesn't seem to have a separate title) continues the travels of the Doctor and Hattie as they wind up in a house that seems to keep multiplying its rooms after the family went to an antique sale. The Doctor and Hattie find and help the family, but I felt like it took them, especially the Doctor, a little too long to figure out what the house actually was and the Doctor showed a little more... glee, I guess at the revelation rather than sad which I thought would have been more appropriate. This ends Hattie's time with the Doctor, as he sends her back to the Twist to go on and record record-breaking albums, so it ends on a good note there.
The artwork for the first story in "The Twist" is the best I've seen so far in the 12th Doctor comics. Really, really nice! And hey, we get a good story and fairly good story in the collection, so that was good.
WARNING: SOME SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW!
The story takes place after Clara has left the TARDIS, but we get the chance to have the Doctor interact with a new (if temporary) companion, a bass player named Hattie who lives on "the Twist" which seems like half space station, half artificial world. Hattie is pulled into the Doctor's adventures after he walks off with her bass guitar and soon find themselves trying to solve a murder. The chase and story is interesting, although there was a rather large plot hole that did not get filled (or even really noticed). But the Doctor got to play in Hattie's band in concert, so that was sweet.
The second story (which doesn't seem to have a separate title) continues the travels of the Doctor and Hattie as they wind up in a house that seems to keep multiplying its rooms after the family went to an antique sale. The Doctor and Hattie find and help the family, but I felt like it took them, especially the Doctor, a little too long to figure out what the house actually was and the Doctor showed a little more... glee, I guess at the revelation rather than sad which I thought would have been more appropriate. This ends Hattie's time with the Doctor, as he sends her back to the Twist to go on and record record-breaking albums, so it ends on a good note there.
June 27, 2018
In Doctor Who: The Twist, the twelfth Doctor, now Clara-less but not yet having picked up Bill, is trying to solve a mystery on a planet called the Twist. Above ground live a human race, but lurking in the shadows is a group of hairy others, perceived to be monsters. The Doctor picks up Hattie, a band member of a popular punk band looking to start a revolution, and a guy with a cyborg eye who has been accused of murdering his politician friend. Together, the track down the monster race on the outside of the humans, but discover a very different understanding of the outsiders.
In the second tale, Hattie and the Doctor find a strange haunted house with its inhabitants nowhere in sight. Hattie pretends to be appalled at how willingly the Doctor traipses into danger, but they are playful and like to jam.
Of this run of Doctor Who comics, this was not a terrible volume. Not too funny and not too outstanding, but not a terrible read if you are a bit bored. It is difficult to move the medium of television to the page,and even more difficult to play within the rules of an already established narrative. My imagination does not allow me to see a possibility where a Doctor Who comic is as good as the television show. There was one moment that I found particularly aggravating, however: the Doctor and Hattie come upon all the accouterments for tea, and the Doctor instructs Hattie to prepare his cup. What? Supposed to be funny, but comes off as a sexist moment.
In the second tale, Hattie and the Doctor find a strange haunted house with its inhabitants nowhere in sight. Hattie pretends to be appalled at how willingly the Doctor traipses into danger, but they are playful and like to jam.
Of this run of Doctor Who comics, this was not a terrible volume. Not too funny and not too outstanding, but not a terrible read if you are a bit bored. It is difficult to move the medium of television to the page,and even more difficult to play within the rules of an already established narrative. My imagination does not allow me to see a possibility where a Doctor Who comic is as good as the television show. There was one moment that I found particularly aggravating, however: the Doctor and Hattie come upon all the accouterments for tea, and the Doctor instructs Hattie to prepare his cup. What? Supposed to be funny, but comes off as a sexist moment.
December 10, 2023
Should I feel guilty that I enjoyed this book more without Clara? Even if they contrived a new (temporary) companion for the Doctor, this was still worlds better for some reason? Or maybe the story just made more sense and felt tighter and more in tune with the Doctor and less about the Doctor and Clara sniping at one another in neverending verbal sparring.
The first arc was a classic Who story. Secrets that have been kept through the ages, a misunderstanding, a twist reveal of even more secrets towards the end - all the good stuff. And it doesn't help things along that it all took place somewhere literally called "The Twist" to really push things along.
The second story was shorter but no less impactful. We have a mysterious energy reading that draws the Doctor's attention and ends up being a crazy house that may potentially be haunted with ghosts of some sort. The truth is far less spiritual but very much Whovian.
It's a pretty solid volume despite the Doctor being between companions. Or maybe because he's between companions?
The first arc was a classic Who story. Secrets that have been kept through the ages, a misunderstanding, a twist reveal of even more secrets towards the end - all the good stuff. And it doesn't help things along that it all took place somewhere literally called "The Twist" to really push things along.
The second story was shorter but no less impactful. We have a mysterious energy reading that draws the Doctor's attention and ends up being a crazy house that may potentially be haunted with ghosts of some sort. The truth is far less spiritual but very much Whovian.
It's a pretty solid volume despite the Doctor being between companions. Or maybe because he's between companions?
January 21, 2025
The Twist: Rocking Yet Routine
The Twist is an enjoyable adventure that captures the essence of Twelve's era while leaning heavily on familiar Doctor Who themes. The murder mystery, while engaging, wraps up predictably, and the Foxkin are intriguing but not groundbreaking as monsters. However, the stunning visuals, lively setting, and the Doctor’s punk charm keep the story afloat.
📝81/10
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
Playing House: A Fun but Fleeting Haunt
Playing House is a spooky, timey-wimey romp with some intriguing ideas—. However, the rushed resolution and lack of depth for both the monsters and Hattie leave it feeling more like a standalone filler episode than a meaningful continuation of Twelve’s adventures.
📝72/100
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-pl...
The Twist is an enjoyable adventure that captures the essence of Twelve's era while leaning heavily on familiar Doctor Who themes. The murder mystery, while engaging, wraps up predictably, and the Foxkin are intriguing but not groundbreaking as monsters. However, the stunning visuals, lively setting, and the Doctor’s punk charm keep the story afloat.
📝81/10
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
Playing House: A Fun but Fleeting Haunt
Playing House is a spooky, timey-wimey romp with some intriguing ideas—. However, the rushed resolution and lack of depth for both the monsters and Hattie leave it feeling more like a standalone filler episode than a meaningful continuation of Twelve’s adventures.
📝72/100
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-pl...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2017
Doctor Who, The Twelfth Doctor. Vol.5: The Twist (collecting Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Year Two # 6-10)
Excellent story. Incredible artwork. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Doctor: “Shhhh! Come with me if you want to live. Always wanted to use that one.”
Doctor: “We're not threatening your warren. We're here to HELP. You don't have to hide in the shadows anymore.”
Doctor: “Well, the GOOD NEWS is that I was right. And the BAD NEWS, I hear you ask? {sigh} Yo've got to work with me here, people. The bad news is ALSO that I was right.”
Doctor: “And we're in. Come along, Watson, the game's afoot!”
Doctor: “Humans are wonderfully resilient, Hattie.”
Oooh, the Doctor and Hattie open a mysterious door and come out to a forest area … where a kiwi (NZ bird) awaits them.
Doctor: “... Library. Oh, now THIS is more like it. Books, books and … Books that haven't even been WRITTEN yet. The plot thickens.”
Excellent story. Incredible artwork. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Doctor: “Shhhh! Come with me if you want to live. Always wanted to use that one.”
Doctor: “We're not threatening your warren. We're here to HELP. You don't have to hide in the shadows anymore.”
Doctor: “Well, the GOOD NEWS is that I was right. And the BAD NEWS, I hear you ask? {sigh} Yo've got to work with me here, people. The bad news is ALSO that I was right.”
Doctor: “And we're in. Come along, Watson, the game's afoot!”
Doctor: “Humans are wonderfully resilient, Hattie.”
Oooh, the Doctor and Hattie open a mysterious door and come out to a forest area … where a kiwi (NZ bird) awaits them.
Doctor: “... Library. Oh, now THIS is more like it. Books, books and … Books that haven't even been WRITTEN yet. The plot thickens.”
October 11, 2023
George Mann takes over the writing for this volume and I dig it. It's the first volume after Clara's demise. The Doctor is travelling by himself when he meets a female bass guitarist in the future. I quite liked the Foxkin story. Then there's a haunted house story that reminded me of House of Leaves where the house is growing and growing. Alas, Hattie has records to make with her band and only sticks around for a volume.
January 27, 2018
For once I actually truly enjoyed a 12th Doctor comic. This one was AMAZING. Story points were on point, so was the art, and the companion seemed to fit in rather well with the doctor. I highly recommend this volume.
January 13, 2019
Two good story concepts with OK execution; I liked the second story best. Mind, I'm not sure I buy this punk-aficionado take on Twelve (even if I do get the actor allusion), and Hattie doesn't really get enough development as a companion. But these are perfectly fine Doctor Who stories. (B)
July 4, 2020
This is a good Doctor Who story. The writer has the 12th Doctor down to a ti. It's also nice to have new aliens and not be on earth once in a while. That's all I'll say on that. The aliens in this story are very interesting.
January 19, 2018
3.5 because new (comic book only) companion is yay.
May 6, 2018
Foxes, humans, and a dying TARDIS
May 29, 2018
Much much better and not only through the inclusion of the Foxkin but the entire atmosphere seemed improved. I didn’t even wince at the rock music!
October 6, 2018
This was really well done: beautiful artwork, and perfectly captures the essence of the Twelfth Doctor.
January 29, 2020
More fun with 12. Rock and roll, fox people, and an adventure in an infinite house.
December 15, 2022
Wish it was longer. Kind of a short run for that companion.
February 8, 2023
they finally let twelve live out his rockstar fantasy and it was SO long overdue. what a great time.
April 9, 2023
Fun way to spend 45 mins
January 27, 2024
3.5 stars
February 22, 2024
Genuine fun and beautiful to look at. Understands the core of who the 12th Doctor is and lets him shine!
November 24, 2024
Two excellent adventures, I liked 12's pairing with temporary companion, Hattie with her and The Doctor jamming in the Tardis in the second story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews