Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor, Vol. 2: Hidden Human History

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor (Titan Comics) #2

by Jody Houser, Rachael Stott (Illustrator), Giorgia Sposito (Artist)

Best-selling comics writer Jody Houser and fan-favorite artist Rachael Stott bring you the second volume of the hit series featuring Jodie Whittaker as the first female incarnation of The Doctor.

Bursting out of her television adventures, this second collection of the Thirteenth Doctor's comic book tales a scorchingly fresh incarnation, taking the show – and its comic strip adventures – where no Doctor has gone before!

Facing off against vile villains and misunderstood monsters in flavors both human and alien, the Doctor and her friends must push the limits of time and space, confronting evils deliberate and accidental all throughout history – and uncovering secrets long-hidden and wonders never-seen along the way.

Perfect for fans old and new alike, this is an awe-inspiring jumping on point to the Doctor Who comics mythos.

Collects Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #5-8.

Genres: Doctor Who, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Fiction

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2019

Reviews

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yaz, Ryan, Graham and Doctor13 do a whole LOT of talking..
There's eventually a plot that stumbles eventually into place ..to do with podcasts and Flesh Eaters (which sounds way more exciting than it actually is).
Theres basically a solid idea here but not so well executed.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3582675.html

The companions are given a bit more inner life than usual, as it turns out that they are all fans of a podcast about obscure historical events (which sound plausible, though I have not checked to see how many of them are real). The alien enemy becomes humanised through contact with the Doctor, and we end up with a story where everyone wins, told across a set of neatly portrayed historical scenes.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. Absolutely all the yes.

This second volume of the Thirteenth Doctor's adventures is so quintessentially Doctor Who to me - time travel? Check. Companions doing awesome things? Check. Throwbacks to past stories? Check. A moral and an ending that's so obvious and yet so surprising all at once? Double check. A pair of artists who go above and beyond to make sure everyone looks right and the environments all feel lived in and real? Yep, check that off too.

Hidden Human History really has it all, and I smiled my way through all four issues. Brilliant, as the Doctor would say.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
With Jodie Whittaker's second season as the 13th Doctor delayed until 2020, fans of Doctor Who are left to turn to other mediums to get their fix of new Doctor Who stories. Thankfully, Titan Comics continues to put out new 13th Doctor comics each and every month. And they're really good, too, with each arc comprising a single storyline that feels like a complete episode of the series!

Much like the previous volume, this volume of the 13th Doctor comic tells an all-new story with the 13th Doctor and her new friends. And also like that first volume, this storyline is a really good one. I really like it when comics that are based on TV shows do something unique that the TV show can't do (usually for budgetary reasons) and that's exactly what this volume of the 13th Doctor comic did. The story takes place in multiple different time periods and multiple different locations, each issue featuring wholly different characters, all tied together by an overarching "villain" and an overarching mystery. Each issue isn't particularly long, so were the four to be adapted word-for-word, it would probably end up being about the length of an average episode of Doctor Who. But it'd be a really, really good episode. The mystery is an interesting one and it's explored and solved in a very interesting manner. I like it when shows and comics use modern day technology and pop culture as a way of creating mystery and the use of a podcast as the central mystery of this storyline works out really, really well. If anything, I'd have liked to have seen the podcast play an even bigger role in the story. But, as it is, it was a lot of fun.

Jody Houser continues to expertly capture the voices of all of the characters. With every word she writes, you immediately hear those words in the voices of whichever character says them. She writes the 13th Doctor with all of the personality quirks unique to that Doctor - instead of just writing the character as a generic "Doctor" as many do during the first season or two of any new Doctor's era. She also captures the voices of Yaz, Graham, and Ryan perfectly, imbuing them with all the nuances of their relationships that are found within the TV series and exploring those nuances in interesting ways. Through the usage of the podcast in this storyline, we get the chance to see something that's bonded all three of our human characters together and it's nice to see them all so easily relate to something they like. Houser, of course, doesn't just perfectly capture the essence of the characters from the TV series, but she also creates unique and enjoyable new ones - including having some characters she introduced in the previous volume return in this one! But I won't say anything more about that, except that I hope they continue to be recurring characters in the 13th Doctor's comics.

The illustrations throughout this book continue to be some of the most beautiful artwork I've seen in any comic in ages. This time, Rachael Stott is joined by Roberta Ingranata (who takes over illustrations for the last three issues int his volume). Like Houser, Stott and Ingranata perfectly capture the essences of these characters that we know and love from the TV series. They bring such emotion and wonderful facial expressions to these characters, so much that they truly feel alive. They do great work in action scenes, ensuring that each page has a certain flow to it and that each panel drives the readers into the next one, creating tension through the way any given page is laid out and through what is actually shown in any given panel. In terms of new aliens and new environments, Stott and Ingranata are given a whole lot to play with as they are asked to illustrate three different time periods/locations - a feat which they do with perfect ease. Each location has a distinct look - and even a distinct color palette, though that's down to the work of the colorist, Enrica Eren Angiolini. Stott and Ingranata are also asked to design another entirely new alien for the Doctor to face off against and their designs for this volume are a perfect blend of relatable and frightening. It's a design that really could only work within the pages of a comic and I love it. Stott's (and now Ingranata's) illustrations continue to be such a shining aspect of these 13th Doctor comics and I hope they both continue on the title for a nice, long time.

All in all, this second volume of the ongoing 13th Doctor comic series is another great entry. Featuring an interesting, well-written mystery; some compelling old and new characters; and a whole lot of really incredible artwork, this comic is a must-read for fans of Doctor Who. It provides a really nice fix of new 13th Doctor stories while we all await Jodie Whittaker's second season as the Doctor. This volume features a wholly original story that probably could never have worked as an actual episode of Doctor Who, a fact which only makes the story that much more interesting. Read this graphic novel for the story, read it for the amazing artwork, or read it for a fix of new Doctor Who. But, regardless, just read it.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defiantly like something I wasn't expecting the story to be, I thought it be a General Monster of the Week which started like that but went into a different direction I like it and how the Doctor is Half the reason H3 exist

[Asser Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

not that bad but too short

[peep · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one kinda ate (pun not intended)

[Lou Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

very similar to book one. Could've explored more and been a lot longer with new stuff to be honest

they did the thirteenth doctor dirty

[Stefan Zondag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great artwork, more depth to the companions and a nice and (somewhat predictable) story arc, just fun :)

[Poppy :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

love these actually the way you can hear the characters and the facial expressions are perfect <3

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The TARDIS lands in Europe in the 1500s, during the Guelder Wars, only for Yaz, Ryan, and Graham to be the ones explaining the time period instead of the Doctor. The Doctor wonders how they know so much about a rather obscure area of history, only for Ryan, Yaz, and Graham to explain they learned about it from a podcast called "Hidden Human History" or H3. According to the companions, "everyone" is listening to it. Team TARDIS runs into Magda who is running away from war and "monsters". The Doctor and her companions discover the monsters are Stilean Flesh Eaters, an alien race that subsists on fresh blood. The Doctor remarks they were once carrion-eaters but they grew to prefer fresh blood instead. They also aren't evil, just dangerous. In many ways, the Stileans are implied to be no worse than humans who eat meat. The Doctor finds these aliens and one bites her, although the Doctor isn't hurt. The aliens chase the Doctor to the middle of the local village and the TARDIS Team is surrounded. But then alarm bells go off, rung by Magda. The Stileans leave.
The Doctor and her companions leave the 1500s and arrive in North Carolina in 1711 during Cary's Rebellion - the subject of another episode of Hidden Human History. The Doctor and her team run into Schultz and Perkins who are now and have been for ten years agents of the Time Agency. Once again, the Stileans, who look closer to humans than they did in the 1500s - and somewhat owl-like are on the loose, taking advantage of the small war to find fresh blood and carrion. The Doctor tries to have a discussion with one of the Stileans, the one who bit her before, but their conversation is interrupted by the Time Agency agents. Still, Team TARDIS finds that a diet of human blood is altering the Stileans and making them more human-looking. The Doctor theorizes that one day they will be able to pass among humans.
Although the Time Agency agents suggest that the Doctor go to The Battle of Ridgeway, they find themselves instead at the funeral of William the Brave, then they travel to contemporary times to track down the woman behind Hidden Human History.
Team TARDIS tracks down Bethany Brunwine, podcaster, and meets her London flat. They enjoy tea and biscuits with the woman, who, yes, is the Stilean who bit the Doctor all those years ago. She was struck by something the Doctor said - history records names, facts, and dates but often ignores the stories of normal every day people who live through those times. Hidden Human History aims to bring the lives of normal people to, well, to life, as people whom contemporary people can emphasize with and understand. The Stilean has lived a very long life but will die soon. H3 is her way of giving back.
I enjoyed this volume of the Thirteenth Doctor by Titan Comics. It's a fun, light adventure. and it's a refreshing change to have a "monster" who is no more monstrous than the average carnivore. Also, one of the Stileans is inspired by the Doctor to not only "fit in" to Earth society but to teach humans about what they have missed in history, and to bring to life the stories of normal people. This is a light and enjoyable volume and I recommend it.

[Owen Townend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Doctor Who success from Jody Houser. It never ceases to amaze me how she finds uniquely compelling adventures for the 'fam' to go on.

This volume features an investigation into Stilean Flesh Eaters, bloodsucking aliens feeding off the carrion of lesser-known battles. The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan stalk this greedy threat through time; their destinations oddly coinciding with Hidden Human History, a wildly popular podcast that draws attention to forgotten conflicts. By the end of the volume, we get to the bottom of what became of the Stilean Flesh Eaters and who produces this mystery history podcast.

Doctor Who, Volume 2: Hidden Human History has a fun plot with some fantastic sci fi elements, exactly the sort of thing I wish would come up in the TV series. It even gives the Thirteenth Doctor a much needed plummy speech, this time about how running from danger can sometimes be the bravest thing you can do.

Stott and Ingranata provide quality illustration and Angliolini's colouring is exquisite. I recommend Doctor Who, Volume 2: Hidden Human History to comic reading Whovians and Houser enthusiasts.

[Ianto Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall not a bad comic. Following on from the brilliant first issue it falls a little flat, but only because of how brilliant the first one was. The story is a lot smaller in terms of it’s impact and there is no real bad guy..? Which is not necessarily a bad thing, if there’s one thing Doctor Who does it’s different. The comic seems to fit in really well with series 11, following similar themes, human history. As a tie in to the TV series it works well. The art generally is really good, although sometimes lacking, although it must be said that all the main characters have brilliant likenesses. The lack of threat in this issue does leave the ending slightly flat. I like that we saw some returning characters form the first issue and that the time agency is being used, something that I always felt could be explored further, and considering series 12, this could tie in really nicely.
A good, fun read, the characterisation of the characters is spot on with the tv series.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the Thirteenth Doctor comics line! This one actually had a few emotional gut punches and a surprise visit from the guest characters we met in the first volume. They don't add overly much to this story, but it was great to catch up with them and see the Doctor get to be snarky about The Time Agency (as anyone who remembers how the Doctor first reacted to Jack Harkness when they met him would expect the Doctor to be.)

The artwork is still brilliant on this one, even though Yaz doesn't look quite as much like Mandip Gill as she did in the first volume and there is one expression they draw on the Doctor's face occasionally where it always looks like she's smelling something bad directly under her nose. I guess they're trying to do Jodie's iconic nose scrunch, but it just looks weird in drawing format.

Looking forward to next month when I get to check out volume 3! Loving this run so far!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Vol.2 – Hidden Human History

Just love the art & story

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #5

“Sheep .. I’m watching you. Keep the plotting to a minimum.” - Doc

"And sometimes, you can save just one, and that makes all the difference. An old friend taught me that." – Doc [thank you, Donna]
..
Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #6

“History may not remember Magda and her bravery. But WE will.
And even if we didn’t, if we’d NEVER met her … she was still here.”
..

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #7

“Very bad, fam. Crossing your own time stream is .. well, ‘messy’ is putting it lightly.”

“Lovely day for a swamp walk, isn’t it?”
..

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #8

Freaky evolving alien thingy. She (?) really does want to be human-like!

“And weird means INTERESTING. And interesting means we aren’t done yet.”
..

[Alex Sarll]

The central idea is topical, and perfect - a popular podcast on niche bits of history, its themes coinciding with the TARDIS' landings, such that the Doctor gets a bit suspicious, but mainly a wee bit jealous that she can't explain everything to the companions as she normally would, because they've already heard it. And the development and resolution do a much better job than the last series usually managed of selling the Thirteenth's pacifism as a productive response rather than an idiotic affectation. It's not perfect - I feel like it could have worked better stripped around other stories, rather than run straight through; one anomalous detail is lampshaded, then never really explained; and she definitely says 'fam' too much. Still, it's an era growing into itself in a way the TV iteration has yet to manage.

[Nicolas Lontel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une très plaisante aventure de la Treizième Docteur alors que son TARDIS l'amène à différents moments de l'histoire terrestre, durant des moments de conflits, et avec de biens étranges coïncidences avec les épisodes d'un podcast que la gang apprécie beaucoup, mais dont la Docteur semble être un peu jalouse.

Les dessins sont vraiment bien faits (comme d'habitude avec cette série), le scénario se tient super bien et tend vraiment vers les solutions pacifistes comme je les aime. Je n'ai rien à redire sinon qu'après le premier des trois sous récits, je savais déjà où ça s'en allait finir (d'où mon appréciation quand même diminuée à ce niveau), mais ça reste une très belle BD de la Treizième qui s'inscrit dans les bonnes histoires dérivées de la série.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to really enjoy Jody Houser's writing on Doctor Who. I had read some of her work on American comics, but am enjoying this even more.
Oddly, though, one of the mysteries of the story was left a bit dangling. One of the mysteries of the podcast is revealed, but not the story of WHY it became so popular. Sigh.
The bits of history that run through this volume were interesting enough that I had to start looking them up. I mean, I read a lot of history, but the Guelders Wars? Involving both guilders [the monetary unit] and Guelders, the place, as it happens. Yes, you can look it up. Cary's Rebellion was far more obscure, but also real.
The aliens of the story were odd, but interesting, as was the Doctor's attitude about them.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprising and fun (of course, the Doctor is always surprising and fun) and I recommend it for those who are more interested in the time-traveling aspect of Doctor Who versus the intergalactic traveler aspect of Doctor Who. This one is big on time traveling and zero on intergalactic travel. Vol. 1 was a better mix of the two. The art by Rachael Stott is impressive and the storytelling is top notch. It's not just 4 comics but a unified story and I won't give it away except to say that the villains are "dangerous but not evil."

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whereas the TV series has its ups and downs and its lackluster episodes, the Thirteenth Doctor comics are really fun. This one revolves around a podcast that it seems like everyone, except the Doctor, has heard and a group of vampiric aliens. The characterization of the main cast is excellent and the art is superb. There are ties to the previous comic volume and, based on a few comments and images, it appears that this takes place either after "It Takes You Away" or between Series 11 and 12. Definitely worth checking out if you're disappointed with the TV Series but still like Jodie's Doctor.

[Samah (samahcanread_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

love me a book that leaves a huge smile on my face.

Although i predicted the end, i was very proud of myself, because the doctor would be proud of me, as she was of the gang when they were leading.

Jodie would be amazing if given the right stories, and i can't wait for the next season in 2020

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is my usual MO for these weekend readathons, I read several of these comic collections back to back. Some worked better (sometimes much better) than others and I discovered yet another accidental duplicate in my collection. Oops. I continue to enjoy this collections and will likely add more to my home library in the future.

[Kai Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love wibbly wobbly timey whimey stuff! I really like Jody Houser's writing style. I enjoyed the plot of this one more than vol. 1, but both volumes ended short for great cover art, but still short.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through little known eras of human history as the Doctor and her current “Fam” try to unravel the secrets of a mysterious podcast. This was a charming little adventure tale that is clearly well immersed in the 13th Doctor’s time and character. Well done and very enjoyable.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent wibbly wobbly adventure in time with the Doctor.

[Charles Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story

[Leslie (updates on SG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art is still good, but the storyline is more engaging than that of Vol. 1.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a quick and entertaining adventure with a nice emotional arc. Maybe I really should watch the second series..

[Tim Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel captures perfectly the joy and spirit of Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor.

[Macklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Podcasts!!!