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Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Archives (single issues) #39
The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who
In this special one-shot story celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, a strange force flings the TARDIS and the Doctor into our own universe! Once here, the Doctor encounters a 12-year-old girl who happens to be a huge fan of the Doctor Who TV show. The Doctor grapples with being a fictional character and monsters lurking at the girl’s school on the way to coming face-to-face with the actor who portrays him, Matt Smith!
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Paul Cornell
618 books1,492 followersPaul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 9, 2015
This was...interesting.
I liked it but was left somewhat disappointed.
First off, this comic seems to be decidedly for children whereas other comics, and the show itself, are appropriate for children but are in more of a rated E for everyone category.
Secondly, not a whole lot happens and the things that do happen are a bit boring. For example, since the Tardis has fallen into a parallel universe, our universe, the Doctor comes face to face with Matt Smith (note this is not a spoiler as it was the selling point of the comic). This meeting is not quite as humorous or as exciting as you would think. Basically Matt Smith is dressed like a chav....
...and thinks that the Doctor is in cosplay.....boring
The tone is very sappy with an anti-bully type message. I did like the whole, be yourself, and love Doctor Who, but it all felt very juvenile.
Overall, I liked it but thought it could have been so much better. It's a fast read and meant to be an ode to fans, but be warned, it does have a PSA vibe and a lackluster plot.
I liked it but was left somewhat disappointed.
First off, this comic seems to be decidedly for children whereas other comics, and the show itself, are appropriate for children but are in more of a rated E for everyone category.
Secondly, not a whole lot happens and the things that do happen are a bit boring. For example, since the Tardis has fallen into a parallel universe, our universe, the Doctor comes face to face with Matt Smith (note this is not a spoiler as it was the selling point of the comic). This meeting is not quite as humorous or as exciting as you would think. Basically Matt Smith is dressed like a chav....
...and thinks that the Doctor is in cosplay.....boring
The tone is very sappy with an anti-bully type message. I did like the whole, be yourself, and love Doctor Who, but it all felt very juvenile.
Overall, I liked it but thought it could have been so much better. It's a fast read and meant to be an ode to fans, but be warned, it does have a PSA vibe and a lackluster plot.
June 3, 2017
Had the potential to be cheesy fanwank, turned out to be exceptionally well-drawn and well-written. Some very real moments in this book on the topics of bullying and gender equality. I adore it.
July 23, 2014
The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who written by Paul Cornell and illustrated by Jimmy Broxton is a graphic story celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who (which was last year in 2013). I mainly read it because it was shortlisted for a Hugo Award this year.
Honestly, I found this a bit meh. The story was all right and the illustrations were OK but not my favourite. What I liked best was the premise of the story. The TARDIS malfunctions and punches through to our universe from the Doctor's default universe. The Doctor encounters a twelve-year-old girl who at first mistakes him for Matt Smith, until he shows her (and her mother) the real TARDIS.
To be fair, it was an amusing story, especially when they go to a Doctor Who convention, but I couldn't help feeling that it could be more. More funny, more deep, more something. But it wasn't a bad way to spend half an hour.
I recommend The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who to completist fans and anyone interested in a quick read. Also anyone wanting to read a complete story arc in one hit (which is always nice). I'm not sure people not familiar with Doctor Who will get as much about of this.
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
Honestly, I found this a bit meh. The story was all right and the illustrations were OK but not my favourite. What I liked best was the premise of the story. The TARDIS malfunctions and punches through to our universe from the Doctor's default universe. The Doctor encounters a twelve-year-old girl who at first mistakes him for Matt Smith, until he shows her (and her mother) the real TARDIS.
To be fair, it was an amusing story, especially when they go to a Doctor Who convention, but I couldn't help feeling that it could be more. More funny, more deep, more something. But it wasn't a bad way to spend half an hour.
I recommend The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who to completist fans and anyone interested in a quick read. Also anyone wanting to read a complete story arc in one hit (which is always nice). I'm not sure people not familiar with Doctor Who will get as much about of this.
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
December 22, 2014
Unless you're a huge fan of Matt Smith as Doctor Who you won't enjoy The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who, but then even if you are a fan I doubt this would be a guaranteed 5-star wonder. And although Matt Smith looks like Matt Smith I didn't particularly like the illustrations.
I'll admit I've never been able to get into Doctor Who, I found it too cheesy for me and this fan made graphic novel didn't challenge my perceptions. It's reminiscent of a few episodes of TV show Supernatural as the characters come to terms with their lives serialized in books and a TV show, but Cornell's version isn't nearly as sophisticated as I'd expect it to be as a Hugo Awards finalist.
*2014 Hugo Award finalist for Best Graphic Novel read for free via the Hugo Voter Pack.
I'll admit I've never been able to get into Doctor Who, I found it too cheesy for me and this fan made graphic novel didn't challenge my perceptions. It's reminiscent of a few episodes of TV show Supernatural as the characters come to terms with their lives serialized in books and a TV show, but Cornell's version isn't nearly as sophisticated as I'd expect it to be as a Hugo Awards finalist.
*2014 Hugo Award finalist for Best Graphic Novel read for free via the Hugo Voter Pack.
June 9, 2014
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2299904.html[return][return]Utterly lovely. The Eleventh Doctor slips through a gap between universes and finds himself in a world where "Doctor Who" is a TV show and he himself is portrayed by a bloke called Matt Smith. Among other things, he discovers fan-fiction. It's great.
January 4, 2014
Finally we get to see how the 11th Doctor (though technically he's the 13th incarnation) would react in our parallel fandom world! A great way for him to see the passion his fans have for him. And his explorative and determined nature whichever time or place he's in.
October 14, 2018
Always a pleasure to read Paul Cornell's work and this is an affectionate celebration of fifty years, perhaps overshadowed by the Spider-Man title which it riffs off, it is fittingly more ludicrous.Jimmy Broxton's art is a joy to behold, quite up there with Jamie McKelvie and Rolands Kalnins: clear line art, magnetic colours; enjoyable read.
August 30, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars
Liked this one way better than the one before it. Made more sense and the art was consistent all the way through!
Liked this one way better than the one before it. Made more sense and the art was consistent all the way through!
August 26, 2016
As an obsessed Whovian, a comic entitled The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who is right up my alley. It's also my first western style comic, as opposed to the typical manga volumes that I read, so it's a different reading experience. The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who is not a complex or particularly meaningful story, but it was sweet and good fun.
The comic was written by Paul Cornell, who wrote my two favorite Doctor Who episodes Human Nature and Family of Blood, so I had high hopes for his comic. Like the episodes he wrote, it does a good job of focusing on the characters' emotions. How the Doctor feels to have a TV show chronicling his life (as you'd expect, bemused and surprised). How Matt Smith feels that the Doctor is real (very surprised and pretty cool). How the little girl feels to encounter the real Doctor (skeptical but then a big cheerleader).
The main subplot of this story focuses on bullying. Like many (most) Doctor Who fans, the little girl/mega Who fan is not particularly cool with her peers and she has to deal with some really mean kids. The Doctor helps her be more confident in herself and handle the bullies. The morality part of the comic was a bit heavy-handed for my taste, but the comic is clearly aimed at a younger reader so I tolerated it better than I would otherwise.
I still prefer manga style art over western style since that's what I'm used to. But the comic was easy to follow. The art was good, not spectacular. It never got in the way of the plot. It was also very short - 44 pages. I'd really prefer a longer story, but if you're aiming for 10-12 year olds, perhaps that's a good length.
If you're looking for a mature and complicated comic strip, The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who will not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, if you want sweet and innocent fun celebrating Doctor Who and all those who love it, Paul Cornell's comic is a fabulous tale.
The comic was written by Paul Cornell, who wrote my two favorite Doctor Who episodes Human Nature and Family of Blood, so I had high hopes for his comic. Like the episodes he wrote, it does a good job of focusing on the characters' emotions. How the Doctor feels to have a TV show chronicling his life (as you'd expect, bemused and surprised). How Matt Smith feels that the Doctor is real (very surprised and pretty cool). How the little girl feels to encounter the real Doctor (skeptical but then a big cheerleader).
The main subplot of this story focuses on bullying. Like many (most) Doctor Who fans, the little girl/mega Who fan is not particularly cool with her peers and she has to deal with some really mean kids. The Doctor helps her be more confident in herself and handle the bullies. The morality part of the comic was a bit heavy-handed for my taste, but the comic is clearly aimed at a younger reader so I tolerated it better than I would otherwise.
I still prefer manga style art over western style since that's what I'm used to. But the comic was easy to follow. The art was good, not spectacular. It never got in the way of the plot. It was also very short - 44 pages. I'd really prefer a longer story, but if you're aiming for 10-12 year olds, perhaps that's a good length.
If you're looking for a mature and complicated comic strip, The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who will not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, if you want sweet and innocent fun celebrating Doctor Who and all those who love it, Paul Cornell's comic is a fabulous tale.
December 12, 2016
This is definitely not meant to be an epic story. I enjoyed it for what it was: A one-shot about The Doctor landing in a universe where Doctor Who is a TV show and he meets fans, cosplayers, and Matt Smith. It was, however, really weird to hear that The Doctor has met Peter Davison and Peter Capaldi already. It makes it sound as if he was inspired by Capaldi the actor for his next regeneration rather than Caecilius, which is problematic. I know that John Hurt is part of his universe since he's mentioned in Torchwood, but this is just way too many Doctor Who actors for his universe. It was funny hearing The Doctor disagree with fans looking too deeply into possible pairings within the show. The sentiment of The Doctor's adventures being true in a multiverse of infinite possibilities was somewhat touching. If this had to be placed somewhere chronologically, it'd probably be after The Day of the Doctor since it's acknowledged that "The Name of the Doctor" has happened and The Doctor asks Matt Smith if The Doctor returns home (Gallifrey). The Doctor also says that he is twelve hundred years old. The Andy Warhol paintings of every incarnation of The Doctor was also neat (even if the War Doctor is just a silhouette
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2014
I read this story because it was nominated for the Hugo Award. It's a cute, but slight story about what happens when the real Doctor lands in our real world, befriends a 12-year-old girl, and goes to a Doctor Who convention where he meets Matt Smith, the actor who plays him on TV. There are some humorous, albeit fairly predictable, moments where the Doctor is confronted with cosplayers and only manages to come in second in the masquerade competition. The underlying anti-bullying message is well done, but the whole thing just seems like an afternoon-special. I know the Doctor Who bloc of the Hugo voters is very powerful, and they love their Paul Cornell, but this story really does not belong on the Hugo ballot, especially considering the many great graphic stories that were published in 2013.
June 18, 2016
First comic written by Paul Cornell that I've read. I was a little underwhelmed, I have to say. I know Paul likes the medium and has made a great name for himself in the sector, (which is good news), but for me everything is over before its really just begun. I find that to be generally the case with comics or graphic novels, 'V for Vendetta' being a welcome exception.
Not a bad little story, but fairly predictable given the premise. It's the brevity that works against it for me, and I know Paul can do short stories, and very short stories, excellently. I much prefer an arena that gives Paul time to develop story and character, this was too oblique in my opinion.
Not a bad little story, but fairly predictable given the premise. It's the brevity that works against it for me, and I know Paul can do short stories, and very short stories, excellently. I much prefer an arena that gives Paul time to develop story and character, this was too oblique in my opinion.
March 6, 2014
This was definitely my favorite Doctor Who comic I have read so far. Since it came out I have asking the local comic book store for it and whenever they had it in stock they sold out. I FINALLY, after a couple months, got it and in about 15 minutes I finished it. I especially enjoyed it because I sometimes wonder what would happen in that situation. Now I know. =)
July 18, 2014
Read for the 2014 Hugo's
This is a pretty good book. I wasn't crazy about it when I finished it but I went back and reread it. It got better. It feels like a decent Doctor Who episode, which is what it is trying to be. Sadly, not having Matt Smith perform the dialog and not having music hurt it, I think. Overall, it's a good read, but it would have been better on TV.
This is a pretty good book. I wasn't crazy about it when I finished it but I went back and reread it. It got better. It feels like a decent Doctor Who episode, which is what it is trying to be. Sadly, not having Matt Smith perform the dialog and not having music hurt it, I think. Overall, it's a good read, but it would have been better on TV.
November 26, 2015
The "Doctor ends up in the 'real' world where his adventures are just a TV show" thing has been done before -- I read something similar in a fanzine 20-odd years ago -- but it remains a fun idea, and is executed here in an entertaining fashion. Definitely a high note on which to end the IDW run of Doctor Who comics.
April 14, 2014
A beautiful end to IDW's run on Doctor Who which demonstrates just how good Paul Cornell is at writing stories with a human heart. The first Doctor Who comic to ever tug at my emotions the way the series (especially RTDs episodes) do.
October 12, 2014
Il Dottore finisce in un mondo parallelo in cui Doctow Who è solo uno spettacolo televisivo. Seguono siparietti comici in cui incontra cosplayers e alla fine riesce a tornare nel suo universo.
Storiellina meta, ma che non lascia nulla.
Storiellina meta, ma che non lascia nulla.
December 24, 2013
So lovely. *hugs it* Definitely a love letter to the show and to fandom.
December 27, 2013
Muy lindo! Aunque medio apresurado.
December 28, 2013
So good my favourite Doctor Who comic yet!
Read
January 4, 2014In which the Doctor finds himself in a peculiar dimension which thinks he's a fictional character played by actor Matt Smith (who guests). Utterly lovely.
January 18, 2014
I just cry now. It was so... sad. I love Doctor Who and I'll miss for Matt Smith's Eleven ;( Goodbye, Raggedy Man!
February 13, 2014
a very sweet little story written just for whovians
May 22, 2014
loved it! read the doctor as matt smith himself lol xD <3
May 29, 2014
eh. not nearly on the level of the others. cute idea, but pretty cheesy.
June 5, 2014
A cute idea and a fun little story. Not amazing though, and it felt a little on the short side, but a good read.
July 20, 2014
A light, charming story with just enough plot and lots of fun references.
July 12, 2014
Umm, cute, I guess? No strong feelings about this one. Except that I do not believe it is a Hugo quality presentation.
July 11, 2014
Clever conceit, but not particularly well-drawn.
July 12, 2014
Well that was just plain delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews