In Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks, the Fugitive Doctor arrives on Ancient Earth where she encounters a people subjugated by their ‘gods’. But there’s more to these events than meets the eye. The Stereo Geeks received an advanced review PDF from Titan Comics. Here, Ron shares her thoughts on the first issue and you can also see some interior pages.

Valentina Bianconi (Colours), Roberta Ingranata (Artist), Sami Kivelä (Artist), Dulce M. Montoya (Writer), Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (Letters), Richard Starkings (Letters), Dan Watters (Writer)

The Fugitive Doctor, first introduced during the 13th Doctor’s run, continues her story on web and in comics. Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker’s first instalment saw the return of Jo Martin as the titular Doctor on the Doctor Who website. You can access it with a BBC account here.

Now, Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks continues with Titan Comics’ “first full adventure” for the Fugitive Doctor, who is tasked by UNIT with returning a variety of alien items to their correct place in space and time. Sounds easy enough. Not really – most of these items have come into contact with other regenerations of the Doctor. As the very first version of the Time Lord, she’s perfectly suited to return them without damaging timelines.

The major problem is that the UNIT team have vivid memories of their interactions with the Doctors. The Fugitive Doctor isn’t anything like those regenerations. She’s rough around the edges and definitely not a people person. She has a job to do, and she will do it, no matter whose feelings get hurt.

And that’s how she lands up in Thessaloniki in ancient Greece with a piece of technology that definitely doesn’t belong there. Plus, the people of the town are terrified of their gods. But it turns out those very gods have much to fear themselves. If the title of the comic doesn’t give it away, let’s make it clear. We’re talking about the Doctor’s greatest nemesis: the Daleks. Did someone say ‘Exterminate!’

From the first time I saw Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor, I have wanted more of the character. I loved her style, her history, or lack thereof. I loved how her existence shook up the WhoVerse. I enjoyed reading her first reintroduction in comics in 2022 – I reviewed it for WWAC here. 

When Titan Comics sent us a review PDF for Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks, I knew I had to read it. I also knew I would enjoy it, which, of course, I did. But I can’t say the story went the way I expected it to.

The Fugitive Doctor isn’t like the other regenerations – she’s done some terrible things and it’s definitely affected her. She isn’t here for the niceties because she’s got a job to do, and it’s a pretty overwhelming job from the looks of it.

But the problem with life and the universe is that, if you aren’t a people person, people are likely not going to trust you. Let alone do what you say. So, when those ever-so-annoying interactions don’t lead to trust-building, someone’s going to get hurt. And when Daleks are involved, that hurt could very well be fatal. Can the Doctor put aside her own apathy to show a little compassion and save the day? The answer may not be as crystal clear as one would expect in this book.

Here’s a first look at the interior pages of Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks:

For Whovians, Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks is a solid story about power imbalances, the mistakes we make when we give in to fear, and the importance of compassion for those who aren’t like us. Add to that, the fascinating personality of the Fugitive Doctor and the return of the Daleks, and you’ve got quite the space romp on your hands.

Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #1: Adversary of the Daleks was published by Titan Comics on July 8, 2026.