In celebration of the release of Doctor Who: A Tale of Two Time Lords, Blogtor Who spoke with two of the artists behind Titan Comics‘ ongoing Doctor Who series about bringing this Tenth and Thirteenth Doctor crossover adventure to life!
First launched back in late 2018 to tie in with Jodie Whittaker‘s debut series as the Doctor, Titan Comics‘ Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor series has followed the current TARDIS crew on a multitude of off-screen adventures across time and space over the past two years. In that time, they’ve faced off against the tyrannical Hoarder, the terrifying Stilean Flesh Eaters, and reunited with the Doctor’s old friend and fellow Time Lord, the Corsair.
Most recently, Titan Comics brought us their most ambitious Thirteenth Doctor story yet. Across the four issues which are collected in recently released graphic novel Doctor Who: A Tale of Two Time Lords, the team have re-imagined Steven Moffat‘s modern classic television story Blink.
The Thirteenth Doctor, Graham, Ryan, and Yaz find themselves transported back to 1960’s London. It just so happens that the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones find themselves stranded in the very same time and place, having been thrust backwards in time by the Weeping Angels. Now, these two incarnations of the Doctor and their friends must work together to stop the Weeping Angels and the Autons from taking over the Earth before it’s too late!
To celebrate the release of Doctor Who: A Tale of Two Time Lords, Blogtor Who was lucky enough to speak with two of the artists who worked on the story. Colourist Enrica Eren Angiolini has been a part of the team behind Titan Comics‘ Thirteenth Doctor series since it began two years ago, whilst artist Roberta Ingranata joined the team during the series’ second arc. We asked them about their relationship with Doctor Who, their experiences of working on the series, and which parts of the Doctor Who universe they’d want to explore next:
How did you first discover Doctor Who, and how long have you been a fan?
INGRANTA: I don’t remember how long, but almost certainly since the TV series came out. I am very passionate about series and I hardly lose them!
ANGIOLINI: I discovered the series when I was in Uni: many of my friends were fans, so that’s how I became familiar with the concept and some of the iconic elements, like the TARDIS or the Sonic Screwdriver. I became more involved when I was offered to work on the comic series in 2018: I binge watched the series from the Tenth Doctor onwards, to make sure I was prepared to work on it.
Can you talk us through your process when working on a Doctor Who story? How do you go about bringing Jody Houser’s writing to life?
INGRANTA: I usually watch the episodes of the TV series, if there are direct references, otherwise I use my imagination! I start with the layouts, draw all the story layouts, and when they are approved by my editor, I start the inks.
ANGIOLINI: It’s a mix of what we see on TV and my personal spin on it. I like making sure that all the tiny details are accurate (for example the Thirteenth Doctor’s striped shirt and the lights inside the TARDIS), but I also like adding flares, interesting shadows, atmospheric lights to accompany the storytelling and bringing to life the beautiful scenes that Jody [Houser] writes.
How does working on Doctor Who differ from the other projects you’ve worked on previously?
ROBERTA: The difference is in the similarity with existing characters and actors, only that. It is important that each character resembles the reference actor, both in expressions and gestures.
ANGIOLINI: At this point I wouldn’t say it feels very different from working on other brands. I’ve worked on several other big IPs, so I know what the crucial points are when it comes to accuracy and consistency with the classic and iconic characters or places. When I started I was a bit anxious about being able to fit in, since the fandom around the Doctor is huge and strong, so I didn’t want to disappoint the audience. But since I started in 2018 our team’s work has always been warmly welcomed, so I know I have nothing to be afraid of, as long as I keep doing my best!
Did you face any particular challenges whilst working on this volume due to lockdown?
INGRANTA: No, not in my work, the life of a cartoonist is already similar to a lockdown. The difficulties were emotional.
ANGIOLINI: As most comic artists, I’m a full time freelancer and I work from home, nearly every day of the week (sometimes weekends too, if we have rough deadlines, which is not unusual), so life during lockdown wasn’t very different from me. I’m always very lucky to be part of a wonderful team, so I knew I could rely on Roberta [Ingranata], Jody [Houser] and our Titan staff for support whenever I needed it.
Do you have a particular scene or panel from this volume that you’re most proud of?
INGRANTA: Definitely the scenes inside the TARDIS, Lately I’ve been trying to make the interior of the TARDIS very detailed, to make it look more and more like that of the TV series!
ANGIOLINI: I just adored working with the two Doctors and having fun rendering their expressions, which is always one of my favourite things. And I got to play with the backgrounds to really emphasise the creepy scenes as opposed to the sunny, light hearted exchanges between the Thirteenth Doctor and the Tenth Doctor.
Now you’ve worked on a story featuring the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones, which other Doctors, companions, or other characters from the show’s history would you love to illustrate next?
INGRANTA: Definitely the Twelfth Doctor and Clara.
ANGIOLINI: I’ve had a chance to very briefly work on the Twelfth Doctor, whom I adore, and I’d love to be able to work on him again. If I could choose another non-Doctor character, it would have to be River Song without a doubt. And if we could bring the old team with Rachael Stott back together for one more adventure, I think both her and Jody [Houser] would love to work on Missy, and I’d be more than happy to join them on it!
A Tale of Two Time Lords also featured two iconic Doctor Who monsters, the Weeping Angels and the Autons – which other alien creatures or enemies of the Doctor would you love to illustrate next?
INGRANTA: I don’t know, there are many aliens that I love, it’s hard to choose one! But I’m sure Jody will always be able to choose characters that I will love to draw!
ANGIOLINI: After working on the Daleks in the Time Lord Victorious series, in my opinion the most iconic enemies of the Doctor (maybe only second to the Weeping Angels), I can’t think of any other specific monsters or adversaries. But I love when we get to create our own bad guys! It’s a whole new level of fun!
Doctor Who: A Tale of Two Time Lords is available to purchase now from Forbidden Planet, ComiXology, and all other good comic retailers.
Eisner-nominated writer Jody Houser and artist Roberta Ingranata return for Year Two of the critically acclaimed Doctor Who comics. Volume 1 ties into the fan-favorite Season 3 episode “Blink”, written by former showrunner Steven Moffat.
The Thirteenth Doctor is back with her friends – Yaz, Ryan and Graham – in a brand new time-traveling adventure. This time she faces the horrific Weeping Angels – who else can help her out but one of her previous incarnations: the Tenth Doctor himself! Landing in the swinging 60s, Thirteen and fam are stranded in the middle of a territorial battle between the Angels and the creepy Autons, all the while having to avoid her former self and causing the universe to implode! What could go wrong?
Titan Comics‘ Doctor Who series will continue under the name Doctor Who Comic from November. Issue #1 is due for release on Wednesday 18th November 2020 from Forbidden Planet, ComiXology, and your local comic shop.
Doctor Who returns with the comic debut of iconic 70s TV Villain! After narrowly escaping the Weeping Angels and the Autons in 1960s London, the Tenth and Thirteenth Doctor must team-up once again to save present-day Earth from being overrun by the classic aquatic villain, the Sea Devils! Who else can they turn to for help but Rose Tyler: leader of the human resistance!
[…] we await the relaunch of Titan’s Doctor Who series (set for November 18th), enjoy this interview with artist Roberta Ingranata and Enrica Eren Angiolini about their work on Doctor Who: The […]