
BBC Books have announced the first story of Doctor Who‘s 2005 revival is set for a special illustrated release.
To celebrate the return of showrunner Russell T Davies to Doctor Who, a special deluxe edition of “Rose” will be published on 23rd November 2023, to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary.
Novelised by Russell from his original script, “Rose” is the story that relaunched Doctor Who for the 21st century.
Originally published in 2018, this deluxe edition of “Rose” features illustrations from acclaimed artist Robert Hack.
In a lair somewhere beneath central London, a malevolent alien intelligence is plotting the end of humanity. Shop window dummies that can move – and kill – are taking up key positions, ready to strike.
Rose Tyler, an ordinary Londoner, is working her shift in a department store, unaware that this is the most important day of her life. She’s about to meet the only man who understands the true nature of the threat facing Earth, a stranger who will open her eyes to all the wonder and terror of the universe – a traveller in time and space known as the Doctor.
“Rose” is the story that brought Doctor Who back to television for the 21st century – and Russell T Davies’s novelisation, based on his script, set the standard for new-era Target novelisations. Now with illustrations by acclaimed artist Robert Hack, this is Rose as you’ve never seen it before…
Russell T Davies is one of the UK’s foremost writers of television drama, creating ground breaking shows such as Queer As Folk, Bob & Rose, Casanova, Cucumber, The Second Coming, and in 2018, A Very English Scandal for BBC One. He is Head Writer and Executive Producer of Doctor Who and has written many of the new series’ most memorable episodes. He was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to drama, dividing his time between Cardiff and Manchester.

In addition to this new take on “Rose” and his superb work on the illustrated edition of Doctor Who: In an Exciting adventure with the Daleks, released last year, Robert Hack designed covers for several of IDW and Titan Comics Doctor Who comic series as well as covers for Cutaway Comics spin-off series. His previous work includes Star Wars: Vader’s Castleand The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
• Order Doctor Who – Rose The Illustrated Edition by Russell T. Davies, illustrated by Robert Hack, available from all good bookshops (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN 978-1785948404
• Doctor Who: In an Exciting adventure with the Daleks by David Whitaker, illustrated by Robert Hack, with an introduction by Neil Gaiman, published by BBC Books, is available from all good bookshops (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 978-1785948015
• Follow Robert Hack on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
• Check out Doctor Who: Panel to Panel Episode 150 An Interview with Robert Hack via iTunes or Podomatic
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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