Doctor Who Annual 2023 set to celebrate 60 years of the show

By John Freeman on June 15, 2022

This year’s Doctor Who Annual to celebrate the 60th anniversary of everyone’s favourite Time Lord, on sale from 1st September 2022, is available to pre-order now. It will include a short story written by an unidentified actor who played one of the Doctor’s companions.

Published by BBC Children’s Books, aimed at 9 – 12 year olds, this year’s journey through time and space, we’re told, will “take you through the Doctor Who universe like never before – to the past, present, future. And beyond. Are you ready for the Biggest Adventure of Your Life? Well then . . .”

While this year sees a change of actor in the lead role, details released about the 64-page Doctor Who Annual 2023 suggest the Thirteenth Doctor, played on screen by Jodie Whittaker, will be the focus for at least some of the annual’s content, despite its cover featuring all past incarnations of the time and space travelling renegade.

“Meet The Doctor,” promotional copy informs, “And Yaz and Dan. And her mortal enemies – Sontarans, Weeping Angels, Daleks (the list is endless, really). Then travel back through time and discover a history full of regenerations, monster-defeating and universe-saving.”

We’re also promised “a complete history of the Doctor”, games and activities featuring friends and foes new and old – and the tease of an exclusive short story from a favourite, unidentified companion.

Sadly, there’s no indication it will include any comic strip.

“An incredible celebration of 60 years of Doctor Who, from the Timeless Child to the Next Doctor – your journey through time and space starts right here.”

• Pe-order the Doctor Who Annual 2023 here (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN 978-1405952293

John Freeman

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.