Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“HACKED: A VISUALLY STRIKING BUT LOW-STAKES INTRODUCTION”

Hacked kicks off the Doctormania collection with a Free Comic Book Day story featuring the Ninth Doctor, Rose, and Captain Jack. As with many FCBD stories, this is a short, self-contained adventure with a straightforward premise: the Doctor and his companions encounter a geohacker who reshapes entire planets as a form of artistic expression.

ANCIENT CONNECTIONS, LITTLE THREAT

The core concept is intriguing—another ancient race with ties to the Time Lords, which ties into Doctor Who’s long-running lore. However, the story never builds any real tension or stakes. The geohacker is more of a curiosity than a villain, and the resolution is as simple as the Doctor exposing his fraudulence by name-dropping the Braxiatel Collection and the Shadow Proclamation. While these references are fun for long-time fans, they don’t add much weight to the narrative.

UNDERUSED COMPANIONS

Rose and Jack are present but ultimately unnecessary, contributing little to the unfolding events. The story doesn’t make much use of their dynamic with the Doctor, which is a missed opportunity given how strong their chemistry usually is.

STRONG ARTWORK

One of the standout elements of Hacked is the artwork, which is notably more polished than many previous FCBD stories. The visuals bring the alien settings to life with a level of detail that helps elevate an otherwise thin plot.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

While Hacked offers an interesting premise and strong artwork, it ultimately feels more like an extended bit of exposition than a full-fledged story. With no real conflict and underutilised companions, it serves as a visually appealing but forgettable opener to the Doctormania collection.