This is probably up there with my favourite FCBD stories!!

First and foremost, the art in this story is absolutely a standout. The likenesses are incredible, and I absolutely adore the sci-fi elements. The panel of the dead world especially is a real highlight for me, and I love the 'power signature' of the alien tech here.

The concept of Geohacking as well is just a really fun one, and again, the art does a great job of communicating the concept. The way it's tied back to an old war (allowing for a panel of Sutekh and Azal), and then through that tying it into the previous Ninth Doctor comic is really fun.

If I had one critique, it's that the story ended a bit abruptly, but when you only have six pages that's kind of inevitable.

Also hey, The Braxiatel Collection got a mention!

Overall, just a really nice short story!!

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.

Short and sweet outing with a much too short lived TARDIS team. The villain is a good gag, which is what you want from such a short comic.