The Fifteenth Doctor #16

'Run' (2025) from Doctor Who Magazine 613.

A bit of a nothing story here really, which is a shame because I've been looking forward to some solo 15. But, unfortunately, this story is very held back by Ruby's disembodied voice for me and the brief plotline of a beast being hunted didn't do much else to entice me. Here's hoping for some more solo 15 next month though.

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

“RUN: A BRISK BUT SHALLOW CHASE THROUGH GRIEF”

Run is a short, six-page comic strip featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, set on the ominously named planet Grey Grieving. Still adjusting to life without Ruby, the Doctor finds himself in a deadly chase, pursued by a bloodthirsty wolf creature while being caught between it and hunters determined to take it down.

The comic immediately throws the Doctor into action, with little time to establish much beyond the central chase. The orange-hued skies of Grey Grieving evoke a visual similarity to the setting of Boom, adding to the story’s desolate atmosphere. What stands out most is how the Doctor copes with his loneliness—imagining Ruby by his side, asking questions, and providing him with a way to work through the situation. It’s a neat narrative device that highlights his struggle to adjust, even in such a brief tale.

TOO BRIEF TO MAKE AN IMPACT

Unfortunately, Run is simply too short to develop anything meaningful. The supporting characters are mere filler, serving only to propel the Doctor through the action. The plot barely has time to establish itself before wrapping up in an abrupt conclusion, leaving little room for depth or emotional weight.

VERDICT: A DECENT CONCEPT, BUT TOO FLEETING

While it effectively conveys the Doctor’s loneliness and delivers some fleeting excitement, Run feels more like a quick sketch than a fully realised story. A little more breathing room could have made for a stronger, more engaging piece.

📝6/10

Run is an interesting enough idea, but it's not anything special. This strip, at just 6 pages, is very short, making it hard to go too in depth in any aspect of the story. A few extra pages may have really helped. Alas, that's not to be in the current DWM strip. Hence, the plot is comfortably mediocre. Otherwise, the art is nice.

A short but sweet tale, concerning the Doctor being chased by a creature being hunted by some extra-terrestrial hunters. There isn't a great deal to the story, but it does have some solid character moments, with 15 pretending Ruby is still with him because of how he misses her. There's nothing more Doctor-like than the Doctor talking to himself in the absence of a companion.

I often accuse Doctor Who of being a runaround and this is potentially the most literal example I’ve seen of that. It has the potential to go somewhere and then seems to forget to. Too inoffensive to get riled up about though!