By Adam Hargreaves

Puffin, out August 29

Messrs Troughton, McCoy, McGann and Eccleston get the Roger Hargreaves treatment as their respective Doctors enter the wider Mr Men universe.

Four months after the successful launch of the first phase of Dr Men (Drs First, Fourth, Eleventh and Twelfth) we get the next four, as announced at the series’ launch – and what another fun bunch they are.

Yet again, a lot of the fun comes from the choice of companions and monsters and the way that they are instantly recognisable from a very limited number of accessories, hats and hair design. Adam previously explained to us in an exclusive interview that he often starts with a hat and nose.

Troughton’s Doctor inevitably gets the Beatles mop and a bow tie and uses ‘Oh, my giddy aunt’ as his catchphrase, joined in the TARDIS by Jamie (in hilarious Tam o’Shanter hat and a shock of hair) and Victoria. We’re spared Jamie’s colloquial “cannae” and “aye”, no doubt to help younger readers with the words. I wonder if Debbie Watling had the chance to see her character design before she recently left us?

Sylvester’s Doctor is great in his two-tone shoes, hat and question mark umbrella, joined by Ace. But who is the mysterious, returning villain? Let’s just say there’s hell toupe! Paul McGann’s Eighth feels like the incarnation that was preparing to become the War Doctor, and hence no Dr Grace, and there’s a bonkers scene of some popular monsters making sandcastles on the beach. Finally, Eccleston’s Ninth is shopping with Rose for a new hat and discovers that the shop mannequins are rather less inanimate than they should be.

When this series was first announced there was an underlying concern by many fans that this was a stretch too far for the Doctor Who brand. We needn’t have worried, as Adam Hargreaves puts as much care and attention into these new books as father Roger did with the classic Mr Men in the mid-Seventies. And with a set of plastic figurines of the first batch of Doctors on their way, as well as a standalone Christmas tale of Doctor Tennanth… oops, Tenth, this is a brand that’s going from strength to strength.

Verdict: Bright, colourful characters that cry out to be copied, in wacky fun tales – this is a winning formula for kids, adults, fans and any combination of the preceding. Buy these now to ensure we get Drs Third, Fifth, Sixth and Tenth. And surely Jodie’s Thirteenth is just waiting in the time vortex, ready to join in the fun. 8/10

Nick Joy

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