Triskaidekaphobia (comic story)

Triskaidekaphobia
Doctor:	[[doctor::Tenth Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Rose Tyler
Main enemy:	Bob Kreesus
Main setting:	galactic coordinates: 13:13:13:13:13:13 (13th moon, 13th planet, 13th galaxy, 13 January 1213)
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::BBC Magazines]]
Editor:	Moray Laing
Writer:	Alan Barnes
Artist:	John Ross
Colourist:	Adrian Salmon
Release details
Format:	Comic - 1 parter (6 pages)

Summary

Escaping from the Speardroids, the Doctor, in order to convince Rose that their landings aren't cursed, selects their next destination using the randomiser ("satnav by lucky dip"). Unfortunately their destination; the 13th Moon of the 13th planet of the 13th galaxy, on the 13th day of the 13th year in the 13th century... a Friday! They are struck by lightning, rained on by cats and meet the Triskaidekaphobes: the unluckiest people in the whole of creation, pilgrims trapped on this moon. Finding a four leaf clover on a small patch of lawn where Misery and Misfortune once stood, the Doctor begins to suspect that something is responsible for taking away any good luck that should occur. When the Doctor is lucky tossing a coin, he and Rose are transported up to a ship hidden in the only rain cloud in the sky that has been following them. There they find Bob Kreesus a small blue alien living in luxury on all the good fortune generated by his luck machine. The Doctor dismisses the luck as no more than "gamblers' superstitition". The alien machine, powered by a quantum-powered processor, is the reason Bob has been fortunate. The Doctor destroys the machine and returns the missing Brotherhood, along with Bob, to the moon, where the sun has started to shine once more. Bob fails to heed the Doctor's warning about a discarded banana skin and falls off the edge of a cliff...unlucky!

Characters

• Tenth Doctor
• Rose Tyler
• Bob Kreesus

Triskaidekaphobes:

• Father Tragedy
• Sister Misery
• Sister Misfortune
• Brother Anguish
• Brother Melancholy

Original Print Details (Publication with page count and closing captions)

1. DWA Issue 13 (6 pages split 4/2) ANOTHER FANTASTIC ADVENTURE NEXT ISSUE!

Reprints

• None to date

Notes

• This comic strip adventure in the thirteenth issue of the magazine was linked by an "unlucky for some" theme.
• The DWAM comic strip adventures were very much aimed at a younger audience and the artwork and colours was bold and bright reflecting the tone of the magazine..
• Self contained one part stories were the norm in the early issues later being expanded to two-parters.

References

• The spear throwing Speardroid's spears are still evident in the TARDIS exterior when it lands.
• The previous Thursday landing in the Quiet Zone of the planet Ssshhh - before it was invaded by Space Banshees.
• Followed by the Meditation Centre on Karma Major - when the Psychotrons possessed the head Yogi.

Continuity

• The randomiser used to stop the Black Guardian tracking down the Doctor movement from Destiny of the Daleks until it was disconnected in The Leisure Hive makes a surprise appearence.
• The Doctor's fondness for the potassium rich fruit the banana is also utilised in this story.

External Links

• The official BBC Magazine site with cover gallery and news of the latest available issue.
• Doctor Who Reference Guide - synopsis for Triskaidekaphobia