https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p5BEzoGwD4

As a fan of both Doctor Who and comics, how could I resist the siren song of that familiar theremin theme emanating from BBC's official Doctor Who Comic Maker app (March 2016; iOS only)? Similar to HarperCollins/Night & Day Studio's Big Nate: Comix by U!, this app lets you write your own adventures for the Doctor and his companions.

For inspiration, read the first issue of "A Stitch in Time" in the Comic Reader section — it takes you panel-by-panel through an (admittedly not thrilling) original Doctor Who tale with sound effects and subtle ambient music. Then get to work on your own story in the Comic Maker. Select from a wide variety of panel layouts, then fill in each panel by choosing a background, characters, blank speech- and thought-bubbles, props, etc., from a menu along the bottom of the screen. Without upgrading using in-app purchases, these options are somewhat meager, focusing on the current Doctor, Twelve, and longtime companion Clara. The free version's offerings for previous Doctors, companions, and villains are slim to none. (Only one pose for Eleven, and no access at all to everyone's imaginary boyfriend Ten? Harsh, BBC.) Still, there were more than enough elements for me to create an eight-page comic entitled "The Doctor's Brother," starring Twelve, Clara, and a clockwork robot — or is he?



You can easily select, move, resize, rotate, flip, duplicate, or delete any of the foreground items by tapping, dragging-and-dropping, pinching, and using the straightforward tool bar. I even added sound effects for the T.A.R.D.I.S., the Doctor's sonic screwdriver, and a wormhole. Not too shabby, if I say so myself.

The app's additional sections invite you to browse "fact file" profiles of characters and villains (including the first appearance of each on the TV show) and create your own monsters by assembling various body parts. As in the Comic Reader and Maker sections, much of the content is locked; the final section of the app takes you to the store where super-fans can splurge. But with a little imagination, even a casual fan will find enough in the freebie version to enjoy creating many Doctor Who comics of her or his own. Allons-y!

Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (requires iOS 5.1.1 or later); free. In-app purchases range from $1.99 to $4.99. Recommended for primary users and up.