Doctor Who LEGO to be released in December

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have revealed details on the new Doctor Who LEGO® due to be released on 1st December 2015:

Construct a stunningly detailed LEGO® version of the iconic TARDIS and role-play the Doctor’s time-travel adventures!

Created by fan-designer Andrew Clark and selected by LEGO Ideas members, the set is based on the BBC’s popular and long-running television series about a Time Lord – the Doctor – exploring the universe in a blue police box. Due to trans-dimensional engineering, the TARDIS is bigger on the inside than the outside and this cool multifunctional set includes the console room that houses all the controls.

Featuring an opening TARDIS, detachable interior console room, exclusive graphic details and steps, fans can regenerate the Doctor and defeat the evil Daleks or Weeping Angels with the help of his extraordinary companion Clara. Once the doors of the TARDIS are closed, prepare to launch into dimensions light years away from Gallifrey!

LEGO - Tardis Playset (Credit: BBC Worldwide/LEGO)

Measuring over 5” (14cm) high, 6” (16cm) wide and 9” (23cm) deep, the model contains 623 pieces to build an authentic replica. At £49.99 RRP, the set (#21304) includes four minifigures: the Eleventh Doctor, the Twelfth Doctor, Clara Oswald and a Weeping Angel, plus 2 Daleks and assorted accessory elements such as the Doctor’s signature Sonic Screwdriver.

What's inside the Doctor Who LEGO set?

FILTER: - Lego - Merchandise

Return of the War Doctor

Monday, 5 October 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Big Finish have announced a new range of adventures in the Doctor Who universe, this time focussing on the mysterious 'other' Doctor who fought in the Time War:

DOCTOR WHO: THE WAR DOCTOR RETURNS!

JOHN HURT, THE WORLD-RENOWNED STAR OF FILM AND TELEVISION, IS RETURNING TO THE ROLE OF THE WAR DOCTOR, IN 12 FULL CAST DOCTOR WHO AUDIO PLAYS.

The War Doctor: Only The Monstrous (Credit: Big Finish)

The War Doctor was introduced for Doctor Who’s Fiftieth Anniversary, and played a key part in the record-breaking television special The Day of the Doctor, alongside David Tennant and Matt Smith’s Doctors. He is the secret incarnation of the Time Lord — but he has shunned the title ‘Doctor’ in order to fight in the Time War against the Daleks.

Big Finish's executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said:

I have been a huge fan of John since first seeing him in the repeats of I, Claudius in the 1980s and in his Oscar-nominated role as the eponymous The Elephant Man. Watching his performance in The Day of the Doctor I did find myself fantasising that some far off day we might have the chance to work with him on the audio adventures of Doctor Who and now two short years later it’s happened! John wove a fantastic character together from a great script by Steven Moffat. Now we have the chance to get to know that character more and hear John stretch in the role. We’re all in for a hell of a ride as the War Doctor engages in battle. But who are the greater threat — the Daleks or the Time Lords?

The audio adventures of The War Doctor will be told over four box sets, each containing three linked hour-long episodes. The first box set is entitled Only The Monstrous, and is written and directed by Nicholas Briggs, whose many successes for Big Finish include the BBC Audio Award-winning masterpiece Doctor Who: Dark Eyes. Nicholas commented:

The story of the Doctor who refuses to call himself the Doctor in order to do the unthinkable upon the ultimate battlefield — all of space and time — was irresistible to me. Such a deeply disturbing and engaging character created by the formidable talents of writer Steven Moffat and actor John Hurt. It’s such a privilege to be working on this.

The cast of The War Doctor also includes Jacqueline Pearce, who plays Time Lord Cardinal Ollistra — an arch manipulator who is waging the Time War against the Daleks. Jacqueline’s work includes Blake's 7, The Avengers, Callan, Moondial, Russell T Davies’ Dark Season, and from her own appearance in Doctor Who as Chessene in The Two Doctors.

Only The Monstrous will be released in December 2015, and will be followed in February 2016 by the second volume, Infernal Devices, which is written by John Dorney, Phil Mulryne and Matt Fitton.

Volumes Three and Four are currently in pre-production.

Producer David Richardson said:

What an utter privilege it is to work with such an iconic actor, playing such a brilliantly devised role. This is Doctor Who at its darkest — the era in which our hero casts aside his core values in order to try and save the galaxy in its most terrible hour. We promise bold and brilliant story-telling with gripping character drama, and epic and cinematic audio productions.

In addition to The War Doctor, November 2017 also sees a prequel box set to the saga Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor — The Time War, which will follow the early stages of the Time War from the Eighth Doctor’s perspective. Paul McGann stars, alongside characters first introduced in the War Doctor box sets.

The War Doctor: Only The Monstrous (cover) (Credit: Big Finish)

The Eighth Doctor - The Time War (Credit: Big Finish)

DOCTOR WHO: THE WAR DOCTOR SAGA and THE EIGHTH DOCTOR: THE TIME WAR are available to pre-orer from BIGFINISH.COM.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - John Hurt - Merchandise - Paul McGann

New Products from Lovarzi

Friday, 25 September 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Four new Doctor Who products are being launched by Lovarzi, including the company's first foray into the revived series with a scarf based the Matt Smith story Vincent and the Doctor.

The Pandorica Opens Scarf is 100% Pure Silk Scarf! and based on the painting by Vincent van Gogh of the same name: a warning to his Time Lord friend that the universe is cracked, and the ultimate prison is opening. The picture captures the disaster that led to total event collapse – the TARDIS exploding.

The scarf comes complete with a presentation box (adorned with foil-printed Doctor Who and BBC logos), this is the first time Lovarzi has specifically celebrated the Matt Smith era of the show.

After the success of the Seventh Doctor Jumper and Paisley Silk Scarf, Lovarzi is launching the Seventh Doctor Hanky, digitally-printed in Italy.Designed by Ken Trew, the BBC purchased about 20 red hankies to wrap around the Time Lord's panama hat, and Sylvester McCoy stepped out in 1987 in Time and the Rani. This intricate hanky, also presented in a gift box, is made from 100% Cotton.

Lovarzi's original screen-accurate replica of the Fourth Doctor Scarf remains a bestseller, and now the company is to launch a shorter version: at 25 x 200cms. It's still made of 100% premium-quality Acrylic yarn, and comes in a special carry-case.

Fourth Doctor fans can also enjoy Lovarzi's exclusively-designed Knitted Tie takes those same colours in that same pattern and makes a unique product for anyone who wants to show off their love for the longest running Doctor. Also presented in a gift box, foil-printed with the Doctor Who logo, the Fourth Doctor Knitted Tie is made in Italy from 50% Wool and 50% Acrylic.

Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi, says:

The year-long work we put into our Doctor Who products is always worth it when we see the smiles of enthusiastic Whovians at conventions. I'm sure these four new products will be welcomed by fans new and old – and very much look forward to seeing cosplayers and collectors wearing them with pride whenever we're exhibiting our ever-expanding range. And yes, we're already planning next year's releases!

Lovarzi, the UK’s leading online scarf retailer and is the only official licensee of Doctor Who scarves in the UK.

FILTER: - Merchandise

BBC Books: September/October releases

Wednesday, 9 September 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Two new hardback books are to be released by BBC Books in the next couple of months:

Doctor Who: The Time Lord Letters (Credit: BBC Books)

Doctor Who: The Time Lord Letters
Published 24th September 2015 [pre-order]

The Time Lord Letters is a unique collection of over one hundred letters, notes, and jottings both by and to the Doctor – correspondence by turns entertaining and inspiring, funny and flippant, brilliant and incredible.

From the Doctor’s plea to the Time Lords to help end the War Games to an extract from the written defence he submitted at his subsequent trial; from his application for the post of Caretaker at Coal Hill School to his apology to the Queen for missing dinner; from telepathic messages to the High Council on Gallifrey to his famous letter to Santa Claus – like the Doctor himself, the mood can change in an instant.

The Time Lord Letters captures the best and most dramatic moments of an impossible life. You’ll never see the Doctor in quite the same way again.

About the authors:

The Doctor was born on Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous, and graduated from Prydon Academy when he was an older man than he is now. After spending some time as a wanderer in the fourth dimension together with his granddaughter Susan, the Doctor came to regard himself as a citizen of the universe. He has travelled extensively through time and space, as well as spending a period as Scientific Advisor to the secretive UNIT organisation. Now in his twelfth incarnation (or possibly his thirteenth – accounts vary), the Doctor has been saving the Universe for as long as he can remember. Possibly longer. His real name – if he has one – is unknown.

Justin Richards has written for stage and screen as well as writing novels and graphic novels including The Suicide Exhibition and The Blood Red City. Justin currently acts as Creative Consultant to BBC Books’ range of Doctor Who titles, as well as writing quite a few himself.

Doctor Who: Time Lord Letters (sample page) (Credit: BBC Books)

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of The Time Lord Letters courtesy of BBC Books, answer the following question:

Name a moment during the television series where the Doctor is seen to write a note/letter.
(please provide the scene and story title for your entry, which comes from an episode that has been released on DVD/Blu-ray!)

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-timelordletters@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "2000 Year Scrapbook". The competition is to residents of the United Kingdom only, closing date: 30th September 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Impossible Worlds: A 50-Year Treasury of Art and Design (Credit: BBC Books)

Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds
Published 29th October [pre-order]

For the first time, the Doctor Who Art Department are opening their doors to reveal a unique, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most loved series on British Television.

Whether it’s iconic sets like the TARDIS console room, recurring villains like the Daleks or the Cybermen, or the smallest hand prop featured in the briefest of scenes, this book showcases the work of the Doctor Who art department in glorious detail.

Discover how the designers work with the costume, make-up and special effects teams to produce the alien worlds, and how the work has evolved from the programme’s ‘classic’ era to the panoramic alien worlds and technologies that delight audiences today.

Featuring hundreds of never-before-seen sketches and concept artworks, Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds opens the doors to 50 years of astonishing creative work from one of the most inventive shows on television.

About the authors:

Stephen Nicholas was the supervising art director for Doctor Who, and helped oversee the regeneration of the art department for the new series in 2004. The longest serving member of the Doctor Who art department, he also art directed Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures. He lives in Cardiff. This is his first book.

Mike Tucker is the author of numerous books for film and television, including several original ‘Doctor Who’ novels. A former member of the BBC’s Visual Effects Department, he now runs The Model Unit, which recently won a BAFTA Craft Award for its miniature effects work on the 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode ‘The Day of the Doctor’. He lives in London.

Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds (sample page) (Credit: BBC Books)

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a copy of Impossible Worlds courtesy of BBC Books, answer the following question:

Name an "impossible world" visited by the Doctor in the television series.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-impossibleworlds@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "But that's ...". The competition is to residents of the United Kingdom only, closing date: 31st October 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - Merchandise

Bernice Summerfield to feature in 12th Doctor novel

Wednesday, 26 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

The character of Bernice Summerfield will be appearing in Big Bang Generation, a new Twelfth Doctor novel written by Gary Russell. Paul Cornell, the creator of the character tweeted earlier today: "I might as well say it. [Gary Russell's] forthcoming 12th Doctor novel Big Bang Generation features Prof. Bernice Summerfield!". The voice of the Big Finish character, Lisa Bowerman tweeted: "Does this make me canon?". The character first appeared in Cornell's 1992 novel Love and War, which was turned into a Big Finish audio play in 2012 and featured the voice of Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield. The character has been a regular fixture in Big Finish's output since 1998's Oh No It Isn't!, the very first Bernice Summerfield audio story. Bowerman will lend her voice to the audiobook version of Big Bang Generation.

Doctor Who: Big Bang Generation
Written by Gary Russell
Read by Lisa Bowerman
Release date: 8 September 2015 (Paperback Book) (available for pre-order)
1 October 2015 (Audiobook) (available for pre-order)

“I'm an archaeologist, but probably not the one you were expecting.”

Christmas 2015, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Imagine everyone's surprise when a time portal opens up in Sydney Cove. Imagine their shock as a massive pyramid now sits beside the Harbour Bridge, inconveniently blocking Port Jackson and glowing with energy. Imagine their fear as Cyrrus 'the mobster' Globb, Professor Horace Jaanson and an alien assassin called Kik arrive to claim the glowing pyramid. Finally imagine everyone's dismay when they are followed by a bunch of con artists out to spring their greatest grift yet.

This gang consists of Legs (the sexy comedian), Dog Boy (providing protection and firepower), Shortie (handling logistics), Da Trowel (in charge of excavation and history) and their leader, Doc (busy making sure the universe isn't destroyed in an explosion that makes the Big Bang look like a damp squib).

And when someone accidentally reawakens The Ancients of the Universe - which, Doc reckons, wasn't the wisest or best-judged of actions – things get a whole lot more complicated…

FILTER: - Big Finish - Books - Merchandise - Twelfth Doctor

UK to get individual Series 1-4 Blu-ray sets

Wednesday, 26 August 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

BBC Worldwide are releasing individual Blu-ray sets for Series 1-4 of Doctor Who in the UK on 31 August 2015. The discs, upscaled to 1080i HD originally formed part of the Series 1-7 box set in 2013. Australia have had the individual Series 1-4 Region B sets since 2013.

Doctor Who News has been informed that the new 1-4 releases are identical in specifications as the 1-7 set. This means the discs will play at 24fps instead of the native 25fps.

Doctor Who - The Complete First Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete First Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 13 episodes from the first series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, written by Russell T. Davies and starring Christopher Eccleston as the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor meets new companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) while saving her from the living-plastic Nestene Consciousness, before taking her on adventures through time and space, where she meets Charles Dickens (Simon Callow), tries to save her father from dying when she was a child, and helps the Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) battle the evil Daleks and save the world.

The episodes are: 'Rose', 'The End of the World', 'The Unquiet Dead', 'Aliens of London', 'World War Three', 'Dalek', 'The Long Game', 'Father's Day', 'The Empty Child', 'The Doctor Dances', 'Boom Town', 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the second series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the tenth Doctor takes companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) to New Earth and struggles to overcome the effects of regeneration. In the opening Christmas episode London is deluged by Santa Claus impersonators and Christmas trees intent on malice. Mankind is threatened by a planetary invasion and there's only the Prime Minister to battle it out.

The episodes are: 'The Christmas Invasion', 'New Earth', 'Tooth and Claw', 'School Reunion', 'The Girl in the Fireplace', 'Rise of the Cybermen', 'The Age of Steel', 'The Idiot's Lantern', 'The Impossible Planet', 'The Satan Pit', 'Love and Monsters', 'Fear Her', 'Army of Ghosts' and 'Doomsday'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the third series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor is joined by new companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) as he encounters old enemies including the Daleks and the Master (Derek Jacobi).

The episodes are: 'The Runaway Bride', 'Smith and Jones', 'The Shakespeare Code', 'Gridlock', 'Daleks in Manhattan', 'Evolution of the Daleks', 'The Lazarus Experiment', '42', 'Human Nature', 'The Family of Blood', 'Blink', 'Utopia', 'The Sound of Drums' and 'Last of the Timelords'.

Doctor Who - The Complete Fourth Series (Credit: BBC Worldwide / 2entertain)

Doctor Who - The Complete Fourth Series
Region B Blu-ray
Release date: 31 August 2015 (available for pre-order)

All 14 episodes from the fourth series of the relaunched sci-fi adventure drama, starring David Tennant as the latest incarnation of the legendary Time Lord.

In this series, the Doctor is joined by new companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) as the pair venture through time and space, visiting ancient Pompeii and the planet of the Ood while also meeting the mysterious River Song (Alex Kingston).

The episodes are: 'Voyage of the Damned', 'Partners in Crime', 'The Fires of Pompeii', 'Planet of the Ood', 'The Sontaran Stratagem', 'The Poison Sky', 'The Doctor's Daughter', 'The Unicorn and the Wasp', 'Silence in the Library', 'Forest of the Dead', 'Midnight', 'Turn Left', 'The Stolen Earth' and 'Journey's End'.

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Doctor Who - Merchandise - Ninth Doctor - Series 1/27 - Series 2/28

Doctor Who Magazine 489

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The next issue of Doctor Who Magazine is published tomorrow (23rd July), and features an interview with sixth Doctor Colin Baker, the Doctor who never had a proper regeneration story - until now! Talking about recording The Last Adventure for Big Finish, he said:

Big Finish came to me, and said, 'If we write you a really good story, and if we released your seven cats which we've kidnapped, which are suspended above this flame getting lower and lower, will you perhaps do this story?' ... and I reluctantly agreed, and my cats are safe!

Commenting on why he needed a little persuasion to record the story, and why he changed his mind:

Oh, the idea of a release. A release from the tension of saying 'no' repeatedly. And... it's Big Finish! That's what changed my mind.

Also in this issue:

UNDER SURVEILLANCE! DWM tells the remarkable story of writer Malcolm Hulke, the creator of the Time Lords, Silurians and Sea Devils – and why he came under under scrutiny by MI5...
TROUBLED TEEN: Ellis George, the actress who plays cheeky schoolgirl Courtney Woods talks to DWM about travelling in the TARDIS, and what its like to be a teenager starring in Doctor Who.
TOP OF THE POPS! The much-anticipated results of the 2014 DWM Season Survey are in! Discover which story from Peter Capaldi's début season topped the poll, and who won the accolade for best writer, what was the favourite monster, and more...
THE MONSTER OF PELADON! The Fact of Fiction takes a close look at the 1974 serial The Monster of Peladon, and digs deep to unearth fascinating new facts about this Third Doctor adventure.
JUNGLE TERROR! There's ghostly goings-on for the Doctor and Clara in a brand-new comic strip adventure, Spirits of the Jungle by Jonathan Morris, illustrated by John Ross.
HELLO, YOUNG MAN! Doctor Who's showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers' questions – and comes face-to-face with his 10-year-old self!
TIS THE SEASON? Jacqueline Rayner considers what time of year it's traditional – and best – to watch Doctor Who – and comes to a surprising conclusion...
THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES: The Time Team fight for space behind the sofa as they watch David Tennant's penultimate, chilling story: The Waters of Mars.
ON THEIR WAY... DWM talks to the people involved in the latest Doctor Who CD releases, including Bonnie Langford, Nicholas Briggs, Lisa Bowerman and Mike Tucker.

PLUS! All the latest official news, reviews, competitions and The DWM Crossword.

FILTER: - DWM - Magazines - Merchandise

The return of Erimem

Tuesday, 7 July 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Thebes Publishing have announced a new range of books, based around the fifth Doctor's travelling companion Erimem, first introduced in the Big Finish Doctor Who adventure The Eye of the Scorpion in 2001.

Erimem's creator and Editor-in-Chief at Thebes Publishing, Iain McLaughlin told us:

Originally I wrote the last scene (in The Eye Of The Scorpion) as a bit of cheek in the hope I might get to bring her back maybe with a different Doctor. I had a story called Valley of the Dying Sun in mind with the Sixth Doctor. However, that went out of the window when Gary (Russell, then-producer of the Big Finish audios) asked if I had any objection to Erimem staying aboard for a while. Gary was brilliant to work for, I am forever grateful to him for giving me the chance he did.

Erimem is a character who is always going to be looking for adventure and her biggest challenges are still ahead of her. I'm glad to be tagging along. It's exciting to be taking her off on these adventures where she doesn't have the safety net of the Doctor backing her up. I have to admit I'm hugely excited about Jim Mortimore's novel, A Pharaoh of Mars. I've admired his work for years and I'm so looking forward to this one. The next novel after Jim's... I know who I want to write it and we've discussed it... we just need to sign things off, I'm really buzzed by the possibilities of the series.

The first book in the series, The Last Pharoah, is written by Iain and Claire Bartlett, and also features an introduction by the original voice of the character, Caroline Morris:

Erimem - The Last Pharoah (Credit: Thebes Publishing)

The Last Pharoah
Written by Iain McLaughlin and Claire Bartlett
Foreword by Caroline Morris
Cover artwork by Paul Mudie
Published June 2015

After a freak electrical storm that seems to happen indoors, a young woman is found in the Egyptian exhibit of a London museum, and she seems to look exactly like the face on the death-mask of the uncrowned Pharaoh Erimem...

What is she doing inside the exhibit? How did she get there? Is she really a Pharaoh from 1400BC? And just who is willing to search time and space to find and assassinate her?

THE LAST PHARAOH is the first in a series of novels, novellas and short story anthologies taking Erimem, a former companion of the 5th Doctor, on a new set of adventures travelling to the past, the future and into deep space. THE LAST PHARAOH takes Erimem and a group of 21st century students far into the past, to Actium in Greece where Erimem meets the famed Cleopatra VII on the eve of a vital battle which could end Egypt’s existence as a free country and condemn it to life as a Roman province. Two great rulers of Egypt come into conflict over what Egypt needs to do in order to survive, and both Erimem and Cleopatra face their own personal battles for survival.

The book is available to purchase either in digital or physical format from the Thebes Publishing website.

Looking ahead, the second publication in the series will be a novella, also written by Iain:

Erimem - The Beast of Stalingrad (Credit: Thebes Publishing)

The Beast of Stalingrad
Written by Iain McLaughlin
Cover by Dorina Petco
Published August 2015

In 1942, with German forces relentlessly bombarding Stalingrad, the people are freezing and starving... and worse, there are stories of a demon or a beast, stalking the ruined streets of the besieged city, devouring anyone it meets. When Erimem arrives she finds a city under attack both from the invading German armies and from a dark force in the shadows.

Submissions are currently being solicited for the third publication, Into The Unknown, which will form an anthology of twelve adventures. If you wish to pitch a story for the collection you can contact the publishers for further details (closing date 31st July).

Into 2016, and two further publications are currently scheduled: Prime Imperative, a novella by Julianne Todd; and the previously-mentioned A Pharoah Of Mars from Jim Mortimore.

Competition

We are able to offer a subscription to the first five publications in the series to three winners, courtesy of Thebes Publishing. In order to be in with a chance to win, please answer the following question:

In the Big Finish series, Erimem parted company with the Doctor when she remained on Peladon to marry King Pelleas - but which historical character did she very nearly marry during her travels in the TARDIS?

Send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-erimem@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Travel broadens the mind" - please also state whether you'd prefer to have a physical or digital subscription to the publications. The competition is open world-wide, closing date: 31st July 2015. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - Merchandise - Thebes Publishing

Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Release Details

Monday, 29 June 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The Wand Company’s new Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control to be seen for the first time at San Diego Comic-Con 2015

The Wand Company have revealed that a limited edition of their latest Sonic Screwdriver will be on sale exclusively on the BBC America Booth at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, prior to general release.

The Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver Remote Control is a brand new, hero prop replica which is a recreation of the Sonic Screwdriver used by Peter Capaldi in Series 8 of Doctor Who. A limited run of 168 laser-etched numbered Sonics will be available exclusively to purchase on the BBC America booth (#4129) for the first time at San Diego Comic-Con (8th-12th July 2015) prior to general sale from 7th September from BBCShop.com

The new Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver is a fully functioning gesture-based universal remote control which can control your TV and other home entertainment equipment. Learning the gestures and programming the Sonic Screwdriver is easy, and the intuitive gestures allow the user to become the Doctor. Flick it open and the clasps extend with a satisfying clunk; press the grip mounted button for instant light and sound action or use the Any-TV-Off function just for fun!

The Twelfth Sonic has been made in direct response to the huge number of requests that The Wand Company received from fans all over the world asking for an extending version of their famous Eleventh Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver.

Chris Barnardo, co-founder of The Wand Company says

Since our Eleventh Doctor’s Sonic went on sale, we have had a constant stream of requests from fans of all ages asking us to make an extending version. It wasn’t easy to engineer a solidly reliable device that can withstand being repeatedly flicked to extend it, but we’ve been able to do it, and I’m certain that any fan of Doctor Who is going to love it.

Jason Easy, Senior Licensing Manager at BBC Worldwide, said,

The Wand Company continually exceed expectations with their range of Sonic Screwdrivers, and the Twelfth Doctor’s Sonic is no exception. The Sonics are not just technologically sophisticated, but also beautifully made and have exciting features that delight fans.

Product details

1:1 scale replica of the Series 8 Sonic Screwdriver hero prop
Highly authentic flick-to-extend action
Grip-mounted action button
Press and hold button to make Sonic buzz and tip light in FX Mode
Any-TV-off function that turns off any television at the press of a button, without having to program the Sonic first
Stores up to 39 remote control commands
Customisable personal lock code
Ivory-coloured handle with subtle fleck
Redesigned copper-plated handle end
Gallifreyan stand for vertical presentation
12 new secret Morse-coded Twelfth Doctor phrases
12 different sonic screwdriver sound effects

FILTER: - BBC America - Merchandise

Titan Comics Doctor Who SDCC exclusives

Monday, 15 June 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Titan Comics have revealed their exclusive range for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. A story exclusive to SDCC will feature the Doctor and Clara at the convention, while the tenth, eleventh and twelfth Doctor's will feature on an exclusive triptych cover.

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor SDCC Exclusive

When the Twelfth Doctor and Clara turn up at San Diego Comic Con, a quick selfie outside the TARDIS reveals an alien threat among the con-goers and cosplayers! The green-skinned Lady of Neverness can only be viewed through mirrors, photos and quantum snapshots, and has turned up in the background of photos all over the convention! But if enough people view her at the same time, she'll gain the power to breach into our dimension... to feed on the life-force of the whole planet! Can the Doctor and Clara defeat her and save the day?

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor SDCC Exclusive (Cover A) (Credit: Titan Comics)

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #14 with SDCC Exclusive Cover

Just one issue away from this year's season finale, and things have never looked more dangerous for the Doctor and Gabby! Separated by an ancient force from the centre of the galaxy, the Doctor takes a cosmic trip into the history of the universe, while Gabby must negotiate with an unearthly intelligence for the sake of the planet! How much has she learned from her brief travels with the Doctor... and will it be enough to save her?!

Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor #14 with SDCC Exclusive Cover

Part 1 of the 2-part Season Finale!

Series co-writers Al Ewing and Rob Williams team up for an unmissable mini-epic, as a year's worth of stories come to a head!

- Can the Doctor save his new friends from their time-twisting fates?
- Will Alice find peace – or be marooned far from Earth?!
- Will ARC finally discover the truth about itself – or be reduced to atoms?!
- Will Jones fulfill his cosmic rock god destiny – or die among the stars?!
- And who will be left to join the Doctor as we head into Year Two?!

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #11 with SDCC Exclusive Cover

Fresh from their adventures in Las Vegas, the Doctor and Clara are eager for a change of scenery, but their next destination aboard the TARDIS will prove a SHOCKING change of pace!

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #14 (SDCC Exclusive Cover) (Credit: Titan Comics)

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #11 (SDCC Exclusive Cover) (Credit: Titan Comics)

Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor #14 (SDCC Exclusive Cover) (Credit: Titan Comics)

Titan will also have exclusive merchandise available from the Titan booth #5537.

Doctor Who Titans: 3" Tenth Doctor Fez

From the 50th Anniversary Special 'The Day Of The Doctor' comes the Tenth Doctor, played by the returning David Tennant, wearing the Eleventh Doctor's trademark Fez!

Doctor Who Titans: 4.5" Tenth Doctor

This 4.5" Titan figure features the Tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant, all dressed up in his tuxedo!