Doctor Who Magazine 522

Wednesday, 7 February 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who Magazine 522 (Credit: Panini)The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine is published this week, shedding new light on the Dalek craze of the 1960s as agent Beryl Vertue and writer Brad Ashton remember the roles they played. Beryl summarises:
The Daleks were really the beginning of the BBC handling merchandise. None of us really knew what we were doing, so one might say we invented it.

Also in this issue:
  • BERYL VERTUE: In the 1960s Beryl Vertue was Terry Nation’s agent – now she’s Steven Moffat’s mother-in-law! Beryl discusses an association with Doctor Who that began before the first episode was even transmitted.
  • BRAD ASHTON: The comedy writer recalls his friendship with Dalek creator Terry Nation and the role he played in The Dalek Outer Space Book.
  • TERRY NATION'S DALEK EMPIRE: How did the Daleks become so popular in 1964? And why did they suddenly disappear three years later?
  • WALKING DALEKS: The BBC’s archive gives up its Dalek secrets – including details of the prototype toys that were never manufactured.
  • PETER CAPALDI: Previously unpublished quotes from the last four years reveal a new side to the man who played the Twelfth Doctor.
  • SUSAN CALMAN: Comedian, Strictly Come Dancing favourite and now Doctor Who writer – Susan Calman discusses her love for the Time Lord in this exclusive interview.
  • EMMA FREUD: The organiser of Comic Relief’s ‘Breakfast with the Doctors’ event explains how she managed to unite seven Time Lords, two companions and a showrunner.
  • COSPLAY: In the first part of a new regular feature, Christel Dee presents a guide to recreating Ace’s jacket.
  • PUBLIC IMAGE: A detailed survey of Doctor Who’s television ratings during the Peter Capaldi years.
  • NEW EARTH: This issue’s Fact of Fiction explores the 2006 story featuring the Tenth Doctor and Rose.
  • THE PHANTOM PIPER: Part Four of The Phantom Piper, a new comic strip adventure featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Bill.
PLUS... The Blogs of Doom, previews, reviews, news, prize-winning competitions and your letters.

Doctor Who Magazine 522 is on sale from Thursday 8 February.

Doctor Who Magazine 522 - sample page 1 Doctor Who Magazine 522 - sample page 2 (Credit: Panini)
Doctor Who Magazine 522 - sample page 3 (Credit: Panini) Doctor Who Magazine 522 - sample page 4 (Credit: Panini)




FILTER: - DWM - Magazines

Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One

Monday, 5 February 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One (Credit: Titan )February 20 sees the release of Titan’s Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One.

The first of two graphic novels collecting 2017’s giant Doctor Who crossover event. An all-new adventure – with all the Doctors.

Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension features every incarnation of the Doctor so far, alongside friends and enemies old and new, uniting to push back the threat of the Void: the empty space between universes that has inexplicably become sentient, and hungry!

Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One

Writer: George Mann, Cavan Scott & Nick Abadzis
Artist: Rachael Stott, Adriana Melo, Cris Bolson, Mariano Laclaustra, Carlos Cabrera, Leandro Casco, & I.N.J. Culbard
Colourist: Rod Fernandes, Marco Lesko, Dijjo Lima, Hernán Cabrera, & IHQ Studios

The most epic Doctor Who event ever, as every incarnation of the Doctor – and friends and enemies old and new, uniting to push back the threat of the Void: the empty space between universes that has inexplicably become sentient… and hungry!

In this first of two volumes collecting 2017’s giant Doctor Who crossover event, witness the return of Jenny, the Doctor’s daughter, who has a terrifying message for the Twelfth Doctor, Bill, and Nardole: the Void is hungry, and it’s beginning to devour the universe we know and love!

From there, the threat of the Void spirals out to affect all of the Doctor’s incarnations – from the Ninth, who re-encounters Silurian detective Madame Vastra, to the Tenth, who battles cybernetic foes on a space station orbiting a white hole, to the Eleventh, who journeys beyond the universe and into an impossible era of his civilization’s ancient past…!
Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 1 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 2 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 3 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 4 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 5 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Book One - Page 6 (Credit: Titan )





FILTER: - Comics

New eMagazines from DWAS

Friday, 2 February 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society (DWAS) has two new eMagazines available.

The first is the 2018 ‘Celestial Toyroom Annual’.

This celebrates Peter Capaldi’s contribution to the show and has articles on every 12th Doctor story as well as Torchwood and The Fires of Pompeii and a selection of artwork, poems ad more.

It also has probably the widest range of contributors that DWAS ever included in a single magazine, running to over 100 pages.

Also available for download at the same page is the 2017 Annual which is all about the 7th Doctor era.

Both are available from the society website

Cosmic Masque was probably the original fan fiction magazine.

Since its relaunch it has centered on fandom itself and as well as the staple of fiction, contains merchandise reviews, articles about events and the occasional interview.

The latest edition, number V of the new run is also available as a download along with some previous issues at the society website




FILTER: - DWAS - Magazines

David Tennant Accepts Damages from News Group Newspapers

Wednesday, 31 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Number Ten, David Tennant, has accepted substantial undisclosed damages from News Group Newspapers, the publishers of the now-closed News of the World, over a historic phone-hacking claim.

The Newspaper group owned by Rupert Murdoch has settled the case and apologised to the actor for the misuse of private information.

Tennant was among six people to settle claims on Tuesday, including actress Sophia Myles who played Reinette in the 2006 Doctor Who story The Girl in the Fireplace.

The lawsuit was launched in March 2017, and relates to activities by journalists on the Sunday Tabloid, which closed in 2011 after it was revealed that a number of phones belonging to people in the news had been hacked.

Lawyer Sara Mansoori said that Tennant is a very private individual and he is outraged and shocked by the invasions of his privacy by individuals working for, or acting on behalf, of the News of the World".

Ben Silverstone, acting on behalf of News Group Newspapers, said the company offered sincere apologies for the distress caused, and it accepted no right to intrude into his private life in any way.

In 2013 Christopher Eccleston also received a public apology, substantial damages and his legal costs from the company.




FILTER: - David Tennant

Jeremy Wilkin 1930-2017

Monday, 29 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus

The actor Jeremy Wilkin has died at the age of 87.

Jeremy Wilkin played Professor Kellman in the 1975 Doctor Who television story Revenge of the Cybermen.

He was best known for his extensive work with Gerry Anderson, providing the voice for many characters, including Virgil Tracy in Thunderbirds, Captain Ochre and Captain Black in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, and many characters in the series Joe 90 and The Secret Service.

He was a recurring cast member for the live-action series UFO playing Skydiver Navigator Lt. Gordon Maxwell.

Jeremy Wilkin was born in Byfleet, Surrey and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

He lived in Canada for many years establishing a career as a television actor appearing in series such as Encounter, Cannonball, and Folio.

He returned to the UK in the mid-sixties appearing the ITV fantasy series Undermind as Drew Heriot, a personnel manager inadvertently drawn into a sinister plot to control human minds and sow discord in society.

After coming to the attention of producer Gerry Anderson he was engaged to take over the role of Virgil Tracy for the second series of Thunderbirds following the departure of the character's original voice actor, David Holliday. It was the start of a long relationship with the studios.

As well as his appearance in Doctor Who he had a memorable appearance in the first episode of Blake’s 7 playing Dev Tarrant, the man who betrayed Blake.

In the 1980's he appeared as Nat Kinsley in the BBC series County Hall as well as roles in Reilly: Ace of Spies, the Secret Army spin-off Kessler and in the Yorkshire TV series Number 10.

Jeremy Wilkin died on 19th December 2017.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary

The Doctors: Monsters!

Sunday, 28 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctors: Monsters!  (Credit: Koch Media)
The Doctors: Monsters! is to be released by Koch Media on 2-disc DVD 5th March.

This DVD is a unique compilation of one documentary special, I Was a Doctor Who Monster! and five titles from the Reeltime Pictures acclaimed Myth Makers series.

For the first time Doctor Who fans can learn about the men and women that brought to life the monsters that sent them “behind the sofa”! ‘I Was a Doctor Who Monster!’ is hosted by the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, and ‘Myth Makers’ is presented by Nicholas Briggs, who interviews the stars and production staff of Doctor Who to find out the story behind the world's favourite Sci-Fi television series.

In this special release, you can meet a plethora of people who played monsters as diverse as DALEKS, CYBERMEN, YETI, FISH PEOPLE, MARSHMEN …

With an introduction by Nicholas Briggs and Producer/Director Keith Barnfather.

Koch Media Presents The Doctors: Monsters! on 2-disc DVD from 5th March 2017

Amazon Link




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD

Alister Pearson Prints for Sale for Charity

Friday, 26 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Fantom Events are selling a limited number of Alister Pearson art prints in aid of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom.

Each card is available for £5 per A4 print, plus an additional £1 per order towards postage (varying rates for overseas).

Alister Pearson has allowed Fantom to sell these prints which are normally exclusive to Fantom event ticket holders. This one-off opportunity will last until the end of the month, or whilst stock lasts.

Cards Include:
  • Delta And The Bannermen 
  • The Tomb Of The Cybermen 
  • The Enemy Of The World 
  • Revenge Of The Cybermen 
  • The Pirate Planet 
  • The War Machines 
  • The Five Doctors 
  • Remembrance Of The Daleks 
  • Mindwarp 
  • Planet Of The Daleks 
  • Talons Of Weng-chiang 
  • The Key To Time 
  • Survival 
  • Pyramids Of Mars
If you are interested please contact Fantom via their website




FILTER: - Charities - Merchandise

Win Tickets to Doctor Who Premiere

Thursday, 25 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Radio One is offering the chance to win two VIP tickets to the exclusive premiere of the new series of Doctor Who including a chance to meet the brand new Thirteenth Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker.

To enter you will need to text the correct answer to a multiple choice question.

Once you’ve entered, you have to listen to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show at 8am. There you will be given you a word that you’ll need to answer your phone with if you are called live on the radio. If you don't answer with the correct word, you won't win.

Texts are charged at your standard message rate.

To enter you just need to answer this question:

What is the name of the device that the Doctor often carries?
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SCREWDRIVER’ text DOCTOR A, followed by your name & age to 81199.
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SPATULA’ text DOCTOR B, followed by your name & age to 81199.
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SPADE’ text DOCTOR C, followed by your name & age to 81199.
Only one text will be counted per phone each day. If you enter more than once the others won’t be counted but you will be charged.

You must be 16 or over to enter. Winners aged under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over.

Don’t forget, once you’ve entered, you must to listen to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show at 8am tomorrow. Grimmy will give you a word that you’ll need to answer your phone with if you are called live on the radio.




FILTER: - Competitions - Jodie Whittaker - Thirteenth Doctor

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage

Sunday, 21 January 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books has announced a new collection of short stories. Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage is a series of tales about the Lethbridge-Stewart family from the early 1600s right up to the present day (including three brand new adventures featuring the Brigadier himself).

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Lineage
Stories by Andrew Allen, Harry Draper, Richard Dinnick, Gareth Madgwick, Wink Taylor, Chris Lynch, David A McIntee and Andy Frankham-Allen
Edited by Andy Frankham-Allen


The Lethbridge-Stewart name carries with it stories of integrity, honour and courage. But was it always so?

From its earliest origins with the Clan Stewart in Scotland, and the Lethbridges in Devon, England, the name has a storied past. Historical figures, history makers, miitary heroes…

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage presents six brand-new tales from some of the most popular authors previously published in The HAVOC Files collection, as well as one from the creative mind of writer and film maker Chris Lynch.


Based on characters created and inspired by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln.

The stories take place during the 1600s, 1800s, 1940s, 1970s, and 2010, and explore the ancestors and descendents of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell says:
We’ve been pondering doing a collection like this for some time, but it never seemed to be the right time. But with the impending fiftieth anniversary of the first appearance of the Brig in Doctor Who, combined with the recent appearance of the Brigadier’s grandfather in Twice Upon a Time, and the positive response that garnered, it seemed that the time was, finally, now.

Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says:
I love exploring the Brigadier’s lineage, be it his immediate family in the shape of his mother and father, or his descendents, in the shape of his son and grandchildren. But I’ve always wanted to go deeper, to look at some other Lethbridge-Stewarts, or indeed Stewarts and Lethbridges, to find out what kind of impact they had on the world. Sometimes that impact can be huge, and sometimes it can be the smallest thing that has the biggest repercussions. With this collection, we get to explore some of the lesser known ancestors, and introduce some never even mentioned before. And, of course, we get to visit the rising star that is Lucy Wilson, the Brigader’s adventuring grandaughter!

Authors include Richard Dinnick, with Shaun observing:
We are delighted popular Doctor Who author Richard Dinnick is contributing a story to the Lethbridge-Stewart Lineage collection, tentatively called The Soothsayer and set in 1603. Richard's first piece of professional fiction was produced by Big Finish in 2005, a short story called Neptune, the first of a two-part story, the second of which was written by our range editor, Andy Frankham-Allen. This was followed by a co-authored audio script, also with Andy, for the Space 1889 series, The Lunar Inheritance. He has since gone on to write countless Doctor Who stories for Big Finish, BBC Books and Titan comics. And plenty of non-Doctor Who stuff too!

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage will be available as a hardback for a strictly limited time, and is available for pre-order now. This volume does not form part of any bundle offer.



There are also two free Lethbridge-Stewart stories currently available for download via the Candy Jar website.

What’s Past is Prologue by David A McIntee, and The Note by Andy Frankham-Allen were released over the festive period to subscribers of the Lethbridge-Stewart series, and are now available to the general public.

The two stories are connected by a Lethbridge-Stewart family secret which has its origins in 1902 and is not revealed until 1945. Both stories focus on the relationship between the original Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart, the British Intelligence operative from the early twentieth century, after whom the Brigadier was named, and his brother, Archie. Not only do the stories feature the Brigadier’s namesake, but also takes a deeper look into the life of his father, Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart.

Range Editor and author, Andy Frankham-Allen explains:
This story plays with family secrets, adding further depth to the Lethbridge-Stewart legacy. So, now we have a story set in 1917 that sets up the secret from 1902, and a story set in 1945 which reveals what really did, or did not, happen.

Both stories can be found via the Candy Jar website.

Lethbridge-Stewart: What's Past Is Prologue (Credit: Candy Jar Books) Lethbridge-Stewart: The Note (Credit: Candy Jar Books)




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Peter Wyngarde 1927-2018

Thursday, 18 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The actor Peter Wyngarde has died at the age of 90.

Peter Wyngarde was best known for playing Jason King, the bestselling novelist turned sleuth who appeared in the British television series Department S and Jason King, inspiring the Mike Myers character Austin Powers. He appeared in the 1984 Doctor Who story Planet of Fire playing Timanov the devout religious leader of the planet Sarn.

Peter Wyngarde's origins are shrouded in mystery with the actor himself giving different accounts of his parents and birthplace. He is believed to have been born in France in the late 1920's, with 1927 being the most authoritative date. He grew up in the far east and during World War II was interned in the Lunghua internment camp in Shanghai, set up by the Japanese for European and American citizens living in the city.

After the war, he sailed to the United Kingdom on the Cunard White Star Line vessel the Arawa, arriving in Southampton at the age of 18.

After briefly studying law he joined an advertising agency and in 1946 won his first professional role in the theatre. One of his earliest roles was a production of Noël Coward's Present Laughter at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham.

His first television appearance was a bit part in the 1949 production of Dick Barton Strikes Back. He soon graduated to leading roles playing John the Baptist in the 1956 version of Jesus of Nazareth and Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities.

In 1959 he played Lt Jan Wicziewsky in South one of the earliest gay-themed British TV dramas. the play came just two years after the Wolfenden Report, when homosexuality was still very much a taboo subject, making Wyngarde’s impassioned performance all the more extraordinary.

In 1969 Wyngarde won the role that would make him a household name in the espionage series Department S. He played the suave womaniser Jason King, a character so popular that he was spun off into his own action espionage series Jason King, which ran for one season of 26 fifty-minute episodes. The series enjoyed global success with Wyngarde briefly becoming an international celebrity.

During the seventies, he has a succession of smaller roles on television. in 1973 he played the King of Siam in a revival of the musical The King and I at London's Adelphi Theatre. In 1980 he appeared as the masked character Klytus in the film Flash Gordon.

In 1984 he made his appearance in Doctor Who playing Timanov. He wanted to play the part in heavy disguise but was persuaded by producer John Nathan Turner to show his face.

Wyngarde virtually retired from acting after a throat infection forced his withdrawal from a stage production of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. His public appearances were mainly restricted to Memorabilia events.

Peter Wyngarde died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on 15 January 2018.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary