The Lucy Wilson Mysteries

Saturday, 26 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books is to publish a new series of novels, The Lucy Wilson Mysteries, a spin-off from their Lethbridge-Stewart range:

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Avatars of the Intelligence (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The Lucy Wilson Mysteries:
Avatars of the Intelligence


Written by Sue Hampton
Cover art by Steve Beckett


Lucy Wilson doesn't want to move from London to sleepy south Wales. But when she arrives at her new seaside home, it doesn't appear to be as boring as she expected.

Ogmore-by-Sea seems to be under the control of a mysterious and powerful force. But why is Lucy its target? And why, when students at her new school start to disappear, does no one seem to care?

With the help of her new friend Hobo, Lucy Wilson must assume the mantle of her grandfather, the legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and defeat an invisible enemy before it's too late.



The Lucy Wilson Mysteries is a Lethbridge-Stewart spin-off adventure and features licensed characters created for Doctor Who by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln.

Up until now the Lethbridge-Stewart series has continued on from the BBC’s The Web of Fear, taking place in the 1970s period known as Doctor Who’s "classic era". But three years into the series, Shaun Russell, head of publishing, thought the time was right to broaden the Brig’s horizons:

The great thing about Doctor Who is that it appeals to adults and children alike. There’s something for everybody to explore, from The Sarah Jane Adventures for the very young, to Torchwood for those a bit older. Lethbridge-Stewart’s last appearance in any Doctor Who media was, in fact, in The Sarah Jane Adventures. I’m sure that sent a lot of kids back to the classic series to see what all the fuss about. And once you’re a fan of that, you’re generally a fan for life.

The Brig is such a fundamental part of classic Doctor Who, but after Nicholas Courtney’s death, he’s naturally become less a part of the ongoing programme. We thought that, with the Lucy Wilson series, we could ensure his legacy continues into the modern day – at the same time hopefully sending young fans back to the classics! This is why we have decided to pit Lucy up against the iconic Great Intelligence.

Lucy's character is described as "a modern girl with strong values and opinions, she’s dauntless, loyal and whip smart – qualities long embodied by the Doctor". The announcement of Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor has spotlighted the positive example the character provides young viewers, a tradition Candy Jar wanted to continue with its own contributions to the Who universe.

Sue Hampton, author of two previous Lethbridge-Stewart stories, says
I’m sure that the new Doctor will defeat her enemies with smarts and ingenuity – and with the help of her friends. It’s great for kids to have someone like this as their role model. They’re the values of the show. And while she’s very much her own girl, we see Lucy as embodying similar traits. We hope young readers will find her just as inspiring.

The book has been endorsed by Eggheads presenter and Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Vine. He says:
A great read – brilliant characters and a plot that keeps surprising you. Sue Hampton writes in three dimensions! Avatars of the Intelligence draws you in from the very first page.

The cover art is by Steve Beckett, a freelance writer and illustrator who has contributed artwork for the UK's longest running children's weekly comic The Beano, including The Bash Street Kids, General Jumbo and Bully Beef and Chips. He says:
I am very excited to have contributed to the expanding Lethbridge-Stewart universe. Shaun contacted me because he was familiar with my work for The Beano. He wanted something that could appeal to the young and adults alike. Hopefully I have achieved this. I have certainly grown quite fond of the characters and I look forward to hopefully drawing them again very soon.


Avatars of the Intelligence by Sue Hampton is available for pre-order exclusively for fans via the Candy Jar website until the end of September, with dispatch shortly thereafter. The commercial release of the book will be early next year.




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

Peter Capaldi signed script up for auction

Saturday, 26 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society have launched an auction on behalf of Syrian Refugees in North London, a charity run from Muswell Hill Methodist Church and supported by the current Doctor, Peter Capaldi and his wife Elaine. A number of items are up for auction, including the original readthrough script for the episode Listen, signed and illustrated by the actor.


DWAS: Peter Capaldi charity auction (Credit: DWAS)


The auction ends just after 5pm on the 4th September - visit the DWAS website for full details.





FILTER: - Auctions - DWAS - Peter Capaldi

Russell T Davies Given Lifetime Achievement Award

Friday, 25 August 2017 - Reported by Marcus
Former Doctor Who Showrunner Russell T Davies has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

The writer, whose hits include Queer As Folk, Casanova and Cucumber as well as being the man who brought Doctor Who back to BBC One, used his speech to defend the BBC which he said was being treated with contempt by the current UK Government.
We actually have a government which is warding off the BBC with one hand while xxxxing off Rupert Murdoch with the other.
Davies went on to say how important it was to tell the young people watching that working in Television was great fun and that it was a brilliant industry.
I have worked with Daleks, Casanova, I’ve worked with gays, I’ve worked with Penelope Wilton, I worked on children’s programmes, I’ve worked in documentary, I worked on a quiz show with Terry Wogan, I worked with Jesus, I worked in Cardiff, Manchester, at Granada, I’ve worked with all sorts of shows, I’ve worked with David Tennant, Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, I’m so lucky.

I’ve been a presenter on Playschool, I’ve actually been to Norway with Keith Chegwin, I love my job and I hope you all grow up and get in the industry and love the job too.
At the TV festival, BBC One was named channel of the year.




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Russell T Davies

Doctor Who Magazine 516

Wednesday, 23 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who Magazine 516 (Credit: Panini)The next issue of Doctor Who Magazine is out this Thursday, and features an exclusive interview with the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker.

Sharing her feelings about becoming the thirteenth Doctor, Jodie says:
Chris [Chibnall] wouldn’t have cast me as the Doctor because he wanted me to repeat anything that had gone before. And I think as a fan you don’t want to watch something that’s an imitation of something that’s gone before. Or what would be the point of recasting?

Also in this issue:
  • CASTING JODIE: DWM asks what the arrival of Jodie Whittaker means for the future of Doctor Who.
  • MONSTERS INC: We go inside the workshop of Millennium FX, with previously unseen designs and photographs from the making of the 2017 series.
  • NOW WE ARE SIX HUNDRED: Former showrunner Russell T Davies talks about his illustrations for BBC Books’ collection of Doctor Who poetry.
  • NICHOLAS BRIGGS AND THE CYBERMEN: Nicholas Briggs reveals the secrets of giving voice to the Mondasian Cybermen.
  • HANK MARVIN: Legendary Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin discusses his surprising links to the Doctor Who theme.
  • THE AZTECS: Take a fresh look at the 1964 classic The Aztecs in The Fact of Fiction.
  • TREVOR BAXTER: We pay tribute to the late Trevor Baxter, who played Professor Litefoot in 1977’s The Talons of Weng-Chiang, with contributions from Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Christopher Benjamin, Lisa Bowerman and more...
  • THE PARLIAMENT OF FEAR: A brand-new comic strip adventure continues for the Doctor and Bill.
  • TRAIL OF A TIME LORD: An exclusive extract from Red, White and Who, the forthcoming book about the history of the series in the United States.
  • PLUS! Previews, book and audio reviews, news, the Watcher’s column, prize-winning competitions and much, much more.

Doctor Who Magazine 516 is on sale from Thursday 24 August.




FILTER: - DWM - Jodie Whittaker - Magazines

New Twelfth Doctor Comic

Tuesday, 22 August 2017 - Reported by Marcus
This Wednesday, August 23, sees the publication of the next issue in the Twelfth Doctor's continuing adventures with the latest companion, Bill.
Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6

Writer: Richard Dinnick
Artist: Brian Williamson
Cover A: Blair Shedd Cover B: Photo Cover Cover C: Arianna Florean

New adventures featuring the Twelfth Doctor, as played by Peter Capaldi, and featuring all-new TV companion Bill, played by Pearl Mackie!
Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 Cover A (Credit: Titan / Blair Shedd)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 Cover B (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 Cover C (Credit: Titan / Arianna Florean )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year Three #6 (Credit: Titan)





FILTER: - Comics - Twelfth Doctor

Black Archive - Update

Monday, 21 August 2017 - Reported by Marcus
Obverse Books have announced a change in the schedule for the Black Archive series of books.

The Black Archive explores the making of specific Doctor Who stories, analysing in detail the stories selected.

The previously-announced 2018 release of The Twin Dilemma has been put on hold indefinitely. Instead Jon Arnold, author of the acclaimed the Black Archive #1: Rose will be stepping into the breach with a study of Steven Moffat’s debut story as showrunner, and Matt Smith’s as the 11th Doctor, The Eleventh Hour.

The Black Archive schedule now runs as follows:
  • January – The Black Archive #15: Carnival of Monsters
  • by Ian Potter
  • February – The Black Archive #16: Full Circle
  • by John Toon
  • March – The Black Archive #17: The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit
  • by Simon BucherJones
  • April – The Black Archive #18: Marco Polo
  • by Dene October
  • May – The Black Archive #19: The Eleventh Hour
  • by Jon Arnold
  • June – The Black Archive #20: Face the Raven
  • by Sarah Groenewegen
  • July – The Black Archive #21: Heaven Sent
  • by Kara Dennison
  • August – The Black Archive #22: Hell Bent
  • by Alyssa Franke
  • September – The Black Archive #23: The Curse of Fenric
  • by Una McCormack
  • October – The Black Archive #24: The Time Warrior
  • by Matthew Kilburn
  • November – The Black Archive #25: Doctor Who (1996)
  • by Paul Driscoll
  • December – The Black Archive #26: The Dæmons
  • by Matt Barber
Titles for 2019 will be announced in due course.




FILTER: - Books - Doctor Who

Referencing The Doctor

Saturday, 19 August 2017 - Reported by Marcus
Referencing The Doctor (Credit: Panini)
The latest Special Edition of Doctor Who Magazine, Referencing The Doctor, explores some of the landmark reference works devoted to the series.

More has been written about Doctor Who than any other television series in history. What prompts this exhaustive analysis? And how was research into the show’s complex production conducted in the years before home video, conventions and the internet?

From the very first episode guides compiled by Doctor Who story editors for their colleagues in the 1960s, to the fanzines of the 1970s, the first authorised books based on the show and the wide variety of publications available today – this is the story of how successive generations of fans and historians have referenced the Doctor.

Editor Marcus Hearn says:
I’ve got a house full of reference books about Doctor Who, but I’m not sure there’s ever been a publication looking at how they evolved. It’s been fascinating to read about Jean-Marc Lofficier, Peter Haining, Jeremy Bentham and all the other pioneers in the field, as well as more recent projects that examine the series in unprecedented depth. It’s an aspect of Doctor Who that’s never been looked at in this way before, and it’s full of surprises.
Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: Referencing the Doctor is on sale now price £5.99.




FILTER: - DWM

Data Extract: the first 100 issues

Thursday, 17 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Data Extract: Issues 1 - 100 (Credit: The Doctor Who Club of Australia)The Doctor Who Club of Australia (DWCA) have announced the first 100 issues of the club fanzine, Data Extract, will be released as a collected volume:

In 1980 a publishing legend was born with the release of the first newsletter for the Doctor Who Club of Australia. Subsequently editor Dallas Jones named it Data Extract and under his stewardship the publication grew from a two page newsletter into a fully-fledged fanzine, with articles, interviews, art and more besides.

Now for the first time since their original releases, the first 100 issues of this Doctor Who fanzine have been reprinted and collected in one hardcover volume. Relive the heady days of the past from Tom Baker’s departure to the end of the classic era and into the Wilderness Years. It’s all here, presented exactly as it was.

This collection features interviews with Jon Pertwee, Sylvester McCoy, John Freeman and Jeremy Bentham. Experience Doctor Who history through the eyes of Australian fandom with the first 100 issues of Data Extract, Down Under’s premiere fanzine and the flagship publication of the DWCA.

The Doctor Who Fanzine Collection: Data Extract Issues 1 to 100 is available to purchase through Lulu.

(with thanks to Dallas Jones)




FILTER: - Australia - Books - Fan Productions

RiffTrax present The Five Doctors

Thursday, 17 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who (Credit: Fathom Events)A special presentation of The Five Doctors will be taking place in the United States over the next couple of weeks:

The Doctor is in the house! The RiffTrax house, that is! The stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000®, Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, are back on the big screen for a legendary riffing of the 1983 Doctor Who film "The Five Doctors." Someone is taking the Doctor's past selves out of time and space, placing them in a vast wilderness - a battle arena with a sinister tower at its center. As the various incarnations of the Doctor join forces, they learn they are in the Death Zone on their home world of Gallifrey, fighting Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti and a devious Time Lord Traitor who is using the Doctor and his companions to discover the ancient secrets of Rassilon, the first and most powerful ruler of Gallifrey.

Join Mike, Kevin and Bill as they join the Five Doctors for one of the most thrilling Doctor Who adventures ever!

The special showing will be presented in cinemas around the USA on the 17th and 24th August - see the Fathom Events page for more details.





FILTER: - Cinema - Fifth Doctor - Special Events - USA

New Comics Out This Week

Monday, 14 August 2017 - Reported by Marcus
This week sees some new releases from Titan expanding the timey-wimey world of Doctor Who - including the return of Sarah Jane in the latest Tenth Doctor as well as the next installment of the Eleventh Doctor as played by Matt Smith.

​​ Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8

Writer: Nick Abadzis
Artist: Giorgia Sposito
Cover A: Claudia SG Iannicello Cover B: Will Brooks Photo Cover C: Arianna Florean

More shocking revelations for the Tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant, as the true extent of Gabby's powers starts to become clear...and Cindy's response changes everything!
Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 Cover A (Credit: Titan /  Claudia SG Iannicello)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 Cover B (Credit: Titan /  Will Brooks)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 Cover C (Credit: Titan / Arianna Florean)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)

Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8

Writer: George Mann
Artist: Ivan Rodriguez, Wellington Diaz, Klebs Junior, Leandro Casco
Cover A: Blair Shedd Cover B: Photo Cover C: Simon Myers Cover D: Andy Walker

Brand-new standalone one-shot featuring The Eleventh Doctor as played by Matt Smith!
Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 Cover A (Credit: Titan /  Blair Shedd )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 Cover B (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 Cover C (Credit: Titan / Simon Myers )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 Cover D (Credit: Titan / Andy Walker )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #8 (Credit: Titan)





FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor - Tenth Doctor