Fannual published for Peter Cushing's Doctor

Sunday, 2 March 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
An annual devoted to the film version of the Doctor as played by Peter Cushing has been created by fans.

Designed to fit between the second and third annuals brought out by World Distributors in the 1960s and produced in a similar style, the unofficial FANNUAL: The Peter Cushing Dr. Who Annual has 172 pages of stories, features and artwork, all complying with the continuity of the two 1960s films Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Publisher Scott Burditt said:
It's rare to find new adventures of Peter Cushing's Dr. Who in print. There was a comic book adaption of Dr. Who and the Daleks by Dell Publishing in 1966 and that's about it. FANNUAL is all set to change this. For the first time ever, the unofficial Dr. Who is treated to his very own unofficial annual. Most appropriate!

This really has been a labour of love for all concerned, done out of genuine affection and fondness for the films' interpretation of the Doctor Who mythology, and I've had a great response from the people who already have a copy of it.
The publication is available in the following options:
    HARDBACK
  • Yellow or violet cover with colour pages
  • Blue or lime cover with black-and-white pages
    PAPERBACK
  • Red cover with colour pages
Plus, in a nod to one of the scenes in the first film, there is also an alternative paperback cover available with the title Time Travel For The Inquiring Mind. This version has black-and-white pages.

A teaser message from Dr. Who himself is given below:
Time travel. It's supposed to be impossible, isn't it? Well, actually, going forwards in time isn't really a problem at all is it? Just imagine if you could bend the rules . . . Well, I have managed to do just that! Moving freely forwards and backwards through time and space with my own invention is most exciting I can tell you!

1963 was the year it all began. I finally worked out how to make the machine work, and despite the fact that I am a grandfather and quite an old man now, I am still very sprightly because my adventures have given me a new lease of life! Which is just as well, as you will soon discover! Sadly, I can't turn back my own body clock and travel around the cosmos as a young man but I have shared all of the fun with my close friends and family and now I will share it with you . . .

So, let me take a rest from adventuring for a moment to regale some of the tales and the mysteries and challenges we've all faced across the galaxy from visiting our own and other strange worlds, with all of the many unusual and terrifying creatures we have encountered and the new lessons the universe has taught us in the process.

In this book you will find out about myself, my family and friends and the inner workings of my wonderful time machine with a friendly technical diagram highlighting all of the main features.

In my travels I have become caught in events surrounding the civil war of the 1600s, been to a distant alien world in a prelude to a mystery involving a couple I encountered on Barnes Common, and visited the planet Silicus, where I discovered men made of metal! Scary stuff indeed!

I've become a hostage of alien stowaways in my time machine, and on the planet Samsara my granddaughter and I were caught up in a conflict between two sides of the Brethren of Infinity as they waited for their Great Deity to save them from its imminent apocalypse . . .

My friends have even been accidentally miniaturised with one of my other inventions! Oh, the fun they had sorting that out! I've upset a couple of alien traders, encountered familiar-looking robots and landed in one of the most terrible places in human history - No Man's Land during the First World War . . .

I've explored the far side of the galaxy and managed to salvage the cultural heritage of an alien race, and I visited the strange Museum of Space Science in the year 3000 . . .

Also, on a very beautiful planet, my granddaughter encountered an alien prince and the two became romantically involved, which was very sweet. I've defeated evil terrifying robots who enslaved the people of the Earth in the year 2150AD and met intergalactic traders on the War Moon of planet Skirm, and my granddaughter befriended a strange creature on yet another alien planet, unaware that it was actually plotting to kill her at the first opportunity!

I've upset The Knights of Chronos, who are the self-styled guardians of time, and they put me on trial for creating a temporal paradox by returning a policeman I had met to 1966 before he actually left with me on my travels! Most confusing!

Anyway, you can find out about it all for yourself in detail in this marvellous book. I had hoped to write more about my adventures but I am so very busy exploring as I just don't want to miss out on all of the wonders and secrets the universe has to offer before, one day, I have to retire.

I know this sounds like the witterings of a mad old man but I can promise you that these events did actually happen! Enjoy this volume compiled by my friends and travel with me into this fantasy world that I have made a reality!
Examples of the covers and pages are given below:


And in an exclusive for Doctor Who News, here is clean artwork by Tony Clark for the fannual story Day of the Automatons, reproduced by kind permission of the artist:


UPDATE - 3rd MARCH: The red-cover paperback with colour pages is now sold out.




FILTER: - Merchandise - Fan Productions - Peter Cushing - Books

Titan Comics releases preview of first covers for new series

Saturday, 1 March 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
Titan Comics has released more details about its forthcoming range of adventures featuring the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, including the covers for the first issues.

As previously reported, the publisher secured the rights to bring out the series in a deal with BBC Worldwide Americas. The company has now said that the range will launch on Wednesday 23rd July with covers by Alice X Zhang.

THE TENTH DOCTOR

The Tenth Doctor is back in an all-new ongoing series! New companion! New horizons! Unforgettable new foes! Allons-y!

Eisner Award-winning writer Nick Abadzis (Laika) and fan-favourite artist Elena Casagrande (Doctor Who, Angel, Suicide Risk, Star Trek) take control of the TARDIS for their first five-issue arc with the Tenth Doctor.
The second arc will be by fellow series architect Robbie Morrison (Drowntown, Nikolai Dante, The Authority).
THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR

The Eleventh Doctor returns in an all-new ongoing series with a time-twisting leap into the unknown! Geronimo!

Series architects Al Ewing (Loki: Agent of Asgard, Mighty Avengers, Trifecta) and Rob Williams (Revolutionary War, Ordinary, Miss Fury, The Royals: Masters of War, Trifecta) start a whirlwind adventure through eternity for the Eleventh Doctor, with artist Simon Fraser (Doctor Who, Nikolai Dante, Grindhouse).
A series featuring the Twelfth Doctor will follow in due course.




FILTER: - Comics - Magazines - Eleventh Doctor - Tenth Doctor

Bournemouth police box takes shape

Saturday, 1 March 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
A TARDIS-style police box aimed at cutting crime and anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth as well as acting as a tourist attraction is nearing completion.

As previously reported, police in Boscombe wanted to reintroduce police boxes, and a councillor has been calling for their return for a number of years. Now it is soon to become a reality, with Dorset Police saying a box will be up and running at the western end of the precinct in Christchurch Road this spring.

The police box will be regularly staffed during the day, offering help, advice and support. In addition, it will have a yellow phone attached to it via which the public can contact police at other times.

Based on the classic look that was created for the Metropolitan Police by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench in 1929, the steel box has been designed by James Roberts at Christchurch-based architect and design practice Anders Roberts Cheer. It will weigh more than two tonnes and be three metres high by 1.8 metres wide. The box is being built by AMK Industries, also of Christchurch, and has been paid for by local businesses and organisations.

Inspector Chris Weeks, whose policing responsibilities include the Bournemouth East neighbourhood, said:
The community voiced concerns regarding levels of crime and disorder in Boscombe precinct. Due to these concerns I considered an enhanced policing presence essential to reassure the public. The introduction of the police box will place an obvious policing footprint exactly where it is required.

The Boscombe police box is just one of a number of projects aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

It will provide a much-needed and alternative engagement point with the community and send a very clear message that the area is policed.
Boscombe Regeneration Partnership officer Sgt Chris Amey added:
Building a police box in Boscombe has been a lengthy project which began in May 2011 and has seen years of hard word, dedication and support to make it a reality. I would like to thank all those companies and organisations that have donated sponsorship - they are as keen as we are to help make a difference in Boscombe.

The police box will be staffed by police officers and police community support officers who will be able to help members of the public with any issues or concerns they may have, as well as reporting crime.
Jane Kelly, the cabinet member for partnerships and regeneration at Bournemouth Borough Council, said:
We welcome this exciting new initiative in Boscombe. Working together with the police, we are determined to drive down anti-social behaviour in Boscombe and boost regeneration. I fully support this initiative to maintain a regular police presence in the precinct area, acting as both a convenient information point for the public and also to provide reassurance to residents, businesses and visitors to the area.
Once a widespread sight in Britain, police boxes started being phased out in the 1960s with the rise of personal radios within the police force. Currently, the only other operational "Mackenzie Trench" police box in the UK is at Earl's Court in London, having been installed there in 1996.

The progress of the Boscombe police box can be checked by following Dorset Police on Twitter - hashtag #boscombepolicebox - and by visiting Dorset Police's Facebook page.




FILTER: - UK - Miscellaneous

Design a mixed-up monster with Doctor Who Adventures

Saturday, 1 March 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
Doctor Who Adventures readers are being invited to design a mixed-up monster in the latest edition of the fortnightly magazine.

Editor Moray Laing said:
We want to know what readers think would make the ultimate creature made up from other monster parts. Would the scariest design have the head of an Angel, legs of a Cyberman and arms of a Zygon? We want to know, and can't wait to see what readers come up with!
As well as news, posters and puzzles, issue 340 of DWA comes with a free make-your-own wind-up Angel kit, plus:
  • Essential facts about the Weeping Angels
  • Pictures of Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman filming in Cardiff
  • A time-travelling quiz - find out if you are more likely to travel to the past or future
  • 15 mega monster secrets - the truth behind the beasts
  • Win Doctor Who playsets and Lego Movie goodies
  • A comic strip featuring an unseen adventure with the Eleventh Doctor and Clara - use the free Blippar app to bring the comic strip to life
  • Use Blippar for more Weeping Angel scares, too
The new issue of DWA is out now and available until Tuesday 11th March.




FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

Mark Gatiss to tour Brazil

Friday, 28 February 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who actor and writer Mark Gatiss will be visiting Brazil in March in a special publicity tour for BBC Worldwide to talk about British drama including his work on Doctor Who and Sherlock.

Gatiss, who is the co-creator and executive producer of Sherlock which has sold to over 200 territories across the world, has been invited to speak at the prestigious Rio Content Market – an annual industry event for producers, TV content buyers and commissioners in Latin America. At the conference, he will be giving a presentation on his career in British drama with a focus on Sherlock and also An Adventure in Space and Time – the drama about the genesis of Doctor Who which he wrote and produced last year as part of the brand’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. He will also talk about his work writing for and acting in various episodes of the sci-fi series. The event will be hosted by TV journalist Liv Brandao and Brazilian stage director Claudio Botelho.

As part of the tour, Gatiss will also be meeting fans at two events specially organised by BBC Worldwide. The first will be a screening of The Empty Hearse – the opening episode of the latest series of Sherlock, written by Gatiss and in which he stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes. The screening will take place at Livraria Cultura (Cine Victoria) in Rio de Janeiro on Friday 14th March at 7pm. As part of the event, Mark will take part in a Q and A and signing session with fans.

The second event will take place at Livraria Cultura (Shopping Iguatemi) in Sao Paulo at 7pm on Saturday 15th March. Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions about Mark’s work on Doctor Who, Sherlock and the recent drama An Adventure in Space and Time. He will also take part in a limited signing of Sherlock and Doctor Who merchandise. Further details of both events and how to obtain tickets will be released soon on doctorwho.tv Details of the venues can be found at livrariacultura.com.br.

Commenting on the forthcoming tour Mark Gatiss says:
It’s fantastic that British TV is being enjoyed all across the world and I’m really looking forward to meeting Brazilian Doctor Who and Sherlock fans!
Sherlock and Doctor Who have both seen notable growth in Latin America in the last year, with a huge number of fans engaging with both shows on social media. The official Sherlock Facebook page has seen an 80% increase in the number of Brazilian fans in the last year and the Doctor Who page a 54% increase – the highest for any country in the world. Both series air on BBC HD and BBC Entertainment in Brazil, which are pay-TV channels wholly owned and operated by BBC Worldwide. They are also both available on Netflix Latin America.




FILTER: - Brazil

The Moonbase: animation credits

Wednesday, 26 February 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Moonbase - R2 Cover (Credit: BBC Worldwide)Pup Ltd, the company responsible for the classic Doctor Who range of DVDs over the last few years, have reported that several of the lead creatives involved with the production of the animated episodes of the recently released The Moonbase were absent from the credits due to a technical error.

Executive producer Dan Hall has confirmed the following:
As the Executive Producer of the commissioning company I should like to confirm that the following should have recieved credits as Animators on the project:

Chris W Chapman
Crystal Chappell
Sarah Harper
Hayley Parker
Derek Moore
Thomas Barkel
Charlotte Barkel
David Donnelly
Tim Proust
Joshua Wolski
James Marsh

Their involvement was of an important creative level, and was crucial in producing what was both a creative and commercial success for the Classic Doctor Who DVD range.

The Moonbase is available now from our Region 1 and Region 2 Amazon shops.

(with thanks to Dan Hall/Pup Ltd)




FILTER: - Second Doctor - Animation - Blu-ray/DVD

Whoniverse Australia Cancelled

Wednesday, 26 February 2014 - Reported by Marcus
A Town Called Mercy. Photo: BBCThe Hub productions Whoniverse event has been cancelled following the withdrawal of Matt Smith from the event for family reasons.

The convention was due to hit the four main Australia cities over the next two weeks, bringing together the original Eleventh Doctor team of Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill. Although Gillan pulled out of part of the tour last week, the absence of Matt Smith has proved a fatal blow with the organisers having no choice but to cancel the event.

Matt Smith is unable to leave the UK at present due to a family matter. He gave the convention organisers the following statement.
I am deeply saddened to have to advise that I will not be able to come to Australia for the Hub Productions' Whoniverse event. Although I wish it were otherwise, due to a personal family emergency it's not possible for me to leave England at this time. I truly regret the situation, and the disappointment it must be causing, but I'm hoping to be able to reschedule as soon as possible for the future; I look forward to see you all then.
The organisers have said they are working to try to bring the team to future events, but in the meantime, Ticketek will be in touch regarding refunds.




FILTER: - Matt Smith - Conventions - Australia

Lego Doctor Who?

Wednesday, 26 February 2014 - Reported by Josiah Rowe
Many fans of Doctor Who and the Lego building toy sets have long wished for Doctor Who Lego toys. Now, a post on Lego's Cuusoo crowdsourcing design site suggests that Doctor Who Lego sets may be coming soon.

Lego Cuusoo is a crowdsourcing platform where people can submit and vote on designs for Lego toy sets. If a project receives 10,000 votes of support, it is considered by a Lego review board, which decides whether the project is suitable to be produced commercially. Previous sets which have made it through this process include sets based on the Mars Curiosity rover, Back to the Future, and Ghostbusters (available this summer).

In the past, Lego Cuusoo proposals based on Doctor Who have been rejected due to conflict with Character Building's license to produce Doctor Who toys. Character has produced Lego-compatible Doctor Who building toys since 2011. It is not known whether Character's license has changed or expired, but today Lego posted the following on the Lego Cuusoo website:
Sometimes we have to turn down project submissions that refer to specific brands or licensed properties. We do this to avoid getting your hopes up for something we know we aren't able to make. In these cases, we already know the LEGO Group can't secure licensing rights to produce construction toys based on a particular brand or property, due to a conflicting interest with a third party.

If such a conflict goes away, we'll then be able to accept projects based on a particular brand or license.

...

Resolved Past Licensing Conflicts

We now welcome projects based on the following licenses that used to have conflicts:
  • Doctor Who - February 2014
Last updated February 25, 2014

This does not mean that Lego is definitely going to license and produce Doctor Who toys, but it does mean that they no longer consider it impossible.

Image: a fan-created Eleventh Doctor minifigure. Source: Brickimedia. License: CC BY-SA 3.0
(with thanks to Andrew Barnick)




FILTER: - Merchandise - Character - Lego

Peter Capaldi at BBC Worldwide Event

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 - Reported by Marcus
The new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, has made a surprise visit to the BBC Worldwide showcase event in Liverpool

The 4 day event, attended by international TV buyers from around the world, gives the BBC a chance to sell many of its programmes to international broadcasters, with Doctor Who being one of the most important products. All BBC Worldwide profits are ploughed back into BBC programme making, with £156 million being made last year.

Capaldi emerged from the TARDIS to chat briefly with another BBC star Graham Norton. Speaking after the event he said
As a lifetime follower of the show, I'm delighted to see its global success. And I'm looking forward to sharing with the world the very exciting journey the new series is taking us on.
Capaldi is currently filming for the 34th series of Doctor Who, due to be screened later this year.




FILTER: - Peter Capaldi - BBC

Samuel Anderson joins Doctor Who Series 8

Monday, 24 February 2014 - Reported by Connor Johnston
Danny Pink, played by Samuel Anderson (Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)The BBC have announced that Samuel Anderson (The History Boys, Gavin & Stacey, Emmerdale) is set to join the cast of Doctor Who as a recurring character in Series 8, which will also introduce Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor.

It's also been confirmed Anderson's character, named Danny Pink, also teaches at Coal Hill High School, where current companion Clara Oswald and original companions of the First Doctor; Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton were employed.

On joining the show Samuel Anderson said:
I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started!
He continued:
It's a quintessential part of British culture and I can't believe I'm part of it. It's an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can't wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!
Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, added:

For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it's the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi's first series of Doctor Who!

Other Casting News

More Season 8 casting news has also been announced, with Episode 4 co-starring Robert Goodman (Gangs of New York, Game of Thrones) and episode 5, co-starring Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, Groove High), and Pippa Bennett-Warner (The Smoke, Death in Paradise).




FILTER: - Production - Series 8/34