Lethbridge-Stewart: United In Blood

Wednesday, 26 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have released details on the next of their free digital-only stories:

United In Blood (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

United In Blood
Written by Mark Jones
Cover art by Richard Young

Blurb: New Year 1970 and Lethbridge-Stewart decides to visit an old school friend. In the village of Aldbury something strange is going on. An unexplained increase of violence spreads across the town, and Lethbridge-Stewart finds himself caught up in the middle of it. So much for a short New Year break!

United in Blood is only available to readers who order the novellas bundle (comprising The Life of Evans, The Flaming Soldier and Day of the Intelligence).

Author Mark Jones was taught how to write a television script by Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, and was the co-creator of the Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton TV project, Starwatch. Other credits include writing for the Guinness Encyclopaedia of Popular Music, and penning the bestselling book about the film and TV location, Aldbury (filming location for The Dirty Dozen, The Avengers, Bridget Jones and Midsomer Murders amongst many others). Mark said:

One of favourite TV shows was the ITV programme Shillingbury Tales, a series also filmed in Aldbury. As a location it has always been presented as an idyllic English village, but what if dark forces were at work behind the scenes? My story combines this rural peace with an underbelly of violence.

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:

I remember reading about Starwatch in Doctor Who Magazine a few years back. So when Mark started working with Candy Jar on a new project, we grilled him about this. During these conversations he pitched an idea for a short story: Shillingbury Tales meets The Tomorrow People, with a hint of Children of the Stones. I told him to go away and write it.

Mark continued:

I wanted the story to feel as much like the early 1970s as possible. I’m old enough to remember how grim it was. In particular I remember how frightening football violence could be. This story transfers the fears of the terraces to a rural village and throws Lethbridge-Stewart into the mix.

The cover art is by Richard Young, who said:

I’ve really enjoyed the detailed work on the novellas, especially as the schedule has been slightly more relaxed. However, I have missed the fun of a tight schedule. And this one was certainly tight! Anyway, nothing brings out creativity better than a tight deadline. I put the artwork together in record time and I am rather pleased with it. It’s like A Clockwork Orange meets Jossey’s Giants.

The e-book is only available to readers who order the novellas bundle. Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said:

People who have ordered the bundle already will automatically get the free story, but I would advise those readers who plan to buy all three to do it as soon possible. We only have fifty bundles left and a handful of copies of the individual titles.

The Novellas Bundles are available directly from www.candy-jar.co.uk.

Candy Jar is also pleased to announce that The HAVOC Files 2 & 3 have just been made available on Kindle for £4.99.

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

New Comics Coming

Wednesday, 19 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release of the latest editor of the Titan Comic series featuring the Tenth Doctor.

On sale next week, are two new Doctor Who titles; including an interlude issue for Twelfth Doctor's Year Three - from writer James Peaty and artist Warren Pleece, and a brand-new side to the Ninth Doctor with SIN EATERS Part 2; from writer Cavan Scott and artist Adriana Melo!

Titles out 19th April

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4

Writer: Nick Abadzis
Artist: Giorgia Sposito, Arianna Florean
Cover A: Wellington Alves Cover B: Photo Cover C: Simon Myers Cover D: Iolanda Zanfardino

New adventures of the Tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Cover A (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Cover B (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Cover C (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Cover D (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Page 1 (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Page 2 (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Page 3 (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Page 4 (Credit: Titan)

THE TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #4 Page 5 (Credit: Titan)

Titles out 26th April

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2

Writer: James Peaty
Artist: Warren Pleece
Cover A - Regular Claudia Ianniciello Cover B - Photo Will Brooks Cover C - Linked Set Of Four Ryan Hall Cover D - Pasquale Qualano & Amoona Saohin Cover E - Iolanda Zanfardino Wholanta Exclusive Cover - Kelly Yates

Special INTERLUDE issue! What is the mystery of "THE BOY WITH THE DISPLACED SMILE?" New adventures of the twelfth Doctor as played by Peter Capaldi

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Cover A (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Cover B (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Cover C (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Cover D (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Cover E (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Page 1 (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Page 2 (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Page 3 (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #2 Page 4 (Credit: Titan)

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 Wholanta Con (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Adriana Melo
Cover A - Cris Bolson & Marco Lesko Cover B - Photo – Will Brooks Cover C - Linked Set By Ryan Hall Cover D - Pasquale Qualano

New adventures of the ninth Doctor as played by Christopher Eccleston!

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Cover A (Credit: Titan CRIS BOLSON & MARCO LESKO)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Cover B (Credit: Titan WILL BROOKS)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Cover C (Credit: Titan RYAN HALL)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Cover D (Credit: Titan PASQUALE QUALANO)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Page 1 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Page 2 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Page 3 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Page 4 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: NINTH DOCTOR #12 Page 5 (Credit: Titan)

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Tenth Doctor - Twelfth Doctor

Twelfth Doctor Comic - Year Three

Thursday, 13 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Twelfth Doctor begins his third year in comic form this week.

The Year Two team of George Mann, Rachael Stott and Mariano Laclaustra return. The Doctor is ready for a brand new set of adventures in time and space. This is an accessible jumping on point for new readers, Year Three will be available monthly.

Alongside these series' debut issue, this week sees the release of some more Eleventh Doctor in the second part of Alex Paknadel / Simon Fraser's two-parter "THE TRAGICAL HISTORY TOUR" as well as new Torchwood

TWELFTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #1

Writer: George Mann
Artist: Mariano Laclaustra
Cover A: Josh Burns Cover B: Photo variant Cover C: Rachael Smith Cover D: Mariano Laclaustra Cover E: Antonio Fuso Cover F: Pasquale Qualano

The astounding Year Two team of George Mann, Rachael Stott and Mariano Laclaustra returns!

The Doctor is ready for a BRAND NEW set of thrilling adventures in time and space...

A super-accessible jumping on point for new readers, Year Three will now ship monthly.

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_A (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_B (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_C (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_D (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_E (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Cover_F (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Page_1 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Page_2 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Page_3 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth_Doctor_3_1_Page_4 (Credit: Titan)

ELEVENTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #4

Writer: Alex Paknadel
Artist: Simon Fraser
COVER A - REGULAR By Wellington Diaz COVER B - PHOTO By Will Brooks COVER C - By Rachael Smith COVER D - By Arianna Florean

The adventures of the Eleventh Doctor continue!

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4_Cover_A (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4_Cover_B (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4_Cover_C (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4_Cover_D (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4 Page 1 (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4 Page 2 (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4 Page 3 (Credit: Titan)

Eleventh_Doctor_3_4 Page 4 (Credit: Titan)

TORCHWOOD: STATION ZERO #3

Writer: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman
Artist: Neil Edwards
COVER A - CLAUDIA CARANFA COVER B - WILL BROOKS COVER C - KELLY YATES

The team have uncovered a plot by the alien Navigators to harvest the Earth for their own purposes. Captain John Hart and Lady Karina sought the astrolabe, so Karina could give it to the Navigators, but the pair were captured by Torchwood. However, the Navigators have begun their plan to ‘compost’ Earth, causing dormant volcanoes around the planet to erupt...

FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor - Torchwood - Twelfth Doctor

Radio Times

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The latest edition of the Radio Times celebrates the return of Doctor Who on television this weekend with a front cover featuring Peter Capaldi and new companion Pearl Mackie.

Inside the magazine, Pearl explained how she went up for a part in "Mean Town":

It transpired it was an anagram for Woman Ten, the companion in the tenth series, because if agents had known it was a Doctor Who casting, they'd have put every client up for it. Just walking through the foyer (of the Soho Hotel) was nerve-racking, I rocked up in my Afro and bright yellow trainers and a baggy T-shirt, into this big glossy octagon foyer and they told me to wait in a room till they were ready for me - I almost ran away.

Capaldi was happy to reassure her, however:

I think you looked very cool there. You didn't seem fazed, you seemed to have a life beyond the scene. It was like Bill ha existed rather than saying lines for an audition.

The full interview can be read in the magazine, which also includes a brief synopsis of each episode this series by Steven Moffat - who also confirms that the episodes of his two-part finale will be called "World Enough And Time" and "The Doctor Falls".

The Radio Times is out now in the United Kingdom

FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor - Torchwood - Twelfth Doctor

The Flaming Soldier

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have released details for the second of their novellas based within the Lethbridge-Stewart series:

The Flaming Soldier (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

The Flaming Soldier
Written by Christopher Bryant
Cover by Richard Young

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is investigating a series of cases of spontaneous combustion. How can an inferno start inside a brick wall? Who or what are the ghost-like creatures spotted in the area around Imber base? Does it have anything to do with Eileen Younghusband, hotel proprietor, whose ordinary day is about to be interrupted by secrets from her past?

Traumatic events from the Second World War impact upon the present day and a mysterious aircraft could hold the key to the identity of the flaming soldier.

Written by Christopher Bryant, the book features a younger Travers, alongside real-life World War 2 heroine Eileen Younghusband, who passed away in September 2016. Christopher said:

In The Last Duty Eileen was only a cameo. Her inclusion came quite late to the mix, and despite her character hinting at a past fighting aliens, we didn’t fully explore this, so when the opportunity came along to delve deeper, I jumped at the chance.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said:

Eileen worked in the Filter Room, the top secret hub of Britain’s air defence, and tracked the first V2 rocket into the country! Before she died, I had a brief conversation with her about our Lethbridge-Stewart series. We joked about her being the first person to track an alien rocket into the country and this sparked an idea. Her sad death prompted us to include her in The Last Duty, but now we feel the time is right to discover more about Eileen’s alien fighting exploits during WW2.

Quentin Younghusband, Eileen’s real-life nephew, was really pleased that Eileen’s legacy will live on:

My aunt would have been tickled pink at the fact that she is a central character in this the latest book in the Lethbridge-Stewart series.

The cover is by Richard Young, who said:

For this second cover I wanted to create a full colour image rather than my usual mix of colour and black and white. I had also backed myself into a corner with The Life of Evans. I found it quite difficult to fade the hand-drawn train explosion into the background, so here for the first time I decided to create the fire effects digitally, though Travers and Eileen are still pencil drawings.

I was aware of Eileen from seeing her on the TV, but I never knew just how famous she was until I did my preliminary research. It turns out that she lived quite a life, so there was no pressure to get her portrait right... not! I'm pleased to say that the feedback I received from the family totally blew me away. I just hope that I have done her justice for all her fans.

The story features a younger Edward Travers, which is all part of range editor Andy Frankham-Allen’s grand plan:

Travers’ life between The Abominable Snowmen and The Web of Fear is still pretty much unexplored, bar a few hints here and there. It has already been established that he worked for a previous version of the Home-Army Operational Corps during World War 2, but this is our first look at what his work entailed. It’s all part of a much larger canvas, as we slowly unveil the hidden mysteries and secrets of Professor Travers’ remarkable life.

The Flaming Soldier is now available to pre-order from the Candy Jar website.

With the launch of series ten of Doctor Who starting on Saturday Candy Jar will be making the third series of Lethbridge-Stewart (Times Squared, Blood of Atlantis, Mind of Stone) and Connecting Who: Artificial Beings available for free via Kindle across the Easter weekend.

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

Lethbridge-Stewart: submissions sought

Thursday, 6 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Lethbridge-Stewart (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Candy Jar Books have announced that they are soliciting for new writers to submit short stories in their Lethbridge-Stewart range, and also seek submissions for a 50th Anniversary book about the Brigadier:

For a limited period, Candy Jar Books are opening their Lethbridge-Stewart short story range to everybody (as long as you've never written for the series before). All you have to do is send a one line idea, and a short story you've written (any original short story, as long as it's a finished piece), so the editors can gauge your writing ability.

Please visit our website for more information and the pitch guidelines. Please note Candy Jar will not consider any submission that had not taken into account the information in the guidelines.

Lauren Thomas, publishing coordinator at Candy Jar, said:

We would expect prospective authors to be familiar with the brand. And to help them with that, they can visit the Candy Jar website and sign up to the newsletter, and receive a free PDF copy of The HAVOC Files in the process. Thery can also buy The HAVOC Files 3 and The Life of Evans for £17, and several other Lethbridge-Stewart books for £5.

Candy Jar is also looking for submissions for their forthcoming book that celebrate fifty years of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said

The book will cover all aspects of the Brigadier's fifty-year history. It will look at his UNIT days, his appearances in comic strips, audio and, of course, books.

If you have an idea, then send it to havoc@candyjarbooks.co.uk with the words 'FACT PITCH' in the subject bar.

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

New Ninth Doctor Comic

Wednesday, 29 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

March 29 sees the release of the Titan comic Ninth Doctor #11 - which kicks off a brand-new arc "SIN-EATERS." Written by Cavan Scott with illustrations by Cris Bolson, Will you see The Doctor in the same light ever again?

Cover A: Wellington Diaz; Cover B: Photo, Will Brooks; Cover C: Rachael Smith; Cover D: Arianna Florean

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor

Breakfast with Seven Doctors

Thursday, 23 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Comic Relief is offering the first opportunity ever created to enjoy a Full English Breakfast in the company of Seven Doctors.

The Wolseley on Piccadilly will be hosting this landmark meal where, for the first time in the show's 54 year history, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi will meet to break bread and talk Tardis.

Here, inside its hallowed hall, the meal of meals will take place. An epic event, a world first, and a legendary opportunity to witness history in the making. To win the chance to join them on this remarkable morning, you need to enter the prize draw. Five pounds enters your name into the pot for a chance to join the seven Doctors for what is being described as the most historic breakfast in the history of television.

The meet and greet will take place between September 2017 and May 2018. Comic Relief will give you as much noticed as possible once the date is confirmed.

This prize has been kindly donated by the actors and The Wolseley.

To enter follow the link

FILTER: - Charities - Colin Baker - David Tennant - Matt Smith - Paul McGann - Peter Capaldi - Peter Davison - Sylvester McCoy

New Twelfth Doctor Comic

Monday, 20 March 2017 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release of the final issue in the Twelfth Doctor's Year Two.

The Doctor and his new comic creator friends Sonny and Val are threatened by the maniacal Mindmorphs. Can they save the Doctor in time - before he loses his mind?! Featuring art from Rachael Stott, and penned by Robbie Morrison

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #2.15

Writer: Robbie Morrison
Artist: Rachael Stott
Cover A: Claudia Ianniciello Cover B: Photo by Will Brooks Cover C: Linked Cover by Marc Ellerby Cover D: Arianna Florean

The Doctor's plan to take comic creators Sonny and Val off on a tour of the Universe was all going so well... until they landed on a planet of Mindmorphs intent on stealing their minds! Will the creative duo be able to channel their talents in order to save the Doctor? Or is this partnership, and the minds of all on the planet, beyond saving?

The Twelfth Doctor 2-15 Cover A (Credit: Titan)

The Twelfth Doctor 2-15 Cover B (Credit: Titan)

The Twelfth Doctor 2-15 Cover C (Credit: Titan)

The Twelfth Doctor 2-15 Cover D (Credit: Titan)

FILTER: - Comics - Twelfth Doctor

The Life of Evans novella cover released

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have released the final cover for The Life Of Evans, the first in the new series of Lethbridge-Stewart spin-off novellas.

The Life Of Evans (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

The Life Of Evans
Written by John Peel
Published March 2017

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart never could work out what to do with Private Gwynfor Evans. He never got on with the troops, was always shirking responsibility. So a reassignment to Imber was in order, and a whole new training programme under the watchful eye of Captain Younghusband.

Things seemed to be working out, Evans even made a new friend in the shape of Private Tommy Godber, but things soon take a sinister turn when Evans finds himself the prisoner of a strange alien intelligence. The spearhead of a new invasion. But before it continues in its plan, the alien seems oddly curious about the life of Evans...

Includes a bonus short story Time and Again by Robert Mammone.

The artwork is by Richard Young, who previously did the cover for Blood of Atlantis. Shaun Russell, head of publishing, said:

We had great feedback from Richard’s Blood of Atlantis cover. His style harks back to the classic era of Doctor Who, and we wanted to showcase this talent across a number of books. As a result we have commissioned him for all three novellas.

Richard Young said:

One of my favourite artists is Drew Struzan, the man responsible for some the most iconic poster designs of the 20th century, including Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and Star Wars. I would never compare myself to him, but I do try to follow his traditional design philosophy. Shaun, who is also a fan of his work, wanted the novellas to embrace this hand-drawn style.

The novellas are to have their own, distinctive look, with range editor Andy Frankham-Allen explaining:

The main range evolved into a circular motif, so for the novellas we thought we could do something slightly different. Diamond shapes are a standard element of classic Doctor Who, notably the logo used from 1974 to 1979, and it seemed an obvious thing to echo here. Shaun worked with Richard to develop the overall concept, while I continued my focus on the stories.

Richard added:

Once we’d fixed on the idea, I started work on the individual elements for the composition. Candy Jar prefers the artwork for the covers to be submitted as separate elements, rather than a single completed piece of artwork. I’m sure Drew Struzan has never done this, but it does allow for a greater flexibility when I am creating elements individually, or as a whole. So this cover is actually made up of several illustrations; Evans, the train and explosion, the standing stones, the sunset, the old man, and finally his hand.

The novella is available to order from the Candy Jar website, and is limited to 400 copies (of which half have already been sold).

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

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