Lethbridge-Stewart: books update

Tuesday, 18 August 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have released a revised schedule for Lethbridge-Stewart, their range of books that follow the career of the character prior to him becoming UNIT's most memorable operative.

Unforeseen circumstances have led to a delay in publishing the second in the series, The Schizoid Earth. Author David A McIntee explained:

I'm sorry nobody's had a chance to read the book yet. I had hoped to be able to finish it earlier than originally planned so that it could be brought forward somewhat. A family bereavement has negated that hope (my mother-in-law died a few weeks ago) leading to all the irritating practical and bureaucratic interruptions you might imagine. The book, however, is nearly finished and will be coming very soon.

Hayley Cox, publishing co-ordinator at Candy Jar Books, said:

We are determined to not let this setback affect the rest of this year’s releases, and we are committed to getting four titles out by the end of 2015 as originally intended.

The revised publication dates are listed below, alongside their respective covers (including a new version of The Schizoid Earth by Adrian Salmon). The titles can all be pre-ordered directly from the Candy Jar Books website.

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

The Schizoid Earth
Written by David A McIntee
Cover by Adrian Salmon
Published on 25th September 2015

Lethbridge-Stewart was supposed to be in the mountains of the east. Things didn't quite go according to plan.

On the eve of war, something appeared in the sky; a presence that blotted out the moon. Now it has returned, and no battle plan can survive first contact with this enemy.

Plagued by nightmares of being trapped in a past that never happened, Lethbridge-Stewart must unravel the mystery of a man ten years out of his time; a man who cannot possibly still exist.

Why do the ghosts of fallen soldiers still fight long-forgotten battles against living men? What is the secret of the rural English town of Deepdene? Lethbridge-Stewart has good reason to doubt his own sanity, but is he suffering illness or injury, or is something more sinister going on?”

David A McIntee has written novels for Star Trek, Final Destination and Space: 1999 and over fifteen books and audio dramas for Doctor Who since 1993, including the Brigadier-centric novel, The Face of the Enemy. David said: “To be honest it (the series) is something I'm amazed hasn't been done before – it’s just such a natural and obvious thing. The form it's taking is also cool because it has the flexibility to move between styles and genres – thriller, SF, horror, etc – while maintaining a definite identity. As for the Brig himself, he's one of those characters where the casting was so perfect that it just made the character so memorable, and who (usually) feels so right.”

Lethbridge-Stewart: Beast Of Fang Rock (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Beast of Fang Rock
Written by Andy Frankham-Allen
Cover by Colin Howard
Published on 23rd October 2015

’There’s always death on the rock when the Beast’s about.’

Fang Rock has always had a bad reputation. Since 1955 the lighthouse has been out of commission, shut down because of fire that gutted the entire tower. But now, finally updated and fully renovated, the island and lighthouse is once again about to be brought back into service.

Students have gathered on Fang Rock to celebrate the opening of the ‘most haunted lighthouse of the British Isles’, but they get more than they bargained for when the ghosts of long-dead men return, accompanied by a falling star.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart is brought in to investigate what he believes to be signs of alien involvement. But it is not only Lethbridge-Stewart who has an interest in Fang Rock. Anne Travers is called to her family solicitor’s, who have in their possession a letter from Archibald Goff, the paranormal investigator who once visited Fang Rock back in the 1820s, and along with it a piece of alien technology.

What connects a shooting star, ghosts of men killed in 1902 and the beast that roamed Fang Rock in 1823? Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers are about to discover the answer first hand...

With a foreword by Louise Jameson, who played Leela, the Doctor’s companion from 1976-1978.

Andy Frankham-Allen is the deputy editor at Candy Jar Books and has been a Doctor Who fan since his childhood. Andy is the former line editor of Untreed Reads Publishing’s series Space: 1889 & Beyond, and has penned several Doctor Who Short Trip stories for Big Finish and Candy Jar’s Lethbridge-Stewart: The Forgotten Son, as well as Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants. He said: “There’s been such a warm reception to the first book I must thank everybody for all their kind words. My next book is a dream come true. It’s an idea I’ve had rattling around in my head since 1998, so it’s great privilege to be able to make it a reality, and even more so due to Terrance Dicks’ involvement with it.”

Lethbridge-Stewart: Mutually Assured Domination (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Mutually Assured Domination
Written by Nick Walters
Cover by Adrian Salmon
Published on 20th November 2015

The late ‘60s. Global power balances are shifting and the peace movement, preoccupied with the Vietnam War after the Tet offensive, has perhaps taken its eye off the nuclear ball.

Certain ‘outside interests’ take advantage of this situation and soon the world is poised on the brink of nuclear armageddon.

It’s up to Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart and uneasy ally journalist Harold Chorley to fight the forces of darkness and save the day.

Featuring the return of the Dominators and their weapons of mass destruction, the Quarks! Also features a forward by novelist Paul Finch.

Nick Walters has written five novels for Doctor Who since 1998. Nick said: “After the Doctor himself the Brigadier is the best-loved character in Doctor Who. I met Nick Courtney a number of times and he really is a splendid fellow. He brought a real humanity and vulnerability to the role without compromising the essential toughness of the character. Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is the chap you'd want on your side in a fight – any fight – and it is a real privilege to be exploring what made him into the character we came to know and love.”

The story of Colonel Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart is fully licensed by the Executor of the Haisman Literary Estate, Mervyn Haisman’s granddaughter Hannah Haisman, and endorsed by Henry Lincoln.

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

People Roundup

Monday, 17 August 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

A roundup of recent news relating to Doctor Who cast and crew:

Matt Smith has begun filming for a new drama for Netflix, The Crown, due to be broadcast in 2016. The ten-part series, based on the play The Audience, will follow the relationship between Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and the prime ministers who have served during her monarchy, with Smith portraying her husband, Prince Philip. [Northampton Herald and Post, 11 Aug]
David Tennant will be portraying the character of 'baddy' Zebediah Killgrave in the television adaptation of the Marvel comic Jessica Jones. Jeff Loeb, Marvel's Head of Television, said: "In the same kind of way Vincent D’Onofrio owned his half of Daredevil, you’ll see David Tennant own his half of Jessica Jones… What you get out of Jessica is a sort of hold-your-breath tension as to what’s going to happen. When you see the dynamic between Krysten Ritter and David Tennant… that question of ‘What’s going to happen next?’ and ‘What could happen next?’ and how that’s driven by character is something that is so important to not just the scripts but also the way the show is shot, and the way that everyone reacts, and the way those two react with each other." [Science Fiction, 14 Aug]
Photo: Manchester Evening News
Christopher Eccleston led this year's tribute in Manchester to mark the anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, where 15 protesters were killed when troops charged a political meeting there in 1819. The actor read from a speech delivered by Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt from the day. [Manchester Evening News, 16 Aug]
Colin Baker will be on hand to officially unveil a display of copies of the Doctor Who scripts by the show's first writer Anthony Coburn at Spoon Web (The DVD Shop) in Whitstable, Kent on Sunday 23rd August. The event also coincides with a Kickstarter campaign aimed to provide funding for the ongoing maintenance, improvement and promotion of the police box replica for Herne Bay TARDIS for Children in Need. [Facebook]
Tom Baker may be about to take on a role in the Star Wars franchise. A guest at the recent Day of the Doctors convention, he is reported as saying: "I'm going to be in this new Star Wars thing, you know? I'm going down to record some voices for this new character they've created for me, very soon" [various, including Sci-Fi Fantasy Network, Inquistr, 15 Aug]
Frazer Hines has been appearing in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, which this week reaches the Leeds Grand Theatre. Talking about portraying his character, Rogers, he said: "I suppose it’s my experience of being in the show business for over forty years that many could assume that Rogers, being just a butler, could be played just as a butler. But I worked out that he was in the First World War, in the army, so he has this straight-backed walk and respects the general in the play and respects the copper. So I’ve brought those little nuances into the character."

He also mentioned that the most common question he gets asked is what was it like to work with second Doctor Patrick Troughton: "A lovely man. Some of the happiest years of my show business career were working with Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who. But they all ask me that and I wish I had a pound for every time I’m asked that question. He was a lovely, lovely man and we had great fun working together. If I had an idea he wouldn’t say, “I’m the Doctor, you just shut up and be the assistant.” He’d turn and say, “Frazer, what a marvellous idea. Let’s do it.” I’d worked with him before in 1964, before Doctor Who had started and I was the star of that show, Smuggler’s Bay, and he was playing the part of an old smuggler. But a year or so later he was the star of Doctor Who and I was just joining in as Jamie for four episodes so the role was reversed. It was great, we just gelled straight away." [(Entertainment Focus, 14 Aug]
Speaking of And Then There Were None, a new BBC One production of the play has been announced, whose cast will feature Burn Gorman as William Blore and Anna Maxwell Martin as Ethel Rogers. [BBC Media Centre, 10 Jul]
Jenna Coleman has revealed one of the tricks of the trade employed during filming scenes with her co-star Peter Capaldi: I have to stand on an apple box when we’re filming - it’s called ‘Jenna’s Box’ and it gets brought out when I need to fit into a particular shot." [Express, 15 Aug]
Sir John Hurt can be heard as the lead role in Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell, broadcast this weekend on BBC Radio 4; the play is described as "A dying Soho, seen through the eyes of the notorious columnist of The Spectator - plain-speaking drinker, gambler, wit and raconteur." It also features Nichola McAuliffe and Jeff Rawle. [BBC Radio 4, 15 Aug]

Speaking of his recent diagnosis of having pancreatic cancer, the actor observed: I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it. We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly. But my treatment is going terrifically well, so I’m optimistic." [Radio Times, 15 Aug]
Talking about his role in new film Pleasure Island, Samuel Anderson said: "I've played a lot of love interests - those kind of romantic roles, 'sweet boy' kind of thing - so it was brilliant to come in and just play an idiot. From when I read the script, I was hooked. Just the way Mike (Doxford, writer/director) had laid his characters out. You could feel it - each character was grounded and had a bit of weight to them. It was like, 'If I don't get the part, I can't wait to see the film'." [Digital Spy, 15 Aug]
On a possible return to Doctor Who, Anderson commented: "Maybe in an alternate universe? I wouldn't mind approaching him in a different way. Or maybe just come back as Orson Pink because then it changes the dynamic between him and the Doctor. If it's Orson Pink I think the relationship would be totally different because instead of a soldier – which is the kind of person the Doctor can't bear – you've got another scientist who could be quite interesting with their relationship. And then instead of it being a love interest with Clara and Danny, it would be a family affair with grandmother and grandson but at the same age." [Radio Times, 13 Aug]
Amidst speculation that he may be a future successor to Steven Moffat as the lead writer on Doctor Who, Toby Whithouse responded: "No-one at the BBC has ever had this conversation with me! No-one has asked me, no-one has approached me about if Steven leaves, when Steven leaves. These are conversations that happen purely among fans, not on any official level."

On writing for the show in general: "There’s a reason I go back to Doctor Who every year, and that’s because I absolutely love working on it! There is something so magical, so ludicrous about that show! ... The appeal never fades: I’m 45 now, and writing: ‘Interior: TARDIS’ at the top of a scene is still really, really exciting. You also get to tell these extraordinary stories that you couldn’t write for any other show." [The London Economic, 11th Aug]
Many media publications focussed on the casting of Bethany Black as being the first transgender actress to appear in the show. The comedian herself reflected on filming for the new series: "It is genuinely the greatest job I could ever have imagined getting. Everything about it is magical. I'm enjoying every day of filming and cherishing it, because you never know if you'll ever get to do anything like this again. I only hope that I do the role and the show justice, and that you all enjoy it. For me it's the gig of a lifetime." [Facebook]
A new series of Who Do You Think You Are? has started on BBC One, which this year will also include the exploration of the family history for Sir Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid and writer Mark Gatiss.
Arthur Darvill will be playing Rip Hunter in DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, with the character described as "a time-traveler tasked with assembling a group of villains and heroes together after he sees a future that could destroy everything. This unlikely squad must now stop these devastating future events from happening, but it won’t be easy." [Hollywire, 12 Aug]
Darvill can also be seen in the forthcoming fictional account of Lenny Henry's early life, Danny And The Human Zoo, which also features Richard Wilson and Mark Benton.
Colin Morgan will star in a new drama for BBC One, The Living And The Dead. [BBC Media Centre, 10th Aug]
A number of names previously associated with Doctor Who have been making appearances at Roath Lock Studios of late and getting their photos taken alongside the TARDIS's current 'owner' Peter Capaldi, including Waris Hussein, Georgia Moffett, David Tennant and Russell T Davies.

Earlier this week we were delighted that the legendary Waris Hussein - http://t.co/KxpbDk7SP7 - visited the TARDIS! pic.twitter.com/DqlCDwh4O1
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) August 14, 2015

FILTER: - Arthur Darvill - Colin Baker - David Tennant - Frazer Hines - Jenna Coleman - John Hurt

Tenth and Eleventh Doctor Comics - Sneak Preview

Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release of the penultimate Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor by Nick Abadzis and Rachael Stott with Leonardo Romero, and the finale of Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor penned by Al Ewing and Rob Williams and art by Simon Fraser.

DOCTOR WHO: TENTH DOCTOR #14

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!

DOCTOR WHO: TENTH DOCTOR #14 (Credit: Titan)

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #15

It's the end... But the moment has been prepared for! The first year of the Eleventh Doctor finishes on an astounding high!

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #15 (Credit: Titan)

FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor - Tenth Doctor

Doctor Who: Glamour Chronicles

Monday, 10 August 2015 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Books have announced three new novels in the Doctor Who: Glamour Chronicles series, featuring the 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi.

The novels Royal Blood by Una McCormack, Big Bang Generation by Gary Russell, and Deep Time by Trevor Baxendale, are all released on Septmeber 10th

DOCTOR WHO: ROYAL BLOOD

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY UNA McCORMACK, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

“The Grail is a story, a myth! It didn’t exist on your world! It can’t exist here!”

The city-state of Varuz is failing. Duke Aurelian is the last of his line, his capital is crumbling, and the armies of his enemy, Duke Conrad, are poised beyond the mountains to invade. Aurelian is preparing to gamble everything on one last battle. So when a holy man, the Doctor, comes to Varuz from beyond the mountains, Aurelian asks for his blessing in the war.

However, all is not what it seems in Varuz. The cityguards have lasers for swords, and the halls are lit by electric candlelight. Aurelian’s beloved wife, Guena, and his most trusted knight, Bernhardt, seem to be plotting to overthrow their Duke, and Clara finds herself drawn into their intrigue...

Will the Doctor stop Aurelian from going to war? Will Clara’s involvement in the plot against the Duke be discovered? Why is Conrad’s ambassador so nervous? And who are the ancient and weary knights who arrive in Varuz claiming to be on a quest for the Holy Grail?

Una McCormack is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written two Doctor Who novels featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory: The King's Dragon and The Way through the Woods, as well as several audio dramas for Big Finish. She lives in Cambridge with her partner, Matthew, and their daughter, Verity.

DOCTOR WHO: BIG BANG GENERATION

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY GARY RUSSELL, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

“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 Time, things get a whole lot more complicated...

Gary Russell has worked widely as an actor, magazine editor, reviewer, novelist, audio producer and script editor. His non-fiction work includes books on the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, The Simpsons and Frasier. He is a former editor of the official Doctor Who Magazine, the author of several Doctor Who novels and non-fiction books, and was producer for Big Finish Productions of the monthly New Doctor Who Adventures from 1998 to 2006. He is now a member of the script-editing team on Doctor Who and Torchwood.

DOCTOR WHO: DEEP TIME

AN ORIGINAL NOVEL BY TREVOR BAXENDALE, PART OF THE GLAMOUR CHRONICLES

‘I do hope you’re all ready to be terrified!’

The Phaeron disappeared from the universe over a million years ago. They travelled among the stars using roads made from time and space, but left only relics behind. But what actually happened to the Phaeron? Some believe they were they eradicated by a superior force. Others claim they destroyed themselves.

Or were they in fact the victims of an even more hideous fate?

In the far future, humans discover the location of the last Phaeron road – and the Doctor and Clara join the mission to see where the road leads. Each member of the research team knows exactly what they are looking for – but only the Doctor knows exactly what they’ll find. Because only the Doctor knows the true secret of the Phaeron: a monstrous secret so terrible and powerful that it must be buried in the deepest grave imaginable...

Trevor Baxendale has written both Doctor Who and Torchwood novels for BBC Books, including Eater of Wasps, The Undertaker's Gift and the award-winning Prisoner of the Daleks. His novel Fear of the Dark was reprinted in 2013 as part of Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary celebrations. He has also written scripts for Big Finish's Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Highlander audio plays, and most recently the full cast audio drama Blake’s 7: Scimitar. His Blake's 7 novel, Criminal Intent, was published in November 2014. He has also written various adaptations for schools in Pearson’s Bugclub range. Deep Time is his 10th novel.

FILTER: - Books - Twelfth Doctor

Doctor Who Comic Previews

Wednesday, 29 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

This Wednesday sees the release of three Doctor Who comics, featuring the Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth Doctors.

The Ninth Doctor, Jack and Rose are caught between a heavily-armed intergalactic standoff, while The Tenth and Twelfth Doctors are Earthbound, Stateside. The Tenth Doctor is challenged with protecting New York city from an ominous looming pyramid and the Twelfth Doctor and Clara take on a toxic mix of mobsters and invading aliens in 60's Vegas!

Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor #3

Writer: Cavan Scott - Artist: Blair Shedd

The hotly-anticipated Weapons of Past Destruction continues, as the Doctor, Rose and Jack are trapped in an alien bazaar, caught in a heavily-armed standoff between the overpowered Unon and the Lect – as the nearby star threatens to go supernova!

Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor #3 (Credit: Titan)

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #13

Writer: Nick Abadzis - Artist: Elena Casagrande

Eisner award-winning writer Nick Abadzis (Laika) and fan-favorite Elena Casagrande (Suicide Risk) race the Tenth Doctor and Gabby towards the conclusion of Year One!

A terrifying pyramid has appeared in the skies above New York City, and it’s here to claim an ancient secret – buried in the body of a very-much alive movie star!

As the Doctor attempts to unravel the conflict, Gabby and Cindy’s friendship is stretched to breaking point. Has Gabby changed too much in her short time away – or has she changed just enough to save the day?!

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #13 (Credit: Titan)

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #10

Writer: Robbie Morrison - Artist: Brian Williamson

Thrillingly explosive action on the '60s Las Vegas strip as the Doctor and Clara battle the mob AND an alien invasion force!

• The Doctor gambles with humanity – with the highest stakes and the longest odds!

• Has his morality been compromised – or has Clara's?!

• Sharp fashions, sharp minds – sharper weapons!

Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #10 (Credit: Titan)

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

Germany News Roundup

Monday, 20 July 2015 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann

Peter Capaldi in Berlin (Credit: FOX International Channels Germany)

The last week has seen the cast of Doctor Who visiting Berlin, in a country where the show has grown in popularity for the last few years. Here is a news update on current and upcoming developments in Germany:

FOX announced that Series 9 will premiere in December, almost three months after the UK. This is a departure from the near simulcast broadcasts from recent years. Last year, problems with the BBC's delivery of the material needed to dub Series 8 in time, resulted in near simulcast airings of the episodes in English with German subtitles.

Books publisher Cross Cult announced the release of a monthly e-books series called Zeitreisen (Time Trips). Book 1 Die Todesgrube ("The Death Pit") by A.L. Kennedy will be released on 26th October 2015. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon Germany.
More upcoming printed titles include the eighth Doctor novels Silhouette by Justin Richard on 24th August 2015 and Der Kriechende Terror ("The Crawling Terror") by Mike Tucker on 8th February 2016. November will see the release of the novelisation of City of Death, written by James Goss, with the German title Die Stadt des Todes.

German online audio books platform Audible has announced the release of Gareth Robert's Shada novelisation. It will be unabridged and read by Michael Schwarzmaier, who dubbed Tom Baker in the German versions of The Five Doctors and in Day of the Doctor. The audio book can be pre-ordered on Amazon Germany.

The first German convention for fans of Doctor Who, the TimeLash Event, has now sold out. Guests include Paul McGann, Nicholas Briggs, Catrin Stewart, Nicola Bryant, Terry Molloy, Toby Hadoke, Nev Fountain, Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel and many more. It takes place in Kassel on the 24th to 25th October 2015.

DVD distributer Pandastorm Pictures has released a trailer for the upcoming German DVD boxed set of Die Fünf Doktoren (20th anniversary special The Five Doctors). The 3-disc-set will contain the 90 minute TV-version, the three-parter that was shown in Germany in 1995 and the 100 minute special edition. The set will be released on 28th August 2015. The trailer can be viewed below.

The Five Doctors trailer on YouTube

FILTER: - Audio - Books - Cross Cult - Fifth Doctor - FOX - Germany - International Broadcasting

Titan Comics Announce Eighth Doctor Mini-Series

Monday, 13 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Titan Comics have announced that they will publish a brand-new miniseries featuring The Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann.

The series will hit comic stores October 28 and will be penned by writer George Mann (New York Times-bestselling Doctor Who novel Engines of War!) with art by Emma Vieceli (Breaks, Alex Rider: Scorpia, Dead Boy Detectives, Vampire Academy, Manga Shakespeare).

Issue #1 comes with four covers to collect: a special art cover by Alice X. Zhang; a photo cover; art cover by Warren Pleece and a blank sketch variant.

"I'M THE DOCTOR, AND I'D VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN MY HOUSE..."

Get ready for an all-new season of comics adventures featuring the Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann in the Doctor Who movie, fan-favorite minisode Night of the Doctor... and over fourteen years (and counting!) of astounding Big Finish audio spectaculars!

Five amazing, interconnected new stories take the Doctor on a rollercoaster of threat and misadventure, as he investigates the mysteries surrounding his new companion Josie. Victorian magic shows, murderous trees, lost books, crystalline life-forms, barges in space crammed with the undead... and the grand journey all begins in a sleepy Welsh town... besieged by living paintings!

Buckle up for a wild ride that embraces all the Gothic Romance and interstellar terror of the Doctor's eighth incarnation!

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan)

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan/Alice X Zhang)

Eighth Doctor Mini-Series #1 (Credit: Titan/Warren Pleece)

FILTER: - Comics - Eighth Doctor

Doctor Who in LEGO Dimensions

Thursday, 9 July 2015 - Reported by Marcus

More details on the incorporation of the Doctor Who Universe into the new world of Lego Dimensions, along with a preview video, have been revealed at the San Diego Comic Con currently being held in California.

Doctor Who Joins LEGO Dimensions

As revealed earlier this week Peter Capaldi will be voicing the Twelfth Doctor in the game, due to be released on 27th September. He will be joined in the game by Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez playing Clara and Missy respectively. The game pits characters from Doctor Who up against characters from other franchises including Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, Scooby-Doo and The Simpsons.

The basic LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack will include a Doctor Who level featuring Daleks and Cybermen alongside other monsters from the series. The Doctor Who Level pack add-on will include a LEGO minifigure of the 12th Doctor, LEGO models of the TARDIS and K-9 (both playable), and an additional mission-based Doctor Who level. The Doctor will regenerate through all his incarnations if he is defeated, with the TARDIS interior changing to match. A jukebox in the TARDIS offers your choice of Doctor Who theme music, and the TARDIS and K-9 models can each be physically built and then rebuilt twice “to do entirely different things”.

Peter Capaldi has given an interview to GameSpot where he talks about his excitement at seeing the game series brought to life.

The demands and the ambition that the game makers have imposed upon themselves are very high; they've given themselves the task of creating something that's very entertaining, very exciting, and dramatic.

LEGO Dimensions will be available for Xbox One, the all-in one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation4 and PlayStation3 computer entertainment systems and the Wii U system from Nintendo.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Games - Twelfth Doctor

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.

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