Evolution of the Toy Dalek

Friday, 18 August 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Evolution of the Toy Dalek (Credit: Alex Storer) A free eBook is available exploring the evolution of Dalek toys throughout the 60 years since the creatures were first created. 
EVOLUTION OF THE TOY DALEK
 
Marx, Palitoy, Dapol, Product Enterprise and Character Options are just some of the names instantly synonymous with Dalek toys and models. From those vintage 1960s toys to the stunningly lifelike replicas we enjoy today, the Dalek toy has evolved over the decades.
 
Evolution of the Toy Dalek offers a retrospective critique of the various scale models and toys from each decade, examining the gradual improvements in their design and production alongside nostalgic reflections on Dalek merchandise collecting.
 
The book is by Alex Storer who previously produced books on the Blackpool Doctor Who exhibitions and the 1983 Longleat Celebration.
 




FILTER: - Fan Production

Vworp Vworp! Issue 5

Thursday, 29 December 2022 - Reported by Marcus
Vworp Vworp 5 - Cover A

The acclaimed Doctor Who comics and artwork fanzine Vworp Vworp! returns with its fifth issue in January 2023. 

The 148-page issue kicks off with an in-depth series of articles and script reviews focusing on the many Doctor Who animation projects that have, for a variety of reasons, been abandoned over the years.

The Canadian company Nelvana might be the best known, but as researcher Richard Bignell has uncovered for Vworp Vworp!, through a wealth of interviews, documentation, scripts and design drawings, there’s so much more to learn, including the real reason it was aborted. But what of Ruby-Spears, the company behind Scooby-Doo? Interest from a Japanese anime studio? Terry Nation’s Daleks? The BBC itself, in 2001? And who can forget Karen McCoy and her Doctor Who: The Animated Series?

Elsewhere in the issue:

  • Interviews with artist JOHN RIDGWAY and writer/artist STEVE PARKHOUSE, as we go behind the scenes of their magnum opus, the Voyager saga.
  • PHIL BEVAN remembered, with personal recollections of his brother Kit and those he worked with, offering a unique insight into this much-loved artist, who illuminated the vibrant fanzine scene in the 80s and 90s.
  • Packaging beauty! Graphic and packaging designer ANDREW PREWETT, who designed the beloved Doctor Who Sound Effects LP, reveals unused designs for a number of Doctor Who DVD boxsets.
  • ABSOLUTE DAAK: A REVENGER’S TRAGEDY – The Dalek Killer deconstructed by Alan Stevens ahead of his return in our comic strip, Paper Tiger.
  • New features on TERRY NATION and DAVID WHITAKER’s work on the TV Century 21 DALEKS strip and the stage play THE CURSE OF THE DALEKS.

    Also, issue 5 includes several brand new comic strips and fiction:
  • The truly epic 22-page THE IRON EMPIRE, written by Lance Parkin and drawn by Steve Andrew. What happened to the Empire during the reign of Emperor Vesuvius? Find out in this much anticipated sequel to the Mills/Wagner great that launched Doctor Who Weekly.
  • Ever pondered the fate of the Thals in the TV Century 21 Dalek strips? Find out in YEAR ZERO, a new instalment in the adventures of outer space robot people, imagined by Alan Stevens, Matthew Kilburn and artist Andy Walker.
  • Abslom Daak gets a bittersweet coda in PAPER TIGER, written by Alan Stevens with crisp black and white art by the legendary John Ridgway.
  • We’re also treated to three thrilling pages of DALEK KILLERS! – an intriguing reboot (of sorts) pitched to Titan by Richard Starkings and Lee Sullivan.
  • Thrill to Sam Gingell's debut strip NEWTON'S SLEEP, a thought-provoking examination of the Cybermen as a reaction to societal decay and decadence. Sam crashed onto the scene in 2022 and we're sure this won't be the last we see of him.
  • Sixties script editor Donald Tosh’s final piece of fiction, JOURNEY TO NOWHEN, a whimsical tale of competing realities and the power of nostalgia.
  • Finally, we take a visit back to the scene of one of the Doctor’s lesser-discussed small-screen adventures in Graham Kibble-White’s ENCOUNTER AT CRINKLEY BOTTOM!

Vworp Vworp 5Plus, an exciting FREE GIFT this issue:

DOCTOR WHO: ROWEN – a full-cast audio adaptation of the 1992 initial script for the cancelled Nelvana series. Presented on CD, directed and adapted by Sean Mason and introducing ARTHUR BOSTROM as the Nelvana Doctor, this brand new drama is intended to give an authentic taste of what this new era might have been like.

Order Vworp Vworp! issue 5, price £10.99, from vworpvworp.co.uk now. Pre-orders open on New Year’s Day with shipping scheduled for early February 2023.





FILTER: - Fan Production

Whotopia: Issue 41

Monday, 5 December 2022 - Reported by Marcus
Whotopia (Credit: Jon Huff / Robert Carpenter)

The latest issue of the fan magazine Whotopia is now available

 

Whotopia Issue 41 Includes:

 

  • UNRAVELLING A CLASSIC: THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION
    Ian McLachlan examines the Hartnell-era story, "The Edge of Destruction"
  • POWER OF THE DOCTOR REVIEWED
  • Daniel Tessier reviews Jodie Whittaker’s swan song finale
  • KEEPING THE EIGHTH: A HISTORY OF THE EIGHTH DOCTOR NOVELS 
  • Reecy Pontiff delves into the history of the BBC Eighth Doctor novels
  • OH BRILLIANT! OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE THIRTEENTH DOCTOR ERA
  • Tony J Fyler discovers there is much more to the Thirteenth Doctor's era
  • THE WHITTAKER YEARS: JUST THE GOOD BITS
  • The best bits of the Thirteenth Doctor's era as picked by Greg Maughan
  • ON CHARACTER: KATE LETHBRIDGE-STEWART
  • Aidan C Matear gets to know the character of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart
  • TEMPORAL LOGBOOK 3 EDITOR JAMES SILVESTER INTERVIEWED
  • Bob Furnell sits down with "Temporal Logbook 3's" editor James Silvester to talk about the recently released short-story collection
  • COLUMN: THE VAULT
  • Jez Strickley continues his look into the metaphysical worlds of Time Lords and TARDISes in search of all things curious, puzzling and perplexing.
  • WHAT THE FANS THINK: TORCHWOOD: GREEKS BEARING GIFTS
  • Aidan C Matear reviews this episode from Torchwood's first season
  • WHO YOU BUILD #9
  • Dave Etches returns for another installment of prop construction
  • WHO WERE THE FAMILY OF BLOOD?
  • Aidan C Matear examines who exactly were the Family of Blood
  • WHAT THE FANS THINK: THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES: THE MAD WOMAN IN THE ATTIC
  • Stacey Smith reviews this unique story from 'The Sarah Jane Adventures
  • THE CYBERMEN: DESTINY PART 5
  • Another new installment of our ongoing strip by John Swogger

 

WHOTOPIA ISSUE 41 | 56 PAGES

Available free in downloadable PDF format

 

TO DOWNLOAD A COPY VISIT whotopia.ca





FILTER: - Fan Production

The Doctor Who Project

Saturday, 5 November 2022 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor Who Project

The Doctor Who Project (TDWP) is looking for original Doctor Who short stories for one of their two-story ranges – The Eleventh Doctor Adventures & Brief Encounters.

The Eleventh Doctor Adventures centres on the continuing adventures of the Eleventh Doctor and his current travelling companion Maggie Weitz, while Brief Encounters feature Doctors 1-7.

TDWP is a group of fan writers, artists, and editors who work together to bring an original collection of Doctor Who fiction for the reading enjoyment of fellow fans.

Stories are based on the original 1963-89 television series.

Stories are published in free downloadable PDF documents in a novel-like layout along with specially designed covers. The fiction is published and written by fans for fans.

If you’d like to submit a story idea or get a copy of the submission guidelines. Email TDWP at: thedoctorwhoproject@shaw.ca.





FILTER: - Fanzine

Data Extract reaches 250

Friday, 25 March 2022 - Reported by Marcus
Data Extract 251 (Credit: Doctor Who Club of Australia)Data Extract 250 (Credit: Doctor Who Club of Australia)

Data Extract, the magazine publication of the Doctor Who Club of Australia has reached its 250th issue.

The double issue 250/251 includes an exclusive interview with Katy Manning on her long connection to Australia while Pete McTighe goes behind the scenes on the short films made for the Blu-ray collection releases.

The magazine has a tribute to Louise Pajo (Gia Kelly from The Seeds of Death), written by her in her final days

Inside a look at the real world Future Library with artist Katie Paterson, and Data Extract founder Dallas Jones looking at DE history and his own fandom origins,. Aldo Craig Land’s comic as past companions team up to take on the Master,

UK correspondent Bel Bailey-Melouney goes behind the scenes of Time Fracture and tours the filming locations of Flux, while Dom Kelly looks back over series 11 and 12 to bring an exploration of the Thirteenth Doctor.

Tim Darby counts down tales of Gallifrey and Roger Reynolds introduces us to the Doctor's neighbour at 78 Totters Lane.

Data Extract is a subscription publication through the Doctor Who Club of Australia 





FILTER: - Fanzine - DWCA

DWCA news: Zerinza Volume Five / Data Extract

Tuesday, 1 March 2022 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Zerinza Volume Five (Credit: Doctor Who Club of Australia)

The Doctor Who Club of Australia have released the fifth volume of their Zerinza yearbook series:

 

This volume has articles, interviews, art and stories covering every Doctor in order from one to thirteen, with the War Doctor and Jo Martin’s pre-Doctor as well! The collection includes work by writers Dom Kelly, Tim Darby, Ashley J Tuchin, John J Lodge, Jamie Boyd, Seth Hynes, Richard Lipp, Tony Cooke, Darran Jordan and more. It also features interviews with Ian Cullen (Ixta from The Aztecs), Viktors Ritelis (production assistant on The Crusade and The Daleks’ Master Plan), Alexandra Tynan (designer of the Cybermen), Louise Pajo (Gia Kelly from The Seeds of Death), Frazer Hines, Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, writer Gary Russell, showrunner Steven Moffat, Neill Gorton (monsters and special effects creator), Mark Sheppard (Canton Delaware the third from The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon) and Mandip (Yaz) Gill.

With a beautiful cover by David Blewer and covering the full range of Doctor Who history, this volume is sure to have something for every fan!
 
 
The volume is available to purchase through the DWCA Lulu store in both hardback and paperback format.

 

A double issue of DWCA newsleterr Data Extract (250-251) ships to all members this month:

The issue features an exclusive interview with Katy Manning on her long connection to Australia, Pete McTighe takes us behind the scenes on the short films made for the Blu-ray collection releases, it has a tribute to Louise Pajo (Gia Kelly from The Seeds of Death), written by her in her final days, a look at the real world Future Library, DE founder Dallas Jones looking at DE history and his own fandom origins, Craig Land’s epic comic as past companions team up to take on the Master, the Jason Towers comic telling the true story of Colin Baker climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, UK correspondent Bel Bailey-Melouney takes us behind the scenes on Time Fracture and tours the filming locations of Flux, Dom Kelly looks back over series 11 and 12 to bring us a timely exploration of the Thirteenth Doctor, Tim Darby counts down tales of Gallifrey, Roger Reynolds introduces us to the Doctor's neighbor at 78 Totters Lane and Lethbridge-Stewart joins the Time War.

Further releases throughout 2022 will include DE 252 (June), DE 253 (September), DE 254 (December), Zerinza Volume 6 (December) as well as the novel Trash Island by Dom Kelly (the first release in our new ongoing Eleanor series).

 





FILTER: - Fan Productions - Australia

TARDIS Vol 17 - Issue 3

Monday, 25 October 2021 - Reported by Marcus
TARDIS Vol 17 Issue 3 (Credit: DWAS)
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society has published the latest edition of its features-based magazine 'TARDIS'.
 
The title was re-launched in 2020 and so far has helped to raise funds for 'Mermaids' (supporting transgender children and their families) and 'MIND' (which helps adults with mental health issues).  
 
Issue 3 supports DAVSS, a domestic abuse charity of which Louise Jameson is patron. The magazine has 64 colour A4 pages and contents include:
 
  • Louise Jameson writes about her time playing companion Leela
  • We hear from K9’s co-creator Bob Baker, and voice actor John Leeson in exclusive interviews
  • In Missing in Action we take an in-depth look at The Myth Makers, with many details previously unexplored. This bumper 15,000-word feature includes an analysis of the camera scripts and audience research reports, viewers’ memories, Keys of Marinus director John Gorrie’s recollections of actor James ‘Troilus’ Lynn, close-up photos of the original Trojan Horse model, and a look at some of the serial’s supporting artistes
  • In an extensive feature we examine the history of Doctor Who in Germany, from its original out-of-order broadcasts in the Eighties to its lavish special edition Blu-rays
  • We go behind the scenes of The Stones of Blood in a fascinating set report by Kevin Jon Davies, previously printed in Tardis in 1979. Includes a new introduction and Kevin’s original photos
  • Actor Edmund Pegge recalls his trip to Titan Base in The Invisible Enemy, and shares details of his autobiography
  • Doctor Who historian Andrew Pixley reveals his favourite way of watching the series in How to Watch Doctor Who
  • We uncover the whereabouts of the TV Movie TARDIS Console and speak to its owner and restorer
  • Curiosities from the Space Museum examines merchandise and tie-ins released alongside the TV Movie
  • The New Adventurers tackle the second New Adventure Timewrym: Exodus and Terrance Dicks discusses the writing of the novel in an in-depth archive interview
  • Blake’s Who?! A look at Doctor Who’s ‘sister’ show Blake’s 7
  • The novelisations of Castrovalva and The Invisible Enemy go under the microscope in Target Audience
  • We hear what The Daemons means to one fan, and what life was like living in Aldbourne
  • The creators of Cutaway Comics discuss the return of Omega and the Kangs
  • Writer Don Houghton talks Inferno and The Mind of Evil in an archive Tardis interview
  • Paul Magrs goes back to 1996 and a cold queue outside HMV, in his column
  • An Unconventional Pilgrimage encounters Monoids, War Machines and Daleks in a look back at Season 3
  • Colin Howard discusses his cover for The Armageddon Factor VHS
  • Nigel Robinson returns for another round of fiendish quiz questions
 
The magazine costs £9-99 including UK delivery (Europe £12-99 and Worldwide £14-99) and can be bought from the DWAS Shop at dwasonline.co.uk - it is also available at the DWAS eBay store at ebay.co.uk/usr/dwas_auction




FILTER: - Fanzine

Vworp Vworp! - Issue 4

Sunday, 22 August 2021 - Reported by Marcus
Vworp Vworp - Cover AVworp Vworp - Cover BVworp Vworp - Cover C

The long-awaited fourth issue of acclaimed Doctor Who comics and artwork fanzine Vworp Vworp! will be released in September.

This 172-page issue focuses on the Doctor’s strange adventures in TV Comic, Countdown and TV Action.

Trods, Daleks, Ugrakks, Quarks, The Pied Piper, Cybermen, Kleptons... For 15 years, Doctor Who fought them all with the help of his plucky grandchildren John and Gillian, and more familiar faces like Jamie, Liz, Sarah Jane, Leela and, of course, Santa Claus! We celebrate the weird and often wonderful TV Comic, Countdown and TV Action strips, and the equally colourful characters behind them.

This issue, lavishly illustrated with original artwork and never-before-seen photos, includes:

  • Interviews with artists Bill Mevin, Harry Lindfield and Martin Asbury

  • Celebrate of the lives of the late artist's John Canning, Neville Main, Gerry Haylock and Frank Langford, written with the full cooperation of their families

  • Scripters Roger Noel Cook and David Motton write about their Doctor Who work

  • Profiles of the strip’s other writers, artists and editors, including Tom Woodman, Alan Fennell, Dennis Hooper, Patrick Williams and Dick Millington

  • Brand new comic strips: the First Doctor, John and Gillian must avert The Trod Invasion of Earth  (written by Steve Lyons and drawn by Shawn Van Briesen), the Second Doctor faces the Return of the Piper (by Tim Quinn and Paul Cowan) and there’s trouble for the Third Doctor, in the epic Revenge of the Ugrakks (by George Mann and Paul Cooke)

  • The creation of Doctor Who Magazine’s homage to TV Comic, The Land of Happy Endings

  • Memories of growing up with the comics, and designing a competition-winning monster

Also in this issue:

  • Two of its three artists discuss the making of the much-loved book Doctor Who and the Daleks Omnibus, released through Marks & Spencer in 1976

  • Collecting original Doctor Who artwork

  • The life of prolific illustrator John Woods, who worked on many Dalek and Doctor Who books in the 1960s

  • ... and much more!

Plus, these exciting FREE GIFTS:

  • ‘Sugar Pats’, an authentic 1960s Doctor Who/TV Comic-themed cereal packet

  • A set of thrilling TV Comic stickers for your favourite cardigan

 

Vworp Vworp - p44-45Vworp Vworp - p32-33Vworp Vworp - p58-59

 

Order Vworp Vworp! issue 4, price £9.99, from vworpvworp.co.uk now.

 




FILTER: - Fanzine

New Who Talk

Friday, 19 February 2021 - Reported by Marcus
Sontar-Ha (Credit: Fantom Publishing)Warriors of the Deep (Credit: Fantom Publishing)
Who Talk is back with the series from Fantom Publishing providing new commentaries for Doctor Who stories. 
 
The first covers the often derided 1984 serial Warriors of the Deep, the season opener of Peter Davison’s last year as the Time Lord.
 
Producer Paul W T Ballard explains 
Warriors might not be the most obvious of choices, given its standing in fandom. However, what we have produced is actually a really affectionate and positive commentary, which not only goes some way into explaining what ended up on screen, but also celebrating it too. Even the Myrka!

Warriors of the Deep is moderated by Toby Hadoke, and features Mark Strickson, Vincent Brimble, Tara Ward, Michael Darbon and Eric Saward.
 
The second release of the month is a selection box collection featuring Sontaran episodes. Sontar-Ha! is available as a standard version or special edition with a bonus disc.
 
We’ve got a good variety of Sontaran episodes on this release, both classic series and new. A Good Man Goes To War was actually the first new series episode we tackled, although Empress Of Mars ended up being released first. Although it’s alarming quite how long ago even a ‘recent’ episode can be!

We quite often double bank recordings based on availability, which means we have a track on here that we recorded some time back. Whilst covering The Space Museum, we also took the opportunity to show Jeremy Bulloch an episode of The Time Warrior, and that is a fitting tribute on this disc to a lovely and much-missed man.”

For the special edition, there is also a very unique commentary for The Sontaran Experiment.
Anyone can get people actually in the episode to watch it, but what we’ve done is to sit Dan Starkey with Toby Hadoke for both episodes of The Sontaran Experiment. And it works really well; there’s a lot to be discovered about their fan experiences, and even more about Dan’s approach to the Sontarans on-screen and audio.
 
Sontar-Ha! is moderated by Toby Hadoke and features Dan Starkey, Frances Barber, Jeremy Bulloch, Chris Tranchell and Marcia Wheeler.
 
The limited-edition sets are available to purchase exclusively online priced at £39.99. Limited edition sets come with a bonus CD and covered signed by Tara Ward and Dan Starkey.
 
Individual CDs are also available at a discounted price of £10.99 each ahead of their trade release in a few months time.
 
Credit: Fantom PublishingCredit: Fantom Publishing




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Fantom Films

The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1989

Wednesday, 25 November 2020 - Reported by Marcus
The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1989

The unofficial Dr Who annual 1989 has been released by Terraqueous Distributors

The annual is 209 pages, featuring stories and illustrations produced by fans, as well as contributions from well-known names such as Alister Pearson, Smuzz, Dominic Glynn, Jessica Martin, Mike Tucker, Andrew Skilleter, Andy Walker, Daryl Joyce, Stephen Wyatt writer of 'The Greatest Show in the Galaxy' and a foreword by Doctor Who's script editor of the time - Andrew Cartmel.

There is also a very special Beano style comic strip written by the Beano's editor John Anderson and illustrated by Beano artist Shannon Gallant. as well as an exclusive short story telling the tale of how Mags and the intergalactic explorer Captain Cook met.

A free to enter competition gives a chance to win an original piece of artwork from the 1989 annual, kindly donated by artist Richard Young. To enter the competition and for further details, please visit the Terraqueous Distributors FaceBook page

The release follows last years 'The unofficial Dr Who annual 1972, and 'The unofficial DrWho annual 1987' as well as 'The unofficial Master annual 2074. Which all featured stories and illustrations produced by fans, as well as celebrity contributions from the worlds of Doctor Who.

Discussing why the team moved onto the Seventh Doctor they said

like all fans who collected the original run of annuals, we were always disappointed that the seventh doctor never got his own annual. So we had to do something about that, and the response was huge.

 

The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1989 (Credit: Terraqueous Distributors)

The annual is a not-for-profit publication, and none of the money paid by purchasers goes to the publisher or to any of the contributors.

The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1989 is published by Terraqueous Distributors and available from Lulu at the print-on-demand price of £32.08 plus shipping costs).

 

 

 

 

 


Also Available- The unofficial Dr Who OMNIBUS from Terraqueous Distributors

The Unofficial Dr Who Omnibus which collects the previous 1972, 1987, and the Master annuals together in one gigantic 461 paged volume.

The Unofficial Dr Who OMNIBUS is available from Lulu at the print-on-demand price of £16.22 plus shipping costs). 

Further details can be found on the Terraqueous Distributors FaceBook page.





FILTER: - Fan Productions