Doctor Who Magazine Celebrates Tom BakerBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine 501Doctor Who Magazine 501Following the spectacular 500th issue, Doctor Who Magazine is continuing its celebrations with an issue dedicated entirely to Tom Baker and the Fourth Doctor’s era of Doctor Who.

Tom Baker: The Ultimate Interview sees Baker talks about life, death and, of course, Doctor Who…
Life is too short to be dull. Be interesting. Because not very much else matters does it? In large areas of our lives, hardly anything matters at all. I mean, nothing can beat being with loving friends, and a few wines, and a few beers, and a few lies, and a few yarns. And to still be adored after 40-odd years… yeah that’s the life.

Maybe I’m the longest-serving actor, in the whole history of actors, who’s actually still, 40-odd years later, adored for the same part and enjoying it in the same way. When I get sent messages from middle-aged men… or from the wives of middle-aged men, who say, ‘Tell Mr Baker he cannot imagine how important he was to my beloved husband when he was a boy’… it moves me deeply to think about it.

I was just going to work. I didn’t know, to begin with, how far-reaching this role would be. I was aware of the excitement, and the generosity, and the affection of the fans, but how could I ever have dreamed of all this?
The interviews are split into seven parts, The Unbreakable Tom Baker, The Insatiable Tom Baker, The Impeccable Tom Baker (with June Hudson), The Irrepressible Tom Baker, The Unstoppable Tom Baker (with Louise Jameson, John Leeson and Geoffrey Beevers), The Unforgettable Tom Baker and The Irreplaceable Tom Baker.

Also featured in the magazine is Part One of brand-new comic strip The Pestilent Heart, an extended Gallifrey Guardian reporting on the latest news from the set of the new series, and DWM’s issue 500 celebrations, competitions and the much-anticipated Cave of 500 Eyes answers.

The souvenir edition, available from 30 June and priced £5.99, comes in a polybag containing four art cards, two classic mini-posters, and a multi-Doctor poster.

Doctor Who Magazine 501 is on sale from Thursday 30 June 2016, price £5.99.




FILTER: - DWM - Tom Baker

Doctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Wednesday 6th July sees the release of Titan’s hotly anticipated special Doctor Who crossover event comic starring the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors.

Written by Cavan Scott (Ninth Doctor, Vikings) and George Mann (Eighth Doctor, Dark Souls), with art by Alessandro Vitti (Avengers Arena), Ivan Rodriguez (Doktor Sleepless), Walter Giovanni (Red Sonja) and Nicola Righi (Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor), Doctor Who: Supremacy of the Cybermen is a spectacular five-part, bi-weekly adventure featuring one of the Doctor’s most iconic foes – the Cybermen - who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.

As well as starring the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors, the series also features their comic companions – Gabby, Cindy, Alice, Rose (Billy Piper) and Captain Jack (John Barrowman)!

Issue #1 is available in stores and on digital platforms on Wednesday, July 6th 2016, supported by Titan’s third annual Doctor Who Comics Day event.

This year’s global Doctor Who Comics Day event on Saturday, July 9th, is set to be even bigger than previous years with new comics and collections, merchandise, variant covers, signings, and events across the globe at comic shops, bookstores, libraries, and on digital platforms.

For more information visit: DoctorWhoComicsDay.com

Doctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the Cybermen

Doctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the CybermenDoctor Who: Supremacy of the Cybermen
For the Cybermen’s 50th-anniversary… YOU WILL BE DELETED!

Exiled from Gallifrey at the very end of Time, Rassilon, fallen leader of the Time Lords, has been captured by the last of the Cybermen. Now the Cybermen have access to time travel. With it, every defeat is now a victory. Every foe is now dead — or Cyberized. Titan Comics’ 2016 Doctor Who event — and the biggest Doctor Who story of the year — begins here!
The debut issue comes with five variant covers to collect: an art cover by series artist Alessandro Vitti, a photo cover by Will Brooks, a cool Cybermen variant by Fabio Listrani, a blank sketch variant, and a fun coloring variant.




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

New Ninth and the Twelfth Doctor ComicsBookmark and Share

Monday, 27 June 2016 - Reported by Marcus
This week sees Titan release two new comics featuring The Ninth and the Twelfth Doctors
THE NINTH DOCTOR #3

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Adriana Melo
Colorist: Mateus Lopes
Letterer: Comicraft
Covers A -Rod Reis, Cover B: Photo – Will Brooks, Cover C: Claudia Ianniciello, Cover D: Blair Shedd
 
Yes, the Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack are once again entangled with the Slitheen – or, to be more precise, they've fallen into the middle of a Raxacoricofallapatorian civil war! You've never seen these skinsuit-wearing shapeshifters in their natural hunting grounds... or witnessed them this terrifying! Trust no one!

DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 - Cover A (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 - Cover B (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 - Cover C (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 - Cover D (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR #3 (Credit: Titan)
THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7

Writer: George Mann
Artist: Mariano Laclaustra
Colorist: Ivan Nunes
Letterer: Comicraft
Cover A: Alex Ronald, Cover B: Photo – Will Brooks, Cover C: Simon Myers, Cover D: Zak Simmonds-Hurn
 
The Twelfth Doctor continues his solo tour... or has he already welcomed a new comics companion aboard the TARDIS? We're not telling! Either way, it spells astounding interstellar adventure – with no limits!

THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 - Cover A (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 - Cover B (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 - Cover C (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 - Cover D (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 (Credit: Titan) THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.7 (Credit: Titan)
On Sale Wednesday 29th June 2016




FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Twelfth Doctor

Doctor Who earns LIMA award for Hot TopicBookmark and Share

Sunday, 26 June 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Hot Topic: TARDIS Dress (Credit: Hot Topic)The latest International Licensing Awards have been held by the International Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association, and American clothing/accessories store Hot Topic have won the Licensed Program: Retailer Award for their licensing programme for Doctor Who products, an award they previously won in 2014.

The company has produced a number of products within their license based on Doctor Who, including related coats and dresses, jogger bottoms, tee-shirts, and other apparel such as rings and necklaces. In late December they launched a new limited edition fashion collection of nine items which featured icons from the show, including the TARDIS, sonic screwdriver and Weeping Angels.






FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Clothing - Merchandise - USA

Pearl Mackie On SetBookmark and Share

Thursday, 23 June 2016 - Reported by Chris Harding
The first offical views of  Pearl Mackie on set has been released through the Official Doctor Who Twitter account.  The first is an image showing her with script in hand and ready to shoot Series 10, in which she plays Bill.
This was accompanied by a 30 second video in which Mackie gives a quick tour of the location shoot, including a view of assembled fans and crew preparing fake snow ahead of shooting. 




FILTER: - Pearl Mackie - Production - Series 10/36

Doctor Who Adventures #16Bookmark and Share

Thursday, 23 June 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Adventures #16 (Credit: Panini)
The latest issue of Doctor Who Adventures is out today and features The Doctor heading off to Paris for the summer summer.

In the magazine
  • GALLERY
  • Rik Hoskin, Russ Leach and John Burns bring you a cultured tale from Paris in 1909 when the Doctor visits an Art Gallery and finds himself trapped inside a painting!
  • ARTS & CULTURE
  • We take a look at some of the great artists and writers the Doctor has met on his travels!
  • TWISTED CONUNDRUMS
  • Help the Doctor solve a collection of brain-tingling puzzles!
  • HEAVY METAL
  • Can you help the Doctor avoid the clutches of his most feared enemies?
  • STRAX AND THE TIME SHARK!
  • Strax has a novel way of dealing with mice in the kitchen!
  • THE PATERNOSTER GANG INVESTIGATES
  • The Paternoster Gang investigate the Pneuman League in a Victorian tale from James Peaty.
Issue 16 comes with a free UNIT dress up kit!

On sale 23rd June, price £3.99




FILTER: - DWA

June Competition RoundupBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 21 June 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A roundup of competitions from Doctor Who News that readers may enter:

The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Trouble with Drax

The fourth Doctor continues his adventures alongside Romana and K-9:
Altrazar. The temporal Atlantis, a place lost to time. Believed by many to be a myth, it has long been the perfect location for the rich and powerful to hide away their most dangerous secrets. Until now. Because the somewhat crooked, not exactly honest, wheeler-dealer cockney Time Lord known as Drax has found a map that leads to its location. And, at the behest of a manipulative businessman, he's going to use it. When the TARDIS is dragged out of the space-time vortex, its crew aren't best pleased to see the Doctor's old school friend, even less when he pressgangs them into joining a raid on the most secure safe-house in history. However with Romana and K9 held hostage, the Doctor has little choice but to agree. With Drax in tow, he heads for the planet. Which is where the trouble starts.
The Trouble With Drax (Credit: Big Finish)To be in with a chance to win a digital download of the audio adventure courtesy of Big Finish, simply answer the following question:
What is Drax's nickname for the Doctor?
Please send your answer along with your name and the email address you have registered with Big Finish, plus where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-bf4d@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "No, Drax, no!". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 3rd July 2016. Note: entrants must have an active registration with Big Finish in order to be eligible to receive the prize - new registrations can be easily created on the website for free and with no financial obligation.

BBC Audio: Doctor Who and The Claws of Axos

The latest classic novelisation adaptation from BBC Audio sees the third Doctor encounter vampires from space ...
When an Unidentified Flying Object arrives in England, the Doctor, Jo and UNIT are quickly on the scene. Inside the strange craft they meet the Axons, beautiful golden creatures who offer a fantastic gift to humanity. Governments around the world are soon clamouring to get their hands on it. Only the Doctor remains suspicious. What is the real reason for the Axons' sudden arrival on Earth
Doctor Who and The Claws Of Axos (Credit: BBC Audio)To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:? And is the evil Master a passenger on their spaceship? He very soon finds out ...
What was the name of the first victim to encounter Axos upon its arrival on Earth?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-axos@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Axos calling Earth". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 3rd July 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Audio: Scream Of The Shalka

BBC Audio's latest novel adaptation introduces us to the first official Ninth Doctor ...
When the Doctor lands his TARDIS in the Lancaster town of Lannet in the present day, he finds that something is terrifyingly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going onto the streets at night; they don't like too much noise; and they certainly don't like strangers asking too many questions. What alien force has invaded the town? Why is it watching barmaid Alison Cheney? And what plans does it have for the future of the planet Earth?
Scream of the Shalka (Credit: BBC Audio)To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:
Shalka features several actors who later went on to appear in the revived series, but which one went on to play the Doctor himself?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-shalka@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Johnny alien is going to get a good seeing to". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 3rd July 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Books: The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who (paperback)

BBC Books are re-issuing their book exploring science in Doctor Who on 7th July:
Doctor Who tells many amazing science fiction stories - but how much of the science is actually real, and how much is really fiction? The Scientific Secrets Of Doctor Who shows how its storytelling has always been intricately linked to science, and how close it has come in predicting future discoveries. With fifteen all-new Doctor Who stories as starting points, Simon Guerrier and Dr Marek Kulula investigate the latest and most boggling scientific ideas through the prism of the series. Everything from TARDIS physics to the possibility of life on other planets is explained, delving into the lore of the show, and the scientific laws it both adheres to and gleefully ignores.
The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who (paperback) (Credit: BBC Books)To be in with a chance to win the book courtesy of BBC Books, simply answer the following question:
Who was the unofficial scientific advisor to the series during the 1960s around the time of the first Doctor's regeneration?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-secrets@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Science, not sorcery, Miss Hawthorne!". The competition is open to UK readers only, closing date 3rd July 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.




FILTER: - Audio - BBC Audio - BBC Books - Big Finish - Competitions

Moments in Time - Farewell StevenBookmark and Share

Saturday, 18 June 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Steven says goodbye to the Doctor and Dodo (The Savages Episode 4) (Credit: BBC)Moments in TimeIt was on Saturday 18th June 1966, fifty years ago today, that we said goodbye to the Doctor's long-term companion, Steven Taylor.

Steven had been traveling with the Doctor since the departure of Ian and Barbara. He had traveled 3000 years into the past, and 100 million years into the future. He had battled The Monk and The Toymaker, met Doc Holiday and fought in the Trojan wars. He had become a steadfast companion to The Doctor, and together they had seen off The Dalek Masterplan. He had known tragedy, with the loss of two fellow companions. Now his skills were needed to rebuild a civilisation, and with much trepidation, he left the Doctor.


The actor Peter Purves had won the role of Steven following a small cameo role in The Chase, where he played the American tourist Morton Dill, encountering the Daleks at the top of the Empire State building.

The 26 year old actor's performance impressed the producers, and Verity Lambert invited him to join the regular cast just three weeks later. Purves had an instant bond with William Hartnell, who, with the departure of William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, found himself as the only remaining original member of the cast.
I got on with Hartnell extremely well. He was very generous to me, always gave me little acting tips. He’d been around a long time, had Bill, and he’d had some successes and some failures, He was just very friendly and nice with me, he confided in me, he told me the things he was happy with, the things he wasn’t happy with. I watched him being truly irascible with so many people, and think “Oh Bill, please no”. He didn’t suffer fools gladly, if he felt that people were not up to the level required, or not doing the job seriously or properly then he would get at them.
Hartnell was suffering from arteriosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, which caused memory loss, and was finding the pace of the show difficult to manage. The weight of leading the series increasingly fell onto Purves's shoulders, with the production team relying on the actor to keep the episodes on track.

Former script editor Donald Tosh explains.
I had a huge respect for Peter as an actor, he was absolutely solid as a rock.  Bill would suddenly cut, something, and you'd think nobody is going to understand the episode at all unless this line goes in. So one would slide down onto the floor and very quietly slip a note to Peter, on which was written 'for goodness sake mention so and so.' And he would.


"Well, who knows, my dear. In this strange complex of time and space, anything can happen.
Come along, little one. We must go. We mustn't look back."

The Doctor, The Savages Episode 4


By the spring of 1966 changes were afoot as a new producer had new ideas for the direction of the series. Innes Lloyd had taken control in March and felt the series was becoming old fashioned, needing new, modern companions routed in the sixties. Both Purves and his colleague Jackie Lane were told their contracts would not be renewed, with auditions held for two new companions...

Following his departure from the series Purves found work difficult to come by. Being a leading figure in a highly visible drama had led to typecasting and acting jobs dried up. His high profile, however, led to him being considered for a presenting role with the children's magazine programme Blue Peter. He accepted a six-month contract on the show, to tide him over until the acting career picked up, and stayed for ten years. Purves, along with John Noakes and Valerie Singleton became the dream team, so much a part of so many childhoods.

Part of his duties on the series was to look after Petra, the Blue Peter dog, leading to a lifelong passion for the animals, presenting the Crufts Dog show for over 36 years. Other presenter roles included hosting Stopwatch and We're Going Places as well as Darts events and the long-running motorcycle series Kick Start.

He continues to act with many theatre appearances as well as roles in EastEnders and The Office. He has reprised the role of Steven for Big Finish Productions.

Steven's departure heralded a sea change for Doctor Who. Over the following 12 episodes, the entire TARDIS crew would change, the final links with the genesis of the programme would be broken. The changes could have marked the beginning of the end for the series. In hindsight, they only marked the end of the beginning.
Sources: Peter Purves Official Website; The End of the Line - documentary produced by Ed Stradling for the DVD release of The Gunfighters; The Handbook: The First Doctor – The William Hartnell Years: 1963-1966, David J Howe, Mark Stammers, Stephen James Walker (Doctor Who Books, 1994)




FILTER: - First Doctor - Moments in Time

Peter Capaldi/Heaven Sent in ballot for an EmmyBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 15 June 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
68th Emmys Awards (Credit: Television Academy)The first round of ballots have been issued for this year's Television Academy's renowned Emmys Awards, and for the first time in its 53 year history Doctor Who has been represented as Peter Capaldi has been listed within the Best Drama Actor category for his performance as the Doctor!

There are some 109 names listed in the ballot for this award, including Hugh Bonneville who has been nominated twice before for Downton Abbey; other well-known personalities include Timothy Dalton, Tom Ellis, Michael Sheen, Damian Lewis, David Duchovny and Scott Bakula. The full list can be found on the Emmys website.

Gold Derby, Hollywood's award site, places the odds on Capaldi being nominated at 14/1.

Earlier this year Capaldi's performance was also acknowledged with a Hugo Award nomination for Heaven Sent, and the episode itself has also been entered into the ballot for Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series, up against some 247 other drama productions - the full list is here. The episode's director, Rachel Tallalay said via her Tumblr account: "This is the first year DW is eligible of Emmy’s due to a change in the way it is financed."


Registered members of the Television Academy are able to cast their ballots over which entries will go through to the formal nominations on 14th July, with the Emmys ceremony itself taking place on 18th September at 5pm (Pacific Time) on ABC.





FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Doctor Who - Peter Capaldi

Big Finish: Adric returns to the TARDIS in 2017Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, 15 June 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Big Finish have announced that Matthew Waterhouse will be reprising his role as Adric in three new adventures alongside Peter Davison as the Doctor, Janet Fielding as Tegan and Sarah Sutton as Nyssa:

Matthew Waterhouse rejoins the 5th Doctor TARDIS team for 2017 (Credit: Big Finish)2017 will find the Fifth Doctor joined by Adric, Nyssa and Tegan for three new adventures set within Season 19 of the classic television series!

Thirty-five years since they parted ways on television, Matthew Waterhouse will rejoin his TV co-stars Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton and Janet Fielding for three new Big Finish releases, following an appearance together in the critically-acclaimed Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor Box Set.

Doctor Who main range script editor Alan Barnes said:
I've got a huge amount of affection for Adric and the whole of Season 19. It's the series that was on TV when I was 11, turning 12, which is a great moment to be a Doctor Who fan, when you're madly enthusiastic but not yet so insanely critical that you can't enjoy it!

The new trilogy begins with Doctor Who: The Star Men by Andrew Smith; who made his writing debut with Adric's introductory adventure Full Circle. Barnes continues:

The first thing I wanted to do was to get Andrew writing Adric again, because he'd been such a huge part of the character's development. So with The Star Men I asked Andrew to write something significant for Adric, something to serve the character well and perhaps show him in a slightly different light. I wanted a cosmically big sort of story, too, “full of spacey stuff”. I think it's a bit of a shame that Season 18's script editor Christopher H Bidmead didn't do Season 19 as well, so that was part of the thinking: “What would Bidmead do...?

The trilogy continues with Doctor Who: The Contingency Club by Phil Mulryne – set within an exclusive Victorian gentleman's club - and Doctor Who: Zaltys by Matthew J Elliot.

Zaltys came about because it struck me that there are a few hints in Season 19 that some of the directors have been looking at pop videos of the day – in the “Tegan's mind” bits of Kinda, for example, and in the Adam Ant-like “chandelier jump” in Castrovalva – so I asked Matthew to think about the sort of story that could have been told in the language of the pop video circa 1981/2. Yes, obviously, we don't have the visuals, but every story needs a starting point, and that can be almost anything. You'll have to wait to work out which particular videos we were looking at!
The three stories will be released by Big Finish from January next year, and can be pre-ordered from their website.




FILTER: - Big Finish - Fifth Doctor