New Doctor Who Infinity game LaunchedBookmark and Share

Saturday, 30 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Infinity (Credit: Tiny Repel Games)Doctor Who Infinity, the follow up to the Doctor Who: Legacy video game by Tiny Rebel Games, which soft-launched in late 2018, has gone live as a full, 5- story release for mobile devices, PC, and Mac.

The game brings the world of the Doctor to life with brand new, stand-alone, comic-book style interactive audio adventures. Players can now delve into all five episodes including The Silent Streets of Barry Island, The Horror of Flat Holm, The Dalek Invasion of Time, The Orphans of the Poloypotra, and The Lady of the Lake

. Each of the stories in Doctor Who Infinity was created as a collaboration between Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studio; they include a roster of primarily Wales-based artists and writers and each features narration and dialogue from well-known British actors.

Doctor Who Infinity episodes include:
  • The Horror of Flat Holm: One of the new stories, this was written by the multi-talented Mike Collins, drawn by Patrick Goddard, and colored by John-Paul Bove. It is an epic U.N.I.T. Cyberman story told in several time periods with the Fourth Doctor joined by Captain Mike Yates (voiced by Richard Franklin) and with modern day Osgood (voiced by Ingrid Oliver) and Kate Stewart. The cast will be joined by a Cyberman (voiced by Nick Briggs).
  • The Silent Streets of Barry Island: Another new adventure, this was written by Jacqueline Rayner, drawn by Emma Vieceli and colored by Kris Carter. It features the Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond and Rory Williams in mods-n-rockers era Barry Island. It's a summertime love story in an unseasonably snowy Barry Island which is plagued by mysterious, gruesome deaths and disappearances. They've arrived for a planned holiday but quickly have to ditch the beach gear and blend in with the locals. Their guide is Ted, a down-on-his-luck fish ‘n’ chip shop owner, voiced by Steffan Rhodri. Look for a startling reveal for Doctor Who fans!
  • The Dalek Invasion of Time: The first story to be released was written by George Mann, the critically-acclaimed author and screenwriter, including many Doctor Who stories; drawn by acclaimed artist and writer Mike Collins, known worldwide for his history of work with Doctor Who and other major comic properties; and colored by Kris Carter, who has a long history of working on brands such as Doctor Who, Torchwood and Shrek, among many others. The game is narrated by actors Michelle Gomez, who reprises her TV series role as Missy; Ingrid Oliver, who reprises her TV series role as Osgood; and Bella Ramsey, who voices new villain Freya in the game.
  • The Orphans of the Polyoptra: This adventure was written by Gary Russell, which he has stated is his final Doctor Who story. He is well-known as a writer of Doctor Who novels producer and writer of Doctor Who audio dramas for Big Finish productions, formerly a Script Editor for Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood and was formerly Editor of Doctor Who Magazine. The game’s art has been drawn by David Roach, noted inker of comic strips for Doctor Who Magazine; and also colored by Dylan Teague. The story is narrated by actor Katy Manning, who returns as Jo Grant, her role from the Doctor Who TV series, and also voices the enemy.
  • The Lady of the Lake: This story was written by Scott Handcock, author of many Doctor Who audio dramas and short stories; drawn by Neil Edwards, noted comic book artist whose work includes Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, Titan Comics and many others; and colored by John-Paul Bove, known for his colorist work on G.I. Joe, Doctor Who, Transformers; and Dylan Teague, known for his work as a comics artist and colorist for Doctor Who Magazine, DC Comics. The story is being narrated by Celyn Jones as Geraint, a critically acclaimed and award-winning actor and screenwriter, who is known for films such as Set Fire to the Stars and Submergence and the TV series Joe. Other voices featured include Katy Manning as Delyth and Marilyn Le Conte as the eponymous “Lady of the Lake”.
Doctor Who Infinity is being published and developed by Tiny Rebel Games in collaboration with Seed Studio, and is under official license from BBC Studios. The new game was funded as a joint effort between the Welsh Government’s Media Investment Budget and British game publisher/developer Double Eleven Limited.




FILTER: - Games

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries - Christmas CrackersBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 27 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books has announced a festive collection of tales for The Lucy Wilson Mysteries:

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries - Christmas Crackers (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The Lucy Wilson Mysteries - Christmas Crackers
Written by Cherry Cobb, Tim Gambrell, Terry Cooper, Keren Williams, Chris Lynch
Cover by Steve Beckett

Ogmore-by-Sea seems to have gone back to its old sleepy way. But adventure never stops for Lucy Wilson and her best friend Hobo, not even at Christmas...

In the run up to the holiday season, Lucy and Hobo help out at the school Christmas Fayre. But what’s inside the Christmas crackers? Why are people going missing? How does everyone seem to be so unlucky? And who is the mysterious Crone?

A collection of five short stories set between Christmas, the New Year and beyond... this book is Christmas Crackers!

Head of publishing at Candy Jar, Shaun Russell, says:

We’ve had such good feedback for the series of books. Reviews have been encouraging and fans seem to have embraced the series completely. As a small thank you for all of the support received, we wanted to release something completely unexpected in time for our readers to enjoy over the Christmas period.

The short story collection entitled contains five stories by a range of different authors.
  • The Mobile Army, written by popular children’s author Cherry Cobb
    I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to write a Lucy Wilson story, having read the books I fell in love with Lucy as a strong independent character who isn’t afraid to stand up for her beliefs. I hope my daughter grows up to have the same outlook on life.
  • The Christmas Cracker Conundrum, written by Tim Gambrell (originally given away for free in 2018)
    It feels very fitting, to me, for The Christmas Cracker Conundrum to make its way into print, now, for a whole new set of readers. Lucy Wilson, Hobo and I have been on something of a wild journey over the last twelve months. It started with Shaun asking me to contribute a Lucy Wilson short story to Candy Jar's 2018 advent calendar, then it ran through my two 2019 novels, and the journey now comes full circle, back to The Christmas Cracker Conundrum!

    I love the characters, their energy, their individuality and the world they inhabit. And Lucy doesn't just speak to kids her own age, either. In the best tradition of children's literature, there's always something in her stories for everyone. Shaun gave me pretty much free reign with my short story, only specifying that it had to involve Christmas crackers, somehow. That's more than enough to get the imagination flowing. We all know where the mystery is with a Christmas cracker, until it's pulled. And if my story makes the readers pause momentarily before they pull their crackers over Christmas dinner, then I'll consider my job well done!
  • Crimes of Fashion, written by Terry Cooper
    I read some of the previous books and couldn't wait to jump into Lucy’s adventures. The story takes inspiration from my teenage years as a rapper and break dancer, when the fashions were highly sought after and everyone was looking for the latest trends in shell suits and trainers. Added to the familiar sci-fi genre, it was great fun to write!
  • Imposters, written by Keren Williams (Candy Jar’s publishing co-ordinator)
    I joined the Candy Jar team just after the very first book in the Lucy Wilson series, Avatars of the Intelligence, was published. Since then, I have had the greatest pleasure of working through the entire range. Being given the opportunity to become a writer in the series has really made my year, but I just hope I’ve written something that everyone can enjoy.
  • Past, Present and Yet to Come, written by Chris Lynch
    I also wrote my story for the Candy Jar Christmas advent calendar last year. This story is a light reworking of A Christmas Carol and explores the future possibilities of the Lucy and Hobo characters.

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Christmas Crackers is available to pre-order from the Candy Jar website, and will be released just in time for Christmas.




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

New Doctor Who Companion SetsBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 26 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Companion Set (Credit: Eaglemoss / BBC Studios)
Doctor Who Companion Set (Credit: Eaglemoss / BBC Studios)
Hero Collector have announced two new Doctor Who Companion Sets featuring a cast of beloved TARDIS travelers separated by 55 years.

The company, which publishes high-quality collectibles from across the worlds of pop culture, has released companion sets based on the first TARDIS crew and the current incumbents.

Hero Collector is Eaglemoss’ imprint for genre collectibles and is one of the world’s leading producers of figurines and fantasy die-cast vehicles. It makes products based on many of the world’s most popular entertainment brands, including Marvel and DC comics and movies, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Alien, Predator, Battlestar Galactica, Sonic the Hedgehog, Back to the Future, WWE, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, and James Bond.

Each set contains four figurines – an incarnation of The Doctor alongside their three companions – rendered in hand-painted polyresin at 1:21 scale (approximately 3.5 inches tall). They also come with a companion magazine, packed with details behind each character’s time in the TARDIS – including interviews, photographs, and a look back at some of their best-loved stories.

  • The First Doctor (William Hartnell) arrived on screen in 1963, when teachers Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) and Ian Chesterton (William Russell) followed their mysterious pupil Susan (Carole Ann Ford) home. They soon discovered that she and her grandfather were alien time travelers living inside a police box – which led to all four setting off on adventures through space and time together!
  • The Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) crash-landed in Sheffield in 2018. Teaming up with trainee engineer Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), former bus driver Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh), and probationary police officer Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill), she defeated a tooth-stealing alien warlord and made her way back to the TARDIS – complete with new friends in tow.
The Thirteenth Doctor Companion Set will be available direct from HeroCollector.com or your favourite retailer in January 2020, with the First Doctor Companion Set following soon after in February 2020. They join Hero Collector’s ongoing line of 1:21 Doctor Who figurines, which explores aliens, monsters, robots, humans and Doctors from over five decades of classic science fiction TV. .




FILTER: - Merchandise

The HAVOC Files: Loose EndsBookmark and Share

Monday, 25 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Previously delayed from earlier in the year, Candy Jar Books have announced its next short story collection is now being printed:

The HAVOC Files: Loose Ends (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The HAVOC Files: Loose Ends
Written By Andy Frankham-Allen, Tim Gambrell, Sharon Bidwell and John Peel
Cover by Adrian Salmon

Events in life are rarely tied up in a neat little bow. There are always loose ends. And for Anne Bishop, nee Travers, nearing the end of her life, this is painfully true.

She receives a visit from a friend she thought lost to her and shares stories about loose ends that were tied up at the last minute.

These include a return to Glencross and dealing with fallout of the events of ‘A Very Private Haunting’, the arrival on Earth of the Star Maidens of Drahb who are in search of the Dominators, an unexpected reunion between the Brigadier and a friend he thought dead for nineteen years, a visit home for Owain Vine and the discovery of a family secret that will change his life forever, and an awkward visit for Lance Corporal Evans to the mother of his dead sister.

At the end of all these tales Anne discovers that one more mission awaits her, when she learns the true story of Rhys Rubery...


This collection also features an exclusive sample of the forthcoming novel 'Downtime 2'.

This collection was originally due early in the year but had been delayed by real life events. It was originally intended to be a collection with only one author, Andy Frankham-Allen, but to ensure it got finished before the end of the year Andy called on the help of a few authors. Andy explained:

As ever, real life drama intrudes on the creative process and when it became clear that I wouldn’t have the time to finish the collection, I decided to give two of my story ideas to two other authors, as well as use Sharon (Bidwell)’s short story sequel to A Very Private Haunting, as it fit the theme of the book. And that theme is, as the title suggests, tying up loose ends left over throughout the original run of the Lethbridge-Stewart range.

The collections features three stories written by Andy; Hide No More (which sees the Brigadier reunited with an old friend) and O Brother, Where Art Thou (Owain returns home to discover a family secret that changes everything), and the two-part The Stories We Tell (in which Anne is visited by an old friend and discovers she has one final mission to undertake), which bookends the collection. The Arrival, which brings the Star Maidens of Drahb to Earth, is written by Tim Gambrell, and Tall Tales, written by John Peel, brings back Evans who has some bad news to share. The collection is topped off by Remnant of a Haunting by Sharon Bidwell, which sees Anne returning to the Glencross, the scene of the novel A Very Private Haunting.

Keren Williams, Publishing Co-ordinator, said:

It’s a great little collection, with a nice mix of sci-fi, ghost stories, and some solid real-world drama. The Stories We Tell is a particularly touching tale, bringing as it does a parallel between the fictional life of Anne Travers and the real life of a Doctor Who fan who died in 2016 at the young age of only sixteen.

The cover features brand new art by Adrian Salmon. Andy explained:

It was important to me that this book was dedicated to the family of Rhys Rubery, my young friend who died three years ago, and so Adrian did a wonderful little portrait of Rhys for the cover.

The book can be ordered from the Candy Jar website.




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

Homage to Delia DerbyshireBookmark and Share

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
DR Publications have released a homage to Delia Derbyshire composed by Roger Reynolds in celebration of Delia Derbyshire Day, which took place on Doctor Who's anniversary.

Roger says of his work:
I have always thought that Delia Derbyshire never received the recognition due to her for that amazing Doctor Who Theme. And so I decided to concoct a musical piece, as an “Homage” to her, something embodying that enigmatic theme but using today’s digital technology.

I had been working on the “Homage to Delia Derbyshire” for quite a while, without knowing that 23rd November was “Delia Derbyshire Day.

That the final version of my Homage was ready, i.e. completed slightly ahead of time, and just happened to coincide with this specific date is, well, absolute serendipity.

As are my compositional preferences, the piece is, at times, multi-layered using concurrent fragments of the theme played against each other using different instrumentation.

It’s best heard (I think) turned up loud with the sound just washing over you.

The composition comes in two versions, one for headphones and one for speakers: both can be listened to via the DR Productions website.


With thanks to: Dallas Jones and Roger Reynolds




FILTER: - Music

Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder and Laptop BagBookmark and Share

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Official Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder Bag With Pins (Credit: Lovarzi) Official Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder Bag With Pins (Credit: Lovarzi)
Lovarzi have announced a new, shoulder/laptop bag for their collection of Doctor Who-themed apparel.

The new design features the ability to customise the front with pin badges, the bag coming with seven exclusive designs featuring the TARDIS, the Seal of Rassilon, K9, a Cyberman head, Weeping Angel, Bow Tie, and the Thirteenth Doctor Silhouette. The former six are all made from a high-quality, matte-finish metal, with the seventh printed in full-colour featuring the Thirteenth Doctor against a beautiful sunset background, with the TARDIS waiting to whisk her off across the universe. Additional pins for the bag will be released by the company later.

The bag's interior is further lined with a repeated TARDIS print, embossed with the Doctor Who logo both inside and out; it has internal organiser pockets on one side, and a buttoned area on the other to store devices measuring up to 15.6", e.g. a large laptop or tablet. A zipped panel allows access to the pins in order to change them as required.
Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi, explains:
I'm so happy to finally present our new bag – we've been working on it for over two years now! The original idea came from a desire to make a product no other fandom has seen before. Something unique. We had this particular design in mind since we first approached BBC Studios about making officially-licensed Doctor Who bags.
We wanted fans to be able to customise it: make it personal and stand out from the crowd. It comes with exclusive pins which you can screw into the holes on one side, meaning you can highlight your favourite parts of the show. Effectively, you're the designer!
Speaking of their range of products, Maninder adds:
I'm incredibly proud of our whole range. It's been wonderful seeing people getting so enthusiastic about what we do. We hope fans similarly love this unique bag – and all the exciting products we've got planned for the future!

Full details for the Doctor Who Customisable Shoulder Bag (with 7 Exclusive Pins) can be found at the Lovarzi website, where the bag can also be ordered. A video highlighting the bag can also be viewed on YouTube.





FILTER: - Clothing - Merchandise

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris AchilléosBookmark and Share

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books have announced a new book to feature the classic Doctor Who artwork of Chris Achilléos:

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos (Credit: Candy Jar Books)In his five decades as an illustrator, painter and conceptual artist, Chris Achilléos has four best-selling books of his art, Beauty and the Beast, Syrens, Medusa and Amazona. He worked with the likes of George Lucas, as well as producing the iconic promotional art for the cult film Heavy Metal. But it is probably his work for Doctor Who that is the most enduringly popular.

His covers for the official Target novelisations, which began in the early ‘70s, defined a generation’s image of the Doctor and his adventures – particularly after the show disappeared from British screens in the late ‘80s.

Lavishly detailed, with psychedelic overtones and an unapologetically pulpy sensibility, these covers perfectly captured the eccentric appeal of the classic series. To this day, Doctor Who luminaries tip their hat to the influence of Achilléos’ work. The opening of a 2016 exhibition of Target’s cover artwork at the Cartoon Museum, London, attracted the series’ then-showrunner Steven Moffat, as well as twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi.

With the Doctor long back on our screens, and more popular than ever, it is perhaps surprising that Achilléos’ Whovian oeuvre (or Whoeuvre, if you will) has never been collected in one place.

Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos, an upcoming title from award-winning independent publisher Candy Jar Books, aims to address this. For the first time, it collects the entirety of Achilléos’ Doctor Who artwork in chronological order, along with commentary from Achilléos himself (as well as some fans) – presenting the definitive guide to his seminal work. The book also includes a small contribution from twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and a foreword from Achilléos’ long-time friend and collaborator, the late Terrance Dicks.

Achilléos explains his motivations for compiling the book:

I go to a lot of conventions, and the enduring affection of the fans for those Target novelisations is such a compliment. As an artist you’re always wary of being pigeonholed – you want all your work to receive the same amount of attention! But Doctor Who is such a phenomenon, and the commitment of the fans so pure, you have to be grateful. I hope they enjoy this special book.

As the home of the Lethbridge-Stewart series, one of only a handful of fully licensed Doctor Who ranges outside of the BBC, Candy Jar was the natural home for Achilléos’ new title. As Candy Jar’s head of publishing, Shaun Russell, explains:

The Target novels were a huge part of our childhood. And when it came to our own range of Doctor Who books, they were an inspiration. You could always tell that they were produced by people who cared. There was an attention to detail, and a level of quality, which quite frankly, went above and beyond what was necessary. Doctor Who will sell regardless, but as a series it means so much to people – and to us here at Candy Jar – that you want to do repay that. And from the first moment you picked up a Target title, with one Chris Achilléos’ brilliant designs on the cover, you knew that you were in for something wonderful. His work manages to capture everything that makes Doctor Who special, and stand alone as works of art in their own right. When Chris first spoke with us, I jumped at the chance to work with him.

Featuring every one of Achilléos’ Doctor Who designs, as well as never before seen material giving insight into his creative process, Kklak: the Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos is released in April 2020 by Candy Jar Books.

The book will be available as paperback and deluxe hardback edition, and can be pre-ordered from Candy Jar Books.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Non-Fiction

Competitions: Sil And the Devil Seeds of Arodor / The Doctors: More Monsters!Bookmark and Share

Sunday, 24 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Readers in the United Kingdom have a chance to win of a copy of the latest releases from Reeltime Pictures, courtesy of Koch Media UK:

Sil And the Devil Seeds of Arodor (Blu-ray) [order from Amazon UK

Sil and The Devil Seeds of Arobor (Credit: Koch Media)An original drama from the world of BBC TV’s Doctor Who, featuring Sil, the ruthless alien entrepreneur from planet Thoros Beta. Sil is worried. Very worried… which doesn’t keep his reptilian skin in the best condition! Confined in a cold detention cell on the moon, awaiting a deportation hearing while on trial for drugs offences committed on Earth, he faces a death sentence if the application is successful and he is found guilty. His powerful employers at the Universal Monetary Fund aren’t too pleased about that. Not at all… As time runs out and friends desert him, Sil must use all of his devious, vile, underhanded, ruthless, and amoral business acumen to survive. Can he possibly slime his way out of this one? Featuring Nabil Shaban (Sil) and Christopher Ryan (Kiv), with Sophie Aldred, Janet Henfrey and Sakuntala Ramanee.
To be in with a chance to win a copy of the Blu-ray, simply answer the following question:
Which diminutive race has Christopher Ryan also portrayed in Doctor Who?
Please send your answer along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-sil@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Marshminnow surprise". Open to readers within the United Kingdom only. Only one entry per household will be accepted. Closing date: Sunday 8 December 2019.

Reeltime Pictures: The Doctors: More Monsters! (DVD) [order from Amazon UK

The Doctors: More Monsters! (Credit: Koch Media)This is the definitive set of interviews with the team of unsung heroes who sent you "behind the sofa" by bringing the monsters in Doctor Who to life! Featuring Nabil Shaban (Sil), Christopher Ryan (Kiv), Stephen Thorne (Omega), Terry Molloy (Davros), Stuart Fell and Jon Davey (monsters too numerous to mention!). Presented by Robert Dick and “voice of the Daleks” Nicholas Briggs.
To be in with a chance to win a copy of the DVD set, simply answer the following question:
Out of the mask, Terry Molloy also played a more human character in the series - name that person.
Please send your answer along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-moremonsters@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Dalek?". Open to readers within the United Kingdom only. Only one entry per household will be accepted. Closing date: Sunday 8 December 2019.




FILTER: - Competitions - UK

Official Series 12 Trailer releasedBookmark and Share

Saturday, 23 November 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released the first official trailer for the next series of Doctor Who, due to air from New Year's Day.


The trailer was launched across the BBC's social media channels at 3pm, before its television premiere on BBC One as the lead-in to Strictly Come Dancing at 7pm.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Jodie Whittaker - Series 12/38

DWAS Appeal for Terrance DicksBookmark and Share

Saturday, 23 November 2019 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is raising funds for Save the Children in memory of Terrance Dicks - a charity chosen by his family.

Andrew Skilliter, Chris Achellios, Alister Pearson and Jeff Cummins have allowed DWAS to produce four art cards based on their work for Target books. These are now available to buy from the eBay store, along with a ‘Terrance’ badge and the special Terrance Dicks Tribute magazine, published in October 2019.

The cost for the art card set and badge is £5-95 and the set plus the magazine is £7-45.

Full details here





FILTER: - Charities - DWAS