Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth: I, AlistairBookmark and Share

Sunday, 28 June 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar has announced the nexxt novel in their ongoing Lethbridge-Stewart range of novels:

Lethbridge-Stewart: I, Alistair (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Lethbridge Stewart: The Schizoid Earth: I, Alistair
Written by Robert Mammone
Cover art by Richard Young


HAIL THE LEADER!

Under the gentle guidance of the Leader, Britain has flourished after the removal of the dead hand of democracy and the old, corrupt aristocracy. Dominant in Europe, a Great Power around the world, the Republic stands as a beacon to wise, benevolent and firm leadership.

The team led by Column Leader Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart is the best and brightest of us all, ensuring that attempts to overthrow the natural order will be stamped into submission.

Those who stand with the Leader ensure that Britain remains great, a Power to be reckoned with, and a dominant force across the globe.

UNITY IS STRENGTH!

The Schizoid Earth: I, Alastair is a semi-sequel to David A McIntee’s 2015 Lethbridge-Stewart novel The Schizoid Earth. Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:
We’ve been thinking of doing a follow up to The Schizoid Earth for quite some time. Of course, some of the threads set up in that novel have played a major role in other Lethbridge-Stewart novels, through the role of the Brigadier’s brother, James Lethbridge-Stewart. Since series seven is all about parallel realities, it seemed the perfect opportunity to do a novel set entirely within the Schizoid Earth. And Robert Mammone was the first and only author I considered for the task.
Robert Mammone said:
While daunting, writing a novel set on the Schizoid Earth opened up a lot of exciting possibilities. I've long been a fan of alternative history science fiction, particularly authors like Harry Turtledove and especially the darker fiction of SM Stirling. The chance to use familiar characters, in unfamiliar ways, in a setting way worse than the timeline of 'our' Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart was one I couldn't say no to. Of course, when you're dealing with a villain, as the Column Leader clearly is, you have to ensure you're not making them the hero of the piece, even if they are the lead. There's a lot of fantasy/science-fiction writing out there today that embraces the anti-hero as being someone to admire. While that has its place, in no way is the Lethbridge-Stewart of the Schizoid Earth a hero – he’s a broken man ill used by his father and a servant of a monstrous regime intent on ensuring the last remnants of resistance are stamped out.
As one might expect, with a book set in a parallel world, much like the Doctor Who serial Inferno which inspired it, The Schizoid Earth: I, Alastair features regular faces from the Lethbridge-Stewart range. Robert continued:
Like what SM Stirling did with his Draka books, he made one small change to history, and the result was worse than anyone could imagine. The Republic is led by vile men who do vile things, and while the Resistance is admirable in their intent, their methods tend to ape that of the Party. I had a lot of fun throwing in bits and pieces that call back to events in the Doctor Who universe. Andy is as always a font of information about the setting, and was a great sounding board when I found myself lost in the weeds. His work editing The Schizoid Earth: I, Alastair has made it an even better book (he also supplied the title – it is better than my choice 'I, Brigade-Leader'!), one I hope readers, new and old, of the range, will embrace and enjoy and celebrate!

Cover artist Richard Young said:
Evil Brig, who wouldn't want to draw him. Inferno has to be in my top ten Doctor Who stories, and I love parallel universe, what if scenarios. Added to this, who doesn't want to draw Big Ben blowing up?


Originally meant to be the sixth release in this seventh series of novels, the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to delays to the fourth book, The George Kostinen Mystery, leading to the decision to bump The Schizoid Earth: I, Alistair up the schedule, owing it it not being directly connected to the five-book Bloodlines sequence and so can be read indepedently to the others.

The book can be ordered from the Candy Jar website, and is inclueded in subscriptions.


The Schizoid Earth: I, Alastair will be followed by the delayed The George Kostinen Mystery and the final in the Bloodlines series, Back to the Past. A new novel, set between A Very Private Haunting and The New Unusual will be released later in the year, written by Michael Sloan, creator of The Equaliser.




FILTER: - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

What The Fans Think: TorchwoodBookmark and Share

Friday, 26 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
What The Fans Think: Torchwood (Credit: Pencil Tip Publishing)Pencil Tip Publishing has announced the release of What The Fans Think: Torchwood, the latest in the on-going series of fan reviews and assessments.

This volume of What the Fans Think concentrates on all 41 original Torchwood episodes through original reviews, analysis, personal opinion and essays. The fans have their say on what they think are the best, worst, and merely average, episodes of the series. You just might be surprised by what they have to say.

What the Fanis Think is Pencil Tip’s series of books where the fans review and assess their favourite television series. Fan opinion can be extremely critical, often harsher than that of the meanest television critic. But when the fans love something, you know it. Praises are heaped in droves.

Each volume will concentrate on a specific series and will feature original reviews, essays and analysis of every episode of that particular series. The fans will have their say on what they think are the best, worst and merely average, episodes of a series.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to the Vancouver branch of the BCSPCA (British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).




FILTER: - Torchwood

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 553Bookmark and Share

Thursday, 25 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 553 (Credit: Panini)
This month's Doctor Who Magazine features a special visit to the set of 1970's Doctor Who in the company of Jon Pertwee and Elisabeth Sladen.

Highlights of the new issue include:
  • Newly discovered interviews conducted at the heart of production on Death to the Daleks and Planet of the Spiders.
  • The Doctor Who directing masterclass, featuring exclusive interviews with directors Joe Ahearne, Richard Clark, Graeme Harper, Douglas Mackinnon, Saul Metzstein, Jamie Magnus Stone and Rachel Talalay.
  • An exclusive preview of the Power of the Daleks Special Edition, including a selection of rare colour photos from the original 1966 production.
  • The previously untold story of three young Doctor Who enthusiasts at the dawn of fandom in the early 1970s. One would go on to play the Doctor
  • Carole Ann Ford and Sophie Aldred compare their Doctor Who experiences.
  • The results of DWM’s annual season survey.
  • The Fact of Fiction explores the 2013 episode Cold War.
  • The final instalment of DWM’s lockdown viewing, with a guide to stories available on DVD and streaming services.
  • A look at The Night Walkers, the landmark 1969 comic strip that depicted the Second Doctor’s regeneration.
  • Big Finish previews and reviews, news, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser, The Blogs of Doom and much more.
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 553 is on sale from Thursday 25 June £5.99 (UK)




FILTER: - Third Doctor

Three Doctors TalkingBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 24 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Three Doctors – Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant and Matt Smith - have come together in a historic interview with IGN to celebrate the launch of  Doctor Who on HBO MAX. 

The interview went live at 5pm today, and can be found on the Doctor Who YouTube channel. 

 In the interview Jodie, Matt and David talk about companions they’d like to travel with, the effect of Doctor Who on their careers, and even tease about the upcoming festive special!




FILTER: - Eleventh Doctor

Doctor Who Escape Hunt - Remote Experience LaunchedBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 24 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
 Escape Hunt Remote Experience (Credit: BBC Studios) Escape Hunt has today released booking slots for customers to play remote versions of their 5-star escape room Doctor Who: Worlds Collide.

Now booking, these remote experiences invite friends, family and colleagues to come together via Zoom and play Escape Hunt’s physical escape rooms from their own homes. You and your team will direct a real-life expert games master, move them around the room, find hidden clues, solve puzzles, and see if you can escape before time runs out! 

 In Doctor Who: Worlds Collide, The Doctor needs you: a tear in space and time has been detected, and the Cybermen are about to breakthrough! Step into the future. Enter the offices of ChronosCorp HQ, where eccentric billionaire Alastair Montague’s efforts to develop commercial time travel have caused a tear in the fabric of space and time. The Cybermen are ready to take advantage and attack Earth. You, the Doctor’s friends, must investigate the incident. The remains of Montague, his prototype time engine and the extensive collection of time-related artefacts acquired over the course of his experiments, are all that you have to work with. The fate of the universe is in your hands. Take too long and the human race will be “upgraded”. 

Richard Harpham, CEO Escape Hunt PLC, says
We’re delighted to be expanding our range of at home experiences with remote play games. It’s fantastic that now, using technology, we can give people the opportunity to play our much-loved physical escape rooms in their own homes.
The play at home experience allows players from the same or separate households to take part together and solve the puzzles. 

The game is a 1 hour experiences replicating the in-room play experience suitable for 1 to 6 players aged 8+. Prices are charged per game play and are set for all group sizes. 

Doctor Who: Worlds Collide £60 per gameplay. For more information on how to book visit Escapehunt Website 




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Black Archive #44 - The Pandorica Opens / The Big BangBookmark and Share

Saturday, 20 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Black Archive #44 - The Pandorica Opens (Credit: Obverse Books)The latest release from Obverse Books Black Archive series, deals with the final two episodes of Matt Smith's first series as The Doctor The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang

Who takes the Pandorica takes the universe.

The TARDIS explodes. The universe is cracked. Space-time is collapsing.

The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang typifies Steven Moffat’s ‘timey-wimey’ take on Doctor Who. It draws on the legend of Pandora’s Box and exhorts the power of memories. 

This Black Archive explores how time operates in the Series 5 finale, in Doctor Who as a wider narrative, and in real life. How do anomalies and paradoxes work in the show? What might the end and beginning of the universe actually look like? And what caused the TARDIS to blow up anyway?

Asked why he chose The Pandorica Opens for his first Black Archive, author Philip Bates said:
10 years since it was first broadcast, I still get goosepimples when the "hello Stonehenge" speech begins; I still get emotional when "The Life and Death of Amy Pond" kicks in; and I still feel a burst of excitement as the Doctor, Amy, and Rory disappear into time and space, ready for more adventures.

That's why I love The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang. It's a summation of everything good about Series 5, and about Doctor Who.
Philip Bates is a writer and critic and the co-founder of the Doctor Who Companion website.




FILTER: - Eleventh Doctor

Two Doctors on the Late Late ShowBookmark and Share

Friday, 19 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Jodie Whittaker and David Tennant both featured on the Late Late Show with James Corden a few hours ago.

The Doctor's surprised viewers by appearing in their Thirteenth and Tenth Doctor costumes and judged fans taking part in a hilarious cosplay challenge.

This appearance was in aid of Doctor Who series 1-11 launching on HBO MAX, a brand new streaming service available in the US.





FILTER: - Tenth Doctor

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious #1Bookmark and Share

Thursday, 18 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Time Lord Victorious #1 Cover A (Credit: Titan)Titan Comics announced today its involvement in BBC Studios multi-platform Doctor Who story Time Lord Victorious, launching two over-sized comic issues which will debut on September 2, 2020.

Time Lord Victorious is BBC Studios’ brand new multi-platform Doctor Who story told across audio, novels, comics, vinyl, digital, immersive theatre, escape rooms, and games. The adventure will tell a new and untold story, set within the Dark Times at the start of the universe when even the Eternals were young. Following several Doctors across space and time as they defend their home planet from a terrible race.

Available to pre-order now, and available in comic stores and on digital devices at release, Titan’s Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious #1 comic is part one of a special two-part Tenth Doctor adventure that sees the Doctor’s deadliest enemy, the Daleks, make their Titan Comics debut.

When the Doctor faces his ancient foes once again, it soon becomes clear that things aren't what they seem – time is all wrong and something is coming that terrifies even the Daleks.

Jake Devine, Editor, Titan’s Doctor Who Comics, says:
Titan’s comic story is quite unique, as it features the Tenth Doctor as seen in the recent Thirteenth Doctor comic series, so he's not reached his so-called victory over time yet. But what has been fun to explore is the Doctor getting a glimpse of what's to come and foreshadowing his own dark turn.
Time Lord Victorious #1 is written by Eisner-nominated Jody Houser (Stranger Things, Star Wars, Spider-Man) with art by Roberta Ingranata (Witchblade).

The comic debuts with five covers for fans to collect: an official Time Lord Victorious iconic by artist Lee Binding; art covers by Andie Tong (TEKKEN), Priscilla Petraites (Rat Queens), a Dalek metallic ink version by Hendry Prasetya (Green Lantern) and a Dalek blue line sketch cover.

Time Lord Victorious #1 ($5.99) is now available to pre-order globally from July’s Diamond Previews catalogue, ForbiddenPlanet.com and on digital device via Comixology.

Time Lord Victorious products will be available from the BBC Shop and Amazon in the US and Forbidden Planet and Amazon in UK. Further information about Time Lord Victorious can be found on DoctorWho.TV.

Time Lord Victorious #1 Cover B (Credit: Titan) Time Lord Victorious #1 Cover C (Credit: Titan) Time Lord Victorious #1 Cover D (Credit: Titan) Time Lord Victorious #1 Interior B (Credit: Titan) Time Lord Victorious #1 Interior A (Credit: Titan)




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Doctor Who - TwinklBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who - Twinkl (Credit: BBC Studios) The global educational publisher Twinkl has partnered with BBC Studios to create a range of educational Doctor Who resources for children between seven and eleven years old. 

These are the first-ever Doctor Who educational resources to be linked to the UK national curriculum. The resources include activity sheets, interactive presentations and reading comprehensions based around several episodes from series 11 and 12 of Doctor Who. These resources can be used separately or alongside episodes and link the Doctor’s adventures to units of study for school years three to six. 

Covering core subjects including science, geography and history, the materials introduce children to figures such as Rosa Parks, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, and teach them about subjects such as the Indian partition, artificial intelligence and animals and their ecosystems. Children are also encouraged to explore the different uses of electricity and the many forms it takes, as well as how to remain safe when using electrical equipment around the home. 

 Free to use and accessible to everyone, the resources can be downloaded through the Twinkl website and are a valuable teaching tool for teachers, parents and carers. Twinkl’s mission is to help those who teach and the company offers over 640,000 teaching and learning materials on its website, which are all teacher created and checked. 

The company has recently created a bespoke Home Learning Hub, full of daily activities and materials, to support parents, teachers and carers with home learning. 

Vanessa Hamilton, Head of Brand, Doctor Who, BBC Studios, said:
We’re delighted to be partnering with Twinkl to create Doctor Who educational resources for children across the world. Doctor Who has been inspiring and entertaining children for generations, so we’re thrilled that we can bring this much-loved series to the classroom in an educational and engaging way.
Jonathan Seaton, CEO and Co-Founder, Twinkl, said:
Working with BBC Studios to create this exciting range of Doctor Who learning materials has been out of this world! We are always looking for new ways to help those who teach, and hope that these resources provide teachers, parents and carers with a unique new way to engage children in learning.

We know that now more than ever parents are looking for ways to help children learn at home and hope that the Doctor Who resources will be a big hit in households and at schools right now, as well as far into the future.




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Doctor Who: Season 14 Re-releasedBookmark and Share

Thursday, 11 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 14 (pack shot) (Credit: BBC Studios)
Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 14, first released as a limited edition on Blu-ray in May 2020, is being re-released in the UK by BBC Studios on 27th July 2020 due to unprecedented demand

All content, extras and artwork will remain the same as the 1st edition.

The original edition sold out with copies selling for over £150 on Amazon.

The re-release can be ordered on Amazon from Friday 12th June.

The Blu-ray is released in Australia on 15 July and in the United States on 4 August




FILTER: - Tom Baker