July 2020

Get your guide to the Dark Times in ‘Time Lord Victorious’

31 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

The Doctor Who annual joins Time Lord Victorious! This year’s edition of the annual will join the multiple stories that are already part of the multi-platform Doctor Who story, told across audio, novels, comics, vinyl, digital, immersive theatre, escape rooms and games.

The Doctor Who Annual 2021

The 2021 annual is jam packed with activities, puzzles, stories, facts and illustrations, including a thrilling peek into the world of the TARDIS with a TARDIS Tour and TARDIS Trip Reviewer.

This annual has more on Series 12, such as more in-depth fact files of episodes like Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror. Plus, there are multiple opportunities to get to know your enemies better with breakdowns of monsters like The Skithra, Dregs, the CyberMasters and much more.

The 2021 annual will publish on 3rd September 2020 and is the perfect collectable gift for Doctor Who fans of all ages.

You can pre-order a copy of the Doctor Who official annual 2021 at Amazon or Waterstones in the UK, and soon in the US.

Keep an eye out for more Time Lord Victorious news, coming soon.

New Doctor Who comic LYTTON unveils first 8 pages online

30 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

The series focuses on the eponymous character, a mercenary who appeared on the iconic sci-fi show in the ’80s serials Attack of the Cybermen and Resurrection of the Daleks.

Doctor Who fans can get a sneak peak of a new comic book miniseries with the first 8 pages of LYTTON having been made available online.

The four part comic mini-series comes from legendary Doctor Who writer Eric Saward, who worked on the show as a screenwriter and script editor for several years during the classic era and was responsible for serials including The Visitation (1982), Earthshock (1982), Resurrection of the Daleks (1984) and Revelation of the Daleks (1985).

The series focuses on the eponymous character, a mercenary who appeared on the iconic sci-fi show in the ’80s serials Attack of the Cybermen and Resurrection of the Daleks.

LYTTON is set in 1975 and is described as “a noir thriller featuring this popular character from the worlds of classic Doctor Who, perfect for fans of Sin City and Criminal”.

A full synopsis reads, “Ex-soldiers. Mercenaries. Businessmen. Swapping shooters for suits, it’s 1975, and LYTTON and his long-time batman Wilson run the Jazz Soirée Club in London’s West End.

“A classy affair in the otherwise seedy environment of Soho, the duo inevitably incurs the jealousy of the criminal underworld who want a piece of the action. What rivals can’t buy, they’ll take.

“But every man has its price, and it’s good business to be civil. After all, Lytton needs a rare piece of kit. Extraterrestrially rare. But how far will he go to obtain it? London is about to find out.”

In the first eight pages, we begin in Vietnam in 1968 – with a major and a lance corporal ambushed by a lorry driver, leading to the major Wilson being shot.

We then jump forward to London in 1975, where we find the same man, Wilson, finding a police notice about a spate of murders before he looks to open a manhole in the road, claiming that he has heard a noise when approached by Lytton.

A kickstarter campaign for the project easily surpassed its original goal of £678, with £7,050 having already been pledged.

If fans are taken in by the opening eight pages they can buy the first issue which is released in August and comes packed with a load of extras, including an exclusive bonus DVD.

Each issue of the comic will include a main cover and two variants created by some of the most acclaimed and popular Doctor Who artists.

To back LYTTON on Kickstarter click here.

Doctor Who gets first Emmy nomination for interactive spin-off The Runaway

30 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Jodie Whittaker voices the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who: The Runaway (animated VR game)

Doctor Who has earned its first ever Emmy nomination, although it might not be in the category you’re expecting.

First held in 1949, the Emmys are an American award show dedicated to recognising excellence in the television industry, with the Emmy nominations 2020 announced just yesterday.

Doctor Who was first put forward for consideration at the Emmys in 2016, when BBC America became a co-producer on the long-running sci-fi series.

However, the show is yet to bag its first acting or writing nomination, while also finding itself beaten out of the drama category by heavyweights like Succession and The Crown.

That said, Doctor Who hasn’t walked away from this year’s edition empty handed as virtual reality (VR) spin-off Doctor Who: The Runaway has been nominated for Outstanding Derivative Interactive Programme.

The newly created category is being included for the first time this year, awarded to a standalone interactive program related to an existing television series, or adapted from outside material.

The conditions for recognition in the category place emphasis on viewer immersion and engagement, which makes Doctor Who: The Runaway a prime candidate for the win.

Released in May 2019, the animated special is available as both a VR game on the Oculus Store and Vive Port, or a 360-degree experience on the BBC’s VR app.

Jodie Whittaker stars in a voice role as the Thirteenth Doctor, who takes you on a journey to return a lost alien creature named Volta to its home planet.

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on Monday 21st September and a win for The Runaway could mean more VR adventures for The Doctor and her companions.

Virtual Big Finish Day 2020

25 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Virtual Big Finish Day 2020

A host of stars from Big Finish’s audio drama series, including Doctor Who, Space: 1999, Timeslip, will be livestreaming on the Big Finish YouTube channel from 16:00 (UK time) on Saturday 1 August 2020.

Big Finish will be hosting an exciting and unique YouTube livestream event on Saturday 1 August 2020, featuring a galaxy of stars from its audio dramas.

Fans are invited to join in and comment during the livestream at the Big Finish YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/bigfinishprod) from 16:00 (UK time) to enjoy a one-off selection of interviews, panels, mini-documentaries and other visual treats.

Set to appear across this six-hour celebration are more than 30 actors, musicians and writers from a variety of Big Finish productions, including Jamie Anderson, Mark Bonnar, John Dorney, Carole Ann Ford, Louise Jameson, Alex Kingston, Joe Kraemer, Paul McGann, Neve McIntosh, Blair Mowat, Dan Starkey, Catrin Stewart and Nicola Walker.

Big Finish Creative Director, Nicholas Briggs, said: “We were disappointed to have to cancel our annual one-day Big Finish Day event at Derby QUAD, but we racked our brains to think what was possible by way of an alternative. Throughout the coronavirus crisis, we’ve continued to produce many audio dramas so we thought a little peek into our lockdown lives might be fun. Virtual Big Finish Day promises star guests and surprises, as cast, crew and fans come together to make a special online event where everyone is invited.”

Expect exclusive news to be revealed during the livestream. No formal running order will be published for this virtual Big Finish Day, as guests are still being booked right until the last minute. So make sure you join the fun from the start at 16:00 (UK time) on Saturday 01 August 2020, or you might miss out.

Doctor Who’s ex-script editor asks fans to fund spin-off for popular character

23 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Former script editor Eric Saward is creating a four-part comic miniseries about Dalek mercenary Gustave Lytton.

Review - The Classic Who Writers | IMDForums — Eric Saward – Doctor Who Script Editor 1982-86

A former script editor for BBC One’s Doctor Who has started a Kickstarter page to fund his comic mini-series about Gustave Lytton, a former enemy of the Doctor.

Eric Saward, who worked on Doctor Who from 1982 until 1986, is creating a four part noir comic LYTTON, which will follow the former Dalek mercenary and long-time companion Wilson as they run the Jazz Soirée Club in 1970’s London.

“A classy affair in the otherwise seedy environment of Soho, the duo inevitably incurs the jealousy of the criminal underworld who want a piece of the action,” the page description says.

“What rivals can’t buy, they’ll take. But every man has its price, and it’s good business to be civil. After all, Lytton needs a rare piece of kit. Extra-terrestrially rare. But how far will he go to obtain it? London is about to find out.”

So It Goes...: Maurice Colbourne's Way — Maurice Colbourne as Gustave Lytton in Doctor Who BBC

The Kickstarter campaign, which previews the first eight pages of LYTTON on its page, has raised over £794 so far, £116 more than the original fundraising goal.

The comic’s first issue is set to be published in August 2020, with subsequent issues following each quarter and illustrations drawn by artist Barry Renshaw.

Cutaway Comics, which is releasing the miniseries, promises a range of rewards depending on how much fans are willing to pledge, with those pledging £2 receiving a digital copy of Lytton, while £6 or more gets you a signed copy and a bonus DVD featuring video commentary.

Gustave Lytton first appeared in season 21 of Doctor Who in 1984, which starred Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor. The mercenary, who worked for the Daleks and the Cryons, was played by stage actor Maurice Colbourne.

Lytton’s last appearance in the long-running series was in an episode featuring the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker), where the mercenary met his demise at the hands of the Cybermen.

If you’re a fan of the 1980’s Doctor Who character, you can donate to the LYTTON Kickstarter campaign here.

Save ‘The Hollow Planet’ from your own home!

23 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Escape Hunt has today announced the upcoming release of their Download, Print & Play Game Doctor Who: The Hollow Planet. In this new style of Doctor Who game, perfect for lockdown and social distancing, you join together with family and friends to save an abandoned planet from a rogue Dalek!

Escape Hunt A Dalek Awakens Print and Play

You find themselves on planetoid TG-88.3Ω, otherwise known as ‘The Hollow Planet’. A rogue Dalek has knocked out the local android population and taken over the mining facility built long ago on the planet’s surface and players must work to help take back control of the planetoid before it’s too late.

Are you ready to take on this intergalactic space adventure, meet assistance hologram penguins, crack Dalek codes and help the Doctor by unscrambling data being sent to the planetoid’s core?

This new play-at-home game is set before the events of Escape Hunt’s latest escape room Doctor Who: A Dalek Awakens, which has now re-opened. More information on this escape room can be found here.

Doctor Who: The Hollow Planet is a 1-hour experience, suitable for 2 to 6 players aged 8+. The game can be played within households or via video chat so is perfect for friends, family members or colleagues looking to connect and have some fun, social-distancing style. Players require a printer and an internet connection to play.

Richard Harpham CEO of Escape Hunt said:

“We are delighted to announce the release of Doctor Who: The Hollow Planet which brings together our recent success in offering downloadable play-games with our exciting partnership with BBC Studios and adds to our growing catalogue of experiences that can be enjoyed outside our physical rooms.”

Subscribe to the Escape Hunt newsletter for more information on the release date of The Hollow Planet, and the opening of more Doctor Who escape rooms around the country.

You can sign up for more information about The Hollow Planet now, ahead of its release coming soon.

Time Lord Victorious figurines revealed!

23 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Coming in late-October, various characters from Time Lord Victorious will be immortalised as Hero Collector figurines! These four new box-sets of characters are the perfect accompaniment for your Doctor Who collections.

Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious figurines

Each of the four Time Lord Victorious box sets will contain two hand-painted polyresin figurines at 1:21 scale (approximately 3.5 inches tall).

Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious figurines

The first three Hero Collector box sets will feature brand new Dalek designs created specifically for the series, such as the Dalek Time Commander and the new Dalek Emperor.

The fourth and final box, however, will include the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), clad in his ornate and war-torn Gallifreyan robes!

Each set from Hero Collector also comes with an in-depth companion magazine, highlighting the huge range of creative talent involved across the entire Time Lord Victorious adventure and packed with behind the scenes details about this untold story.

Doctor Who - Time Lord Victorious figurines

The figurines are available for pre-order now, from Forbidden Planet in the UK and from Entertainment Earth in the US. Or, all are available from Eaglemoss.

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE 554

22 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Highlights of the new issue include:

An in-depth investigation into the areas of the Doctor Who universe where our fragments of knowledge don’t quite add up, with sections devoted to the Doctor, the TARDIS, Gallifrey, the Daleks and the Cybermen.
Arthur Darvill, who played Rory, answers questions from the TARDIS Tin.
Hair and make-up designer Claire Pritchard discusses her work on Series 12.
The writers and artists behind Cutaway Comics explain how the imprint is expanding the worlds of Doctor Who.
An at-a-glance guide to the ‘Lockdown Season’ of Doctor Who, with contributions from Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.
The Fact of Fiction explores the 1968-69 serial The Krotons.
A look at the animated version of Shada released in 2003.
A review of Character Options’ latest range of action figures.
Big Finish previews and reviews, news, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser, The Blogs of Doom and much more!

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 554 is on sale from Thursday 23 July £5.99 (UK)

First look at lost Doctor Who: The Power of The Daleks

21 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

DOCTOR Who fans have been given their first look at the special edition release of The Power of the Daleks.

No complete film recordings of The Power of the Daleks are known to have survived the purge of the BBC’s archive in 1975.

It also features an interview with Mike Tucker from visual effects, which forms part of the ‘Behind the Scene’ documentary in disc 2

Mike revealed the production team used toy Daleks to film the conveyor belt scenes

The Power of the Daleks was second Doctor Peter Troughton’s first adventure in 1966, but it has now been brought back to life in a high definition animated series.

The special edition release also includes surviving footage from the original Power of the Daleks serial from 1966, offering a rare glance at this now lost story, plus the original Doctor Who soundtrack at the end.

It also features an interview with Mike Tucker from visual effects, which forms part of the ‘Behind the Scene’ documentary in disc 2.

The interview gives interesting insights into the model Daleks used in the filming of the Power of the Daleks, with Mike revealing how bosses used Dalek toys that were readily available in shops at the time to shoot some sequences.

He explained: “The model sequence for the Power of the Daleks revolved around the construction, the Dalek conveyor belt where the Dalek casings are being constructed.

“And the production obviously decided it was too big a deal to do full size and therefore they were going to attempt to do that in miniature.

“As with many Doctor Who serials over the years, the effects department obviously decided to go with the commercially available toy Daleks, and at the time the Power of the Daleks was being made, these were very popular which are the Hertz plastic one-piece injection moulded Daleks which I believe were available to buy in Woolworths.

“And they would presumably have gone down, bought dozens of them and then they actually did modify them to look slightly closer to the new props, that was changing the dome and adding the slats and the mid-section.

“The irony of course is that these toys are now rare and as a result, expensive.”

The six animated episodes replace the 2016 physical and digital release, with new and improved animation and authentic black and white visuals.

The latest release also showcases a vast array of exciting new special features, in addition to all of the VAM on the 2016 release.

Doctor Who: The Power Of The Daleks out on DVD and Blu-ray July 27 and is available here.

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Missing Doctor Who story ‘Marco Polo’ comes to vinyl!

18 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Demon Records presents the narrated TV soundtrack of a ‘lost’ seven-part adventure set in the 13th Century, starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, pressed on 4 x 140g Desert Sandstorm Vinyl.

Doctor Who Marco Polo

When the TARDIS breaks down in Central Asia, its occupants are met by the explorer Marco Polo. The year is 1289, and Marco is crossing the Gobi desert to Peking, for an audience with the emperor Kublai Khan. Marco sets his mind on offering the TARDIS as a gift to the Khan, despite the Doctor’s protests. The time travellers must endure a long journey, fraught with danger, as they join Marco’s caravan in the company of the treacherous warlord, Tegana. Can the Doctor ever win back his magical blue box?

Presented across 4 x 140g vinyl, with an etched TARDIS Side B, this 1964 TV soundtrack – no episodes of which survive as film recordings – is narrated by William Russell, who co-stars with Jacqueline Hill and Carole Ann Ford as the Doctor’s companions Ian, Barbara and Susan.

Mark Eden co-stars as Marco Polo himself, with Derren Nesbitt and Zienia Merton among the supporting cast. Incidental music is composed by Tristram Cary, and the familiar strains of the Doctor Who theme are courtesy of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Doctor Who - Marco Polo vinyl

The coloured vinyl LPs are presented in fully illustrated sleeves which, when assembled together, form the cover image. Original episode billings, and full cast and credits, are also supplied.

You can pre-order Marco Polo now, ahead of its release on September 11th 2020.