The Tenth Doctor Archives (Titan Comics) #01 (2016)
Power Rangers: Samurai (Panini Magazines) #01 (19 Apr 2012-16 May 2012)
Tottering Hall: Family Life at Tottering-By-Gently (Orion Media; 2001) ISBN-13: 978-0752841076.
Him off the Viz: The Comic Stripped Bare by Simon Donald (Go Faster Stripe; 2015)
First Appearances:
Private Tom Green (Green's Grudge War) in Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #[11] (24 Apr 1976).
Births:
Mervyn Suart (1908); Camillo Zuffi (1912); Trevor Francis (1954); Phil Hall
Notable Events:
Dan Dare, Pilot of The Future radio adaptation began on BBC Radio Four in 1990.
The May un Mar Lady Dave Follows exhibition began in The Potteries Museum in 2008.
Showing posts with label Doctor Who. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doctor Who. Show all posts
Friday, April 19, 2019
Thursday, April 4, 2019
On This Day: 04 Apr
Doctor Who: The Malignant Truth (Titan Comics; 2017)
Tottering-by-Gently: Tottering Hall Recipe Organiser (Frances Lincoln Stationery; 2013) ISBN-13: 978-0711234147.
Births:
Will Nickless (1902); Brian White (1902); Ronald Niebour (NEB; 1903)
Deaths:
Anthony Masters (2003); Dave Lamb (2011)
Notable Events:
The first series of Stan Lee's Lucky Man was released on DVD in 2016.
Tottering-by-Gently: Tottering Hall Recipe Organiser (Frances Lincoln Stationery; 2013) ISBN-13: 978-0711234147.
Births:
Will Nickless (1902); Brian White (1902); Ronald Niebour (NEB; 1903)
Deaths:
Anthony Masters (2003); Dave Lamb (2011)
Notable Events:
The first series of Stan Lee's Lucky Man was released on DVD in 2016.
Monday, March 25, 2019
On This Day: 25 Mar
TV Action + Countdown (Polystyle) #59 (01 Apr 1972)
Doctor Who: After Life (Titan Comics; 2015)
First Appearances:
Hotfoot Harry in The Victor (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #110 (30 Mar 1962).
Births:
Carlo Pellegrini (Ape; 1839); Jeffrey M. Boatfield (1924)
Deaths:
Ken Barr (2016)
Notable Events:
Leslie Gilbert Illingworth was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 1963.
Paper by Barry Gurbutt published by Franklin Watts Ltd in 1976.
D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. became the owners of the Friends Reunited website in 2009.
Doctor Who: After Life (Titan Comics; 2015)
First Appearances:
Hotfoot Harry in The Victor (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #110 (30 Mar 1962).
Births:
Carlo Pellegrini (Ape; 1839); Jeffrey M. Boatfield (1924)
Deaths:
Ken Barr (2016)
Notable Events:
Leslie Gilbert Illingworth was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 1963.
Paper by Barry Gurbutt published by Franklin Watts Ltd in 1976.
D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. became the owners of the Friends Reunited website in 2009.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
On This Day: 05 Mar
Battle Picture Weekly (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Dark Souls: Tales of Ember (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
Doctor Who Ghost Stories (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
Penny Dreadful (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
World War Tank Girl (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
First Appearances:
Red Star Roberts, Gang Buster in The Victor (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #55 (10 Mar 1962).
Dave 'Lofty' Banks (Lofty's One-Man Luftwaffe) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Sergeant Bill Battle (The Monsters of No-Man's-Land) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #24 (08 Mar 1975).
Danny Budd (The Bootneck Boy) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Sgt. Steve Dawson (D-Day Dawson) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Flight of the Golden Hinde in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Mike Nelson (Day of the Eagle) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Rat Pack in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Terror Behind the Bamboo Curtain in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Luke Clegg (H.M.S. Smokey Joe) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #282 (16 Feb 1980).
Births:
Molly Brett (1902); Jose Rafael Fonteriz (1961)
Deaths:
Peter Fraser (1950); Eric Burgin (1966); Ruggero Giovannini (1983); Martin Edmond (2004); George Worsley Adamson (2005)
Notable Events:
Philip Zec's controversial cartoon depicting a seaman adrift after the sinking of his ship was published in 1942.
Dark Souls: Tales of Ember (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
Doctor Who Ghost Stories (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
Penny Dreadful (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
World War Tank Girl (Titan Comics) #01 (2017).
First Appearances:
Red Star Roberts, Gang Buster in The Victor (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #55 (10 Mar 1962).
Dave 'Lofty' Banks (Lofty's One-Man Luftwaffe) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Sergeant Bill Battle (The Monsters of No-Man's-Land) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #24 (08 Mar 1975).
Danny Budd (The Bootneck Boy) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Sgt. Steve Dawson (D-Day Dawson) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Flight of the Golden Hinde in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Mike Nelson (Day of the Eagle) in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Rat Pack in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
The Terror Behind the Bamboo Curtain in Battle Picture Weekly #01 (08 Mar 1975).
Luke Clegg (H.M.S. Smokey Joe) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #282 (16 Feb 1980).
Births:
Molly Brett (1902); Jose Rafael Fonteriz (1961)
Deaths:
Peter Fraser (1950); Eric Burgin (1966); Ruggero Giovannini (1983); Martin Edmond (2004); George Worsley Adamson (2005)
Notable Events:
Philip Zec's controversial cartoon depicting a seaman adrift after the sinking of his ship was published in 1942.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
On This Day: 26 Feb
Doctor Who Comic (Titan Comics) #01 (2015)
First Appearances:
Judge Dredd in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 2 (05 Mar 1977).
Births:
John Cassell (Jack) Morrow (1872); F.H. Townsend (1868); Steve Bell (1951); Enrique Alcatena (1957)
Deaths:
Charles Folkard (1963)
Notable Events:
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody born in 1846. Tales of his adventures (both real and imagined) would continue long after his death.
The Greens newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1987.
Cardiff International Comic Expo began, at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel, in 2011.
Alice's Adventures in Comics-Land panel took place at the British Library, London, in 2016, with Paul Gravett, Chie Kutsuwada and Bryan Talbot in attendance.
First Appearances:
Judge Dredd in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 2 (05 Mar 1977).
Births:
John Cassell (Jack) Morrow (1872); F.H. Townsend (1868); Steve Bell (1951); Enrique Alcatena (1957)
Deaths:
Charles Folkard (1963)
Notable Events:
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody born in 1846. Tales of his adventures (both real and imagined) would continue long after his death.
The Greens newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1987.
Cardiff International Comic Expo began, at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel, in 2011.
Alice's Adventures in Comics-Land panel took place at the British Library, London, in 2016, with Paul Gravett, Chie Kutsuwada and Bryan Talbot in attendance.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
The Dr Who Annual [1966]
[Sep 1965] Annual. Original price 9/6.
pages. Full colour contents.
World Distributors (Manchester) Limited.
Based on the BBC television series starring William Hartnell.
Cover painting by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
Contents:
The Dr Who Annual is a different experience than anything modern readers might be used to, with the title the prime indicator that details might not be observed in translating the character to the page. Howarth's take on the first Doctor is, however, a treat to behold, commanding attention against a desolate alien landscape. The contents, however, are far from what viewers would have been expecting - which might, in retrospect, not be entirely disappointing. Those predisposed to strong continuity are likely to get a nosebleed from the annual, but approached in the proper frame of mind it is a very entertaining read.
There is a strong sense of surreality to the cover, with curious aliens sharing the cover in an attempt to sell the SF angle to readers who might be unfamiliar with the television series, though the effect merely emphasises a separation from its established history. Maybe there's a convention on... Other explanations for so many species gathering here may apply.
I've never been entirely sold on the endpaper, with its jauntily-angled TARDIS, and a forties-style space-station hanging in the air - it is both too generic, and too specific, to convince as an image from the series, as if the Doctor and the TARDIS had been placed on a preexisting background.
Despite the beautiful lettering at the top of the page, the contents page illustration is, simply put, awful. The image isn't of recognisable aliens, and their gape-mouthed appearance makes the scene more comedic than dramatic. Owing more to The Outer Limits than anything, its one saving grace is the expert manner in which it draws the eye to the beginning of the first text story. Subtle it is not, yet there is great skill behind the image.
The robot Zarbi suits are a nice touch, although the Doctor's violent solution to the problems he faces is wildly out of character. Neither The Lair of the Zarbi Supremo or The Sons of the Crab, the next story, have the tone and character quite right. Trapped by alien scientists, the Doctor is subjected to a variety of tests, and faces being dissected. An entire planet of shape-shifters, desperate to discover a cure for their "affliction" is a wonderful conceit, and the sustained conversation between the Doctor and Formal gives some idea of what it must be like to live on such a planet.
The strong horror theme which arrives naturally from this set-up, and which is nudged slightly to the forefront, is a different (though not unwelcome) genre to the Doctor's normal adventures. As a story which would have been impossible to film in the mid-sixties, the appeal of this story is obvious. The Yend are one of the most imaginative species created for the annuals, and their plight lends events a rather downbeat tone.
Despite having the whole of time and space to play with, the Doctor finds himself on Vortis, apparently for the first time. Timey-wimey stuff, indeed. The absence of his companions throughout the annual, which is most noticeable whenever the Doctor is required to rescue himself, is one of the problems, taking away the ability to discuss science, history, and other subjects. Without this tether to the series emphasis on intelligent and reasoned exploration of the universe, there isn't the same educational undercurrent which the early stories did so well.
Once again the story concludes with multiple deaths.
Peril in Mechanistria stands as the most intriguing story, detailing a world run by machines - not just any machines, but ones which utilise human brains in their construction. Presaging themes which would be dealt with by the Cybermen, this is a wonderful glimpse into a more nightmarish version of what would appear on the screen. Things are, of course, kept from becoming too scary for younger readers, and the conclusion has a ray of hope which is often absent in the appearance of bio-mechanical integration throughout the series.
An odd, though fascinating, insight into how the series was perceived in the early years.
pages. Full colour contents.
World Distributors (Manchester) Limited.
Based on the BBC television series starring William Hartnell.
Cover painting by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
Contents:
2 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
4 Indicia
5 The Dr Who Annual title page; illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
6 Contents illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
7 The Lair of the Zarbi Supremo text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
22 Who is Dr Who? text feature by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
24 The Sons of the Crab text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
37 The Lost Ones text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
50 Journey Back to Earth board game; illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
52 The Equations of Dr Who text feature by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
54 The Monsters from Earth text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
67 Peril in Mechanistria text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
81 The Fish Men of Kandalinga text story by David Whitaker (uncredited); illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
94 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by Walt Howarth (uncredited).
The Dr Who Annual is a different experience than anything modern readers might be used to, with the title the prime indicator that details might not be observed in translating the character to the page. Howarth's take on the first Doctor is, however, a treat to behold, commanding attention against a desolate alien landscape. The contents, however, are far from what viewers would have been expecting - which might, in retrospect, not be entirely disappointing. Those predisposed to strong continuity are likely to get a nosebleed from the annual, but approached in the proper frame of mind it is a very entertaining read.
There is a strong sense of surreality to the cover, with curious aliens sharing the cover in an attempt to sell the SF angle to readers who might be unfamiliar with the television series, though the effect merely emphasises a separation from its established history. Maybe there's a convention on... Other explanations for so many species gathering here may apply.
I've never been entirely sold on the endpaper, with its jauntily-angled TARDIS, and a forties-style space-station hanging in the air - it is both too generic, and too specific, to convince as an image from the series, as if the Doctor and the TARDIS had been placed on a preexisting background.
Despite the beautiful lettering at the top of the page, the contents page illustration is, simply put, awful. The image isn't of recognisable aliens, and their gape-mouthed appearance makes the scene more comedic than dramatic. Owing more to The Outer Limits than anything, its one saving grace is the expert manner in which it draws the eye to the beginning of the first text story. Subtle it is not, yet there is great skill behind the image.
The shock of hearing the voice was so great that Dr Who had barely time to complete the materialisation process. But old habit was strong, and smoothly and efficiently the Tardis slid in through the transdimensional flux and fitted its rearranged atoms into the new sphere. By all the doctor's co-ordinates and calculations this world should be the planet Vortis but just where on the planet, or when in the time-scale of that world, he could not as yet know. He drove home the last lever and, with hands on the edges of the control panel, panted with excitement. The voice through his radio had been talking in modern English!His name may not be right, the TARDIS isn't treated as an acronym, and - because it is so apparent here - the first Doctor panting with excitement is so out of character everything which follows is cast into a strange light. Clad in an Atmospheric Density Jacket, the Doctor sets out to investigate where (and when) he has landed. Finally locating the source of the message - a recording from a crashed ship, Solar Queen, the only inhabitants being a young boy named Gordon Hamilton and his injured, and comatose, father. Convincing the boy to help his fetch the other survivors - now missing - the Doctor and Gordon explore the Zarbi dwellings...
The robot Zarbi suits are a nice touch, although the Doctor's violent solution to the problems he faces is wildly out of character. Neither The Lair of the Zarbi Supremo or The Sons of the Crab, the next story, have the tone and character quite right. Trapped by alien scientists, the Doctor is subjected to a variety of tests, and faces being dissected. An entire planet of shape-shifters, desperate to discover a cure for their "affliction" is a wonderful conceit, and the sustained conversation between the Doctor and Formal gives some idea of what it must be like to live on such a planet.
The strong horror theme which arrives naturally from this set-up, and which is nudged slightly to the forefront, is a different (though not unwelcome) genre to the Doctor's normal adventures. As a story which would have been impossible to film in the mid-sixties, the appeal of this story is obvious. The Yend are one of the most imaginative species created for the annuals, and their plight lends events a rather downbeat tone.
Despite having the whole of time and space to play with, the Doctor finds himself on Vortis, apparently for the first time. Timey-wimey stuff, indeed. The absence of his companions throughout the annual, which is most noticeable whenever the Doctor is required to rescue himself, is one of the problems, taking away the ability to discuss science, history, and other subjects. Without this tether to the series emphasis on intelligent and reasoned exploration of the universe, there isn't the same educational undercurrent which the early stories did so well.
Once again the story concludes with multiple deaths.
Peril in Mechanistria stands as the most intriguing story, detailing a world run by machines - not just any machines, but ones which utilise human brains in their construction. Presaging themes which would be dealt with by the Cybermen, this is a wonderful glimpse into a more nightmarish version of what would appear on the screen. Things are, of course, kept from becoming too scary for younger readers, and the conclusion has a ray of hope which is often absent in the appearance of bio-mechanical integration throughout the series.
An odd, though fascinating, insight into how the series was perceived in the early years.
Doctor Who Annual
[1967]
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Doctor Who Weekly #4
07 Nov 1979. Cover price 12p.
28 pages. B&W contents.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
The Doctor's letter reminds readers not to play with fireworks, noting that they are still explosives despite their packaging and public perception. It is a message which can't be repeated enough, as even all these years later there are still horror stories of needless accidents being reported - such public safety notices have largely fallen out of favour, and these remnants from a time before social media are really evocative.
The Imperial Air-Galley enters the Temple of the Gods, an alien space-ship, and the Doctor convinces Morris to help his escape - which Morris is more than happy to do, given that he hasn't made an escape attempt for a couple of weeks. The Alien Guard, protectors of the temple, rush to prevent the escape of the prisoners. Managing to avoid recapture, the Doctor meets Vesuvius, the oldest robot in Rome. After performing minor repairs on Vesuvius, the Doctor asks where he can find the Gods - and realises that the Romans have been worshiping the Malevilus, most terrible of alien races.
Aliens who take the form of statues? Shades of the Weeping Angels raise this beyond any quibbles regarding the other-dimensional nature of the Romans. Morris is a great character, who really lightens the strip, as well as being oddly likable.
Although interesting, the Yeti aren't quite as memorable - or terrifying - as the Great Intelligence, who really should have formed the focus of the feature. As a history of the robots, however, it is a fine example of the recaps making the threats seem more credible than the episodes managed. The main drawback to the Yeti is their resemblance to Wombles, which is a complete drama-killer. How are the furry, rotund litter-pickers meant to scare when they are so damn cute?
I wouldn't say no to a pet Yeti.
I'll name him George. And I'll hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him...
War of the Worlds is one of the main foundation stones of alien invasions in popular culture, with some of the most dramatic scenes of devastation to focus on such an unlikely location. It should be told as the epic it is, and have at least one or two compelling, memorable images on every page. It should matter. While the adaptation is fine, it isn't exceptional. If there's one word which encapsulates the strip, that word would be "adequate".
The designs of the tripods owe much to the film adaptation, which overwhelms any positive artistic choices. Such a disappointment.
Continuing the recap of The Dead Planet, the same handful of images which always get published are, quelle surprise, dusted off and printed onece more. Are the choices of photographic record for the first doctor so limited that we never get new (or at least unpublished) material? Surely someone was a bit snap-happy on set, and there remains, somewhere, a few pieces we haven't seen dozens of times. Which isn't a complaint aimed at Doctor Who Weekly in specific, but all coverage of the first Doctor.
As endings go, Return of the Daleks pulls out all the stops.
While I'm going to miss Glax, his transformation from amoral exploitation producer to (albeit reluctant) hero has been a great way to expand the confines of the series. The history of the Daleks outside of strict continuity had already produced a few brilliant stories, and if they were to break free of the series, to invade television screens on their own, this strip would have to be considered as an inspiration.
28 pages. B&W contents.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
2 A Letter from the Doctor text feature by Dez Skinn (uncredited).
3 Doctor Who and the Iron Legion, part four, w: Pat Mills & John Wagner; a: Dave Gibbons.
7 Crazy Caption 4 competition; photograph (uncredited).
8 Starting Next Week in Issue Five of... Doctor Who Weekly preview of Throwback strip; a: Paul Neary.
9 The Monsters of Doctor Who The Yeti - Robot Pawns Controlled from Space text feature by Gordon Blows (uncredited); photographs (uncredited).
12 Planet Puzzle Answer (quarter page) / Another S-F Winner from Marvel in-house advertisement for Star Wars Weekly.
13 Tales from the TARDIS War of the Worlds, part four, w: Chris Claremont, based on the novel by H.G. Wells; p: Yong Montano; i: Dino Castrillo, lettering by Pat Condoy.
r: Marvel Classic Comics (Marvel) #14 (1976).
18 The Dead Planet text feature compiled by Jeremy Bentham; photographs (uncredited).
22 Doctor Who Photo-File Tom Baker fact-file (uncredited); photograph (uncredited).
23 The Return of the Daleks, part four, w: Steve Moore; p: Paul Neary, i: David Lloyd.
27 Doctor Who and the Turgids advertisement for Doctor Who Radio from Shortman Trading Company Ltd. w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
28 UNTITLED Tom Baker pin-up; photograph (uncredited).
The Doctor's letter reminds readers not to play with fireworks, noting that they are still explosives despite their packaging and public perception. It is a message which can't be repeated enough, as even all these years later there are still horror stories of needless accidents being reported - such public safety notices have largely fallen out of favour, and these remnants from a time before social media are really evocative.
The Imperial Air-Galley enters the Temple of the Gods, an alien space-ship, and the Doctor convinces Morris to help his escape - which Morris is more than happy to do, given that he hasn't made an escape attempt for a couple of weeks. The Alien Guard, protectors of the temple, rush to prevent the escape of the prisoners. Managing to avoid recapture, the Doctor meets Vesuvius, the oldest robot in Rome. After performing minor repairs on Vesuvius, the Doctor asks where he can find the Gods - and realises that the Romans have been worshiping the Malevilus, most terrible of alien races.
Aliens who take the form of statues? Shades of the Weeping Angels raise this beyond any quibbles regarding the other-dimensional nature of the Romans. Morris is a great character, who really lightens the strip, as well as being oddly likable.
Although interesting, the Yeti aren't quite as memorable - or terrifying - as the Great Intelligence, who really should have formed the focus of the feature. As a history of the robots, however, it is a fine example of the recaps making the threats seem more credible than the episodes managed. The main drawback to the Yeti is their resemblance to Wombles, which is a complete drama-killer. How are the furry, rotund litter-pickers meant to scare when they are so damn cute?
I wouldn't say no to a pet Yeti.
I'll name him George. And I'll hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him...
War of the Worlds is one of the main foundation stones of alien invasions in popular culture, with some of the most dramatic scenes of devastation to focus on such an unlikely location. It should be told as the epic it is, and have at least one or two compelling, memorable images on every page. It should matter. While the adaptation is fine, it isn't exceptional. If there's one word which encapsulates the strip, that word would be "adequate".
The designs of the tripods owe much to the film adaptation, which overwhelms any positive artistic choices. Such a disappointment.
Continuing the recap of The Dead Planet, the same handful of images which always get published are, quelle surprise, dusted off and printed onece more. Are the choices of photographic record for the first doctor so limited that we never get new (or at least unpublished) material? Surely someone was a bit snap-happy on set, and there remains, somewhere, a few pieces we haven't seen dozens of times. Which isn't a complaint aimed at Doctor Who Weekly in specific, but all coverage of the first Doctor.
After 800 years, the Daleks have returned to the planet Anhaut, seeking revenge for their former defeat. Movie producer Glax and his star, Hok Nepo, have found the weapon chamber of the ancient General Nor-Din... Only to have its contents destroyed by the Dalek agent, Kuay, before they could learn its secret...Prepared to kill everyone, and destroy everything, in their path, the Daleks approach the pyramid. Seemingly trapped, and destined to die in the pyramid, Kuay tells Glax that the Daleks' hold on her ended when she touched a crystal helmet - a device which rapidly ages the user. Hok takes the helmet from Kuay, though he cannot get it to work. Knowing her Dalek implants will enable use of the device, Kuay prepares to sacrifice herself to end the menace once and for all.
As endings go, Return of the Daleks pulls out all the stops.
While I'm going to miss Glax, his transformation from amoral exploitation producer to (albeit reluctant) hero has been a great way to expand the confines of the series. The history of the Daleks outside of strict continuity had already produced a few brilliant stories, and if they were to break free of the series, to invade television screens on their own, this strip would have to be considered as an inspiration.
#03
Doctor Who Weekly
#05
Monday, December 3, 2018
On This Day: 03 Dec
The Dandy (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Doctor Who Magazine Winter Special (Marvel Comics UK Ltd.) nn (1992).
First Appearances:
Barney Boko in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Desperate Dan in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Keyhole Kate in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Korky the Cat in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Sergeant Joe Fisher (Operation Husky) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #324 (06 Dec 1980).
Dennehy (Junker) in 2000 A.D. (Fleetway Publications) Prog 708 (08 Dec 1990).
Births:
William Kerridge Haselden (1872); Dan Escott (1928)
Notable Events:
I Feel Good (Holdings) Limited incorporated in 1999.
The Independent included a five-page tribute to The Dandy in 2007 in the form of a comic strip by Ken Harrison.
Doctor Who Magazine Winter Special (Marvel Comics UK Ltd.) nn (1992).
First Appearances:
Barney Boko in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Desperate Dan in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Keyhole Kate in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Korky the Cat in The Dandy #01 (04 Dec 1937).
Sergeant Joe Fisher (Operation Husky) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #324 (06 Dec 1980).
Dennehy (Junker) in 2000 A.D. (Fleetway Publications) Prog 708 (08 Dec 1990).
Births:
William Kerridge Haselden (1872); Dan Escott (1928)
Notable Events:
I Feel Good (Holdings) Limited incorporated in 1999.
The Independent included a five-page tribute to The Dandy in 2007 in the form of a comic strip by Ken Harrison.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Doctor Who Weekly #3
31 Oct 1979. Cover price 12p.
28 pages. B&W contents.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
Albert and Elsie Olthwaite should be revived for the new series, just so this issue's letter from the Doctor can be regarded as canon. An exceptionaly strange manner in which to begin the issue, though the sense of whimsy evoked by such a communication from the Doctor is reminiscent of the Tom Baker era as a whole. Slighty mad, yes, but with insights which pierce through 'common sense' to deliver profound statements.
Which likely makes the show sound a bit pretentious.
The Doctor faces the Ectoslime, which stuns its victims with its odour before liquefying them and drinking them. Searching his memory to recall if he had ever faced one before, he recalls the fact they have a highly developed sense of humour to make up for their appearance - so tells it a joke:
Having saved himself from a gruesome death, he is dragged from the arena and placed as a slave in an Imperial Air Galley by General Ironicus. A fellow captive aboard the ship is surprised that the Doctor isn't afraid of him due to his appearance, though the Doctor explains that, compared to the Ectoslime, he is almost handsome. Catching a glimpse of Caesar's mother, the Doctor thinks he has discovered the secret of the Galactic Roman Empire...
Has anyone attempted to translate the joke? I'm hoping it is presented in a code, and not merely a jumble of symbols, as such small details add a certain something to the character - even if I'm too lazy to find a suitable solution. The design sensibilities of the Roman-inspired world are rich in detail, with a few exceptional panels. The image of Caesar's mother is one of the few times we get to really see the world as the Doctor does.
And there's almost that Bugs Bunny line, for those amused at such things.
Whatever amusement could be gained from the Crazy Caption images is rather muted by the poor choice of images for this purpose. Screen captures of actors in the middle of unlikely and improbable events, with appropriately weird expressions, are much more suited to captioning. Before anyone points out how difficult such images were to get in 1979, such systems were available.
The Ice Warrior is an odd choice for Doctor Who's "monster of the week" feature, as they never really felt like top-tier enemies until later development, though the article is very informative. Behind-the-scenes images of Bernard Bresslaw getting prepared for his role as Varga are wonderful glimpses into the process of bringing the character to the screen, and worth the cover price alone. The paper quality doesn't do the images justice, though any opportunity to get a peek at the workings of Doctor Who's special effects are welcome.
Recapping The Dead Planet, the entrance of Daleks to the series is captured well, yet its importance in solidifying the series' popularity isn't addressed. It should have at least had a few newspaper reviews, or even snippets of Radio Times publicity material, which would have really sold the time period in which the episode was broadcast to readers.
Jon Pertwee's mini-bio highlights the inadequacy of the short overviews - despite being in line with previous entries, there's much more to his career than is presented here. Neither pin-up nor biography, the photo-files are a weird hybrid which serves neither function. While later incarnations of the title would handle the balance better, I find myself frustrated with the self-imposed limitations the title has created for itself.
Return of the Daleks, remaining a beautiful isolated glimmer of gold in the Doctor's universe, finds Glax and Hok knocked from their steeds by a whirling sandstorm. Within the winds, which they struggle through, they find a pyramid which is topped with a strange light. A door opens as they approach it, granting them access to a recording revealing the secret to the Daleks' defeat. Before Glax can learn what they must do, Kuay blasts the device and summons her Dalek masters.
The strips and television series information continues to make this a title which is well worth seeking out, though its lightweight features are beginning to grate.
28 pages. B&W contents.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
2 A Letter from the Doctor text feature by Dez Skinn (uncredited).
3 Doctor Who and the Iron Legion, part three, w: Pat Mills & John Wagner; a: Dave Gibbons.
7 Crazy Caption 3 competition; photograph (uncredited).
8 The Monsters of Doctor Who The Ice Warriors text feature by Gordon Blows (uncredited); photographs (uncredited).
10 Monster Mix Answers (quarter page) / Another S-F Winner from Marvel in-house advertisement for Starburst.
11 Planet Puzzle illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
12 Tales from the TARDIS War of the Worlds, part three, w: Chris Claremont, based on the novel by H.G. Wells; p: Yong Montano; i: Dino Castrillo, lettering by Pat Condoy.
r: Marvel Classic Comics (Marvel) #14 (1976).
17 The Dead Planet text feature compiled by Jeremy Bentham; photographs (uncredited).
22 Doctor Who Photo-File Jon Pertwee fact-file (uncredited); photograph (uncredited).
23 The Return of the Daleks, part three, w: Steve Moore; p: Paul Neary, i: David Lloyd.
27 Doctor Who and the Turgids advertisement for Doctor Who Radio from Shortman Trading Company Ltd. w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
28 Have Fun With the Amazing Mr. Bellamy advertisement for liquorice novelties.
Albert and Elsie Olthwaite should be revived for the new series, just so this issue's letter from the Doctor can be regarded as canon. An exceptionaly strange manner in which to begin the issue, though the sense of whimsy evoked by such a communication from the Doctor is reminiscent of the Tom Baker era as a whole. Slighty mad, yes, but with insights which pierce through 'common sense' to deliver profound statements.
Which likely makes the show sound a bit pretentious.
The Doctor faces the Ectoslime, which stuns its victims with its odour before liquefying them and drinking them. Searching his memory to recall if he had ever faced one before, he recalls the fact they have a highly developed sense of humour to make up for their appearance - so tells it a joke:
Having saved himself from a gruesome death, he is dragged from the arena and placed as a slave in an Imperial Air Galley by General Ironicus. A fellow captive aboard the ship is surprised that the Doctor isn't afraid of him due to his appearance, though the Doctor explains that, compared to the Ectoslime, he is almost handsome. Catching a glimpse of Caesar's mother, the Doctor thinks he has discovered the secret of the Galactic Roman Empire...
Has anyone attempted to translate the joke? I'm hoping it is presented in a code, and not merely a jumble of symbols, as such small details add a certain something to the character - even if I'm too lazy to find a suitable solution. The design sensibilities of the Roman-inspired world are rich in detail, with a few exceptional panels. The image of Caesar's mother is one of the few times we get to really see the world as the Doctor does.
And there's almost that Bugs Bunny line, for those amused at such things.
Whatever amusement could be gained from the Crazy Caption images is rather muted by the poor choice of images for this purpose. Screen captures of actors in the middle of unlikely and improbable events, with appropriately weird expressions, are much more suited to captioning. Before anyone points out how difficult such images were to get in 1979, such systems were available.
The Ice Warrior is an odd choice for Doctor Who's "monster of the week" feature, as they never really felt like top-tier enemies until later development, though the article is very informative. Behind-the-scenes images of Bernard Bresslaw getting prepared for his role as Varga are wonderful glimpses into the process of bringing the character to the screen, and worth the cover price alone. The paper quality doesn't do the images justice, though any opportunity to get a peek at the workings of Doctor Who's special effects are welcome.
Recapping The Dead Planet, the entrance of Daleks to the series is captured well, yet its importance in solidifying the series' popularity isn't addressed. It should have at least had a few newspaper reviews, or even snippets of Radio Times publicity material, which would have really sold the time period in which the episode was broadcast to readers.
Jon Pertwee's mini-bio highlights the inadequacy of the short overviews - despite being in line with previous entries, there's much more to his career than is presented here. Neither pin-up nor biography, the photo-files are a weird hybrid which serves neither function. While later incarnations of the title would handle the balance better, I find myself frustrated with the self-imposed limitations the title has created for itself.
Return of the Daleks, remaining a beautiful isolated glimmer of gold in the Doctor's universe, finds Glax and Hok knocked from their steeds by a whirling sandstorm. Within the winds, which they struggle through, they find a pyramid which is topped with a strange light. A door opens as they approach it, granting them access to a recording revealing the secret to the Daleks' defeat. Before Glax can learn what they must do, Kuay blasts the device and summons her Dalek masters.
The strips and television series information continues to make this a title which is well worth seeking out, though its lightweight features are beginning to grate.
#02
Doctor Who Weekly
#04
Monday, November 26, 2018
Doctor Who Weekly #2
24 Oct 1979. Cover price 12p.
28 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
K-9, looking remarkably spiffy, shares a cover with Tom Baker, and there is no hint of any animosity which Baker felt for the useless tin can. Although designed with television in mind it is a photogenic prop, although red blinds over its eyes still makes little to no sense.
Alternate realities may be fine for the Marvel superheroes, but... The answer as to the origin of the robots is a bit of a cop-out. It fits perfectly with what we have seen, yet feels as if it hasn't been given enough consideration given the multitude of strange events already seen in the series - it doesn't stretch the parameters of the character to fit the medium, as much as it pastes conventions of comics to the format of the series. The end of this installment is, however, a perfect note to conclude on, though ending every single strip on a physical threat, rather than a puzzle or revelation, might get old if overused.
The Cybermen does a fairly good job of untangling the (at times confusing) continuity of the characters, though stops short of providing a background to their creation for the show. There have subsequently been a number of publications which have provided more comprehensive information, giving the episode's air-dates and cast, though I'm sure readers were glad to have their memories jogged by such a tight recap of essential details.
Although obviously aimed at younger readers, Monster Mix is a wordsearch which has me thinking - have writers, needing appropriately alien names, used the jumble of letters to form the basis of alien names, species, or worlds? I actually started looking for various names (Saxon isn't present, sadly), but I couldn't remember enough without a reference book handy.
Patrick Troughton remains an enigma, despite the Photo-File's admirable attempt to cover his career, admitting in a disclaimer that the man was so shy he never participated in the usual publicity rigmarole which has become part and parcel of the role. He rarely seems to be properly credited for increasing the scope of the series in a substantial manner, and numerous questions linger regarding his acceptance into the series.
Return of the Daleks opens with Hok Nepo, star of the hologram-movie escaping from the Daleks, who are under the impression that he is their enemy Nor-Din. As the Daleks begin attacking the studio, Glax and Hok manage to escape to a police station, where they inform the officers of events. The police are soon overwhelmed, and decide the situation is best left to the military. Glax, seeing his studio destroyed, decides to head to the Desert of Vash to learn how the Daleks were originally defeated, taking Hok along with him. Kuay, the Daleks' faithful servant, follows them...
You don't need any knowledge of Doctor Who, or the spin-off material, to enjoy the story, which is a great benefit to the story's entertainment value as it increases in scale - still a self-contained piece of storytelling, with no overt call-backs to the Dalek strips of old, there's real tension created by using characters and a setting which haven't been seen before. While we know London isn't going to get destroyed, this hitherto-unseen planet doesn't have the same protection hanging over it.
28 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
2 SEACON '79 Photographs from the 1979 World Science Fiction convention; photographs by Joyce A. Agee.
3 Doctor Who and the Iron Legion, part two, w: Pat Mills & John Wagner; a: Dave Gibbons.
7 A Letter from the Doctor text feature by Dez Skinn (uncredited).
8 The Cybermen text feature by Gordon Blows; photographs (uncredited).
11 Monster Mix wordsearch; illustration by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
12 Tales from the TARDIS War of the Worlds, part two, w: Chris Claremont, based on the novel by H.G. Wells; p: Yong Montano; i: Dino Castrillo, lettering by Pat Condoy.
r: Marvel Classic Comics (Marvel) #14 (1976).
17 An Unearthly Child text feature compiled by Jeremy Bentham.
21 Crazy Caption 2 competition; photograph (uncredited).
22 Doctor Who Photo-File Patrick Troughton fact-file (uncredited); photograph (uncredited).
23 The Return of the Daleks, part two, w: Steve Moore; p: Paul Neary, i: David Lloyd.
27 Doctor Who and the Turgids advertisement for Doctor Who Radio from Shortman Trading Company Ltd. w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
28 Have Fun With the Amazing Mr. Bellamy advertisement for liquorice novelties.
K-9, looking remarkably spiffy, shares a cover with Tom Baker, and there is no hint of any animosity which Baker felt for the useless tin can. Although designed with television in mind it is a photogenic prop, although red blinds over its eyes still makes little to no sense.
The Doctor has fallen foul of the Iron Legion - strange war robots, led by the sinister General Ironicus. He makes a dash for the TARDIS as one of the Legions tanks opens fire!Caught in a dimensional disturbance, the TARDIS isn't happy at being thrown around. He eventually manages to arrive at the Rome Hyp-Arena, where Maximus Bilious is commentating on events for viewers watching elsewhere. Seized by the Emperor's guards, the Doctor comes to the realisation that he is witnessing events from an alternate Earth where Rome never fell, instead developing a sophisticated technology with which to conquer the entire galaxy.
At the very second the shell explodes, the Doctor has thrown the TARDIS out of dimension!
Alternate realities may be fine for the Marvel superheroes, but... The answer as to the origin of the robots is a bit of a cop-out. It fits perfectly with what we have seen, yet feels as if it hasn't been given enough consideration given the multitude of strange events already seen in the series - it doesn't stretch the parameters of the character to fit the medium, as much as it pastes conventions of comics to the format of the series. The end of this installment is, however, a perfect note to conclude on, though ending every single strip on a physical threat, rather than a puzzle or revelation, might get old if overused.
Not wanting to trust the pigeon post from Ganymede again, I'm sending this letter via Beam-a-Zeat. I did notice they were also sending a batch of smoked klim-bait (a local delicacy) in the same container, so sincerest apologies if this letter pongs a bit.The Doctor was hanging out with Ace Rimmer back in 1979? This is news which could only be improved if we were to get the revelation he also borrowed Arthur Dent's towel to flick at a Dalek.
The Cybermen does a fairly good job of untangling the (at times confusing) continuity of the characters, though stops short of providing a background to their creation for the show. There have subsequently been a number of publications which have provided more comprehensive information, giving the episode's air-dates and cast, though I'm sure readers were glad to have their memories jogged by such a tight recap of essential details.
Although obviously aimed at younger readers, Monster Mix is a wordsearch which has me thinking - have writers, needing appropriately alien names, used the jumble of letters to form the basis of alien names, species, or worlds? I actually started looking for various names (Saxon isn't present, sadly), but I couldn't remember enough without a reference book handy.
London, November 1963. Under a blanket of thick, swirling fog a policeman pounds his solitary beat amid the high brick walls of the inner metropolis.The first four episodes of the series are covered by Jeremy Bentham, though there's nothing to indicate a separate pilot was shot prior to broadcast. While the brief recaps are very well written, the lack of detail about the shooting, or other circumstances surrounding the broadcast, leaves this feeling somehow incomplete as an account of the early days of the series. While we are informed that the shooting budget was a mere £2000 per episode, we get no indication of how this was allocated, nor if it was achieved without rewrites. A note on the series reception hints at the praise, though there's no reproduction of the reviews, which would have been a fantastic glimpse into the audience's immediate reactions.
Casting a pale yellow beam, the light of his torch falls upon the large wooden gates of a junkyard, bearing the words: "I.M. FOREMAN, 76 TOTTERS LANE".
As the policeman walks into the darkness, he fails to notice one of the gates swing open.
Had he noticed it, he would have been most puzzled by what was inside.
For, among the debris of the scrapyard was the then-familiar blue shape of a London Police Public Call Box.
Yet this police box was not what it seemed. For, unlike every other one in the city, this police box hid an awesome secret.
Just audible to human hearing, it was emitting a humming sound along with a faint vibration coming from within...
Patrick Troughton remains an enigma, despite the Photo-File's admirable attempt to cover his career, admitting in a disclaimer that the man was so shy he never participated in the usual publicity rigmarole which has become part and parcel of the role. He rarely seems to be properly credited for increasing the scope of the series in a substantial manner, and numerous questions linger regarding his acceptance into the series.
Return of the Daleks opens with Hok Nepo, star of the hologram-movie escaping from the Daleks, who are under the impression that he is their enemy Nor-Din. As the Daleks begin attacking the studio, Glax and Hok manage to escape to a police station, where they inform the officers of events. The police are soon overwhelmed, and decide the situation is best left to the military. Glax, seeing his studio destroyed, decides to head to the Desert of Vash to learn how the Daleks were originally defeated, taking Hok along with him. Kuay, the Daleks' faithful servant, follows them...
You don't need any knowledge of Doctor Who, or the spin-off material, to enjoy the story, which is a great benefit to the story's entertainment value as it increases in scale - still a self-contained piece of storytelling, with no overt call-backs to the Dalek strips of old, there's real tension created by using characters and a setting which haven't been seen before. While we know London isn't going to get destroyed, this hitherto-unseen planet doesn't have the same protection hanging over it.
#01
Doctor Who Weekly
#03
Friday, November 23, 2018
Doctor Who Weekly #1
17 Oct 1979. Cover price 12p.
28 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
There's a fair few conventions of cover design which, in principal, are entirely justifiable, but are nevertheless completely inexplicable. The free gift (here transfers) is almost always prioritised over the cover art (or, in this case, photograph), despite the likelihood that most copies will be deprived of their items soon after sale. What this means, in terms of aesthetics, is that first issues can tend to be rather unappealing. There is a large blank box upon which the transfers would be affixed, had they been present, though there's no real need to cover the photograph so.
Is the Dalek shy? Is it hiding a spot of rust? Is it trying to disguise itself as a piece of cheese?
The panoramas, on the inside covers, are interesting, though add nothing to the universe of the Doctor. Had they been tied in to stories appearing in the title, or acted as a bridge between television episodes and the comic, then there would be a real incentive to study them for details. On their own, and without any continuation of the narratives, they are simply pretty pictures with some justifying text.
Robots and Roman legionnaires. Two staples of British television brought to the printed page in glorious, mad, and rather brilliant fashion. There have been a multitude of stories placing the Doctor in small villages which are tormented by extraterrestrial dangers, and this follows most of the conventions save for the immediate death of what appears to be the sole surviving inhabitant. Without companions, and the man killed immediately, the opportunity for his prodigious running commentary on events, and asides, is limited, though with such speedy pacing this ought not to be a critical problem.
Getting through so much in such a brief page count does mean we have no sense of how long the robots have been prowling the streets. For a character so tied to time, the nebulous time-frame in which an organised invasion (however contained) could be mounted is a niggle which eats at enjoyment of what ought to be a riotous celebration of the character finally earning his own title.
The letter from the Doctor helpfully suggests that the reader look out for #879 ("It really was a beauty"), which suggests that, when it appears, it had better pull out all the stops. A double length issue with a plethora of free gifts, and a complete comic strip... If your copy of #879 isn't an epic tour de force, then you need to immediately return the issue to Panini with a strongly-worded letter of outrage, demanding they immediately send you the highlight of the series.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes.
Day of the Daleks, which recounts both the inspiration for the appearance of the race, and briefly recounts their first appearance, is the kind of light, breezy feature which doesn't push forward the history of the series to any great degree. There are plenty of facts present, though with only three pages to include the entire history of the Daleks it is understandable that the omissions outweigh inclusions.
The Story of Dr Who is a puff-piece which isn't far removed from the kind of features seen in general SF magazines, suggesting caution hanging over the issue - not brave enough to really dig into intricacies of script development or continuity, though attempting to centre attention on the series regardless. A Photo-File of William Hartnell (to whom the first issue is dedicated) is so light on biographical information that it doesn't cover his life away from the screen at all, which is, in these days of round-the-clock reality television inanity, rather incomprehensible. He's someone who exuded charm and charisma, and really deserved more than this.
The Return of the Daleks centres on Anhaut, once the scene of a Dalek invasion.
A slight, though amusing, story of the real deal being mistaken for props, which is a slightly worn set-up, the story nevertheless holds enough charm to excuse its plot. These are characters who are deserving of more added to their story. Even if all we get is a cutaway scene of the Doctor watching one of the hologram-movies between bouts of running through corridors, there's something about the story which always appealed.
If this type of launch, with short comic strips and insignificant text features, had appeared as little as ten years later it would have been laughed off the shelves, but nobody had really exploited a live-action television series to this degree before. As a launch of its era it is very impressive. It isn't perfect, but it is very British.
Read it with a bag of jelly babies to hand, and enjoy the fleeting moments of genius.
28 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Dez Skinn.
Photo cover (uncredited).
Free transfers.
Contents:
2 "Things looked bad for me after the TARDIS materialised on board a Vorgan space platform." Panorama; a: Dave Gibbons.
3 Doctor Who and the Iron Legion, part one, w: Pat Mills & John Wagner; a: Dave Gibbons.
8 A Letter from the Doctor text feature by Dez Skinn (uncredited).
9 Day of the Daleks text feature by B. Aldrich [Dez Skinn] & G. Blows; photographs (uncredited).
12 Tales from the TARDIS War of the Worlds w: Chris Claremont, based on the novel by H.G. Wells; p: Yong Montano; i: Dino Castrillo, lettering by Pat Condoy.
r: Marvel Classic Comics (Marvel) #14 ().
16 Two More S-F Winners from Mighty Marvel (half page) in-house advertisement for Star Wars Weekly and Starburst.
17 "Hello again, all." text feature by Dez Skinn (uncredited).
18 The Story of Doctor Who text feature (uncredited).
20 Crazy Caption 1 competition; photograph (uncredited).
21 Chew the Gum (half page) advertisement for Bazooka Joe. / 111 Stamps (All Different) FREE (half page) advertisement for Bridgnorth Stamp Co. Ltd.
22 Doctor Who Photo-File William Hartnell fact-file (uncredited); photograph (uncredited).
23 The Return of the Daleks w: Steve Moore; p: Paul Neary, i: David Lloyd.
27 I'd only landed on Magnon 5 to stretch my legs, but a malfunction of the TARDIS caused it to disappear, leaving me stranded!" Panorama; a: Dave Gibbons.
28 Have Fun With the Amazing Mr. Bellamy advertisement for liquorice novelties.
There's a fair few conventions of cover design which, in principal, are entirely justifiable, but are nevertheless completely inexplicable. The free gift (here transfers) is almost always prioritised over the cover art (or, in this case, photograph), despite the likelihood that most copies will be deprived of their items soon after sale. What this means, in terms of aesthetics, is that first issues can tend to be rather unappealing. There is a large blank box upon which the transfers would be affixed, had they been present, though there's no real need to cover the photograph so.
Is the Dalek shy? Is it hiding a spot of rust? Is it trying to disguise itself as a piece of cheese?
The panoramas, on the inside covers, are interesting, though add nothing to the universe of the Doctor. Had they been tied in to stories appearing in the title, or acted as a bridge between television episodes and the comic, then there would be a real incentive to study them for details. On their own, and without any continuation of the narratives, they are simply pretty pictures with some justifying text.
They fought their way across a thousand planets - robot veterans of the eternal war - destroying, with ruthless discipline, all who stood in their way!The Doctor lands the TARDIS in a small village, immediately heading for the nearest store to stock up on provisions. The owner is distracted, however, and cryptically utters "They're coming!" before explaining himself - the town is surrounded, and he returned to the store as he didn't know what else to do. At that moment a robot smashes into the building and demands that the inhabitants remain where they are. Killing the man, it soon becomes confused at the Doctor's odd biology, which the Doctor uses to his advantage, learning the robot is First Cohort of the Ninth Legion.
And now, the peaceful tranquility of the English countryside is rudely shattered as they appear - as if from nowhere - brutally dragging people out and razing their houses to the ground!
And yet... for all the robots' strangeness, there is something... grimly familiar about them!
Robots and Roman legionnaires. Two staples of British television brought to the printed page in glorious, mad, and rather brilliant fashion. There have been a multitude of stories placing the Doctor in small villages which are tormented by extraterrestrial dangers, and this follows most of the conventions save for the immediate death of what appears to be the sole surviving inhabitant. Without companions, and the man killed immediately, the opportunity for his prodigious running commentary on events, and asides, is limited, though with such speedy pacing this ought not to be a critical problem.
Getting through so much in such a brief page count does mean we have no sense of how long the robots have been prowling the streets. For a character so tied to time, the nebulous time-frame in which an organised invasion (however contained) could be mounted is a niggle which eats at enjoyment of what ought to be a riotous celebration of the character finally earning his own title.
The letter from the Doctor helpfully suggests that the reader look out for #879 ("It really was a beauty"), which suggests that, when it appears, it had better pull out all the stops. A double length issue with a plethora of free gifts, and a complete comic strip... If your copy of #879 isn't an epic tour de force, then you need to immediately return the issue to Panini with a strongly-worded letter of outrage, demanding they immediately send you the highlight of the series.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes.
Day of the Daleks, which recounts both the inspiration for the appearance of the race, and briefly recounts their first appearance, is the kind of light, breezy feature which doesn't push forward the history of the series to any great degree. There are plenty of facts present, though with only three pages to include the entire history of the Daleks it is understandable that the omissions outweigh inclusions.
No one would have believed in last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own...Though the adaptation only reaches the discovery of the cylinder on Horsell Common, the telling - both script and art - are slightly above average for the form. While it isn't visually daring, there are nice touches, such as the horse-drawn carriage on the first page. The appearance of the tripod isn't, it has to be said, the most exciting or logical solution to the book's description.
With infinite complacency, men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs. Serene in their assurance of their empire over matter.
No one gave a thought to the older worlds of space as sources of human danger, or thought of them only to dismiss the idea of life upon them as impossible or improbable.
The Story of Dr Who is a puff-piece which isn't far removed from the kind of features seen in general SF magazines, suggesting caution hanging over the issue - not brave enough to really dig into intricacies of script development or continuity, though attempting to centre attention on the series regardless. A Photo-File of William Hartnell (to whom the first issue is dedicated) is so light on biographical information that it doesn't cover his life away from the screen at all, which is, in these days of round-the-clock reality television inanity, rather incomprehensible. He's someone who exuded charm and charisma, and really deserved more than this.
The Return of the Daleks centres on Anhaut, once the scene of a Dalek invasion.
Today, Anhaut is a thriving peaceful world... at least, it's thriving unless you listen to our friend here... His name's Glax... and he's the owner of Galactic Glax Picture Corporation...Concerned about declining returns on his hologram-movie releases, Glax overhears a mother chide her child for bad behaviour, warning him a Dalek will get him if he doesn't behave. Pondering this as a possible plot, Glax wanders off deep in thought. Hunting in the archives for information, he finds a view-film from eight hundred years earlier. Describing how a Dalek scout landed one night, the footage shows how a band of 23 Daleks rampaged across the planet, slaughtering and destroying. Although the end of the story is tantalisingly vague, Glax is determined to commit the story to film. Unbeknown to Glax, the real Daleks are freed from their prison, and roaming the set.
A slight, though amusing, story of the real deal being mistaken for props, which is a slightly worn set-up, the story nevertheless holds enough charm to excuse its plot. These are characters who are deserving of more added to their story. Even if all we get is a cutaway scene of the Doctor watching one of the hologram-movies between bouts of running through corridors, there's something about the story which always appealed.
If this type of launch, with short comic strips and insignificant text features, had appeared as little as ten years later it would have been laughed off the shelves, but nobody had really exploited a live-action television series to this degree before. As a launch of its era it is very impressive. It isn't perfect, but it is very British.
Read it with a bag of jelly babies to hand, and enjoy the fleeting moments of genius.
Doctor Who Weekly
#02
Monday, November 12, 2018
On This Day: 12 Nov
Doctor Who Classic Comics (Marvel Comics UK Ltd.) #01 (1992)
First Appearances:
Inspector Jellicoe's Case-Book in The Hornet (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #01 (16 Nov 1963).
Births:
Fred Holmes (1908); Chad Varah (1911); Carlos Ezquerra (1947)
Deaths:
Harry Hargreaves (2004)
Notable Events:
Paul Coppin, former Virgin Megastore and Fantastic Store owner, was arrested in Greece for spying in 2001.
The first episode of original superhero drama Misfits broadcast on E4 in 2009.
First Appearances:
Inspector Jellicoe's Case-Book in The Hornet (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #01 (16 Nov 1963).
Births:
Fred Holmes (1908); Chad Varah (1911); Carlos Ezquerra (1947)
Deaths:
Harry Hargreaves (2004)
Notable Events:
Paul Coppin, former Virgin Megastore and Fantastic Store owner, was arrested in Greece for spying in 2001.
The first episode of original superhero drama Misfits broadcast on E4 in 2009.
Friday, November 9, 2018
On This Day: 09 Nov
Doctor Who Christmas Special - The Six Doctors (Marvel; 1984]
Births:
Godfrey Douglas Giles (1857); Harry Parlett (1881); Simon Farr (1940); Luca Saponti (1985)
Deaths:
Leonard Matthews (1997); Terry Willers (2011)
Notable Events:
George du Maurier coined the term 'curate's egg' in a Punch cartoon entitled True Humility in 1895.
The infamous confrontation between Malcolm Muggeridge and John Cleese and Michael Palin, regarding the release of The Life of Brian, was broadcast as part of Friday Night, Saturday Morning, on BBC 2, in 1979.
Stan Lee began a signing tour at Forbidden Planet, 71 Oxford Street, London, in 1991.
Thought Bubble / The Leeds Sequential Art Festival began, at Leeds Town Hall, in 2007.
Comica Presents Grandville Bête Noire World Premiere, with Bryan and Mary Talbot in an interview with Kim Newman, took place, at Foyle's, Charing Cross Road, London, in 2012.
The Leeds Comic Art Festival began in 2015.
Births:
Godfrey Douglas Giles (1857); Harry Parlett (1881); Simon Farr (1940); Luca Saponti (1985)
Deaths:
Leonard Matthews (1997); Terry Willers (2011)
Notable Events:
George du Maurier coined the term 'curate's egg' in a Punch cartoon entitled True Humility in 1895.
The infamous confrontation between Malcolm Muggeridge and John Cleese and Michael Palin, regarding the release of The Life of Brian, was broadcast as part of Friday Night, Saturday Morning, on BBC 2, in 1979.
Stan Lee began a signing tour at Forbidden Planet, 71 Oxford Street, London, in 1991.
Thought Bubble / The Leeds Sequential Art Festival began, at Leeds Town Hall, in 2007.
Comica Presents Grandville Bête Noire World Premiere, with Bryan and Mary Talbot in an interview with Kim Newman, took place, at Foyle's, Charing Cross Road, London, in 2012.
The Leeds Comic Art Festival began in 2015.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Doctor Who Weekly
17 Oct 1979 - 07 Aug 1980 (43 issues)
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Based on the BBC television series.
01 (17 Oct 1979; cover price 12p) Free cover-mounted transfers. Doctor Who and the Iron Legion begins. Tales from the Tardis (War of the Worlds reprinted from Marvel Classic Comics #14 with new header) begins. The Monsters of Doctor Who: Day of the Daleks and The Story of Doctor Who text features. Photo-File #1: William Hartnell.
Note: Reprinted in Dec 2004.
02 (24 Oct 1979) Free cover-mounted transfers. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Cybermen text feature. Monster Mix wordsearch. Story One: An Unearthly Child text feature. Photo-File #2: Patrick Troughton.
03 (31 Oct 1979) Free cover-mounted transfers. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors text feature. Planet Puzzle (word puzzle). Story Two: The Dead Planet text feature, part one. Photo-File #3: Jon Pertwee.
04 (07 Nov 1979) Free cover-mounted transfers. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Yeti text feature. Story Two: The Dead Planet text feature, part two. Photo-File #4: Tom Baker. Tom Baker full-color pin-up.
05 (14 Nov 1979) Throwback: The Soul of a Cyberman begins. Story Three: Beyond The Sun text feature. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Master text feature. Photo-File #5: Mary Tamm. The Three Doctors full-color pin-up.
06 (21 Nov 1979) Story Four: Marco Polo text feature. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Sontarans text feature. Photo-File #6: Lalla Ward. Destiny Of The Daleks pin-up.
07 (28 Nov 1979) Story Five: The Keys of Marinus text feature. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Ogrons text feature. Photo-File #7: Roger Delgado. Patrick Troughton pin-up. 'Who Cares!' Letter column begins.
08 (05 Dec 1979) The Final Quest complete strip. Story Six: The Aztecs text feature. The Doctor and the Daleks - On Film text feature. Photo-File #8: Nicholas Courtney.
09 (12 Dec 1979) City of the Damned and The Stolen Tardis strips begin. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Zygons text feature. Story Seven: The Sensorites text feature. Photo-File #9: Louise Jameson. Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. full-color pin-up.
10 (19 Dec 1979) The Monsters of Doctor Who: Davros text feature. Story Eight: The French Revolution text feature. Photo-File #10: Ian Marter. The Monster of Peladon pin-up
Note: The Wordsearch is often missing the cut-out entry form for the Doctor Who Annual competition.
11 (26 Dec 1979) The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Silurians text feature. Story Nine: Planet of Giants text feature. Photo-File #11: Elizabeth Sladen. Jon Pertwee pin-up. Tom Baker Christmas pin-up. The Three Doctors full-color pin-up.
12 (02 Jan 1980) K-9's Finest Hour complete strip. Tales from the Tardis begins reprinting The Invisible Man. The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Krynoids text feature. Story Ten: The Dalek Invasion of Earth text feature, part one. Photo-File #12: Carole Ann Ford. Lalla Ward pin-up.
13 (09 Jan 1980) Warlord of the Ogrons strip begins. The Story Of K-9 text feature. Story Ten: The Dalek Invasion of Earth text feature, part two. Photo-File #13: Maureen O'Brien. Ogron pin-up.
14 (16 Jan 1980) The Making Of K-9 text feature. Story Eleven: The Rescue text feature. Photo-File #14: William Russell. Louise Jameson pin-up. Patrick Troughton pin-up.
15 (23 Jan 1980) Deathworld strip begins. Inside the Tardis text feature, part one. Story Twelve: The Romans text feature. Photo-File #15: Jacqueline Hill. Patrick Troughton pin-up. Draconian Prince pin-up.
16 (30 Jan 1980) Inside the Tardis text feature, part two. Story Thirteen: The Web Planet text feature, part one. Photo-File #16: Wendy Padbury. Louise Jameson pin-up. Sontaran pin-up.
17 (06 Feb 1980) Tales from the Tardis begins reprinting Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Abslom Daak: Dalek-Killer (1st app.) begins. K-9 Blueprints illustrated feature. Story Thirteen: The Web Planet text feature, part two. Photo-File #17: Peter Purves. Dalek pin-up. Elisabeth Sladen pin-up.
18 (13 Feb 1980) The Monsters of Doctor Who: The Mandrells text feature. Story Fourteen: The Lion Heart text feature. Photo-File #18: Jackie Lane. Pin-ups from The Chase and the Space Pirates.
19 (20 Feb 1980) The Mightiest Menace illustrated text feature, part one. Story Fifteen: The Space Museum text feature. Photo-File #19: Katy Manning. William Hartnell pin-up. Nicholas Courtney pin-up.
20 (27 Feb 1980) The Mightiest Menace illustrated text feature, part two. Story Sixteen: The Chase text feature, part one. Photo-File #20: Frazer Hines. Romana & K-9 inside-cover poster.
21 (05 Mar 1980) Twilight of the Silurians strip begins. The Time Lords of Gallifrey text feature. Story Sixteen: The Chase text feature, part two. Photo-File #21: John Levine. William Hartnell pin-up. Pyramids of Mars pin-up.
22 (12 Mar 1980) Tales from the Tardis begins reprinting The First Men in the Moon. The UNIT File text feature, part one. Story Seventeen: The Time Meddler text feature, part one. Photo-File #22: Caroline John. Tom Baker pin-up. The Stones of Blood pin-up.
23 (19 Mar 1980) Ship of Fools strip begins. The UNIT File text feature, part two. Story Seventeen: The Time Meddler text feature, part two. Photo-File #23: Deborah Waterfield. Jon Pertwee pin-up. The Wheel in Space pin-up.
24 (26 May 1980) Robots of Terror text feature, part one. Story Eighteen: Galaxy Four text feature, part one. Photo-File #24: Michael Craze.
Note: Colouring Competition page is often missing.
25 (02 Apr 1980) The Outsider strip begins. Robots of Terror text feature, part two. Story Eighteen: Galaxy Four text feature, part two. Photo-File #25: Jean Marsh. Sea Devil pin-up. Jon Pertwee pin-up.
26 (09 Apr 1980) The Two-Timer text story. Exhibition Special text feature. Fantastic Facts page and UNIT Club Page begins.
Note: Membership coupons printed in the UNIT feature often cut out.
27 (16 Apr 1980) Star Tigers strip begins. Stowaway text story. Scaroth of Jagaroth text feature. Photo-File #25: Anneke Wills. The Mind Robbers pin-up.
28 (23 Apr 1980) Evil Egg text story. The Movellans text feature. 'Gallifrey Guardian' news page begins.
29 (30 Apr 1980) Sands of Time text story, part one. Sounds Peculiar feature on Radiophonic Workshop. Sarah Kingdom pin-up.
30 (07 May 1980) Sands of Time text story, part two. Dr Who's Time Tales begins (US reprints). Special Effects text feature.
31 (14 May 1980) Yonder... The Yeti strip begins. Mind-Jump text story. The Man Behind Doctor Who text feature about John Nathan Turner. The Female Foes of Dr. Who photo-feature.
32 (21 May 1980) The Hole Truth text story. Horns of Nimon text feature.
33 (28 May 1980) Breakdown text story. The Dalek Tapes reprints from TV Century 21 begin.
34 (05 Jun 1980) The Creature from the Pit text feature.
35 (12 Jun 1980) Doctor Who and the Time Witch strip begins. Black Legacy strip begins. Nicholas Courtney pin-up.
36 (19 Jun 1980) Lalla Ward pin-up.
37 (28 Jun 1980) Alien Encounters text feature. Styggron pin-up.
38 (03 Jul 1980) Galactic Foes text feature.
39 (10 Jul 1980) Dragon Claw strip begins. Spacecraft Through the Ages text feature.
40 (17 Jul 1980) Business as Usual strip begins. The Celestial Toymaker text feature. Silurian pin-up.
41 (23 Jul 1980) Historical Encounters text feature. Axon pin-up.
42 (31 Jul 1980) The Key to Time text feature. Davros pin-up.
43 (07 Aug 1980) The Green Death text feature. The Mind Robber text feature. Frontier in Space pin-up.
See also:
Doctor Who (official website)
Doctor Who Collectors Wiki.
Doctor Who Online.
Tardis Index File (Wiki).
Thursday, November 1, 2018
On This Day: 01 Nov
Doctor Who: It's Bigger on the Inside (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1988).
The Best of the Oldie Cartoons edited by Alexander Chancellor. (Oldie Publications Ltd.; 2015) ISBN-13: 978-1901170245
The International Book of Comics by Denis Gifford. (Hamlyn; 1984).
Marshal Law: Fear Asylum by Pat Mills & Kevin O'Neill. (Titan Books; 2003).
Judge Dredd: Kingdom of the Blind by David Bishop. (Black Flame; Nov 2004) ISBN-10: 1844161331.
Judge Dredd - War Planet by Dave Stone. (Big Finish Productions; 2003).
Judge Dredd - Pre-Emptive Revenge by Jonathan Clements. (Big Finish Productions; 2004).
Judge Dredd - Grud is Dead by James Swallow. (Big Finish Productions; 2004).
Send for a Superhero! by Michael Rosen. (Walker Books Ltd.; 2014) ISBN-13: 9781406327090.
Births:
J.F. (James Francis) Horrabin (1884); Sir Robert Leicester Harmsworth, 1st Baronet (1870); Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907); Graham Coton (1926); Alberto Salinas (1932); Michael Fleisher (1942)
Character Births:
Wilson, the Wonder Athlete (1795)
Notable Events:
Leo Baxendale left IPC – and comics – on discovering his work was being reprinted (without payment) on this day in 1975.
The Revolver Hallowe'en Tour descended on Forbidden Planet, 36 Dawson Street, Dublin, in 1990. Garth Ennis, John McCrea and Will Simpson joined the other creators.
Michael Bennett, editor of the Frontier line of comics, officially left Marvel Comics in 1993.
Mark Millar and John McCrea visited Blue Peter in 2011, where they revealed the first page of a Blue Peter-themed comic strip.
The Daily Mirror included a free promotional copy of The Beano, containing original material, in 2014.
The Leeds Comic Art Festival began in 2016, running until 06 Nov.
The Grandville: Force Majeure exhibition (of Bryan Talbot art) began at Orbital Comics, London, in 2017.
The Best of the Oldie Cartoons edited by Alexander Chancellor. (Oldie Publications Ltd.; 2015) ISBN-13: 978-1901170245
The International Book of Comics by Denis Gifford. (Hamlyn; 1984).
Marshal Law: Fear Asylum by Pat Mills & Kevin O'Neill. (Titan Books; 2003).
Judge Dredd: Kingdom of the Blind by David Bishop. (Black Flame; Nov 2004) ISBN-10: 1844161331.
Judge Dredd - War Planet by Dave Stone. (Big Finish Productions; 2003).
Judge Dredd - Pre-Emptive Revenge by Jonathan Clements. (Big Finish Productions; 2004).
Judge Dredd - Grud is Dead by James Swallow. (Big Finish Productions; 2004).
Send for a Superhero! by Michael Rosen. (Walker Books Ltd.; 2014) ISBN-13: 9781406327090.
Births:
J.F. (James Francis) Horrabin (1884); Sir Robert Leicester Harmsworth, 1st Baronet (1870); Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907); Graham Coton (1926); Alberto Salinas (1932); Michael Fleisher (1942)
Character Births:
Wilson, the Wonder Athlete (1795)
Notable Events:
Leo Baxendale left IPC – and comics – on discovering his work was being reprinted (without payment) on this day in 1975.
The Revolver Hallowe'en Tour descended on Forbidden Planet, 36 Dawson Street, Dublin, in 1990. Garth Ennis, John McCrea and Will Simpson joined the other creators.
Michael Bennett, editor of the Frontier line of comics, officially left Marvel Comics in 1993.
Mark Millar and John McCrea visited Blue Peter in 2011, where they revealed the first page of a Blue Peter-themed comic strip.
The Daily Mirror included a free promotional copy of The Beano, containing original material, in 2014.
The Leeds Comic Art Festival began in 2016, running until 06 Nov.
The Grandville: Force Majeure exhibition (of Bryan Talbot art) began at Orbital Comics, London, in 2017.
Monday, October 29, 2018
On This Day: 29 Oct
Captain America (Marvel Comics Ltd.) #37 (04 Nov 1981). 1st color issue
Doctor Who Winter Special (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1981].
Buster with Whizzer and Chips (Fleetway) #?? (03 Nov 1990).
Green Arrow (Titan Comics) #01 (2015).
Multiverse () #01 ()
Births:
Frederick Thomas Dalton (1855); Reg Bunn (1905); William Douglas Smith (1916); Bob Wilson (1942)
Deaths:
John Leech (1864); Edmund Xavier Kapp (1978); Ralph David Sallon (1999); Gerard Melling (GED; 2007); Mervyn Haisman (2010); Jose Luis Ferrer (2012)
Notable Events:
The Jinks Family newspaper strip ended in 1927.
JAK's controversial cartoon depicting a horror movie poster was published in the Evening Standard in 1982. Ken Livingstone withdrew all advertising, and demanded an apology from the paper – which was refused.
The London MCM [Movie Comic Media] Expo began hosting the Eagle Awards with the ceremony in 2010.
Nottingham Comic Con began, in 2017.
Doctor Who Winter Special (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1981].
Buster with Whizzer and Chips (Fleetway) #?? (03 Nov 1990).
Green Arrow (Titan Comics) #01 (2015).
Multiverse () #01 ()
Births:
Frederick Thomas Dalton (1855); Reg Bunn (1905); William Douglas Smith (1916); Bob Wilson (1942)
Deaths:
John Leech (1864); Edmund Xavier Kapp (1978); Ralph David Sallon (1999); Gerard Melling (GED; 2007); Mervyn Haisman (2010); Jose Luis Ferrer (2012)
Notable Events:
The Jinks Family newspaper strip ended in 1927.
JAK's controversial cartoon depicting a horror movie poster was published in the Evening Standard in 1982. Ken Livingstone withdrew all advertising, and demanded an apology from the paper – which was refused.
The London MCM [Movie Comic Media] Expo began hosting the Eagle Awards with the ceremony in 2010.
Nottingham Comic Con began, in 2017.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
On This Day: 28 Oct
Doctor Who: Conversion (Titan Comics; 2015)
The Life and Times of Death's Head (Marvel Comics Ltd.) tpb (1990)
Kids Alive! 125 (Shield Books; 2006) ISBN-13: 978-0854127535
Births:
Malcolm Douglas (1954); Joel Meadows (1972)
Deaths:
James Walker (1984); James Edward Anthony Tyler (Tony Tyler; 2006)
Notable Events:
"Ullo!" (also known as Carry on Sergeant) began a run at New Oxford Theatre in 1925.
Television animation The Adventures Of Rupert Bear premièred on ITV in 1969, with one of the catchiest theme tunes ever heard.
The book launch for The Viz Bumper Book Of Shite at Porchester Hall, London, a number of C–list celebrities in attendance, took place in 1993. It – predictably and hilariously – ended rather badly...
David Austin's last cartoon appeared in The Guardian in 2005.
The Life and Times of Death's Head (Marvel Comics Ltd.) tpb (1990)
Kids Alive! 125 (Shield Books; 2006) ISBN-13: 978-0854127535
Births:
Malcolm Douglas (1954); Joel Meadows (1972)
Deaths:
James Walker (1984); James Edward Anthony Tyler (Tony Tyler; 2006)
Notable Events:
"Ullo!" (also known as Carry on Sergeant) began a run at New Oxford Theatre in 1925.
Television animation The Adventures Of Rupert Bear premièred on ITV in 1969, with one of the catchiest theme tunes ever heard.
The book launch for The Viz Bumper Book Of Shite at Porchester Hall, London, a number of C–list celebrities in attendance, took place in 1993. It – predictably and hilariously – ended rather badly...
David Austin's last cartoon appeared in The Guardian in 2005.
Friday, October 19, 2018
On This Day: 19 Oct
Victor and Champ (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #1288 (26 Oct 1985).
Doctor Who Magazine Tenth Anniversary Special (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1989).
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: The Official Movie Magazine (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1989).
Thunderbirds the Comic (Fleetway Publications) #01 (19 Oct 1991 - 01 Nov 1991).
Births:
Tom Taylor (1817); Tom Frame (1931); Peter Weston (1943); Philip Pullman (1946)
Deaths:
Alejandro Blasco (1988)
Notable Events:
The Perishers newspaper strip began in the London edition of The Daily Mirror in 1959.
Stan Lee began a series of British television radio and television appearances to promote Marvel UK in 1975.
Michael Ffolkes was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1984.
Preston Speculative Fiction Group’s Bash Street 40th Birthday Bash held in 1993. John Coulthart filmed the event.
Hannah Berry, Paul Grist, Paul Gravett and Bryan Talbot attended a comic panel at the Manchester Literature Festival, which took place at the Whitworth Art Gallery, in 2008.
Doctor Who Magazine Tenth Anniversary Special (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1989).
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: The Official Movie Magazine (Marvel Comics Ltd.; 1989).
Thunderbirds the Comic (Fleetway Publications) #01 (19 Oct 1991 - 01 Nov 1991).
Births:
Tom Taylor (1817); Tom Frame (1931); Peter Weston (1943); Philip Pullman (1946)
Deaths:
Alejandro Blasco (1988)
Notable Events:
The Perishers newspaper strip began in the London edition of The Daily Mirror in 1959.
Stan Lee began a series of British television radio and television appearances to promote Marvel UK in 1975.
Michael Ffolkes was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1984.
Preston Speculative Fiction Group’s Bash Street 40th Birthday Bash held in 1993. John Coulthart filmed the event.
Hannah Berry, Paul Grist, Paul Gravett and Bryan Talbot attended a comic panel at the Manchester Literature Festival, which took place at the Whitworth Art Gallery, in 2008.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
On This Day: 11 Oct
Whizzer and Chips (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Krazy (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Doctor Who Weekly (Marvel Comics Ltd.) #01 (17 Oct 1979).
First Appearances:
Angel Face and Dare Devil in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Aqua Lad in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
The Champ in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Professor Clueless (The "Stealer") in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Fred's Family Tree in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Ginger's Tum in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Harry's Haunted House in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Hetty's Horoscope in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Hot Rod in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Karate Kid in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Kings of the Castle in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Little Saver in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Me and My Shadow in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Minnie's Mixer in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
The Mummy's Curse in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Odd-Ball in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Parker the Parky in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Puddin' Tops in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Slippy (Sid's Snake) in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Slowcoach in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Space School in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Wear 'Em Out Wilf in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Willy Bunk (The Spectacular Adventures of Willy Bunk) in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Cheeky in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Detective Fumbly in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Fit Fred and Sick Sid in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Steve Ford, the 12½p Buytonic Boy in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Handy Andy in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Kelly's Telly in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
The Krazy Gang in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Micky Mimic in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Paws in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Pongo Snodgrass (Pongalongapongo) in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Ray Presto in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Scaredy Cat in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Judge McGruder in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 182 (18 Oct 1980).
Births:
Bernard Partridge (1861); John Jukes (1901); Jon Langford (Chuck Death; 1957)
Notable Events:
The Adventures of Barry McKenzie released in the UK in 1973.
Punch 150th Anniversary Exhibition began, at the Royal Festival Hall, London, in 1991.
Krazy (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Doctor Who Weekly (Marvel Comics Ltd.) #01 (17 Oct 1979).
First Appearances:
Angel Face and Dare Devil in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Aqua Lad in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
The Champ in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Professor Clueless (The "Stealer") in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Fred's Family Tree in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Ginger's Tum in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Harry's Haunted House in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Hetty's Horoscope in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Hot Rod in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Karate Kid in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Kings of the Castle in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Little Saver in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Me and My Shadow in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Minnie's Mixer in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
The Mummy's Curse in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Odd-Ball in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Parker the Parky in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Puddin' Tops in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Slippy (Sid's Snake) in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Slowcoach in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Space School in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Wear 'Em Out Wilf in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Willy Bunk (The Spectacular Adventures of Willy Bunk) in Whizzer and Chips #01 (18 Oct 1969).
Cheeky in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Detective Fumbly in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Fit Fred and Sick Sid in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Steve Ford, the 12½p Buytonic Boy in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Handy Andy in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Kelly's Telly in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
The Krazy Gang in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Micky Mimic in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Paws in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Pongo Snodgrass (Pongalongapongo) in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Ray Presto in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Scaredy Cat in Krazy #01 (16 Oct 1976).
Judge McGruder in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 182 (18 Oct 1980).
Births:
Bernard Partridge (1861); John Jukes (1901); Jon Langford (Chuck Death; 1957)
Notable Events:
The Adventures of Barry McKenzie released in the UK in 1973.
Punch 150th Anniversary Exhibition began, at the Royal Festival Hall, London, in 1991.
Monday, October 8, 2018
On This Day: 08 Oct
Doctor Who: The Widow's Curse (Panini Books; 2009)
The Knights of Pendragon: Once and Future (Panini Books; 2009)
Wallace and Gromit: The Complete Newspaper Comic Strips Collection (Titan Comics) vol.1 (2013) ISBN-10: 1782760326
First Appearances:
Tommy Hawk and Mo Cassin in Valiant (Fleetway Publications Ltd.) #02 (13 Oct 1962).
Ebony (Ebony Jones) in The Crunch (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #39 (13 Oct 1979).
Hell Trekkers in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 387 (13 Oct 1984).
Births:
Serge Drigin (1894); Hilda Boswell (1903); Rene Cloke (1904); Franco Cosimo Panini (1931); Alessandro Biffignandi (1935); Harvey Pekar (1939); Malcolm Douglas (1954); Tim Sanders (1957); Tony Luke (1966)
Deaths:
George du Maurier (George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier; 1896); Edward George Warris Hulton (1988)
Notable Events:
Larry Donovan jumped from Waterloo Bridge dressed as Ally Sloper, as part of a promotion, in 1887.
Bryan Talbot gave a talk at Murray Library Lecture Theatre, City Campus, University of Sunderland, in 2014.
Michael Moorcock's New Worlds online magazine announced its demise, in 2014, in a Facebook post. Despite the title of the e-magazine, Michael Moorcock had no involvement in the content.
The Knights of Pendragon: Once and Future (Panini Books; 2009)
Wallace and Gromit: The Complete Newspaper Comic Strips Collection (Titan Comics) vol.1 (2013) ISBN-10: 1782760326
First Appearances:
Tommy Hawk and Mo Cassin in Valiant (Fleetway Publications Ltd.) #02 (13 Oct 1962).
Ebony (Ebony Jones) in The Crunch (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #39 (13 Oct 1979).
Hell Trekkers in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 387 (13 Oct 1984).
Births:
Serge Drigin (1894); Hilda Boswell (1903); Rene Cloke (1904); Franco Cosimo Panini (1931); Alessandro Biffignandi (1935); Harvey Pekar (1939); Malcolm Douglas (1954); Tim Sanders (1957); Tony Luke (1966)
Deaths:
George du Maurier (George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier; 1896); Edward George Warris Hulton (1988)
Notable Events:
Larry Donovan jumped from Waterloo Bridge dressed as Ally Sloper, as part of a promotion, in 1887.
Bryan Talbot gave a talk at Murray Library Lecture Theatre, City Campus, University of Sunderland, in 2014.
Michael Moorcock's New Worlds online magazine announced its demise, in 2014, in a Facebook post. Despite the title of the e-magazine, Michael Moorcock had no involvement in the content.
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