DOCTOR WHO: CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA
Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY
Reviewed by Scott Weller
Once upon a galaxy, our time and space travelling hero known only as the Doctor kept himself a handy 500 year diary so as to keep track of the many peoples and places visited in his rackety and vintage police box shaped TARDIS. Now in his 950th year of existence, and over ten regenerations later, he’s long since given up on the idea of book-keeping maintenance, but those sterling people at DORLING KINDERSLEY are doing a great job in his place, as their first exciting, colourfully produced new character encyclopedia hits the book shelves to educate and delight fans of the hit BBC1 series, and acting as a perfect primer for the shows 50th anniversary of celebration and nostalgia this November.
Dutifully and snappily written by the expert trio of Jason Loborik, Annabel Gibson and Moray Laing, the book storms through the vortex of our past, present and future, showing us the great and the good, the friendly and the terrifying, and species unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before, and from all across the universe- planets known and unknown. It’s a book as characteristic and unique as the show itself: covering 200 characters from every era: monochrome to colour, to today’s digitally enhanced storytelling, with important statistics and details of their appearances alongside many rare photos from the BBC Archives-who must have a photo library as big as the TARDIS these days in order to house and maintain the wealth of publicity material needed. Plus, a look at our heroes diverse personas (eleven so far) and the definitive companions who’ve accompanied him in his exciting tales of triumph, tragedy, mystery and bewilderment: from the bolshy teenage pyromaniac that was Ace, the fiery Amy Pond and her besotted husband, Rory, to the brave and iconic Sarah Jane Smith and air stewardess Tegan Jovanka. Then there’s the classic monsters, old and new, of all shapes and sizes, which they’ve met and fought: from the plastic loving Autons to the ferocious, robot controlled Himalayan Yeti, to newcomers like the hypnotically deadly The Silence and those stone trapsters, the Weeping Angels.
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| Old and new enemies alike get prime profiles. |
And only this particular series and title could ever mix the likes of France’s Madame de Pompadour alongside those fearsome metal pepperpots of Skaro- the Daleks- within its veritable intergalactic Who’s Who of pages!
Originally devised by Sydney Newman and Donald Wilson, writer Anthony Coburn, script editor David Whitaker and very young producer Verity Lambert, all pulling together in bringing the shows early episodes to life-the cavemen of the prehistoric era being the first characters to enter the Doctor’s television lives, I think its fair to speculate that not even their considerable talents likely anticipated DOCTOR WHO ever lasting so long and becoming so beloved, nor just how much of an impact it would have on viewers in general, evolving and becoming the mighty institution in Britain and beyond that it is today. Alongside the late, great William Hartnell-the only one back on 1963 who genuinely believed the show would run and run, this book is a true testament to their hard work and affection for the series in its crucial first year, and the way it so successfully mixed sci-fi aliens life forms with historical icons like Marco Polo with intriguing ease, to the point we’ve emulated today.
For those discovering it since its 2005 return, this is the definitive old and new series look at its most memorable and diabolical heroes and villains. The DOCTOR WHO CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA is a nice size book at a feel good price- one that readers of all ages will never tire of dipping in and out of. Definitely worth adding to your collection.
KOOL TV RATING: 4 out of 5
Get hold of the book here: Doctor Who Character Encyclopedia (Dr Who): Amazon.co.uk: Jason Loborik, Annabel Gibson, Moray Laing: Books
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