KOOL TV REVIEW: 'DOCTOR WHO: THE DOCTOR - HIS LIVES AND TIMES' BOOK

"Splendid fellows- all of them!" are celebrated in THE DOCTOR: HIS LIVES AND TIMES. Image: BBC BOOKS.

DOCTOR WHO: THE DOCTOR - HIS LIVES AND TIMES

By James Goss and Steve Tribe

Published by BBC BOOKS

Available from 26^th September (Hardback £20)

Reviewed by Scott Weller

“Doctor who?”

Thirty-years ago this November, The Master, the sworn enemy of the world’s number one sci-fi TV hero DOCTOR WHO, commented that a universe without his nemesis for good scarcely bore thinking about. As the series enters its incredible Fiftieth Anniversary, I’d say he was more than right-the show and its constantly regenerating galactic saviour of the most unusual kind, have entered the universal language of storytelling in the same way as other mythic heroes like Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and Robin Hood.

Weaving themselves around his past, present and future all over again, and following up their work last year with the deservedly acclaimed WHO nostalgia piece: A History of the Universe in 100 Objects, James Goss and Steve Tribe return to bring their unique perspectives to the Doctor and his travels through time and space in another superior package for BBC BOOKS: THE DOCTOR - HIS LIVES AND TIMES, showing us all just how much better the universe is with his far-reaching, occasionally extravagant, yet also Cosmic Hobo presence.

Meticulously fusing modern and classic series WHO in such a pleasing way, this is a treasure trove scrapbook seen through the eyes of the countless lives, across millennia and light years that his eleven (so far) personas have affected, amidst marvellous linking themes of events and characters from half a century of adventure, within all manner of written form, especially first hand fictional accounts outlined by many of the shows equally iconic companions (seen via their journals or other personal types of recollection) alongside ingenious artistic media: everything from company memos and business cards from friend and foe organizations and technologists, to Wish you Were Here-esque holiday postcards and memoirs, schematics, Twitter entries, specially created paintings, book covers, and even fake listings for 1970’s UK TV channels that never existed! Maps of locations and planetary systems, newspaper recreations of key events past, present and future, even comic strips and advertisements, are amongst the many new and wonderful compositions stylishly brought together, alongside well-known, influential historical figures dotted throughout every incarnation of the series- from Earth and beyond…

Likely having been a long time in the compiling, and beautifully designed (alongside the BBC Picture Archive, digging ever further to find deliciously rare photo material!), Goss and Tribe’s imaginations have the time of their lives showing us things/events that we either never got to see, happening off-air between seasons, or mentioned barely fleetingly, but nonetheless lingering potently enough to capture our imaginations, like the UK court trial of the Master with the then Earth-exiled Third Doctor, or plucky investigative reporter Sarah Jane Smith’s look into the many alien phenomenon that have either influenced Earth’s destiny or attacked it beyond her work for the Metropolitanmagazine. There’s also Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart’s take on his infamous “Scientific Advisor” and the tumultuous times and threats the UNIT organization faced with sometimes baffled but always resilient determination under his command.

Beyond the time his white-haired, gentleman of the universe incarnation and his affectionate grand-daughter “appropriated” a rackety old TARDIS from an ignorant repair shop on the legendary planet of Gallifrey, to a coming soon distant future encountering past incarnations of himself in a universe in flames, and at war, via his long-time nemeses, the true stuff of nightmares- the Daleks, there’s also an exploration of the skill in bringing the fantasy to reality over the years, featuring rare interview quotes from the cast and crew that bring additional depth and warmth to the celebrations, plus key contributors talking about their favourite stories and episodes, including Patrick Troughton’s grandson Henry Melling, Third, Fourth and Sixth Doctor companions Katy Manning, Lalla Ward and Nicola Bryant, Fifth Doctor Peter Davison (the one with the fair hair and “the open face!”) and the series all-round finest talent: writer and script editor, Terrance Dicks. Plus a nice little preview of the aforementioned upcoming The Day of the Doctor Anniversary Special, too!

Still incredible to me that there is so much more to be creatively mined and enjoyed from the series, THE DOCTOR - HIS LIVES AND TIMES is a gorgeous and satisfying book that I truly recommend to fans of all ages. If any WHOvian out there has this as a birthday present on 23^rdNovember, I suggest it comes with additional icing and a lit candle attached in order to further enhance its continuing importance in pop culture!

KOOL TV RATING: An impossible life for a man who, regardless, is showing his age well, in this lively and winning tribute-so evocative, I could image Jon Pertwee’s action dandy incarnation enthusiastically sitting down to read it with an accompanying tray of Gorgonzola Cheese and a bottle of red wine!

256 pages of spirited joy well-worth putting down some of that Queen Elizabeth-faced poundage on… 4 out of 5

Get hold of the book here: Doctor Who: The Doctor - His Lives and Times Dr Who: Amazon.co.uk: James Goss, Steve Tribe: Books

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'DOCTOR WHO - HARVEST OF TIME' NOVEL

DOCTOR WHO: HARVEST OF TIME

Featuring the Third Doctor, Jo Grant, UNIT and the Master

A novel by Alastair Reynolds

Available 6th June 2013, from BBC BOOKS

“Nastiness comes in all sizes”

The Doctor

Current TV Time Lord Matt Smith may not be back on our screens until later this year, but DOCTOR WHO fans have lots to celebrate in this anniversary year with the Doctors of the past-splendid fellows, all of them!- within BBC BOOKS continuing evolving range of original fiction. Acclaimed British sci-fi author Alastair Reynolds follows Stephen Baxter’s prominent footsteps in helming his first, and hopefully not last, original DOCTOR WHO novel set within his favourite Doctor/era from childhood. Pacily written, Harvest of Time joyously captures the spirit of that five-year earthbound period starring the beaky nosed, cape-swirling hero Jon Pertwee.

Set at some point between the Classic WHO stories The Daemons and The Sea Devils, the incarcerated mind of evil that is the Doctor’s deadliest nemesis from Gallifrey, the

Master, is up to his old tricks again-desperate to escape his confinement and using the past, present and future as his weapon. But strange things are afoot linked to his unique presence. Time seems to be changing around him. And why are his UNIT captors suddenly and inexplicably starting to lose their memory of their Public Enemy Number One? What’s causing this “time fade? And can it be stopped?

Even with this looming threat of forgetfulness, however, a bigger catastrophe is quickly beckoning our heroes attentions, as the Doctor’s favourite planet is in danger once again. There’s metal killer crabs, pockets of Earth’s oceans being diminished or disappearing, collapsing North Sea oil rigs and an ancient alien ship which should be destroyed but isn’t, its lethal cargo intact and ready for revenge…

One of the most belligerent and vicious life forms who exist to conquer by sheer numbers, the Sild, have made their arrival on Earth, emerging from its once blue seas…and they want it!

The warm, comfy hint of the shows halcyon seventies days remain intact and finely recreated by Reynolds. The affectionate relationship between the mature Doctor and young Jo Grant recreates the charisma of stars Jon Pertwee and Katy Manning (even if they are separated for the vast majority of the book), whilst Pertwee’s mannerisms and dialogue in the overall scheme of things all feel right. So too do the UNIT regulars (the indomitable Brigadier, likable Etonian Mike Yates, reliable Benton), all given sturdy moments in the sun.

The story’s new supporting players are solid whilst keeping to the era: there’s corrupted ministers and lackeys, an oil rig boss with an important past and future history, and the disposable soldiers always getting killed by the threat of the week, set against some nice WHO location backdrops- an abandoned nuclear plant, oil rigs, dying planets and an epic-size spaceship, the former two appearing when the story kicks in to big sci-fi concept mode during its second half: Chapter Twenty-one, in particular, has a brilliant ending that’ll make you want to keep reading on into the night…

But it’s the Master that reigns supreme in this adventure- his hypnotic visage, diabolical evil, supreme intellect and all-round charm as personified by the late, magnificent Roger Delgado. His eventual and inevitable team-up with the Doctor, which was such a big and vital element of that era’s success, continues with aplomb.

With some nice links to old and new series, and one fun little plot element/tribute that fans of Douglas Adams time on WHO will greatly enjoy, Harvest of Time is easily one of the best original DOCTOR WHO novels in a very long time, and a true pleasure to read. A well-thought out, classic mix of nostalgia and sci-fi trappings within a lovely tribute to the TARGET books of old, but with added sophistication.

All we need now is some imaginary RADIO TIMES episode clippings made real, to give us some teasing plot elements and a cast list, and our nostalgia senses for Classic WHO are fully primed!

KOOL TV REVIEW: A lovely tribute to seventies tea-time horror and imagination-the spirit of Jon Pertwee, and the shows then dedicated and highly creative seventies production team, lives on! 5 out of 5

Get hold of HARVEST OF TIME here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Harvest-Alastair-Reynolds/dp/1849904189

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'DOCTOR WHO - A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE IN 100 OBJECTS'

Every item tells a story. The simple but clever new concept to the latest addition in the DOCTOR WHO coffee table book range. Image: BBC BOOKS.

DOCTOR WHO – A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE IN 100 OBJECTS

By James Goss and Steve Tribe

Published by BBC BOOKS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

They say clothes maketh the man, and whilst that has indeed been the case for the varied wardrobe worn by our legendary fourth dimension time and space travelling hero of the galaxy, and a gentleman to boot!, known only as the Doctor, we mustn’t forget the incredible objects-technology, souvenirs, devices, thingumajigs and beyond-he’s acquired over his lifetime, either, which have proved equally important and mythically potent over 50 golden years of BBC storytelling life, within a wide and varied mythos canvas that has so spectacularly endured and entertained millions again and again.

One of the finest modern titles of the BBC BOOKS range yet, an idea so simple I’m amazed once again that no one thought of doing it before, DOCTOR WHO: A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE IN 100 OBJECTS is a charming and finely crafted book that: if it were a reality in the WHOniverse would surely be as desired a purchase for space-faring travellers as the equally indomitable Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, full of rich visual imagery –photographs, schematics and specially created or assembled materials (smashing art from Peter McKinstry-a name to keep an eye out for), and detailed info on the shows incredible, indelible years in colour and monochrome- a veritable imaginative smorgasbord of delight and celebration for the Time Lord and his varied companions bold, and truly British made, adventures. Experienced writers and WHO veterans Steve Tribe and James Goss undertake this bold but equally rewarding and fun job charting the adventures and our evolving hero from a wholeheartedly deserved new pair of eyes as they immortally preserve and iconograph the incredible things from across the universe that have played such an important part in the collective psyche and history of the worlds favourite science fiction/fantasy/drama TV series. From the ever faithful sonic screwdriver to the flask housing the trapped villainy of Fenric, from the Daleks shedding Genesis Ark to The Lost Moon of Poosh, terrifying galaxy spanning creatures like the Cybermen, Sontarans and Weeping Angels, as well as the many real-life objects and myths that have interwoven themselves into the shows tapestry so effectively, from sink plungers to lipstick to the Loch Ness Monster and London buses, from carrots and celery, to Jelly Babies and Christmas trees, even pop culture references linked to other forms of entertainment that have, for better or worse, made their way into Modern WHO. All of this is presented within an absorbing text of fascinating facts (including behind the scenes notes/side panels), linkages to other stories and off-shoots, trivia, and humour, amongst some lovely, clean cut design from Paul Lang and stunning aforementioned imagery from the BBC Archives and beyond that I’ve never seen before, making it an even more unique and indispensible book for WHOvians than I’ve seen in a while…

Check out the gallery of specially commissioned artwork here:  http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s7/doctor-who/i437685-8/doctor-who-a-history-of-the-universe-in-100-objects-cyberman.html - a408873

A more successful and noteworthy fusion of Classic and Modern WHO series than anything attempted before in the publishing arena (and thankfully avoiding too many science degree needed attempts to tie the shows often conflicting continuities and dichotomies together- in fact, the authors present many amusing moments deliberately highlighting such contradictory instances over the years: the results of changing times and producership), A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE is a warm, truly affectionate and positively essential tribute to the action, drama, humanity and ingenuity of the show that I recommend to all fans, especially with the fast approaching Festive period.

KOOL TV RATING: 5 out of 5

Get hold of the book here: Doctor Who: A History of the Universe in 100 Objects: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Tribe, James Goss: Books

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'DOCTOR WHO - THE DALEK PROJECT' GRAPHIC NOVEL

An exterminating time for the Daleks against Matt Smith's Time Lord in DOCTOR WHO: THE DALEK PROJECT. Image: BBC BOOKS.

DOCTOR WHO: ‘THE DALEK PROJECT’ - A GRAPHIC NOVEL

Written by Justin Richards

Illustrated by Mike Collins

Published by BBC BOOKS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

“Daleks conquer and destroy!”

Those fearsome, extermination hungry Daleks, the pepper-pot death machines created by legendary TV writer Terry Nation, are back to terrorize the universe and its protector, their sworn enemy, the Doctor, as they unleash their boldest plan yet against humankind, their thirst for survival and conquest knowing no end in a bold, colourful and exciting new DOCTOR WHO graphic novel for all reader ages to enjoy: BBC BOOKS’ THE DALEK PROJECT, written by resident WHO novel range talent and keeper of the spin-off flames, Justin Richards, alongside exemplary and exciting art from DOCTOR WHO Magazine supremo Mike Collins, their pairing giving us the most vivid renderings yet for the series in comic form, alongside the kind of feature film big-budget and spectacular looking storytelling you just can’t get on the small screen.

A frightening discovery in France of 2017...

Above two pages: Text (c) Justin Richards. Art (c) Mike Collins.

Adventures set in Earth’s past mixed with sci-fi concepts have always been done well by WHO in television, audio dramas and beyond, and this is no exception. The might and superiority that is the rising technological age of weaponry and destruction during the brutal and heinous First World War soon proves a true golden period for the protruberanced meanies, ripe for exploitation and control for their own benefit as they work in secret to alter time and humanity to suit their needs, with an even bigger grand plan ahead...

Keeping them grounded in dialogue that sounds as Nation-like as possible, THE DALEK PROJECT also has a pleasing mixing of the kind of classic ideas and imagery about the creatures that lingers in the mind from earlier classic stories, particularly from the monochrome Patrick Troughton era, Power of the Daleks and Evil of the Daleks(such as their time travelling, and the way they slyly and skillfully manipulative weak and resourceful human pawns into doing their bidding, unaware of the bigger and more life-threatening picture to come), alongside some of the very best elements of their appearances in the modern WHO series - there’s even a nice visual nod to incumbent hero Matt Smith’s first battle with his nemesis in Victory of the Daleks, in the graphic novels opening section.

Counterbalancing the all-round nastiness of the Daleks, the quirky and fun aspects of Smith’s TARDIS controlling, sonic screwdriver wielding, panama hat wearing, submarine piloting Time Lord (replacing the originally planned David Tennant version of the project a few years back) are well represented, of which the actor easily possesses one of the most interesting and Doctor-ishfaces ever, surely a gem of expression to Mike Collins, or any artist, bringing him to life in the illustrative medium, as the character takes viewers into the story, which soon moves apace through English, French and German locations, along with supporting helpers equally determined to stop the Skaroans sinister plot.

It’s nice to see that the WHO spin-offs still treat the Doctors confrontations with the Daleks with respect and live up to Terry Nation’s original legacy for the creatures, at times much more so than some of the things being done in the modern WHO series, where I feel they’ve been gradually losing a lot of their menace- all that recent rubbish, in particular, about the Doctor being “the Predator of the Daleks.” In my book, the Daleks have never found him scary, more a pesky, always turning up nuisance to their plans that has to be taken out at all costs!

One thing that hasn’t changed in any way, though, is the way that the Daleks are a potent visual force, the classic imagery and iconography of the all-important creatures is finely displayed throughout the graphic novel, with lots of great powerful and threatening angles. The only thing missing with the experience is the heartbeat audio of their technological presence to add to their intimidating aura. Perhaps the next graphic novel featuring them can have added sound effects! Controlled humans, transmats, and all other familiar types of Dalek technology of varying shapes and forms from past and present stories, which we’ve also come to know and love, are well utilized here, too, often given an enjoyable new spin by Richards and Collins.

Also carrying on the fine tradition of both on-screen versions of the series, there’s some clever new Daleks visual incarnations added to the mix (love the German war machines later on in the story, bearing the distinctive iron cross symbols!), and attempts to do ambitious visuals not yet realised or things that TV budgets simply can’t stretch to. One of the many memorable images I loved in the graphic novel was them bursting out of the ground of the French countryside almost like Zombies- in fact, I don’t think we’ve had Zombie Daleks yet (but give it time!).

With a spectacular and reader satisfying finale full of terrific and evocative single and spread art panels, set in the “blood and mud” of 1917 France’s trenches, mixed with a little bit of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen –type heroics from the Doctor, THE DALEK PROJECT is an exciting graphic novel that’s well worth adding to your WHO library, or making a great Xmas gift.

Apart from their continuing and profitable commercial life, I think that the much missed Terry Nation would be thrilled by the way his characters have endured so well over fifty years, and the vitality they’ve continued to spark in such fine storytelling and ingenuity within DOCTOR WHO’s enduring history. One thing is certain, no matter how many times the Doctor defeats them, no matter how much destructive fire is bought down on them, the Daleks might and menace remains out there in the universe. They will survive at all costs, with viewers ever enjoying their presence in these epic fairy tales for a hopefully long time to come…

KOOL TV RATING: an exemplary graphic novel showing WHO and the Daleks-the series ultimate TV creations- at some of their illustrative best: 4 out of 5

Doctor Who: The Dalek Project by Justin Richards and Mike Collins (BBC Books, £14.99)

BBC, DOCTOR WHO (word marks, logos and devices), TARDIS and DALEKS (word marks and devices) are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo © BBC 1996. Doctor Who logo © BBC 2009. Dalek image © BBC/Terry Nation 1963.Daleks created by Terry Nation.

Get ‘DOCTOR WHO –THE DALEK PROJECT’ here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Project-Mike-Collins/dp/1846077559/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348134966&sr=1-1