Doctor Who Extended Media Review – Vworp Vworp! Issue #6

Vworp Vworp! is a fanzine covering Doctor Who comics and animation. You can see a review of issue #5 here.

Double sided poster included

Also included a free DVD with three animated stories

(see review here)

Original comics and fiction

Artwork

Text articles

This is a must buy for anyone even remotely interested in the Doctor Who extended media. The breath of scholarship is unsurpassed in the coverage of whatever subject is being analyzed in a particular issue. This edition’s topic is the first episode of the program and all of its iterations. The alternate beginning from the David Whittaker novelization of the Daleks is presented in animated form on the free DVD as well as in text articles. There is an excellent short story from John Peel about the character of “Old Mother” from the Tribe of Gum. No question 10 out of 10.

Doctor Who Extended Media Review – Blake’s 7: The Way Back / Space Fall Novelization by Paul Cornell

Big Finish holder of the Blake’s 7 license for audio books and novels published novelizations of the first season of the series comprising 14 total episodes. This first novelization written by Paul Cornell covers the first two stories The Way Back and Space Fall.

Paul Cornell’s writing never disappoints and this novelization bears this out. Terry Nation‘s original scripts set up the premise of the series exceptionally well painting a Federation the polar opposite of the one we see in Star Trek. Roj Blake gives us a sympathetic view of a terrorist doing everything he can to fight for freedom from the tyranny of his society. The comparison of Blake’s aggressive approach with the passive faction of the dissidents gives you pause when comparing it to current world events such as in places like Palestine. Cornell outlines each character who will become members of the “7”, but also flesh’s out some of the ancillary characters, The following of Blake’s lawyers Varon and Maja make you relate to them and pull for them in just a few chapters as they unravel the mystery of his past. It is with genuine sadness when they meet their demise. Kudos to Nation and Cornell for a riveting story and believable world building. 10 out of 10.

Doctor Who Extended Media Review – The Decades Collection 1970s The Cradle by Tasha Suri

The Cradle was the second novel in the 60th anniversary Decades Collection from Puffin Books. It was written by Tasha Suri and featured The Twelfth Doctor.

The Doctor becomes involved with Seema, a young Indian girl, struggling with the violent death of her father and the racist milieu of 1970’s Britain. The Twelfth Doctor despite his outward persona interacts well with young teens as he and Seema meet up with her friends and encounter an alien entity that tuns out to be somewhat benevolent in nature in the end. 7 out of 10.

Doctor Who Extended Media Review – UFO Comic Anthology Volume One

The UFO Comic Anthology is a collection of strips from the pages of Countdown comic. UFO and other Gerry Anderson properties are connected to the Doctor Who Universe via the Second Doctor novel The Indestructible Man.

Artist profiles

Actor profiles

Some nice artwork from the likes of Gerry Haylock make for pleasant perusal. The story called The Force Field is a good example of the downfall of the collection for some of the stories. In this story we see Paul Foster flying from The Moon to Mars in what seems like a few hours to thwart an alien invasion. Despite the occasional lack of scientific literacy most of the stories and the very good art give a solid 7 out of 10 rating.

Doctor Who Extended Media Review – The Lost Doctor Annual

Ken Campbell was a comedy actor who performed with future Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy. He auditioned for the role of Doctor Who before it went to McCoy. This annual features Campbell as if he got the role.

Postcards included

Stickers

A confusing and frankly amateur collection of art and text. There are no understandable stories or comics as I guess are a good homage to Campbell himself. 5 out of 10.