YOUR CHANCE TO MEET ANDY!

Copyright Candy Jar

 

Fans of Doctor Who can meet Andy Frankham-Allen, author of Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants on August 10th at The Comic Guru, Cardiff.

The book, which is currently number 11 in guides and reviews on Amazon, has received some great reviews. These include:

“Companions ... really motivates us to catch up on some of the non-television adventures we have missed!" (Cult Box)

“A firmly engaging and enjoyable read for fans of the show.” (Starburst)

The Comic Guru's address is: 13 Wood Street Cardiff CF10 1ER

 

For more information contact hayley@candyjarbooks.co.uk or theguru@thecomicguru.co.uk

WHO'S WHO?

Image © BBC

Amidst all the excitement surrounding the royal baby let’s not get distracted from what’s really important; who’ll be the new Who? According to RadioTimes.com we could know by next month; the BBC is, apparently, seriously considering revealing the identity of the new Doctor on a Doctor Who Confidential special, as done with the introduction of Matt Smith in 2010.

According to the same source, the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who will feature one of the pre-Eccleston Doctors, either Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Sylvestor McCoy, Peter Davison or Tom Baker. With David Tennant returning for the highly anticipated episode, that’ll make three Doctors on call - four if you count John Hurt. Having some back-up, however, might be a sane move when facing both the Zygons and the Daleks.

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2013: THE DOCTOR IS IN THE HOUSE!

© SDCC

Amongst the constant ramblings of the latest Marvel movie, or the somewhat peculiar appearance from Metallica, it comes as no surprise that the Doctor Who panel still managed to wow audiences with its presence in anticipation of the programme’s 50^th anniversary.

To discuss the upcoming special, Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman and series show-runner Stephen Moffat made a very welcome appearance in front of over 6,000 onlookers. Once their favourite Time lord took his seat, fans were treated to a short teaser trailer, hinting at some of the episode’s content. Judging by the audience's reaction, this will definitely be worth the wait.

Matt Smith, the man behind the icon for the past three years, also spoke a little on his upcoming departure. He said “I’m proud and grateful to be a part of it…I just wanted to say, thank you, for all your support”.

Amongst the panel discussions and teaser videos, fans were celebrating Doctor Who just as much, if not more, than the actors themselves. With the area teeming with cosplay enthusiasts resembling various Whovian characters (and certain box-shaped time machines) a sense of genuine love for the programme ran throughout the building. This was allegedly too much fun for Matt Smith to just sit and watch, who instead opted to don a Bart Simpson mask to walk amongst his admirers!

As one of the major appearances on the final day of San Diego Comic-Con 2013, Doctor Who certainly made an impact, but more importantly, gets us even more excited for the end of the year when we can all see the 50^th anniversary special!

DALEKS INVADE MAIZE MAZE IN YORK!

Source: cnet.com.au

To celebrate 50 years of Doctor Who, York Maze has constructed an image of the world's biggest Dalek 300m (1000ft) long, and features the faces of first Doctor William Hartnell and current Doctor Matt Smith.

The Maize Maze is set in 18 acres and cut out of over 1 million living maze plants. Sixth Doctor Colin Baker attended the opening, and had to battle it out with a couple of pesky Daleks in the process! (see video below)

York Maze is open to the public from 13 July - 2 September 2013.

www.yorkmaze.co.uk

CYBERMEN IN THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL!

There would have to be an excellent reason to be sat in the Royal Albert Hall on the hottest day of the year and the Doctor Who Proms definitely counts as one. The concert, which saw Ben Foster conducting the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the London Philharmonic Choir, included a mix of music from recent and classic Doctor Who episodes, and will be screened around the same time as the 50^th Anniversary special this November.

Matt Smith and Jenna Louise-Coleman made an appearance along with Cybermen and Weeping Angels. Smith told an excited crowd: ‘One of the great joys of playing this extraordinary, legendary Time Lord is the support and knowledge and love and brilliance of the fans - you really make the show what it is.’

He wasn’t the only Doctor in the house though, as Peter Davison appeared – to a rapturous welcome – to introduce a medley of music from the show’s classic era, including the pioneering work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Looking out at the thousands of fans, he said, ‘What amazing memories you all have. Even though most of you weren't even born.’

Joining him onstage was Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor’s first screen companion in 1963. ‘Who'd have thought this celebration would be happening 50 years on?’ said the actress, now 73 years old. ‘It's amazing.’ 

The Prom was brought to an end by the world premiere of a birthday anthem called Song for Fifty, written by Murray Gold, who has been the show’s musical director since 2005.

 

TEGAN IS BEST COMPANION EVER!

Not Just a Mouth On Legs

 

Candy Jar Books, the publisher of Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants, has announced the results of its most popular TV companion poll. The fans were asked ‘Who is the best Doctor Who companion?’ and the result is actually quite unexpected, as the overall winner is not Rose Tyler, Donna Noble or even Sarah Jane Smith, but the 1980s companion, Tegan Jovanka.

 

Andy Frankham-Allen, writer of Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants, is shocked and pleased by the result. He said: “I would have expected either Sarah or Rose to win, but it's pleasing to see a companion who's only been obliquely referenced twice since 2005 win. Seems there's still a lot of love for the '80s and Janet Fielding's mouthy Tegan!”

Janet Fielding, who played Tegan Jovanka, will be appearing at Project Motor Mouth 2 in Windsor on 3^rd August in aid of Project Motor House. She will be joined by many former companions including Carole Ann Ford, Katy Manning and Sophie Aldred. On learning the news of her win, she said: “Are you sure you mean me? Tegan? The Mouth on Legs? That's fantastic. And rather unexpected.”

 

Donna Noble is the most popular modern day companion, closely followed by Rose Tyler and River Song.

 

The results are as follows:

 

1. Tegan Jovanka
2. Sarah Jane Smith
3. Donna Noble
4. Rose Tyler
5. Ace     
6. Romana / Jamie McCrimmon
7. Nyssa     
8. River Song
9. Amy Pond
10. Leela     

 

Available from the People’s Book Prize winning publisher, Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants is an essential guide and sometimes tongue-in-cheek look at all Doctor Who companions. It is covers the characters to have featured in the comics, books, audio adventures and spin-offs.

 

Gary Russell, former Doctor Who Magazine editor, Big Finish producer, BBC script editor and Doctor Who novelist, has provided the book’s foreword. Gary said: “Of course there have been books about companions before – but few of them go into this amount of detail, display this amount of in-depth knowledge and above all, this amount of love. As a celebration of everything that makes the Doctor’s (and therefore our) best friends unique and special, this book is essential.”

TAKE A TARDIS RIDE!

If you’re out and about in sunny Cardiff then pop into White Stuff - situated in the Hayes - and take a ride in their TARDIS elevator. I thought it was a toilet at first but the assistant corrected me, which I’m most grateful for as being escorted from a shop by horrified staff has never been a good look.