Issue 9 (June 1985)
The Front Cover
“Beginning This Issue: Who Knows, With All the Latest News!” A wonderful illustration of the Doctor and Prometheus escaping in Helius’ chariot heralds the first issue to feature the Doctor in his season eighteen outfit. A real doozy of a cover.
The Strips
“The Life Bringer”
The first Doctor strip not to have the Doctor Who logo in the title, it must be mentioned.
“Star Tigers” Part One (“Star Tigers” Parts One – Two)
Although the title is seen at the start of each segment, there are no “Part One” or “Two” captions.
The Articles
“A Probable History of the Daleks” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill, illustrations by Ron Zaime)
A rather bizarre chronology of the Dalek stories up to “Destiny of the Daleks”. For those interested in such things, the order goes: Genesis of the Daleks, The Daleks, Planet of the Daleks, Evil of the Daleks, The Day of the Daleks (sic), The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Chase, Frontier in Space, The Power of the Daleks, Death to the Daleks, Mission to the Unknown, The Dalek Masterplan (sic), Destiny of the Daleks. O’Neill defines Dalek Year 1 (Genesis of the Daleks) as being roughly 2200 BC. Accompanied by illustrations depicting the first Doctor’s original meeting with the Daleks, Davros, and the Movellans finding the unconscious fourth Doctor.
The Columns
“Introduction” (by Jim Salicrup)
Our enterprising editor discusses the Thanksgiving Creation Convention in NYC, where he was a guest alongside Merritt Butrick, Karen Allen, and Doctor Who‘s own Louise Jameson. He convinced the latter to pose for a couple of photos (reproduced alongside the column), and feels John Nathan-Turner should make immediate plans for Leela to guest star in a future story. He loved meeting the fans, too, and seeing the comic “displayed on virtually every table” in the dealer’s room. He also lets us know about the next issue’s double dose of the Doctor (even though the titles he mentions are inaccurate; see below).
“Who Knows” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill)
O’Neill gives readers the skinny on the new season of Doctor Who in the UK, revealing full details for Attack of the Cybermen, Vengeance on Varos, The Mark of the Rani, and The Two Doctors. Also included is the lowdown on the Doctor Who Fan Club of America’s upcoming tour (later known as WHO USA), the latest performing credits for Patrick Troughton and Mark Strickson, and a brief mention of the 1984 Cinderella pantomime starring Colin Baker, Anthony Ainley, and others. Accompanied by an illustration of issue #10’s cover (with a yellow background instead of white), captioned “Next Issue”.
“Who Cares”
Eileen Jones of Minneapolis, Minnesota, lavishes praise on the comic and wants to know if the editors accept unsolicited story ideas, while Dave Pratt of Union, New Jersey, would like to see the Doctor’s past adventures from TV 21, TV Action, and Countdown (oh, and he’s looking for pen pals – any takers?). Bob Schaefer of San Antonio, Texas, feels that there’s more to say about the “Keeper of Traken”, “Mondas”, and “Caves of Androzani” errors (see various issues), while remarking that soon (ie this issue), colorist Andy Yanchus need worry no more about the Doctor’s scarf colours. “Doktor Dan” of Newark, New Jersey, watches Doctor Who on NJN, and encourages all readers to support their PBS station and convince them to run the show.
The Adverts
Marvel Subscriptions Savings;
“Subscribe to Doctor Who: The Magazine of Time and Space”.
The Back Cover
“10 Reasons to Pick Up Marvel Age Every Month”.
Cool Colours
Oh boy – the Marvel TARDIS. Did it ever change. One side of the main body and base is pale blue, but the other side is bright blue, as is the stacked roof. The lamp casing is pale blue, the lamp is red, the windows are yellow – who colours this thing, anyway? In the first of many variations on a theme, the Doctor’s clothes are burgundy, with a red-and-black scarf.
Fun Mistakes
In what must be excitement over the Doctor’s new look, the colorist for the front cover has even made the Doctor’s question-mark collar burgundy. According to editor Jim Salicrup, the next issue’s strips will be “The Deal” and “War of the Worlds”; both are wrong. Instead, issue #10 will see “War of the Words” (not Worlds) and “Spider God”, thus following the publication order of DWM. In his “Who Knows” column, Patrick Daniel O’Neill says that season 22 “will be broadcast in a fifty minute time slot, twice a week”, and that the Rani is played by “Katie O’Mara”. The first illustration for the “Brief History of the Daleks” article is an artistic representation of a rehearsal photo; thus, Hartnell is drawn in a regular shirt and trousers. The illustration of Davros is accompanied by the caption “Stravos” (?!).
Conclusion
A nice issue, although not as grand as the last few. “The Life Bringer” is a swell little story, with the comic’s first ambiguous, almost downbeat ending (soon to become the norm for the Doctor’s season eighteen comic adventures). “Star Tigers” is just okay.
Issue 10 (July 1985)
The Front Cover
“In This Issue: Doctor Who Fan Club Information! Cybermen History! And More!” The Doctor faces the Biblios robot; a new version of the “This is your life!” conversation, and a lovely full-size illustration of the fourth Doctor to boot. Curiously, this one has a completely blank background.
The Strips
“Doctor Who in War of the Words”
“Doctor Who in Spider-God”
“Star Tigers” Parts Three and Four
Again, the “Part Three” and “Four” captions are gone.
The Articles
“A Probable History of the Cybermen” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill)
Some people just can’t stop. The order of events, according to O’Neill, is: The Tenth Planet, The Invasion, The Wheel in Space, The Moonbase, the Cyber wars, The Tomb of the Cybermen, Earthshock, and Revenge of the Cybermen. Interesting that O’Neill places UNIT’s formation at no earlier than the late 1980s, probably later. Accompanied by illustrations of a Cyberman breaking from his tomb, Zoe confronted by two Cybermen, a Cybermat, and a Cyberman emerging from the London sewers.
The Columns
“Introduction” (by Jim Salicrup)
Salicrup relates, in excruciating detail, his panel at the Thanksgiving Creation Convention. (“…How many of them had seen an episode of Star Trek[?] Every hand went up. How many had seen an episode of Doctor Who? Every hand went up. How many had seen every episode of Star Trek?…”) Apparently, some twenty people at this panel had seen “every episode of Doctor Who“. Yeah, right. Salicrup was staggered – well, so are we. Every episode from Robot on, maybe.
“Who Knows” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill)
Breaking news! 14 more Pertwee serials are available to the US distributors, making nearly every story from Spearhead from Space onwards viewable by Americans. O’Neill lists all twenty-four Pertwees, noting which are now available to the US market. He brings us up to speed on the Whovian Festival Tour developments, and some mentions of Doctor Who in well-known publications (such as the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times Magazine).
“Who Cares”
Mary Ellen Kundrat, location unspecified, wants contact information for the Doctor Who Fan Club of America or the North American Doctor Who Appreciation Society; if she doesn’t get it, her “fanatical husband just might self destruct”! Mike Stanbridge of Quincy, Illinois, helps out by providing info for the DWFCA, Time Lord Academy (?), and The Anthony Ainley Fan Club (?!). John Brittan of Daly City, California, is the thirty-three billionth reader to want a comics adaptation of The Five Doctors. Marr Cropley of Hudson, New Hampshire, is a little different; he wants an adaptation of The Green Death. Also desiring stories featuring earlier incarnations is Andrew Rolfe of Norwich, England – erm, doesn’t he have his own mag, called DWM? Donald Moore of Trail, British Columbia, really liked “Dragon’s Claw”, and compliments Dave Gibbons’ artistry. He would like to know how to get DWM in the USA, though. Finally, Kurt Friedman of Oxon Hill, Maryland, seems to have written a letter to a totally different comic – one that had an issue #274 – pointing out lots of possible Doctor Who references. It reads rather like listening to just one end of a telephone conversation.
The Adverts
Marvel Subscriptions Savings;
“Subscribe to Doctor Who: The Magazine of Time and Space”.
The Back Cover
“10 Reasons to Pick Up Marvel Age Every Month”.
Cool Colours
Thankfully, the Marvel TARDIS returns to some sort of normality: bright blue, with yellow windows and a red lamp. On the front cover, the Doctor has a magenta coat, burgundy trousers, socks and shoes, and a hot pink-and-black scarf. Inside, his outfit also seems magenta-ish, and his scarf varies between red and pink. Lots of bright colours in this issue: most notably, the Biblios robots are gold, the Vromyx are bright orange with lime green ships, and the Garynths are lime green with bright blue ships! The butterfly people in “Spider-God” are green, with red eyes, and wings that go from purple to red to orange, with yellow edges.
Fun Mistakes
In a panel on page 6, the Doctor has green hair.
Conclusion
A packed issue, with three strips and an article. “War of the Words” and “Spider God” are both great single-issue strips, while “Star Tigers” presses onwards. The “Who Cares” writers continue to inspire that exact reaction; we mean, how many people have to ask for a comic of The Five Doctors? Criminey!
Issue 11 (August 1985)
The Front Cover
The Doctor is confronted by the trooper in a scene from “The Deal”, complete with dialogue compressed from several panels of that story: “Freeze, creep! I’m spreading you all over this junkheap planet!” Eek, we’re scared. “The Doctor Stars in “The Deal” and “End of the Line!” Plus: Who News, An Interview with Terrance Dicks, and Abslom Daak, Dalek-Killer!”
The Strips”Doctor Who in The Deal”
We’d guess that the use of Dave Gibbons’ original art (see the next issue’s “Introduction”) began with this strip. The art is much cleaner than in previous strips. “End of the Line”, though, has several pages which must have been taken from photostat.
“Doctor Who: End of the Line” Part One
“Star Tigers” Parts Five and Six
The Articles
“Interview with Terrance Dicks” (by Ken Hart)
Interviewed “during a recent convention in Philadelphia”, Dicks is asked about his time on Doctor Who, his scripts for the show (with emphasis on The Five Doctors), whether or not new writers can break into the show, if there will ever be original novels (he thinks not – ha!), and if the Doctor could be a woman in his next incarnation. Actually, a lot of the article is given over to reciting facts about Dicks (such as how many Targets he’s written, or what the original plot of The Brain of Morbius was), as opposed to presenting quotes from the man. Illustrated with several uncredited photos.
The Columns
“Introduction” (by Jim Salicrup)
Not the most exciting introduction ever. Salicrup just barely has time to talk about a radio campaign to advertise Doctor Who, Marvel Fanfare, and Dreadstar, while also pointing out the new “Who’s on First” feature (commonly known to us slow-witted readers as a table of contents).
“Who Knows” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill)
More details on the newly-available Pertwee stories, and news that Lionheart is preparing five Troughton stories for distribution. Also some brief information on DWIN’s Who Party 7 (a Canadian con), and addresses to write the current cast and crew, Troughton, Pertwee, Tom Baker, and Davison. Accompanied by a black-and-yellow picture of the next issue’s front cover.
“Who Cares”
Audrey Church of Nashville, Tennessee, is a new fan, and very much enjoys the comic; J. Young of Salt Lake City, Utah, is neither a fan of sci-fi or comics, but is also a steadfast follower of the good Doctor – at least, in his Tom Baker incarnation. Brad “Who fan #1” Huppert of Prescott, Wisconsin, begs the editors to ignore “Lady Jennika”‘s comments from issue #4, and makes his Mom stop and buy the comic for him. Secundra Beasly of Cleveland, Ohio, has just about had it – she’s “mad as hell and won’t take it anymore!!” She loves the work the team has put into the comic, and isn’t too happy with the naysayers. Anthony Padilla of Stillwater, Minnesota, thinks “Dragon’s Claw” was “the best yet!” and wants more crossovers and less Bullpen Bulletins. Taking issue with Patrick Daniel O’Neill’s “Bookshelf” columns is Thomas F. Smith of Haworth, New Jersey, and Victor Wong of Vancouver, British Columbia, doesn’t like the combined costume the Doctor wore in “Dreamers of Death”.
The Adverts
“Dreadstar and Company”;
Marvel Subscriptions Savings.
The Back Cover
“10 Reasons to Pick Up Marvel Age Every Month”.
Cool Colours
Disturbingly simple: the Marvel TARDIS is bright blue, with a white lamp and yellow windows (on one side). The Doctor’s costume is all-red on the front cover; inside, it’s settled down to a dark magenta outfit with a burgundy scarf. The trooper in “The Deal” has purple hair, as does the receptionist at “Star Tigers”‘ Murderama.
Conclusion
A nice, packed issue, even if “The Deal” isn’t really that great a story. At the time, the Terrance Dicks interview was probably a big thing – nowadays, it’s full of information every fan with an Internet connection knows.
Issue 12 (September 1985)
The Front Cover
A horrified Doctor faces the cannibals, in a room covered with graffiti messages (two of which, although obscured, seem to be “Gibbons” and “Forbush”).
The Strips
“Doctor Who: End of the Line: Part II”
Since the comic is now using Dave Gibbons’ original art, instead of photostats (as mentioned in Jim Salicrup’s “Introduction”), both Gibbons-drawn stories are remarkably cleaner than previous strips. The one exception is “End of the Line: Part II” page 1, which seems to have been taken from photostat.
“Doctor Who and the Free-Fall Warriors” (“The Free-Fall Warriors” Parts One and Two)
Because “The Free-Fall Warriors” begins directly after “End of the Line”, it’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that the first page of “Warriors” is a continuation of the previous story (especially if you miss the tiny little ‘The End’ box). The Part captions have been removed.
“Star Tigers” Part Seven
The Columns
“Introduction” (by Jim Salicrup)
Our erstwhile editor discusses Doctor Who‘s imminent hiatus, and the (far better) news that Dave Gibbons will now be providing the originals of his art for reproduction in the comic.
“Who Knows” (by Patrick Daniel O’Neill)
Congratulations are in order for Peter Davison and Sandra Dickinson, on the occasion of the birth of their daughter, Georgia Elizabeth. More news on the 1985 Time Festival, and an explanation for the lack of sound and visual effects in the second half of the movie-format “Resurrection of the Daleks”. Some indication is given when Americans will see Colin Baker’s Doctor on their screens, and contact addresses are provided for Anthony Ainley, David Brierly, Nicholas Courtney, Janet Fielding, Louise Jameson, John Leeson, Ian Marter, Elisabeth Sladen, Mark Strickson, Sarah Sutton, Mary Tamm, Lalla Ward, and Matthew Waterhouse. Finally, O’Neill relates the news of Cyprus returning episodes 1 – 3 of The Reign of Terror.
“Who Cares”
Brad Huppert of Prescott, Wisconsin, is back: defending the idea that the TARDIS could materialise in the ship’s floor in “Dogs of Doom”. An incredibly long letter comes from Seth Goodman of Phoenix, Arizona, going on and on about how great the comic is, although he doesn’t like the repetitious “Introduction” or the fact-based articles for newbies. Allen Lane of West Milford, New Jersey, wants to see a brand new comic adapting one episode of the Doctor Who TV program each issue (the editorial team is quick to point out such an endeavour would last over 61 years). Finally, Marc Campbell of Denver, Colorado, wants to know if Whoites, Whoies, or Whovians is the preferred term for Who fans. Accompanied by a recoloured panel from “The Star Beast” Part Two (with the Doctor in his season eighteen colours, despite it clearly being an earlier illustration).
The Adverts
“Doctor Who Convention Calendar” (complete with illustration from Timeslip; the Doctor – in season eighteen colours – tells you conventions are “Coming to these cities on these dates”);
“Doctor Who Merchandise Sale”;
“10 Reasons to Pick Up Marvel Age Every Month”.
The Back Cover
An action-packed illustration of the Freefall Warriors in flight, with close-up detail of Machine Head’s ship and its occupants. Notable for the first cover use of the neon tube logo.
Cool Colours
The Marvel TARDIS is bright blue, with white lettering, yellow windows, and an orange lamp that gives off orange light (?!). On the covers, the Doctor’s outfit is burgundy with a red scarf. In a few panels of “Free-Fall Warriors”, the Doctor’s outfit is a brighter magenta, with a pink scarf and socks. Doctor Asimoff is lime green, with a pink-and-purple shirt, dark blue shorts, and bright blue shoes. The Freefall Warriors’ uniforms are blue and yellow, with a red-and-yellow insignia. The raiders’ leader’s skin changes from a sort of greenish-brown in part one to dark green in part two.
Conclusion
Another fun issue, with twenty-four pages of pure Doctor, and two great covers by Dave Gibbons. “Star Tigers” finally reaches its end, and even the advertisements see a few changes.
