MERRY CHRISTMAS! (2021)

 

Breaking the fourth-wall for the first and last time in the Classic Series, a jovial First Doctor delivers seasonal greetings to a likely surprised (or shocked?) audience with the too silly for words Christmas Day-airing episode, The Feast of Steven.

'MERRY CHRISTMAS!' TO ALL READERS WORDLWIDE, AND A SAFE, PROSPEROUS, 'HAPPY NEW YEAR!'

PARIS IS CALLING...

Celebrating the new release of the terrific Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 17 on sparkling Blu-ray from BBC STUDIOS (available 20th December, 2021), here's a selection of terrific posed images linked to the clearly fun Paris 1979 location filming - the first unique overseas filming for the series at that time - from that zany season's superb all-time classic adventure: City of Death!

And who could ever forget Lalla Ward in her schoolgirl outfit back in the day? It was encouraged to help girls enjoy wearing school uniform, but her wasted efforts deservedly got far greater enthusiasm from the dads watching the show, that's for sure!

Lalla poses for a fun serious of character images.

Official BBC release details:

https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=season-17-instalment-collection-bluray-range

Get it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Collection-Limited-Packaging/dp/B09HNBC49Q/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dr+who+season+17&qid=1639063462&sr=8-1

MEETING THE DALEKS!

In a great 1988 publicity image, Ace and her new military friend Mike Smith (Dursley McLinden) will never forget their encounter with the legendary Daleks in early 1960's London. Post war meets new war in Ben Aaronovitch's superb four-parter, Remembrance of the Daleks.

GOODBYE, CHRIS ACHILLEOS...

I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news yesterday evening that the respected, iconic artist who was such an important part of my childhood love of Doctor Who, in particular, Chris Achilleos, had passed away. Words cannot describe how much I have loved and enjoyed his work since my mum first purchased for me two original 1974 released Target books adorning his great art: The Auton Invasion and The Cave Monsters. When a later family trip to the Greenwich Book Boat (does anyone know if this still exists?) showed me a whole wealth of additional Who Target books, his art upon them impacted on me further and made me want to collect the series.

Image: Fantasleria.

Luckily getting to meet Mister Achilleos at a London Comic Convention eight or nine years ago he proved a terrific conversationalist - his love and enthusiasm for art, and his nostalgia for Who, clearly noticeable -  especially his respect for the fans that have grown up so fondly with his superb portfolio. And let's not forget his other outstanding contributions for the likes of Star Trek (a show he admired from its original UK screenings) and other genre pieces, plus his memorable erotica showcases that have equally become must-have purchases. I continue to treasure the signed original The Day of the Daleks paperback he generously gave me at the event.

Representing his work on this blog article, I have selected the first edition of The Three Doctors. In 1978 I was only aware of the Black Hole cover edition of the book's art by Jeff Cummins (which is great), but when I discovered the Achilleos version with Omega's energy outstretched to encapsulate the three Doctors (a lovely tribute to Jack Kirby's cover art for the American editions of The Fantastic Four comic), it soon became a must-have personal favourite to me, which was obtained finally via my dad's searching efforts at a car boot fair in 1986 (back in those primitive days before Amazon and eBay!).

My sincerest condolences go out to Mister Achilleos' family in this sad time. Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for the incredible artistic imagination and unique talent you gave us that we shall always treasure...

http://chrisachilleos.co.uk/

MELDING WITH MESTOR!

From his luxurious throne in the palace of Jaconda, which he and his race of Gastropods have taken from the planet's peaceful inhabitants, the gross Mestor issues his murderous telepathic orders, in Colin Baker's opening story, The Twin Dilemma.

Though giving a fine, villainous performance, it's hard to believe that the respected character actor Edwin Richfield, who prior appeared in The Sea Devils as the heroic Captain Hart, is under all that heavy rubber! The character of Mestor was clearly influenced by the equally repellent Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, which was playing to packed UK cinemas only the year before.

AQUATIC AVENGERS!

 

No longer ready to tolerate the human race for the damage that they've done to both their own species and their Silurian cousins, the Sea Devils warriors re-awakened from a hidden facility are ready for war (the Samurai warrior design influence more than noticeable, if ultimately unpractical onscreen), as seen in this great art from Andrew Skilleter celebrating the Peter Davison adventure Warriors of the Deep, and a piece originally created for his officially licensed range of Who Dares posters/merchandise products back in the eighties...

SET IN 'STONE'!

Investigating the mystery of the Standing Stones on Earth, Romana once again finds her life threatened and soon transported, this time by the mysterious Cailleach, whose former identity as the seemingly pleasant Vivian Fey has all proved a front  - an excellent performance from veteran actress Susan Engel, in the Key to Time saga/100th Who adventure gem, The Stones of Blood.