OUT NOW FROM BBC PHYSICAL AUDIO: 'HOUSE OF PLASTIC'

It's Spearhead from Space - The Next Generation, as the evil alien race with a special affinity for all things plastic, the terrifying Autons (accompanied by their wax work-like servants), return to Earth and fight the Seventh Doctor and Ace within modern day London, as effects genius and writer Mike Tucker returns with an an all-new audio adventure, House of Plastic, that satisfyingly captures the spirit of the special McCoy/Aldred era of 1988-89 (which he originally worked on back in the day) yet updates it too, giving the Autons' latest invasion an all-new and believable spin as they work to achieve their subtle and stealthy goals in absorbing humanity, this time via a revolutionary new plastic recycling company. It's a unique enterprise that soon attracts our heroic TARDIS pairing's attentions as they discover what the ingenious enemy, first seen in the Jon Pertwee/UNIT phase, is now up to. 

Aided by an elderly civilian from a nearby East London-based retirement home, the prime instigator to the story, this new invasion goes deeper into society than can ever be imagined. Could the Autons' plan actually succeed? Will plastic conquer over flesh?

Former Davros inhabitor and radio drama veteran Terry Molloy tells the fun and lively story with spright efficiency, of which fans of this era's quirky Earthbound stories will be happily content.

Get it here: 

Doctor Who: House of Plastic: 7th Doctor Audio Original: Amazon.co.uk: Tucker, Mike, Molloy, Terry: 9781529940633: Books

WHO'S THE BOSS?

The Seventh Doctor has fallen foul of bizarre types of authority again, and this time he's suffering the full force of the deranged, possessed Chief Caretaker languishing within the dangerous and dilapidated Paradise Towers, as top-tier guest star Richard Briers hams thing up with relish, and it's all very enjoyable!

'THE TRIAL OF A TIME LORD' AT 40: KRONTEP CHAOS!

Every inch the warrior, the once captured Krontep King Yrcanos (the ever mighty Brain Blessed!), with his reluctant Queen-to-be Peri, begins his fight back against the evil machinations of Sil and the Mentors on Thoros Alpha, during the middle episodes of The Trial of a Time Lord episodes 5 -8 (aka 'Mindwarp'). An interesting camera rehearsal shot.

AVAILABLE NOW ON BBC DIGITAL AUDIO: 'AGENT OF THE DALEKS'

The inimitable First Doctor, with his loyal companions bolshy Steven Taylor and perky Vicki, arrive at a vital communications installation, protected by a force shield, located on a radioactive alien world in the Fourth Sector. But their arrival soon proves non-coincidental, as the trio find themselves caught up in a battle against the dreaded Daleks, of whom a battered but effective group of the Skaroan monsters is trying to penetrate the base's defences and capture it. Could there be a Dalek Agent at work amongst the small band of trapped humans? And just how important a role will Steven play within a tense and brutal situation that has a seemingly irreversible, time-related fixed point?

Long-time Who scribe Steve Lyons returns with an intriguing and edgy adventure that effectively showcases Steven, and also fleshes out some of his background before his onscreen introduction in the series. As ever, the Daleks, once more voiced by Nicholas Briggs, prove a worthy, murderous foe - the true antagonists of the First Doctor, whilst Maureen O'Brien clearly and confidently enjoys being the storyteller and bringing the characters to vocal life. After years away from Who pursuing other career/life interests, it's nice to see her making more contributions to the series mythology.

Get it here: 

Doctor Who: Agent of the Daleks: 1st Doctor Audio Original (Audio Download): Steve Lyons, Maureen O'Brien, Nicholas Briggs, BBC Digital Audio: Amazon.co.uk: Books

'DESTROY THE DOCTOR!'

Art composition by Lee Binding.

Having been prior humiliated and his plans thwarted by the Doctor over the Key to Time, there was no doubt that the evil, all-domineering force for evil that is the Black Guardian (played with relish by Valentine Dyall) would seek revenge on the Time Lord, finally catching up with him and laying his murderous traps, via his new reluctant acolyte Turlough, across three critical stories over Season Twenty.

HEADING FOR A FALL...

Meeting his demise in the best Frankenstein's Monster tradition, the evil rebirth of the Time Lord megalomaniac Morbius is now at an end, as the mind/creature falls over a cliff within the spooky, lightening-lashed world of Karn, challenged by the fierce determination of the local Sisterhood witches. Great art by Tom Connell, a commission that appeared in one of the early UK DVD files magazines for the Classic Series.

My memories of The Brain of Morbius from its original transmission are near complete, especially the opening episode, many of the scenes with the Sisterhood of Karn, and the grisly moments that would make Mary Whitehouse boil over with rage, including Condo's brutal shooting and Morbius's brain glooping out of its container! 

Gothic glory days, indeed! 

CLASSIC ART: THE PERTWEE ERA

Heroes, villains and monsters galore, the colourful and exciting Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who cemented the show's popularity with audiences for years to come, of which all are well showcased in this lovely image composition by Lee Johnson.