Doctor Who: Wicked Sisters (Big Finish/Audio/Box Set)

I was an avid buyer of Big Finish audios until Dr Who returned to the telly then (foolishly) stopped buying them until about 18 months ago and have done my best within my budget to catch up and buy new Doctor Who audio adventures. However large gaps remain and probably always will. 

One of the things I missed was the back story to Wicked Sisters who apparently appeared in three of the Doctors CDs and had  their own solo series so I came to this story without knowing exactly where this was coming from. However there is enough in the script to keep the new listner more or less aware of what's going on even if their origins remain a mystery to me.

Two human women when together have "god-like" powers which are interfering with time itself and could destroy the universe so nothing too serious. One of the joys of this particular story was seeing Leila not just as an agent of the Time Lords but advanced from the primitive she once was without the actual warrior disappearing.

The Doctor is asked to help destroy Abby & Zara who seem a nice if somewhat misguided pair and the Doctor is going to sentence them to death as there is in his view always an alternative. All three stories (set across 3 CD's) are set on the moon.

The Garden of Storms is reminiscent of Logan's Run though with a much nastier twist whist the second Moonrakers sees the Moon cut off from earth by "cosmic storms" and humans fighting amongst themselves for resources with a very amusing group of Sontarans building a garden!

The final story, The People Made Of Smoke shows how the Doctor's intervention changed history and the menace that the girls had brought into this reality. Will they live or die?

I enjoyed this story over three nights and if I have the money and the original stories are available on CD I think I might, just might get around to picking them up.

Available from: bigfinish.com

Heavy Metal #300

 

For any comic or magazine to reach 300 consecutive issues these days is a miracle what with all the constant relaunches, renumbering and whatever, but this particular magazine has even more reason to be proud of it's continuing run. Heavy Metal outlived it's "parent" Metal Hurlant by a miles. There's even an interview with Jean Pierre Dionnet one of the founders of Metal Hurlant launched in 1974, ran for 11 years and 132 issues.

Oddly the prelude to the interview includes Eerie & Creepy as one of 'it's "glossy competitors" not sure I'd count those warren Magazines as rivals exactly the world of black & white horror mags was a separate one. Marvel's Epic and Playboy's Omni now they were distinct rivals which had short lives.

I have to be honest here that I've never really been a reader of Heavy Metal though did try it once in a while, the last time being when Grant Morrison was given an editorial run. I ordered three issues and remembered why I wasn't a great fan. The stories were too esoteric for their own good. 

This over-sized and highly priced 100 page issue contains a couple of quite readable stories of which Savage Circus was the best and is apparently continuing as a comic book series not that I'll be following it up for a whole number of reasons.

I understand that Heavy Metal is part of a whole genre of comics including those produced by Humanoid publications but though I like The Incal (or what I managed to read of it) and The Metabarons, the stories such as Memories which is (re)printed here just do not do anything for me. Like a lot of Grant Morrison's edited issues it's self indulgent and unappealing, to me anyway.

However Heavy Metal has it's fans and I have on occasion considered picking up some of the other comics they produce but with everything that's happening at the moment it is nowhere near a priority even in terms of collecting comics.

The only other story which caught my attention was The Cold Dead War otherwise the material which is Heavy Metal's usual fare just does not appeal. I did try to like this comic/magazine and I am aware it has it's fans otherwise it wouldn't have either lasted this long or be going strong. I wish them all the best for the future but Heavy Metal will not be on my list.

Note: I haven't given Heavy Metal a rating or recommendation simply because though it doesn't appeal to me there are many who will enjoy it's content and I don't wish to appear unfair.

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious - The Enemy of My Enemy

 

In the last instalment of Big Finishes Time Lord Victorious story-line featuring the Eighth Doctor we see our the Doc as a prisoner of the Daleks...... again. There are moves to exterminate him as the Executioner Dalek approaches only to be stopped by the Dalek Strategist who needs the Doctors help. 

Some thing has happened to the time-lines, history is changing and it threatens the Dalek Empire  and oh everybody else not that the evil creatures give a damn about anyone but themselves. The Doctor agrees to help but only on his terms not that the treacherous Daleks would ever keep their word.

Ending up on a Planet where a civilisation has appeared where none used to exist the Doctor and the Daleks investigate the mystery of the ancient civilisation of Wrax with whom the Daleks propose an alliance not that either side could be trusted. Thing is the Wraxians should never have existed . In history this was a lifeless planet. 

Photo: By Source

This adventure shows how good Paul McGann would have been at playing the Time Lord as he has proved in in a large number of Big Finish audios. Sadly McGann's participation on TV is (so far) restricted to one TV film and a short that tied in with another Doctor's season. 

Maybe when we reach the Doctor's sixtieth anniversary in three years time we could see all the Doctors return for a real special while there is still time!

In the meantime these audio adventures are highly recommended.

Time Lord Victorious: To be continued..........

Marvel Two-In-One Annual #3 (Marvel/1978)

 

Marvel Two-In-One Annual #3: 

Marv Wolfman (w) Sal Buscema (a)

It's been a while since I read an old Marvel comic and I just happened to notice whilst moving stuff about that despite having had the is comic for some time I had not even opened the bag so sat down for what turned out to be a nostalgic read.

Marvel Two-In-One was a vehicle for teaming up the lovable Benjamin Grimm a.k.a. The Thing from the Fantastic Four with other players in the Marvel Universe. This comic along with Marvel Team-Up allowed Marvel to feature a lot of characters that  did not have their own comics nor were members of teams and otherwise might not get an outing.

These were usually "done-in-one" stories that are rarely if ever seen these days and frankly are in part responsible for the decline of the medium as these allowed for casual readers to pick up comics at random rather than be forced to track down every issue of a multi-part adventure or complex crossover.

This particulate over-sized comic the American version of an "Annual" features Nova who was a not just a super-hero rookie as seen in the story but new to Marvel. Aliens known as "Monitors" have landed on Earth to see if the planet is fit to be allowed to live. In thousands of years no planet has ever met their standards. 

Unable to face the threat alone Nova seeks help firstly from the Avengers and then from the Fantastic Four after amusingly asking Jarvis for the address of the Baxter Building! Help is also at hand as a woman, seemingly a prisoner of the Monitors gets freed and the trio seek to free the others to weaken & help save Earth.

It goes without saying that Ben and Nova succeed but one has to ask where were the Celestials during all this as they were sitting in the Andes with yet another judgement to make on the future of mankind. The Marvel Universe is sure a dangerous place to live what with these Monitors, Celestials and Galactus consuming life everywhere it is a wonder any survives.

An inexpensive buy if you come across a copy and most of the 100 issue series is worth a read.

Dick Turpin and the Vengeful Shade (Time Bomb Comics)

Continuing my exploration of the British small comics press I picked up a copy of Dick Turpin and the Vengeful Shade by Steve Turner (w) and Roland Bird (a) which is a prestige format full colour one-shot or "done in one" story however you like to describe it.

The story features Dick Turpin in an incarnation that is somewhat different to the norm and isn't really either a brave or likeable character nor is he much more than a puppet throughout this story which starts with a robbery gone wrong and a vengeful spirity that's out to kill when the miscreants and their victims take shelter.

Described as a "locked in a room murder and mystery" it's a wee bit ore than that and highly entertaining with it. With a good script and professional artwork this is a comic worth picking up if you fancy something a little different from the norm.

I have previously picked up Brawler #1 and have taken part in the Kickstarter for Brawler #2.  They also have a new title out which I'll be checking in due course. 

Rating: 4 Stars Recommended.

Available from: getmycomics.com

Strontium Dog: The Starlord Years (Rebellion)

 

Although overshadowed by Judge Dredd Johnny Alpha comes a close second as an all time favourite in 2000AD even if the bastards did kill him off in a story I have yet to read. However in the meantime Rebellion have finally released a collection of Strontium Dog's earliest adventures from the short lived Starlord comic.

Starlord actually outsold 2000AD but was dropped after just 22 issues as the format was so expensive to produce and ended up merged with 2000AD. It is from this particular issue I started collecting 2000AD and became a fan of not just Dredd but also everyone's favourite mutant Johnny Alpha and his Viking side-kick Wulf. And lets not forget the Gronk....as if we could!

Most of the action takes place in outer space as Johnny & Wulf track down wanted criminals facing abuse & discrimination where ever they go though at least one grateful star pilot apologises. You also get introduced to Johnny's sister and niece. The background to the story of Johnny Alpha is yet to come.

This hardback edition collects all of Strontium dogs stories fro Starlord, the Starlord Summer Special and the Starlord Annuals. I only have a couple of issues of the comic itelf plus one annual and the summer special so most of the content was new to me and with Carlos Ezquerra's art is a welcome addition to any British comic fans collection.

Rating: 5 Stars Of course it comes highly recommended!

Available from: 2000ad.com

Support British comics!

Doctor Who Annual, Calendar & Diary 2021

 

One of the things that I always liked getting at Christmas were the Annuals, mostly comic one's (Wham! & Smash! were my favourites) but relatives used to give Blue Peter Books or even Doctor Who ones on occasion.  

Of course being an old git I've been watching the Doctor's adventures since 1963 and now no longer have relatives that give me annuals I have to buy them for myself not there are many to choose from. Even 2000AD gave up on them and does it's 100 page special instead. 

Doctor Who has been gone from strength to strength despite the moans of some hardcore fans. I have have some beefs with the scripts. Too much "wokeness" for me. I just want to be entertained not preached at about complex issues that have two sides to the argument that are far from resolved. I try not to let it spoil the story and remain not just a solid fan of the programme but of Jodie who I think plays a great Doctor. 

The latest Doctor Who Annual is very much a children's book as it should be going through the latest seasons programmes, characters and looks at at the Time Lord Victorious multi media story line. I'm not sure how many kids would be able to afford the numerous comics, magazines, books and CD's involved. At least the BBC animation is free on You Tube.

Still whether a child at 6 or 60 I'm sure it will make it's way into a few Christmas stockings!

Meanwhile there's the choice of calender's. I chose the multi Doctor one:

And finally there's the Tardis Pocket Diary for less than a fiver! Couldn't resist!

Comics Unlimited #3 Out Now!

I was a bit slow off the mark in grabbing the second issue of this excellent home grown comics journal Comics Unlimited so I've prioritised reading it and have to say it's well worth the price of entry. This magazine mixes stories and interviews about both British and American comics. The magazine contributes to small rebirth of Britain's comic industry.

Despite the lock-down we have seen not just 2000AD & Judge Dredd Megazine increasing it's readership via subscriptions there's also been the launch of a whole new comic with Shift, The 77 continues to establish itself and small press publishers continue to produce comics that warrant wider readership. This plus a "fanzine" of our own is just what is needed.

With 100 A4 pages there is penty to read in the latest issue including a rather nice piece on The Unknown Soldier one of DC Comics war heroes. Reference is also made to Sgt Rock and the origin of the Unknown Soldier is retold something I hadn't read before despite having several issues of the comic.

I personally always preferred British war stories growing up in the sixties. I read most in those little pocket picture libraries of which Commando still continues to this day though there was a Zombie story recently which I missed as nowhere round here sells the bloody thing! However I digress as Stephen Hooker writes a nice piece War, Good God! What is it Good for? examining the war comics we used to love to enjoy. 

There's also a short piece on The Phantom Eagle from Marvel which I do recall reading in an edition of Marvel Superheroes back in the sixties but that's about it.

Meanwhile in a very timely piece Steve Laming looks at the history of TV21 the Gerry Anderson based comic from the sixties along with it's short lived companion Joe 90 and Lady Penelope which outlived them both albeit as a "normal" girls comic. 

Whilst it concentrated on the obvious features of Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds and eventually Captain Scarlet it also had one other very fondly remembered series The Daleks in solo adventures without a certain Time Lord  getting in their way. These full colour strips have been collected and re-issued by Panini which is available in Supermarkets and newsagents now, in fact I just picked up my copy and will shortly be reading with glee!

You'll also find articles on The DNA Agents with whom I am not at all familiar, The Defenders, The Invaders and more. Of particular interest is a piece on DC's Crisis, On Infinite Earths which comes at a time when my years of patient loyalty to the company has finally run out and time is up for DC it appears except for a handful of titles such as Superman, Batman, Harley Quinn and a digital future with Trades for bookshops...or so the rumour goes. 

I can't of course ignore the interview and photo gallery with cosplay star Viva Wonder Woman who does a lot of charity work and got an endorsement from Lynda Carter!

There's much more besides in this issue and there is a "Golden Age Special" to come in December before #4 which will be out in January. I wish these guys luck. A lot of hard work has gone into this.

Rating: 5 Stars. Highly Recommended

Order via Amazon. 

Further Info: Comics Unlimited Facebook

Shaman Kane #6

The latest issue of David Broughton's self-published comic Shaman Kane is out and it brings together all the loose strands that lie behind the devastated universe that humanity has been left with. The origins of the Zombie War and the fate of an old friend are just amongst the reveals in this issue which concludes the current story  line.

Shaman Kane along with his A.I Annie, Shaman Jane Rain, Obsidian Dark and a werewolf are in the dark Dimension seeking the enemy in a final battle. here the vampires are different, more powerful and there is entropy. A battle ensues with the big head giving explanations about why this all happened and the team face their final nightmare.

But all are not to be trusted......

It's difficult to write much more without giving the game away and since this is one of the superior small press titles I want to encourage you to go and buy it.

All six issues are still available if you want to read the story in one go and haven't given this a try yet.

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly Recommended) In fact as a series now it's complete gets a 5 Stars plus rating which I save for only the best. 
 

Available from: comicsy.co.uk

Spacewarp Phase 1 (Millsverse Comics)

 

Pat Mills is one of Britain's best known creators and was responsible for the establishment of 2000AD the UK's premier comic. Pat's latest project is Spacewarp a collection of six linked stories in a format which is reminiscent of one of those Summer or Winter specials that we used to have back in the day.  It's not numbered but there is a promise of more.

A background story Sfeer & Loathing kicks of the book as we meet the Earp Lords who toy with humanity across the multiverse who are confronted by The Slayer a sentient "robot" in the service of "the Goddess who created the universe. A battle ensues, the slayer leaves, the adventure is afoot!

We then turn the page into the world of Jurrasic Punk where civilisation has collapsed and London is in ruins as survivors battle it out with dinosaurs.  There's plenty of monsters, big guns and an unexpected rescue & development. Plus a weird reference to The Old Grey Whistle Test......

There's supernatural threats galore in Hellbreaker as three prisoners try to escape Hell and De La Rue succeeds to exact cosmic vengeance on the guilty and warns the police to steer clear of him when confronted. Then there's his mate who survives as a head being interrogated by New Scotland Yard and a Priest.

Next up is a science fiction based adventure, The Executioner fighting hidden aliens amongst the survors of of humanity living amongst the moons of Saturn. Futant follows with schoolboys being prepared for battle or Eden. There are mutants and one man who sees himself as becoming the Lord protector of the multiple earths is on a mission. One kid must do a deal to keep his friends alive.

SF1 sees humanity as an unrecognised species as they are more bacteria than human and there's a war going on which looks like Starship Trooper the movie but with giant bacteria as the rampaging enemy.

The book then wraps up with an epilogue of sorts as the Slayer returns to confront a rampaging human army exterminating all alien life it meets. The Slayer vows to protect humanity against the warp Lords with one exception, Drageda, the "Lord protector who appeared in Futant.

The connections between the strips are clear as Pat Mills with various artists constructs a whole multiverse of action and adventure.

Website: spacewarpcomic.com

Rating 4 Stars (Recommended)

TV 21's Daleks Strip collected by Doctor Who Magazine (Out Nov 11th)

 

(Photo: John Freeman: Down The Tubes)

The iconic and probably most "popular" Doctor Who villains the Daleks once had their own strip in a Gerry Anderson orientated comic back in the sixties TV21. Alongside adventures of Thunderbirds, Stingray. Fireball XL5 were solo adventures of the Daleks.

These stories saw the Daleks as the central characters in several ongoing adventures without the Doctor being involved. Back in those days Doctor Who was in black & white on TV and we didn't know that the Doctor was a Timelord either. The Doctors race did not appear until the end of The War Games when he (in the form of Patrick Troughton) was forced to call for help.

These adventures of course are in glorious "technicolor" as these things were referred to back in the day and featured Daleks in various colours including the golden "Emperor" Dalek.  I remember reading these stories as a child and look forward to reading them again!

In total The Daleks appeared in 104 one page full colour pages in TV21. This spin-off edition of Doctor Who Magazine brings together all 16 stories with background articles on creators. It will cost £9.99 and be available from WH Smiths, some supermarkets or direct from the publisher Panini next week November 11th.

Hopefully if this is a success then Panini might consider it worth sorting out the Doctor Who strips in Countdown/TV Action for ca collected edition or two! With the continuing revival of British comics and popularity of Doctor Who

Website: store.panini.co.uk

Comics Unlimited #2

 

It's been a while since the first issue of Comics Unlimited had come out on a whim I checked out Amazon who print the magazine/journal to order and was pleasantly surprised to see the second issue had already been published back in September. 

If there is one thing that the folks who create Comics Unlimited must do is publicise their wares!

Just before I decided to write a quick review of the second issue I double checked on Facebook and found they have a page which has nowhere near the number of followers it should have. This British mag deserves support from comic book fans in this country. You'll find the link at the bottom of the page.

Comics Unlimited covers both British and American comics in a bookshelf format that is quite suitable for what they are attempting to achieve. The creators are no strangers to the world of fanzine publishing having been responsible for the short lived Crikey! magazine.

The main attraction is an interview with Joe Staton whose work I first came across in the form of E-Man when it appeared at Charlton Comics. These are some of the best comics Charlton ever produced. I have as yet to sample any further E-Man comics from other publishers but maybe after the lock-down.

There's something for everyone with a look at The Inhumans early series at Marvel, Sad Sack and Grandville (both of which I've heard of but never read), Infinity Inc, Stontium Dog, Lady Penelope, Warlord and more.

There are interviews with Howard Chaykin & Tim Perkins plus who couldn't resist a trip down memory lane with General Jumbo from The Beano.

(Order via Amazon)

Rating 5 Stars: Highly recommended

Further Info: Comics Unlimited Facebook

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious (Two issue mini series/Titan Comics)

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious continues in a second comic strip from British publisher Titan Comics though in an American format and available through specialist comic shops in the UK. This features the Tenth Doctor (plus a special appearance at the end, no spoilers) whilst the strip in Doctor Who Magazine features the Ninth.

This is a self contained two issue mini-series which sees the Doctor (in the form of David Tennant) transported to an alternative timeline. The Time War not happened and the Daleks have their Empire but it's under threat and for some reason their strategy sees the Doctor as their saviour from a foe they cannot beat.

Once again we find ourselves looking at the Dark Times with menaces long thought past raising their heads and threatening the whole of creation let alone the Daleks whose quest to exterminate their enemy has failed.

The Dalek Strategist (a rather battered individual) asks the Doctor to stop their enemy, a choice he has no choice in refusing if the universe is to survive but can the Daleks be trusted? The Doctor wants to talk but Daleks they like to shoot at things they fear.

Meanwhile the BBC have released a Blue ray containing all the Doctor Who adventures that tie in to the Dark Times with appearances by Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy and David Tennant! There's lots of Daleks and other threats to fight in this splendid collection due out shortly. 

As for the comic? Highly recommended: 

Rating 4.5 Stars

Shift #1 Out Now!

 

At long last there is a new British comic available in good newsagents around the country. Frankly given the pandemic this is a very brave attempt at getting a much needed addition to the depleted world of British comics. 

This comes from the publishers of the British comics magazine Comic Scene which sadly has now had to go on hiatus as it failed to get itself a solid financial foundation before the present crisis. The publishers say they are not entirely done with Comic Scene yet and there may be "specials in the future". In the meantime Shift is the breakout comic book we need.

Shift is a professionally produced comic on glossy paper with the majority of its strips produced in colour and black & white does suit the stories that use it. With the exception of Foot Soldiers this is all new material.

First up is science fiction strip To The Death a violent war which is taking place 4.7 Million light years from eart and with all due respect to the creators  (Simon Furman & Geoff Senior)did remind me of Starship Trooper but was much more serious that that film. This actually looks very promising.

Next up is Foot Soldiers by Jim Kreuger (w) & Steve Yeowell (a) which is being published in a fold out continuous one panel format. Although this was originally published by Image Comics (I have the three collected trades) this is the first time the story is in colour. Very much about an "oddball" bunch of grave robbing superheroes this was/is a great read.

Part one of the silent Kora sees a woman stranded on a strange island/planet facing some pretty weird threats page after page from savage men to cute monsters with lots of teeth and then some tiny furballs that are like something out of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon. Can't wait to see how this goes and whether there will ever be any dialogue!

Fantasy adventure Soulwind takes a boy across the universe to retrieve a sword. Billed as a mix of genres this was the one strip that for me the jury is still out on as they say.

Tiny Acts of Violence is a "brooding horror story" according to the editorial in Shift. Unlike Kora this is dialogue intensive and set in Communist dominated East Berlin. Younger readers will not be familiar with the Cold War that my generation grew up in so kids just remember the hammer & sickle is just as evil as the swastika from the thirties! 

Shifter is a very strange yet entertaining story that like a couple of others in this comic will require a second reading not something I usually do but I think it's worth it especially when unfamiliar concepts and stories only come out monthly.

Last up and by no means the least is the done in one complete story Hungerville. Oh I really liked this so no spoilers from me. Just read.

There are some features including an interview with Jim kreuger over his Foot Soldiers reboot and several more text pieces at the end including news about Comic Scene's Annual (which I've pre-ordered via Kickstarter), Brian Haberin, Pat Mills (on his new comic which I has just arrived and will be reviewed in due course) and more.

Verdict: Highly recommended and deserves to be a success. 

Rating: 5 Stars!

Please support this comic:

Get a copy from your local newsagent or buy a copy or subscribe via: theshift.store

Next issue out 10th December!