Welcome back, Book Clubbers! Summer is pretty much upon us here in DC (Erik here), and nothing says summer like listening to Sean and me waffle on about about Gary Russell's Virgin Missing Adventure The Scales of Injustice. Well, you're in luck--episode 5 is here for your listening delectation. The novel features UNIT, the Third Doctor, Liz Shaw and the Silurians, and our episode is graced by another stellar reading from a guest podcaster: this time Leeson Fischer* of the most excellent Radio Rassilon podcast provides the novel with a voice. This podcast is one giant spoiler for the contents of the novel, so be forewarned.
And now, to end your suspense, I can announce that our June selection is Conundrum (ISBN: 0-426-20408-5), entry #22 from January 1994. This is a Virgin New Adventure by Steve Lyons featuring Ace and Bernice "Benny" Summerfield and a second encounter with the Land of Fiction, last seen in "The Mind Robber."* If you go here, you can read a prelude to the novel written by Lyons originally published in Doctor Who Magazine. From the back cover:
‘Doctor, we’re talking about an old man who used to dress up in a skintight white jump suit and fly around New York catching super-villains. Don’t you think there’s something just a bit unusual about that?'
A killer is stalking the streets of the village of Arandale. The victims are found one each day, drained of blood. And if that seems strange, it’s nothing compared to the town’s inhabitants.
The Doctor, Ace and Bernice think they’re investigating a murder mystery. But it’s all much more bizarre than that. And much more dangerous.
Someone has interfered with the Doctor’s past again, and he’s landed in a place he knows he once destroyed. This time there can be no escape.
I love "The Mind Robber," so I am totally, totally psyched to see what can be done with the concept of the Land of Fiction in the expanded parameters of a full-length novel. So, find a copy and read along, won't you?
*It's also the fourth book in the "Alternate Universe cycle," a continuing series of the New Adventures, but I don't think that will interfere with our enjoyment of it.
Thanks to everyone who's listening, and let us know what you think! You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
Direct download: Episode 5
For more info:
Our comrades at Reprint the Doctor
Wikipedia
Doctor Who Reference Guide
*This post originally credited the wrong member of the Radio Rassilon duo for the reading. DWBC regrets the error.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Ratings So Far...
Hello, Doctor Who Book Clubbers! Erik here. In order to help guide our followers (Hi, Mom!), and ourselves, I've compiled our ratings for the first four books we covered on the podcast. I'll be updating this post as we go forward so that, if you ever want to do a quick check to see what subjective number we assigned to a particular title, you can do it without sifting through all of our back catalog! Convenient, no?
All scores are out of 10, and for the uninitiated, these are the four ranges of novels we're reading: Virgin Missing Adventures (VMA), Virgin New Adventures (NA), BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (EDA), and the BBC Past Doctor Adventures (PDA).
Episode #1: Sorcerer's Apprentice by David Bulis (VMA) Erik: 8 Sean: 6.5
Episode #2: Damaged Goods by Russell T. Davies (NA) Erik: 8 Sean: 7
Episode #3: The Eight Doctors by Terrance Dicks (EDA) Erik: 5.5 Sean: 4
Episode #4: Empire of Death by Davis Bishop (PDA) Erik: 6 Sean: 7
N.B.: We reserve the right to change our scores with the benefit of hindsight. I'll male it clear with the cunning use of asterisks and whatnot when we've done so.
All scores are out of 10, and for the uninitiated, these are the four ranges of novels we're reading: Virgin Missing Adventures (VMA), Virgin New Adventures (NA), BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (EDA), and the BBC Past Doctor Adventures (PDA).
Episode #1: Sorcerer's Apprentice by David Bulis (VMA) Erik: 8 Sean: 6.5
Episode #2: Damaged Goods by Russell T. Davies (NA) Erik: 8 Sean: 7
Episode #3: The Eight Doctors by Terrance Dicks (EDA) Erik: 5.5 Sean: 4
Episode #4: Empire of Death by Davis Bishop (PDA) Erik: 6 Sean: 7
N.B.: We reserve the right to change our scores with the benefit of hindsight. I'll male it clear with the cunning use of asterisks and whatnot when we've done so.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Episode 4, and Not a Moment Too Soon...Plus our May Selection
Finally, after several unfortunate delays, we are proud to bring you our April episode! We discuss David Bishop's 5th Doctor Adventure Past Doctor Adventure Empire of Death. We had a lively, if a bit lengthy, discussion on this tale, and I (Erik) sincerely apologize for my heavy breathing and thick voice--I was suffering from serious allergies. On the plus side, That Chip Guy, known to millions around the universe as The Two-Minute Time Lord, was kind enough to provide us a snippet of the book in his sonorous tones. Of course, spoilers lurk within this podcast, so be forewarned.
And now, the moment you've been waiting for: our May selection is... The Scales of Injustice (ISBN: 0-426-20477-8). Yes, indeedy! This is a Virgin Missing Adventure set between "Inferno" and "Terror of the Autons"* featuring the Third Doctor and Liz Shaw's second encounter with the Silurians...or homo reptilia, if you will. Plus, it's written by Gary Russell, so I think we're in for a bit of a treat.
'And what exactly, Doctor Shaw, do you think C19 does with the dead bodies of plastic dummies, reptile men, primordial throwbacks and all their human victims?'
A little boy goes missing; a policewoman begins drawing cave paintings; and the employees at the mysterious Glasshouse are desperate to keep everyone away — the Doctor suspects it's all down to a group of homo reptilia. His assistant, Liz Shaw, has ideas of her own and has teamed up with a journalist to search for people who don't exist.
While the Brigadier has to cope with UNIT funding, the breakdown of his marriage and Geneva's threats to replace him, the Doctor must find the reptiles alone.
And behind it all lies a conspiracy to exploit UNIT's achievements — a conspiracy reaching deep into the heart of the British Government.
I am a big fan of Liz Shaw and the Silurians, so I'm looking forward to diving into this tale. Join us, won't you? We'll release sometime in May.
*It's also set immediately after the VMA The Eye of the Giant, though I have no idea how important it is to know that.
That to everyone who's listening, and let us know what you think! You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
Direct download: Episode 4
For more info:
Our Friends over at Reprint the Doctor
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
And now, the moment you've been waiting for: our May selection is... The Scales of Injustice (ISBN: 0-426-20477-8). Yes, indeedy! This is a Virgin Missing Adventure set between "Inferno" and "Terror of the Autons"* featuring the Third Doctor and Liz Shaw's second encounter with the Silurians...or homo reptilia, if you will. Plus, it's written by Gary Russell, so I think we're in for a bit of a treat.
'And what exactly, Doctor Shaw, do you think C19 does with the dead bodies of plastic dummies, reptile men, primordial throwbacks and all their human victims?'
A little boy goes missing; a policewoman begins drawing cave paintings; and the employees at the mysterious Glasshouse are desperate to keep everyone away — the Doctor suspects it's all down to a group of homo reptilia. His assistant, Liz Shaw, has ideas of her own and has teamed up with a journalist to search for people who don't exist.
While the Brigadier has to cope with UNIT funding, the breakdown of his marriage and Geneva's threats to replace him, the Doctor must find the reptiles alone.
And behind it all lies a conspiracy to exploit UNIT's achievements — a conspiracy reaching deep into the heart of the British Government.
I am a big fan of Liz Shaw and the Silurians, so I'm looking forward to diving into this tale. Join us, won't you? We'll release sometime in May.
*It's also set immediately after the VMA The Eye of the Giant, though I have no idea how important it is to know that.
That to everyone who's listening, and let us know what you think! You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
Direct download: Episode 4
For more info:
Our Friends over at Reprint the Doctor
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Our Third Episode...and the Grand Reveal of our April Selection!
Roll up, roll up, roll up! Our third episode is now available for your listening delectation and delight! Listen to the boys discuss Terrance Dicks' novel The Eight Doctors, the first in the range of the BBC's Eighth Doctor Adventures. Hear Sean say things that Erik disagrees with! Listen as Chris Sigma from The Oodcast makes the novel come alive! As always, we spoil this thing something fierce, so be forewarned. Plus, once you've listed to our take on this selection, you should check out Matthew Kresal's over at the House of Lungbarrow at the Doctor Who Reprint Society.
For our April selection, our exacting scientific model has chosen Empire of Death by David Bishop! This novel is part of the BBC Past Doctor Adventure range and features the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, and a very special appearance by the ghost of Adric! Empire of Death (ISBN: 0-563-48615-5) was published in 2004 and is set between the televised stories "Timeflight" and "Arc of Infinity." From the cover:
In 1856, a boy discovers he can speak with the voices of the dead. He grows up to become one of England's most celebrated spiritualists.
In 1863 the British Empire is effectively without a leader. Queen Victoria is inconsolable with grief following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. The monarch's last hope is a secret seance.
The Doctor and Nyssa are also coming to terms with loss following the death of Adric and Tegan's sudden departure. Trying to visit the Great Exhibition of 1851, the time travelers are shocked when a ghost appears in the TARDIS, beckoning them to the other side.
What is hidden in a drowned valley guarded by the British Army? Is there life after death and can it be reached by those still alive? And why is the Doctor so terrified of facing his own ghosts?
Well, if that doesn't make you want to read along with us, I don't know what can. So, find a copy, and get started! We'll release episode four in April.
That to everyone who's listening, and let us know what you think! You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
For more info:
Our good friends at Reprint the Doctor
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
The TARDIS Library
For our April selection, our exacting scientific model has chosen Empire of Death by David Bishop! This novel is part of the BBC Past Doctor Adventure range and features the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, and a very special appearance by the ghost of Adric! Empire of Death (ISBN: 0-563-48615-5) was published in 2004 and is set between the televised stories "Timeflight" and "Arc of Infinity." From the cover:
In 1856, a boy discovers he can speak with the voices of the dead. He grows up to become one of England's most celebrated spiritualists.
In 1863 the British Empire is effectively without a leader. Queen Victoria is inconsolable with grief following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. The monarch's last hope is a secret seance.
The Doctor and Nyssa are also coming to terms with loss following the death of Adric and Tegan's sudden departure. Trying to visit the Great Exhibition of 1851, the time travelers are shocked when a ghost appears in the TARDIS, beckoning them to the other side.
What is hidden in a drowned valley guarded by the British Army? Is there life after death and can it be reached by those still alive? And why is the Doctor so terrified of facing his own ghosts?
Well, if that doesn't make you want to read along with us, I don't know what can. So, find a copy, and get started! We'll release episode four in April.
That to everyone who's listening, and let us know what you think! You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
For more info:
Our good friends at Reprint the Doctor
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
The TARDIS Library
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Episode Two & Details of Our Third Selection
Huzzah! We're back with our second episode in as many months--thanks to everyone who downloaded and listened to our first outing. Now you can download our second episode wherein we discuss Russell T Davies' sole Doctor Who novel, Damaged Goods. Be warned, spoilers lie ahead, as well as some pretty graphic details--not necessarily for the faint of heart.
Our third selection marks our first venture into the BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures and it is....*cue fanfare* The Eight Doctors!!! Aren't you just thrilled?
The Eight Doctors (ISBN 0-563-40563-5) was written by one of Doctor Who's most important figures, Terrence Dicks, and was published in June 1997. The first original Eighth Doctor novel, it tells of the Eighth Doctor's first adventure after the events seen in the TV Movie. From the cover:
'Trust the TARDIS...'
Recuperating after the trauma of his recent regeneration, the Doctor falls foul of a final booby-trap set by his arch-enemy, the Master.
When he recovers, the disorientated Doctor looks in a mirror and sees the face of a stranger. He knows only that he is called "the Doctor" — nothing more. But something deep inside tells him to trust the TARDIS, and his hands move over the controls of their own accord.
The TARDIS takes him to a strangely familiar junkyard in late-nineties London, where he is flung into a confrontation between local drug-dealers and Samantha Jones, a rebellious teenager from Coal Hill School.
But the Doctor soon finds the TARDIS transporting him to various other places in order in order to recover all his memories — and that involves seeing seven strangely-familiar faces...
After the heaviness of our previous selection, it seemed like a good idea to pick something lighter, and what could be lighter than the (we believe) last official multi-Doctor story to feature appearances by *all* of the Doctors?! So, find a copy and get reading. Episode three will be released sometime in mid-March.
You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
P.S.--Both Sean and Erik will be attending Gallifrey One in Los Angeles from February 18-20, and we'd love to meet any "book club members" in attendance!
For more info:
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
Our friends at Reprint the Doctor
Our third selection marks our first venture into the BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures and it is....*cue fanfare* The Eight Doctors!!! Aren't you just thrilled?
The Eight Doctors (ISBN 0-563-40563-5) was written by one of Doctor Who's most important figures, Terrence Dicks, and was published in June 1997. The first original Eighth Doctor novel, it tells of the Eighth Doctor's first adventure after the events seen in the TV Movie. From the cover:
'Trust the TARDIS...'
Recuperating after the trauma of his recent regeneration, the Doctor falls foul of a final booby-trap set by his arch-enemy, the Master.
When he recovers, the disorientated Doctor looks in a mirror and sees the face of a stranger. He knows only that he is called "the Doctor" — nothing more. But something deep inside tells him to trust the TARDIS, and his hands move over the controls of their own accord.
The TARDIS takes him to a strangely familiar junkyard in late-nineties London, where he is flung into a confrontation between local drug-dealers and Samantha Jones, a rebellious teenager from Coal Hill School.
But the Doctor soon finds the TARDIS transporting him to various other places in order in order to recover all his memories — and that involves seeing seven strangely-familiar faces...
After the heaviness of our previous selection, it seemed like a good idea to pick something lighter, and what could be lighter than the (we believe) last official multi-Doctor story to feature appearances by *all* of the Doctors?! So, find a copy and get reading. Episode three will be released sometime in mid-March.
You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
P.S.--Both Sean and Erik will be attending Gallifrey One in Los Angeles from February 18-20, and we'd love to meet any "book club members" in attendance!
For more info:
Wikipedia
The Doctor Who Reference Guide
The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
Our friends at Reprint the Doctor
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Worthy Cause!
Attention all Doctor Who Book Club followers! Having trouble getting your hands on bound and printed copies of our selections? Don't want to spend $60 when we (eventually) get around to reading Lungbarrow? Well, there's a group that's out to change that: The Doctor Who Reprint Society is on a mission to get these classic novels reprinted at reasonable prices, so they can be enjoyed by a whole new generation of fans. We think that would be pretty awesome. Check them out, won't you?
http://reprintthedoctor.weebly.com/
http://reprintthedoctor.weebly.com/
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Link to Our First Episode & Our Next Selection
It's here! Our first episode--our discussion on The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Click here to download. We hope you enjoy it--seriously, we do. Otherwise, there would be no point in our doing it.
And for our next selection...
Damaged Goods from 1996! (ISBN: 0-426-20483-2) Part of the Virgin New Adventures, this is part of the series of books written chronicling the Seventh Doctor's exploits after the end of the classic series. This novel takes place after Ace has stopped being the Doctor's companion and he is instead traveling with Chris and Roz--about whom I know very little, I admit.
So, why this one? Well, it was written by none other than...wait for it...Russell T Davies!!! Yes, this is your (only) chance to see how the man responsible for resurrecting Doctor Who wrote about a "classic" Doctor.
From the back cover:
Wherever this cocaine has travelled, it hasn't gone alone. Death has been its attendant. Death in a remarkably violent and inelegant form.
The Doctor, Chris and Roz arrive at the Quadrant, a troubled council Block in Thatcher's Britain. There's a new drug on the streets, a drug that's killing to a plan. Somehow, the very ordinary people of the Quadrant are involved. And so, amidst the growing chaos, a bizarre trio moves into number 43.
The year is 1987: a drug dealer has risen from the grave, and an ancient weapon is concealed beneath human tragedy. But the Doctor soon discovers that the things people do for their children can be every bit as deadly as any alien menace -- as he uncovers the link between a special child, an obsessive woman, and a desperate bargain made one dark Christmas Eve.
Doesn't that sound light-hearted and fun, children? Fair warning, I think this one may be a bit more on the "mature" end of things. We do hope you'll be able to procure a copy and read along with us.
You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
For more info:
Wikipedia
Doctor Who Reference Guide
The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
And for our next selection...
Damaged Goods from 1996! (ISBN: 0-426-20483-2) Part of the Virgin New Adventures, this is part of the series of books written chronicling the Seventh Doctor's exploits after the end of the classic series. This novel takes place after Ace has stopped being the Doctor's companion and he is instead traveling with Chris and Roz--about whom I know very little, I admit.
So, why this one? Well, it was written by none other than...wait for it...Russell T Davies!!! Yes, this is your (only) chance to see how the man responsible for resurrecting Doctor Who wrote about a "classic" Doctor.
From the back cover:
Wherever this cocaine has travelled, it hasn't gone alone. Death has been its attendant. Death in a remarkably violent and inelegant form.
The Doctor, Chris and Roz arrive at the Quadrant, a troubled council Block in Thatcher's Britain. There's a new drug on the streets, a drug that's killing to a plan. Somehow, the very ordinary people of the Quadrant are involved. And so, amidst the growing chaos, a bizarre trio moves into number 43.
The year is 1987: a drug dealer has risen from the grave, and an ancient weapon is concealed beneath human tragedy. But the Doctor soon discovers that the things people do for their children can be every bit as deadly as any alien menace -- as he uncovers the link between a special child, an obsessive woman, and a desperate bargain made one dark Christmas Eve.
Doesn't that sound light-hearted and fun, children? Fair warning, I think this one may be a bit more on the "mature" end of things. We do hope you'll be able to procure a copy and read along with us.
You can send all feedback to dwbcpodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment here, or catch us on Twitter: @dwbcpodcast, @tardistavern (Sean), or @sjcaustenite (Erik).
For more info:
Wikipedia
Doctor Who Reference Guide
The Doctor Who Ratings Guide
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)