A Thoroughly Detailed Look at IDW’s ‘Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time’

The first issue of Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time hit stands this week. With so many offerings in different media being presented to us for the 50th Anniversary, how does IDW’s stack up?

Warning, here be spoilers. And Katy Manning.

The first thing that struck me was the similarity between this and The Five Doctors. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Five Doctors, but we are definitely getting the same set up here. A mysterious hooded enemy is observing the Doctor through multiple incarnations, throwing old adversaries at him. In The Five Doctors, the Doctor gets scooped off and away. Here, it is only the companions. Where they are being sent, we don’t know. If it turns out to be the Death Zone, I shall kick someone.

The more I ruminate on it, the less it feels like a William Hartnell story. While the characterization of the regulars is nice, the story itself feels more and more out of place. It is perfectly in keeping with the era that the Doctor meets a historical figure. Indeed, one of the original goals for the series was to educate and expand on famous events and people. This became less of a priority after the Daleks made such a splash, but it was still part of the series until Patrick Troughton‘s first season. Yet Huxley would have been a controversial choice for the sixties, still being a divisive figure. He would have been in living memory for some people and the show shied away from such things until the 1980s.

Also, as the following annotations note, the Doctor getting to the precise time and place he intended was completely unheard of. Oft times, the TARDIS crew had no idea where they landed and would have to figure it out over the course of the first ten minutes of the first episode. This was part of fun of the show. You never had a clue where they would wind up next.

Simon Fraser‘s art is a mixed bag. In terms of storytelling, it is very well done. There are some great panels of the Doctor battling Zarbi that can’t be missed. But this is a comic that lives on likenesses. The Doctor himself is alright, but Ian and Barbara look nothing like William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, Vicki often looks far older than 16, and strangely Huxley is pretty good. Fraser has a knack for old men apparently.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I have always adored the Zarbi, so any excuse to see them again is very welcome. Quite where this is all going, I’ve no idea but we shall hopefully get some more clues next issue.

And now, a few things to notice about Issue #1.

Page 1, Panel 1 — While most images in this panel are too small to make out, of special notice is the upper right hand corner which features one of the infamous Katy Manning (who played companion Jo Grant) nude photos. Its inclusion here may be an indication that in the Who universe, Jo also took a nude photo with a Dalek. Jo met the Daleks in the episodes Day of the Daleks and Planet of the Daleks.

Page 2, Panel 2 — From top to bottom: The fourth Doctor and an unknown companion in Hollywood. Judging from the hairstyle, it’s probably Sarah. There is no recorded adventure with the fourth Doctor in Hollywood, but his first, second, fifth, sixth, eighth, tenth and eleventh incarnations have visited. This is the carving of the tenth Doctor and Donna as featured at the end of Fires of Pompeii. A photo of the TARDIS in Roald Dahl Plass taken during Boom Town. Roald Dahl Plass is also home to the Torchwood Hub.

Page 3, Panel 3 — From left to right. Row 1: Barbara Wright, an older Vicki Pallister, Captain Jack Harkness, the second Romana, Amy and Rory Pond-Williams, Micky Smith. Doctor Liz Shaw. Row 2: Dorothy “Ace” McShane, Rose Tyler, Adric, Frobisher (Doctor Who Magazine comic strip), Adam Mitchell (Dalek, The Long Game). Row 3: unknown (Possibly Charlotte Pollard from Big Finish audios), K-9, Matthew Finnegan (IDW comics)
Page 5, Panel 3-The sixth Doctor would meet a young Charles Darwin in Bloodtide. Darwin also gets name checked frequently in the seventh Doctor story Ghost Light,a sort of parable about evolution.

Page 6, Panel 3 — The first Doctor was almost completely incapable of getting the TARDIS where he intended to go. The running arc of the first season was his trying to get Ian and Barbara back to the 20th century. Just how they are in 1868 on the right day is something of a mystery. Let alone writing Huxley a letter that would get to him in a timely manner…

Page 8, Panel 2 — The first Doctor usually carried a tiny pen torch, but this larger model is new. The same prop torch would later be used as the first version of the sonic screwdriver. The flashlight was invented in Britain in 1899.

Page 9, Panel 4– The Zarbi seen here are different than those seen in The Web Planet. In that story, they are large bipedal ants with six limbs. Here they scuttle around on the ground and seem to have either six or eight legs depending on what panel they’re in.

Page 11, Panel 3 — Here the Doctor calls Ian “Chatterton”. This is an example of what is referred to in fan circles as a “Billy Fluff”. During most of the 60s, Doctor Who was shot on video almost as live. Tape was very expensive and there was very little editing. They would pretty much only stop if something went very, very wrong. If a line was fluffed, it was often left in. Hartnell had a tendency to fluff his lines, sometimes quite noticeably. How much of this was intentional to show how the Doctor was a befuddled old scientist, no one will ever know. But this did often show itself when the Doctor was referring to Ian. Of course in this comic, Ian’s last name has not been mentioned yet, so if you didn’t already know who Ian was, you might be confused.

Page 15, Panel 3 — The Isop-tope Device was created by the other native race to Vortis, the Menoptera, a race of giant butterfly men. At the end of The Web Planet, it was Barbara that threw the Device at the Animus, seemingly killing it.

From page 1, panel 1

Page 19, Panel 2 –The Light at the End is also the title of Big Finish’s forthcoming 50th anniversary Doctor Who audio featuring the fourth through eighth Doctors.

Page 20, Panel 4 –The Doctor shall encounter the Zarbi again in Twilight of the Gods and Return to the Web Planet. A Zarbi also made a cameo appearance in The Mind of Evil as a manifestation of one of the Doctor’s greatest fears! A seed of the Animus returns in Twilight of the Gods, trying to take over Vortis once more.

Page 23 — As mentioned in John Ainsworth‘s essay, the 60′s Doctor Who comic strip was a sometimes bizarre sidestep from the show. For the sake of completeness, the Zarbi did appear in the comic and in the Doctor Who annuals released at the same time, but these are so confused in terms on continuity, these are usually ignored. For example, The Lost Ones features the Doctor traveling alone to Vortis before The Web Planet and includes a war between Atlanteans and the Menoptera.

Do You Like Replicas? So Does Mythbusters’ Adam Savage

We’ve all watched a show, or movie and seen a prop that made us think ”Man, I wish I could have that.” In the case of die-hard fans, however, they’ll spends hours, weeks, or years crafting their own replica. Their efforts build an even stronger connection to that piece of movie memorabilia they hold so dear.

Some people turn this love – and what many would call an obsession- into a full-time hobby. Often leading them into a career with special effects. One individual,who has done that exceedingly well, is Adam Savage – full-time special effects designer/fabricator and co-host of Mythbusters.

At last year’s XOXO Festival, an arts and technology conference held in Portland, Oregon, Adam shared his knowledge and love for the world of replica movie props and the connection it has to modern society.

Giving highlights to sites like The Replica Prop Builders Forum and his own experiences, this short twenty-minute presentation also revealed some techniques on how to start projects or future businesses of your very own. Watch the video below for the entire presentation.

If you’re interested in more stories from Adam, be sure to listen to his appearance in the Nerdist Podcast from back in 2010. He talks more about building his own movie replicas, including the Blade Runner Deckard gun. He also answers questions on prop builds from the audience. He even does stand up comedy (hilarious, but NSFW)!

Source: Geek Tyrant

Walter Koenig Endorses ‘Star Wars’ as Savior of ‘Star Trek’ Franchise

There is a war raging between fans of Star Trek and Star Wars and it has been going on for some time now. Even a few of the celebrities involved with the franchises have joined in the fight, expressing their own opinions on the matter rather vocally. But some look past all the ego-centric name-calling and see that all science fiction is one, Walter Koenig among them.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former Star Trek star talked a bit about receiving his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as mentioning the connection between Star Wars and Star Trek and how one may not have existed without the other.

When finally ran out of air on in 1969, we concluded that it was the end of Star Trek. But when George Lucas saw the effect we had on the public, he was inspired to create Star Wars, and that in turn brought the people of Paramount around to saying, what do we have to make a feature and perhaps a franchise out of? And then they remembered they had Star Trek. So one thing feeds off another.

Sci-fi in the 60s and 70s needed all the help it could get. Two major franchises managed to rise to the top of the heap. And though you may find yourself on one side or the other of the great Star debate, remember that without either one of them the world of science fiction today would have been a very different place.

Thanks to blastr on this one.

More Fuel for the Peter Jackson Working on ‘Doctor Who’ Fire

At a screening of the Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Snowmen” earlier this week, the same one where Steven Moffat spoke about the new TARDIS and their 50th anniversary plans, Peter Jackson was also in attendance and again was asked about the likelihood he’d ever direct or collaborate on an episode of Who. His response, given with a grin, “Well, you never know, we may well do.“

Is this some cheeky teasing or is there a chance? Ian McKellen supplied the voices of the snowmen in the upcoming Christmas special which could be why Jackson was at the screening. Or, since he and Moffat have worked together before on Tin Tin maybe they’re looking to work together again. Jackson’s an admitted fan of the series, so it doesn’t sound impossible.

What does sound unlikely is Jackson working on Doctor Who anytime soon. The director’s already announced he’s hoping to release the next Tin Tin flick in 2015, plus there’s that little job of finishing up those Hobbit sequels.

What do you think of Jackson working on Who? And when would you expect him to find the time? Would he insist it be shot in 48 fps?

Source: Blastr

‘Bates Motel’ Coming To Take A Stab At Horror On A&E

Of all the horror movies that didn’t need a reboot, Psycho is probably top of the list. Granted, there’s a long and sad history of Universal trying to capture Hitchcock’s lightning in a bottle again: There are three sequels and a crappy TV movie also called Bates Motel.

This, however, might work, if for no other reason than Freddie Highmore seems to have nailed the job.

Don’t believe me? Check out this promo (which A&E frustratingly refuses to post in high-def).

Yeah, that’s Charlie Bucket from Tim Burton’s Willy Wonka remake, if you don’t recognize him. This is also a substantially better short promo than the brief bursts advertising it in theaters, which frankly made it look like a cheesy anthology show:

Instead it’s apparently an attempt to take the basic idea of Norman Bates and his mother issues to the modern era (Norman has an iPod in this sizzle reel) while simultaneously trying to be a prequel. So it’s like Smallville, except with Ed Gein. To be fair there’s room there for this concept: The original movie mentions that there were several victims of Norman’s before Janet Leigh came along. It’s also got Carlton Cuse and Tucker Gates, two experienced TV guys that both worked on Lost, behind the wheel.

Norman at a blacklight rave seems a bit ridiculous, but the basic idea seems to be the guy can’t get over his hot mom being hot, and some jerk being his new dad. The main question is what’ll happen if they get past a couple of seasons: Beyond a certain point, Norman Bates has to become, well, Norman Bates. We know how this series is ending. The real question is will getting there be worth the trip?

We’ll find out March 18th.

The post ‘Bates Motel’ Coming To Take A Stab At Horror On A&E appeared first on UPROXX.

CW’s ‘Arrow’ Adds James Callis to Rogues Gallery

The producers of CW‘s Arrow are not holding back when it comes to bringing characters from the comics to the small screen. Every week there’s another layer of the Green Arrow mythos being added to the series. The latest addition to Arrow‘s rogues gallery (Nod to Flash) is “The Dodger”, an international jewel thief who plays puppet-master to the citizens of Starling City played by none other than Battlestar Galactica‘s Baltar, James Callis.

Here’s a look at the actor and the comic version of the character, note the uncanny resemblance even before costuming. The Dodger uses a Mjolnir-style mace-lightning-rod which might not survive the transition to television in that same form, then again, it would add another crazy weapon for Oliver to counter.

Looking closer at the comic book story line for the Dodger you’ll find out that after capture, he quickly gives up information about the League of Assassins. Yep that League, the one that Ra’s Al Ghul leads in the Batman comics and movies.

I don’t think we’ll see Ra’s Al Ghul though, most likely the character of Deathstroke will fill that leadership role as the head or perhaps the lead lieutenant of The League of Assassins with Ra’s Al Ghul staying in the shadows. I’m really hoping this is the case because if the Dodger ends up being just another flavor of the week cockney thief, I’ll be disappointed.

What do you think, about the casting and storyline? What Green Arrow, or other DC Comics villain, are you looking forward to seeing added to the series? I just want more Deathstroke.

Arrow is currently on hiatus, with a return slated for January 16, 2013.

Via: Screenrant

Brandon T. Jackson Gets Lead in ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ TV Series

More of the 80s looks to be making its way across the decades to haunt us here in the present with the shadows past glories. This time around it’s going to be Beverly Hills Cop, though instead of just rebooting the film series as most like to do, this go the famous Eddie Murphy franchise will be coming to television.

In truth, this is not so much a reboot as a continuation of where last we left off. The television series will revolve around the son of the main character, Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy). And who’s up for the starring role? Brandon T. Jackson of Tropic Thunder fame.

The new show will supposedly follow the antics of lil’ Foley as he performs the same job that daddy once did – copping it up in land of monies and loose-moraled teenagers. As a bonus, Murphy will be showing up, at least for the pilot. If the show begins to tank, I’m guessing they’ll try to bring him back as much as possible to keep ratings up.

Anyone out there looking forward to reliving their childhood movie experience with a new cop in the BH? Me, I can take it or leave it.

Thanks to /film for the heads-up.

‘Doctor Who’: First Look at the New Cyberman & Neil Gaiman on Making Them Scary Again

Yesterday we shared some set reports from the filming of Neil Gaiman‘s upcoming Doctor Who episode, “The Last Cybermen,” but there weren’t any pictures of what these Cyberman looked like. That changes now. Either healthytowers ignored the crew’s request for no photos or found some way around it because here they are, the new Cyberman, or the last Cyberman as it may be,

Ha! Is there anything funnier than a lineup of Cyberman butts?

I do like the new design. It’s not drastically different but it’s a little sleeker than the look they had. Also I can see what was meant by their helmets have a look to them that is more reminiscent of the Hartnell/Troughton era Cyberman. What do guys think of them?

In addition to their new designs, Gaiman recently spoke with Reviewer.fr about how he strove to make the Cyberman scary again,

Steven asked me to write a new episode and I said no because I was too busy. And then he wrote and asked if I wanted to make the Cybermen scary again. And I thought back to when I was six or seven years old: ‘The Moonbase’, ‘Tomb of the Cybermen’ … when I saw them when they were first broadcast. The Cybermen were far more frightening than Daleks, because they do not make noise. Daleks move in all directions, shouting ‘Exterminate’, etc.. With Cybermen it’s different. You turned around and bam! There were Cybermen. It’s scary.

I told [Moffat] that I would revive the Cybermen for the 50th anniversary year and everything that has happened since, and see what I could do. I do not know if it will work, we’ll see.

This will be a stand-alone episode, it will be the penultimate episode of Series 7. It has a beginning, a middle and an end.

He also added that while the title of the episode is as of now, “The Last Cybermen,” there’s always a chance it could change prior to broadcast. “The Doctor’s Wife” was originally titled, “Bigger on the Inside.”

This episode is easily the one I’m most excited for from Series 7 Part 2. I’ve never been a huge Cyberman fan but I’ll agree with Gaiman that their earlier appearances were their best. “Tomb of the Cyberman,” when they’re awakening and coming out of these stasis chambers, it’s terrifying and all together eerie. Can’t think of a better guy to make ‘em spooky again than Gaiman.

Thanks again to Doctor Who TV and all their fantastic work gathering news about the upcoming season.

Battlestar Galactica Guru to Scribe ‘Outlander’ Series For Starz

I am not one for reading novels. Especially fantasy series. I’m that special kind of asshole that says “Meh, I’ll wait till its a movie or TV series”. It’s matter of preference really. I prefer seeing swords and tits on screen than picturing them in my mind, you know? Anyway…

A new book to screen series is in the works. Starz is developing a series based on Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, and they’ve got Ron Moore on board to write it.

Here’s the story via Deadline:

Outlander spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure. It follows Claire, a married WWII combat nurse, who mistakenly steps back in time to year 1743 where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world of adventure that sends her on the run and threatens her life. When Claire is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, it ignites a passionate affair that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Let’s see here. We got time travel, historical fiction, a little romance… oh, and they got Battlestar Galactica‘s Ron Moore to write? How wonderfully outlandish!

Joking aside, given the concept, Ron Moore overseeing, and considering Starz past success with it’s epic Spartacus series, I think we’ve got a show that could potentially rival Game of Thrones.

Deadline

The Doctor Joins ‘Star Wars: The Clones Wars’ – No, Really

While I know it feels like all we can talk about lately is Star Wars I promise this has absolutely nothing to do with Disney acquiring Lucasfilm. This is about a certain Doctor making a guest appearance on this weekend’s episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “A Test of Strength,” which will follow a group on younglings learning to construct their first lightsabers. The Clones Wars has had a pretty prolific line-up of science fiction guest stars in the past with actors like George Takei, Simon Pegg and Katee Sackhoff all voicing roles. Now get ready to add David Tennant to that list. He’ll be voicing a droid named Huyang who’s been helping Jedi make lightsabers for centuries.

IGN has a exclusive clip, check it out,

How did Tennant wind up in a galaxy far, far away? The Clone Wars‘ supervising director, Dave Filoni, is a Who fan, of course, and leapt at the chance to bring in the 10th Doctor,

As a fan that has the privilege of playing in the Star Wars galaxy, I am always on the lookout for others who appreciate, and would enjoy, an opportunity to go on an adventure in George’s galaxy far, far away. When I heard the Doctor himself, David Tennant, was a fan of Star Wars I knew I had to find a way to get in contact with him to see if he would perform on The Clone Wars. The result was ‘Huyang,’ an ancient droid in the service of the Jedi Order, whose sole task in life has been overseeing the construction of lightsabers. I thought David was perfect for the part and he did not disappoint. He delivered a performance which impressed even the Master himself, George Lucas.

Praise from Lucas himself! Not too shabby. I’m really excited to see more of Tennant as Huyang, and I think it’ll be really cool to see him explain more about lightsabers. You? And just think, now there’s finally an actor from Doctor Who who’s transitioned into Star Wars! Oh wait.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars “A Test of Strength” airs this Saturday morning, November 10th at 9:30am on Cartoon Network.

Source: IGN