I’ve been gently reminded me that this week, back in 1992, Doctor Who Magazine #185 was released by Marvel UK, the final issue edited by me, John Freeman, handing the reins over to Gary Russell … although not without difficulty. It was, after all, the first Magazine I edited professionally and it was hard to let go… but MUK’s Genesis 1992 project awaited!
The cover featured new artwork by Alister Pearson featuring the First Doctor and the War Machines and a cover flash for “Back on TV” reference to a series of repeats in BBC2’s cult slot following the clip compilation documentary Resistance is Useless. The War Machines featured in the documentary. (It’s also a story I have vague memories of, from its first broadcast, although those of The Tenth Planet and The Power of the Daleks are more potent).
The issue contained heavy coverage of The War Machines, one of the final First Doctor stories, to tie in with Andrew Pixley’s very popular “Archive” feature, and 1960s Doctor Who in general.
The issue also came with a free set of four postcards, a cheap but effective free gift for the Magazine.
This issue also saw the delayed start of the comic strip story “The Grief”, written by Dan Abnett; an apt choice of title given the behind the scenes panic when the physical art for the first episode of the strip, drawn by Vincent Danks, sent to Adolfo Buyalla in Spain to be inked at Editorial Director Paul Neary’s suggestion, who did some beautiful work – but the art got snarled up in customs on its return to the UK.
The delayed delivery led to the reprint of “Business as Usual” in Issue 183, an old Auton monster back up strip by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, relettered for this reprint. Needless to say, we didn’t use an overseas inker again on no matter their evident talent.
This was the first comic strip story to reference Virgin’s New Adventures range.
You can probably find copies of Doctor Who Magazine 185 on eBay. If you remember the issue, I hope you enjoyed it. “The Grief” is included in the 2017 collection, Evening’s Empire (AmazonUK Affiliate Link).
• TARDIS Wiki: Doctor Who Magazine 185 Guide
With thanks to Richard Binns and Mark Pledger
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Magazines, Other Worlds, Science Fiction, Television
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