We have previously highlighted the rare Marvel UK cover art being offering in the upcoming Heritage Auction in January, but somehow overlooked this gem – Alan Davis‘ cover for Doctor Who – Age of Chaos, a graphic novel by any other name published by Marvel UK in 1994.
As we also previously reported, a collection of the Doctor Who comic story starring the Sixth Doctor, written by Colin Baker, the actor who played him, is on its way from Panini next year, now listed as being released on 8th July 2021. (Be aware that publication dates for some books are still in a state of flux due to the impact the pandemic has had on publishers).
Featuring art by John M. Burns and Barrie Mitchell, coloured by Steve Whitaker, The Age of Chaos, first published back in 1994, is set after the Sixth Doctor’s final TV adventures. The story features Peri, played on screen by Nicola Bryant, and companion Frobisher, the shapeshifter stuck looking like a penguin.
The strip was the first Doctor Who comic story originally produced in full colour by Marvel UK, pre-dating the advent of colour in the main Doctor Who Magazine comic strip by almost seven years.
Edited by Gary Russell and originally intended to be published as a four-issue series in 1993 until hit by art delays, the story was released in one edition in October 1994, featuring the cover by Alan Davis offered on Heritage Auctions, with bids currently at $330. Expect that to rise!
The story by Colin Baker follows on, loosely, from The Trial of a Time Lord, centring around the Sixth Doctor and Frobisher’s adventure with Peri’s grandchildren from her marriage to King Yrcanos (introduced on TV in The Ultimate Foe, played by Brian Blessed).
• Check out Alan Davis Doctor Who: Age of Chaos cover art here on Heritage Auctions
• You can pre-order Doctor Who: The Age of Chaos here on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) – be aware the listed release date may change
• You can pre-order Doctor Who: The Age of Chaos here on Forbidden Planet (Affiliate Link) – be aware the listed release date may change
• Heritage Auctions 14th – 17th January 2021 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “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: Art and Illustration, Auctions, Comic Art, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds
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