Doctor Who writer Bob Baker and artist Paul Tams signing at Cardiff’s Comic Guru this weekend

By John Freeman on October 7, 2015

Doctor Who writer Bob Baker will be signing copies of his new book The Essential Book Of K9, alongside the book’s editor and well-known Doctor Who artist artist Paul Tams at Cardiff’s Comic Guru store this Saturday (10th October).

Bob is best known today as co-author (with Nick Park) of the Wallace and Gromit films The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and A Matter of Loaf and Death, but he’s of course also the co-creator with Dave Martin of Doctor Who robot companion K9.

Paul Tams, the modern K9 and Bob Baker

Bob and Dave had written numerous series for TV and had, since the early days of Jon Pertwee’s tenure as ‘The Doctor”, become regular contributors to Doctor Who. As the writers of stories such as The Claws of Axos and the wonderful tenth anniversary story The Three Doctors, they gained quite a reputation for writing epic story lines that the BBC and in particular the show’s producers had battled to cope with getting them onto the screen in such a way that would both do justice to the imagination of the writing team and enthral the audience.

Bob worked on the Essential K9 book with Paul Tams (perhaps better known to some of our readers as Paul Mark Tams), whose career as an illustrator began on Terry Nation’s Dalek annual. He worked for the BBC, ITV, Rank Films and Sky TV amongst others. Aside from illustrating several Doctor Who books and designing movie posters, he worked alongside Baker since 1997 to create the revamped K9 television series, which first aired in 2010, screened in the UK by Channel Five.

Everyone who buys a copy of the Essential Book Of K9 for £15.99 at the Comic Guru will also be able to get anything else signed absolutely free on the day. The store is also offering a sale on all Doctor Who products on the day (excluding the K9 book) with a 10% Discount, which will be across all products and ranges.

“This event is to celebrate our twelfth anniversary,” say the store owners. “There’s also going to be a members only party from 7.00pm in the evening.

“We may even be visited by one of K9’s official props.”

(I’m sure they’re not really talking about Tom Baker here…)

UPDATE: Paul – these days Bob’s business partner, who co-created the K9 TV Series – tells us there will be an announcement on 24th October about K9’s immediate future.

• The Essential Bob Baker signing – 12 Noon – 4.00pm, Saturday 10th October 2015, Comics Guru, 13 Wood Street, Cardiff. Anyone wanting a signed copy for pick up later or even to be posted to them will need to preorder via the shop directly before the event. Ring 02921328434 to book your copy. Web: www.thecomicguru.co.uk

John Freeman

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.