Candy Jar Books has published an updated paperback version of Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos. Featuring an unpublished Peter Capaldi illustration by Chris, who died in 2021, this edition also has contributions from Chris’ daughters, Esther and Anna, his nephew Thomas, and his wife, Natasha.
The covers for the official Target novelisations, which began in the early 1970s, defined a generation’s image of the Doctor and his adventures – particularly after the show disappeared from British screens in the late 1980s.
Lavishly detailed, with psychedelic overtones and an unapologetically pulpy sensibility, these covers perfectly captured the eccentric appeal of the classic series.
Kklak!: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos collects the entirety of Achilléos’ Doctor Who artwork in chronological order, along with commentary from Achilléos himself (as well as some fans) – presenting the definitive guide to his seminal work.
The book also includes a small contribution from Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and a foreword from Achilléos’ long-time friend and collaborator, the late Terrance Dicks. It also features four brand new covers by Chris, and contributions from Jon Culshaw, Gary Russell, Colin Howard, David Howe, Shaun Russell, and lots of other fans.
• Buy your copy of Kklak!: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos from Candy Jar Books
• Read our tribute to Chris Achilléos
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, Books, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Television