The Doctor Who Appreciation Society has just published the Celestial Toyroom Annual 2017 as a free digital download, spotlighting the era of the Seventh Doctor, played by Sylvester McCoy.
Released as a “Christmas present to everyone” as part of the Society’s 40th Anniversary year, wrapped in a cover by Simon A. Brett, it’s been put together by the CT editorial team and features a wide range of writers and along with a range of articles offering option and analysis of an often controversial era of the show, it’s crammed with some great illustrations including a gorgeous Remembrance of the Daleks piece by Andy Hackett – and an affectionate cartoon strip by Anthony Moorin.
The issue also includes an afterword on the series from actress Lisa Bowerman, best known to fans as the voice of Who companion Bernice Summerfield in the Big Finish audio adventures, created by Paul Cornell, but who also appeared in the final regular Seventh Doctor story, Survival, as Karra. Lisa rightly points out what an ambassador for the show Sylvester has been in an affectionate tribute to the time.
Remembrance of the Daleks by Andy Hackett
It’s a smashing overview of the period, one which I was heavily involved with as Doctor Who Magazine editor. (My only disappointment with this Annual is its distinct lack of coverage, beyond brief mention, of that aspect of the mythos). It’s interesting to read so many diverse opinions of the show, which I’m sure that as ever, will have some spluttering their Christmas cocoa, some nodding in agreement and some wondering if some writers have been sniffing their Christmas cocoa, instead of drinking it.
Well worth a read – and free, too!
As with the Society’s Cosmic Masque magazine which offers new Who stories every issue, the Annual is presented for download in two versions – a simple ‘single page view’ edition for use on smaller screens, tablets and eReaders, and a ‘two page spread’ version for use on wide screen monitors.
• Celestial Toyroom 2017 Annual Single Page View (best for most users)
• Celestial Toyroom 2017 Annual Two Page View
• Comments and contributions are welcome as always at ct@dwasonline.co.uk
All DWAS files for download have been scanned by Symantec to ensure they are virus-free, but if in doubt we advise you to check it with your own software before opening
Doctor Who copyright 2016 BBC
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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: Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Television
Video Review: The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner 
Doctor Who writer Malcolm Hulke Book Launch in Hampstead next month 
Dalek collection partially saved, rest to be auctioned 
Radio Times celebrates 20 years of “New Doctor Who”