KKLAK! New Edition with Unseen Chris Achilléos Art

KKLAK!: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos returns in a new edition with a previously unreleased Twelfth Doctor painting

Candy Jar Books have announced an updated paperback version of Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos. The new edition features an unpublished Peter Capaldi illustration by Chris. It also has contributions from Chris’ daughters, Esther and Anna, his nephew Thomas, and his wife, Natasha.

Natasha reveals how the previously unpublished piece came about. “Chris painted the image of Capaldi in time for the LFCC [London Film and Comic Con] when he was invited to be a guest at the Heavy Metal stand as he knew Peter was attending,” she explains. “Capaldi was one of my favourite doctors and we both liked his gruffness and welcomed a return to an older representation of the Doctor. Chris remarked how much he enjoyed painting his characteristics – the eyes being particularly a feature as Capaldi’s look is quite striking. Chris liked to draw interesting, older faces as ‘they were a more interesting subject’ to paint.”

As well as a foreword by the late Terrance Dicks, KKLAK! features a new contribution by Doctor Who himself, Peter Capaldi

Achilléos’ covers for the official Target novelisations defined a generation’s image of the Doctor and his adventures. All the more so after the show disappeared from British screens in 1989.

This work was originally collected as KKLAK! The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos by Candy Jar Books in 2021. It featured 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 included a small contribution from Peter Capaldi. Meanwhile, the foreword is by Achilléos’ long-time friend and collaborator, the late Terrance Dicks.

In 2021 Achilléos explained his motivations for compiling the book. “I go to a lot of conventions,” he said, “and the enduring affection of the fans for those Target novelisations is such a compliment. As an artist you’re always wary of being pigeonholed; you want all your work to receive the same amount of attention! But Doctor Who is such a phenomenon, and the commitment of the fans so pure, you have to be grateful. I hope they enjoy this special book.”

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar Books, felt the time was right to return to Chris’ ground-breaking artwork. Shaun says: “Before Chris sadly passed away, we had been discussing doing something else, but this never came to pass. Since then, knowing that we had one more piece of artwork, I wanted to showcase this. We are now releasing this version of the book to celebrate his life.”

KKLAK! The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos will be available as paperback edition via Candy Jar Books and at all good booksellers. Please support your independent bookstore.