Out now! But already almost sold out! The classic Daleks strip from the pages of TV Century 21 is reborn, better than ever
Doctor Who has been appearing in comic book form almost as long as it’s been on television. But in its early days one force in the universe eclipsed even the Doctor for four colour adventure – the Daleks! The Daleks strip originally appeared in the pages of TV Century 21 between 1965 and 1967. And these action packed, colourful stories of the Dalek Golden Emperor and his loyal (and sometimes not so loyal) armies were adored by young fans. Now thank to the painstaking work of the Doctor Who Magazine team they live again in the pages of the new DWM Bookazine, out today.
The bookazine includes all 104 entries in the Daleks strip. Furthermore, the vast majority of the material has been re-scanned from the original art boards, hunted down and collected together after five decades. The stories are mostly from Dalek creator Terry Nation and original Doctor Who script editor David Whitaker. And they detail a strikingly different account of the Daleks’ origins, later contradicted on television. But in other ways its influence extends far past the end of the strip itself. The vision of Skaro seen in 2015’s The Witch’s Familiar, for instance, was heavily influenced by the strip. While the current multimedia juggernaut Time Lord Victorious, and particularly the DALEKS! animated series, has given a starring role to a Dalek Emperor based directly on the Golden Emperor design.
As well as every installment of the Daleks strip, the bookazine includes new features and interviews about its creators
Giving a rare opportunity to read these long out of print strips, The Daleks Bookazine also presents them in higher quality than ever before. And all within a new cover by renowned modern Doctor Who artist Mike Collins. The bookazine goes on sale today from WH Smiths and some Tesco supermarkets, with limited numbers hoped to be also available from the Panini store website on Friday. Pre-sales having already taken all the originally allocated stock! There’s also a digital edition on sale.
The bookazine also includes new features about the writers, illustrators and publishers who created the strip. Including a detailed interview with artist Ron Turner.
Editor Marcus Hearn says: “This is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. I loved this strip as a child and now – having seen the stunning restoration by DWM art editor Peri Godbold and her team – I admire it even more. You can’t really say The Daleks has been restored to its former glory, because I think it now looks better than it’s ever looked before.”
The Daleks
The Daleks is on sale at WH Smith, selected supermarkets and online at store.panini.co.uk from Wednesday 11 November priced £9.99 (UK). It’s also available as a digital edition, priced £8.99, from pocketmags.com.
