Colin Baker makes his debut as the Sixth Doctor in the latest issue of the hardback partwork, Doctor Who: The Complete History.
As well as including his first on-screen adventure, The Twin Dilemma, this is the Sixth Doctor’s first book in the the partwork series. Issue 18 includes behind-the-scenes information on:
The Twin Dilemma: The Planet Jaconda has been conquered by the Gastropods. Their leader, Mestor, kidnaps genius twins, Romulus and Remus, as part of his plan to spread Gastropod eggs throughout the universe. In the TARDIS, the newly regenerated Doctor is adjusting to change…
Attack of the Cybermen: In 1985, Halley’s Comet approaches Earth. Arriving in London, the Doctor and Peri discover that Cybermen from the future intend to use the comet to destroy the Earth and change the course of history.
Vengeance on Varos: Requiring the rare mineral Zeiton-7 to repair the TARDIS, the Doctor and Peri arrive on the planet Varos. There, they unwillingly become contestants on the colony’s barbaric reality TV show, in which prisoners are tortured and executed.
Needless to say, it’s a very bright, colourful issue, and that actually works in its favour, keeping the range fresh and interesting: people who decry his outfit should note how well it’s utilised on both the cover and the interior art. It should certainly stand out on bookshelves!
The first two serials get a fair bit of criticism, but it should still be interesting to learn about what went on behind the cameras. And then there’s Vengeance on Varos, of course, which many see as the best Sixth Doctor story (at least on screen!). Unfortunately, there’s expected to be only three volumes dedicated to Sixie, so fans of Colin will want to snap this up.
Issue 18, or if you prefer Volume 40, is out now, priced £9.99 (or $24.99 in Australia and New Zealand).
