The Dressing Room Part 1 - Jim Wilkins

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2016 - It's certainly been an interesting year to say the least. Jim here... I haven't blogged in a while. Mike's delighted us with Who's Cat for the last few months which has been an absolute hoot to read as many of you have found due to our phenomenal figures for the website have shown! It's been a godsend while I've been on maternal duties with the birth of my daughter Charlotte earlier this year and being a stay-at-home Dad looking after my two other young boys - Mylo and Alfie.. BUT I'm back drawing a new 3 part adventure for over the holiday period starting today featuring our usual crew and more from our InPrint-Verse. And from all the In Print team we'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas!

In Print - 98

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We're fast approaching the 100th strip. Well the 247th strip if you take into account the Infinites, Prop Cupboard, Who's Cat, Guest Prints, the extras and of course the Christmas Specials. But it's the 100th main strip, the strip that started the whole ball going. I read once, somewhere, that the average length of a web comic is somewhere around the 30 strips mark, because that's when the creator exhausts his ideas and enthusiasm for the project. So it's with more than a little bit of pride (mostly in the rest of the team, especially Jim) that we seem to just keep going and have only ever missed one Saturday. Although to be fair it was over Christmas...

Today's strip serves to highlight the range of characters we've had on here as well as point out how much of a continuity we've built up. And Jim's chosen to homage Lee Sullivan's 'The Usual Suspects' to highlight our rogues gallery. That made me smile.

I should really try and write the 101st strip before I get cocky though.

I really, really enjoyed 'The Zygon Invasion', it was nice and dark and once again the two part structure allowed for the tension to be cranked up significantly.

I won't be at the Glasgow Doctor Who Society this week due to prior commitments, but you should still go along anyway. They've just posted a video of various members (including myself) talking about 'The Woman who lived'.

See you all next week.

IN PRINT - EPISODE 88

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It did seem like something of an odd choice didn't it? Having said that I was still glad to see 'Remembrance of the Daleks' reprinted as apart from being a cracking story the Target novelisation featured the first mention of the Other. In fact it's often regarded as being a prelude to the NAs. Still it's hard to be negative about any reprints, especially as we've got 'Human Nature' getting reprinted this month.

In other news it seems that Gallifrey One is going on as we speak. Nesshead is there representing the In Print team and he's brought ribbons. Seek him out, I'm not told he doesn't bite. At least not anymore.

Oh and has anyone out there got any idea where I could find a decent reference book for Big Finish stuff? I'm having bother finding one for a decent price.

IN PRINT EPISODE 67

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Surprise!

Turns out that last strip wasn't our last of 'Paradox Now' for this year. Jim wanted you guys to wonder who that bearded guy is over the course of the guest strips. Those of you that know your Whovian history or have read the right books should be able to work out who he is. Feel free to speculate in the comments section or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

There's three more strips left of this arc once the strip returns, hope you guys are looking forward to seeing how we finish this arc up.

So, 'Time of the Doctor'. I rather enjoyed it. My biggest problem with it was it tried to fit too many ideas into it's running time. I suspect that if the last part of Series 7 had been more arc based rather than standalone episodes then it might have felt a little less cramped.






Having watched various online fan conversations I find it amusing to note that the same people that complained about the the arc being too complicated then complained about the 7b stories being too standalone and are now complaining that the last episode was too rushed. You're never going to keep everybody happy. Steven Moffat still has my interest and support for what's to come and I can't wait to see what he's going to bring us with Peter Capaldi.

Speaking of whom, I quite enjoyed his entrance. Kidneys aside it an exercise in Scottish sarcasm and bluntness and bodes well for the coming series. As a Scotsman I thought "We're probably crashing" was the best response I've ever heard the Doctor give a companion and the mad eyes he gave Clara right after his regeneration give me shivers.

I'm sorry to see Matt Smith go, but I'm also very, very excited for the future.

We're back again in a few days with a Saturday strip. In the mean time have a very happy New Year.

IN PRINT EPISODE 59

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And the Paradox continues.

We're doing something a bit special for November. Plan A had been to have increased output of the strip, say 2 or 3 times a week, however things have gone in a slightly different direction. We'll be going daily for a short time round about the November Special, the exact dates depend on Jim's buffer. The Special takes us up Episode 70 and we're in the midst of planning something special over the Christmas and New Year.

It's been a tough year for the In Print team behind the scenes, but we've prided ourselves on making sure the strip rolls out regardless. Our numbers have gone from strength to strength and we can't wait to see what we can do with smoother sailing.

That being said Jim and myself would like to thank all of our readers for continuing to read over the last year. It's meant a lot and has helped keep us both sane (relatively).

The next few weeks are going to see me plotting out the next year of In Print and The Infinites. I'm genuinely excited by the idea and still can't believe the directions this strip has taken, it's come a long way from it's initial remit.

So, where do you think we're going in 2014?

Don't forget that we have Twitter and Facebook pages and that you can support us by visiting our store and buying something.

THE INFINITES Strip 13

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Previous Watcher

And that brings us to the end of the 'Who Watches the Watcher', and in true classic style we're ending it on a cliff hanger. We'll be coming back to it towards the end of the year, but first we'll be kicking off the Infinites are that will take us through the 50th. You'll be glad to know that the bulk of the strips for the that are written already. Quite how I managed to get them done and miss the concluding chapter of this arc I'll never know, but Nesshead knocked it out of the park in about half the time I usually give him.

So why is the Watcher picking up these four rather than the Infinites I hear you ask?

Well there's been so much speculation about the Hurt Doctor being a future version that the Watcher has picked up on it sub conscientiously. The language used at the end of 'The Name of the Doctor makes me think that he is a past version, but that's by no means been proven yet. Although this observation from Bleeding Cool seems to back up my thinking.

The Valeyard of course has been a future incarnation ever since 1987 and his appearance here would suggest he has something lurking up his sleeve. Perhaps he's not quite as stable as he's been making out...

The ginger fellow is the Ginger Doctor from 'The Last Regeneration' as designed by Lee Sullivan back in 1998. I interviewed Lee a while back about this Doctor and couldn't resist asking to use him in the strip. Lee Sullivan is a bit of a legend in the Doctor Who art world and has been involved in more than a few areas of the Whovian universe. This recent feature on Kasterborous will catch you up if you don't already know Lee's work.

The last potential Doctor is of course the Warner Doctor from the Unbound arc. Why's he here? He's certainly been popular enough, but he's very much a 3rd Doctor. Maybe he's here to foreshadow his increased presence in the strip, maybe it's hinting at an unexpected twist. The truth? Well the last Doctor was meant to be the person that just got cast as the 12th Doctor, but as it turns out Nesshead doesn't know who has been cast. He's actually managed to stay spoiler free, which in this day in age is pretty incredible. I don't know how long he'll manage to go, but I'll be damned if I'm the one that spoils it for him. Maybe we'll update this strip when he finds out.

Please don't forget that we have Twitter and Facebook pages and that you can support us by visiting our store and buying something.

THE INFINITES Strip 9

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Right, if I haven't made this clear already I'll make it clear now; if you haven't listened to Full Fathom Five then you're going to want to listen to it soon. Apart from being a fantastic listen it'll also help you to get the jokes we're using for the Collings Doctor. Of course you'll want to listen to Sympathy for the Devil, He Jests at Scars, Exile, Deadline and Auld Mortality as well, but you won't need to listen to get the jokes. They're just good listens and if you use the above links you'll be supporting In Print as well.

Talking of supporting; out friend Mike (whose work has appeared on here before) has just opened his own store on Redbubble. It's worth checking out as it some very cool designs just up.

Next week sees the 50th In Print strip and we've done a celebratory one off strip for it. I'd quite like to see it as a Tshirt in our own store, I'd love to hear what you guys think when you see it next week.

That's about it for me for just now. Just a quick reminder that we're on Twitter and that we're having a poll about your favourite Unbound Doctor on our Facebook page. There's been a problem with voting the last few hours, but hopefully Facebook will have that fixed soon.

THE INFINITES Strip 6

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And there we have it; as far as In Print is concerned the Dream Lord IS the Valeyard's younger self. I do enjoy the 'unregenerate' feature of Doctor Who's Death Star, I wonder if that could be a bigger plot point down the line. Hmmm.

It's never been explicitly stated on screen, but they really have to be the same person. Apart from having exactly the same origin they also teleport in EXACTLY the same way. Don't believe me? Go and watch 'The Ultimate Foe' and then re-watch 'Amy's Choice'. Exact same guy. But then there is a lot of that in the In Print Verse. It's almost like there's a theme developing....

I also love how the Valeyard seems to have stuck as a name for this Doctor. The Valeyard was merely the identity/role he assumed for 'Trial of a Time Lord', he's still the Doctor.

We've got a couple of running jokes rearing their heads this week. We've already covered the mini Death Star, but we also have the fact that the Cushing Doctor always referred to himself as 'Doctor Who' has always amused me and it strikes me that the other Doctors would take exception to that.

I rather enjoyed last week's Who, although I was rather concerned that Mr Sweet was going to be the Candy Man. That would have been a little awkward. I seriously can't wait for tonight's episode. Neil Gaiman and Cybermen? You just know this is going to be good.

We have a surprise cameo next week. It's a brand new 'In Print Extra' strip featuring a star of the 50th Anniversary special and a potential spoiler. We're still working out how to bring this to you without spoiling anyone. We've got seven days, we'll be fine.

The Special Weapons Dalek has become something of a regular in the strip, I'm sure his appearances here have contributed to this new figure of him being released.

Fairly sure.

See you all then. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages, you never know what might crop up.

IN PRINT EPISODE 47

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That's right, the Special Weapons Dalek isn't just a decoration; he is in fact a companion of the Valeyard. Has been ever since the Valeyard judged Asylum of the Daleks. I think it's worth pointing out, again,  that the Valeyard that works at Kasterborous is very much the same one who appears in the various threads of In Print.

Continuity matters to me, there is a very definite plan at work between all the strips, apart from the Spin Offs, and the Valeyard very definitely has something in the works. Could this be connected to our plans for the 50th? Probably, although you'll need to wait and see about that one. We're mysterious that way.

We're adaptable as well. As you may have seen last week the BBC have redesigned the Cloister room that houses the Eye of Harmony. Now admittedly, since our TARDIS is blatantly based on the version seen in the TVM, this doesn't have to impact on the strip at all. However myself and Jim both had ideas about how to link it in to the ongoing strip. Jim wanted to have the new version be reachable by descending into the open Eye of Harmony in 'our' version. I instead thought of a way to work it into the ongoing plot. Indeed it solved a plot point for me. But you'll need to wait to see how that's been done.

Right, time to go. But before I do the Doctors would like to remind you to check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds. And you'd best listen to them as they're wearing some of Simian's top hats and his hats are almost as serious as he is.

THE INFINITES Strip 5

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The Valeyard is canon you know, I'm not just making that up. The evidence is rather overwhelming; he appeared on the show itself after all. Indeed given that he was in every episode of Series 23 he's actually clocked up more screen appearances than Christopher Eccleston and Paul McGann put together. I've discussed this in more detail over at Kasterborous if you're interested.

Nesshead has actually met Michael Jayston, the man behind the robes, recently. Nesshead actually showed him a copy of this strip and the Valeyard himself pronounced it "Excellent". You have no idea how happy this has made us here at In Print Hall.

We've seen behind door 11 before during 'the Duel of the Time Lords' arc and I have to confess I enjoy the idea of The Valeyard hiding in plain site within the Doctor's own Post Temporal Psycho Construct. He sits so neatly between canon and non-canon that he just had to be The Infinite's contact within the Post Temporal Psycho Construct. He even has a Big Finish story al to himself, 'He Jests at Scars' is part of a wonderful little range called 'Doctor Who: Unbound'. Go and get a copy if you haven't heard it already, there's a link at the bottom of the page.

The Doctor returns tonight and I personally can't wait. They still insist on calling it Series 7b, but it's 8. I'm starting to get used to the idea that we're only getting half a series and a special in the 50th Yeat of the Doctor. Not happy about it, but getting used to it.

Our Twitter or Facebook accounts remain open, but please remember that I have three kids these days so the chance of watching it live are greatly diminished.....

IN PRINT EPISODE 39

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Wasn't it just?

What might have happened if the Master had discovered the Valeyard's little project? It's a good question, but a better one might be why does he keep regenerating?

Obviously I know the answer to that one, but I'd love to hear what you guys think about that...

Anyway, I've been putting it off but at some point I should really tell you what I thought of the Angels take Manhattan:

I didn't hate it, but like anything that has that kind of hype and build up it could never live up to expectations. I don't buy the finality of the whole scenario, Rose was left in a much more isolated situation and she came back. We'll see the Ponds again, just as soon as the Doctor realises he could just hire a car and drive to Manhattan from any other state or pick the Ponds up a few years into their exile.

I still maintain that I would have enjoyed this episode an awful lot more if we hadn't known how it was going to end. Which is why I'm not spilling about the Master or the Continuity Wars.

Anyway....

Hartnell's wig from last week seems to have generated quite a bit of positive response as well as his own twitter account. Don't worry, we haven't seen the last of this particular character (is that the right word, should I say prop?), 2nd Fade and myself have some plans ahead. But before I get onto them I really need to finish writing the Christmas Special for this year, especially given that I received the three of the first few pages in my Inbox this week. They all look fantastic, but you'll need to wait to see them.


In other news it appears a former member of the Who cast and a man very much still involved in the Who community dipped his toe into a certain reality program this week. I don't watch it so I can't really comment. However Jim has taken time to provide us with credits to this weeks strip in homage to the man. Very retro.

However it goes without saying that all of us here at In Print wish him the best of luck in this particular trial. Just watch out for men in black....

I need to go sleep now but before I go there's just enough time to remind you all that we're still on Twitter and Facebook, feel free to follow and like us there.

IN PRINT EPISODE 38

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There you have it. For anyone who ever wondered where the Master in Scream of the Shalka came from; this is my version of events. And since it's the only version of events It's going to have to do.

This strip also includes my take on what happened to the Master after the TV Movie. Has anyone else ever addressed that point before? Surely I'm not the first on that one.

The strip has deviated somewhat from it's initial premise, maybe one day I'll get back to 7 and 8 screaming at the television set as Matt Smith annoys them, but for now I'm quite happy exploring obscure continuity. Hopefully you're ok with it as well.

Kasterborous ran an article about us this week. Apart from calling us a "popular online comic featuring all versions of the Doctor that you can imagine", which made me smile, they also queried just what we were up to with The Wrong Doctor.

It's a fair question and one that needs something of an answer. Tone Cartoons went into a small amount of detail over on his Facebook page for The Daily Dalek, but since not everyone follows him (your loss I'm afraid, we love the Daily Dalek!) I thought we'd post something here as well.

The premise for The Wrong Doctor is remarkably simple; what if a different version of the Doctor went on a previous or future regeneration's adventure? Given that there's a been a Time War and the Doctor has lost a handful of centuries it would make sense that some cutting and pasting of his personal time line might occur. How would the 4th Doctor have dealt with Ian and Barbara finding the TARDIS for example?

It's an idea that I proposed on Gallifrey Base a few years ago and it's been percolating in the back of my head ever since.

Tone and I are now working on the first few scripts and arcs as well as coming up with 'rules' to keep things consistent.

I'm also working on finishing our Christmas Special (it's 75% written), The Infinites and Dangling Threads.

If only I got paid for my time behind the keyboard.

Good thing I enjoy it really isn't it.

That's me for another week, just enough time to remind you all that we're still on Twitter and Facebook, feel free to follow and like us there.

IN PRINT EPISODE 37

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At last we finally know what was behind that door in the God Complex. Or least we know what I think was behind the door. Of course it was the Doctor, or least a dark distillation of him.

This is the third time the Valeyard has turned up in this strip. The first time it was in a guest strip by Paul Salvi, the second was more recently in The Infinity Doctors. You'll notice that he's acquired a Special Weapons Dalek since the last time we were in here, there's a story there and you'll find it here.

We're almost ready to announce the winner of the "Next Infinity Doctors" artist, however not all the entries are in just yet and we won't make a final judgement until everyone has had their chance. Soon though, very soon.

So, that'll be another artist on board. Did you know that none of the team that bring you In Print have actually met each other? I'm in Scotland, Jim and 2nd Fade live in England and Jesse hails from one of our former colonies. We'd all really like to meet up for a drink sometime and plan out In Print in person and over a pint. But since In Print doesn't bring us any income and we all have families it doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon. Of course if any of you want to contribute to the In Print Pub Fund then feel free to click on the donate button below. Or not. It's entirely up to you.

Of course if you want to just contribute towards Jim, 2nd Fade or Jesse getting a digital drawing pad or a Tablet for myself so that I can write strips on the move; then the same button applies, just let us know what you're contributing towards. Or just keep reading and don't worry about it, because quite frankly we'll keep making the comic anyway. We're enjoying ourselves far too much.

Other ways to support us is to use our shop whenever you make an Amazon purchase or by clicking the advert on the right hand side of the page or expressing interest in a printed book.

Right, plugging over.

In actual strip related business I'm sure a few of you are wondering why the Master keeps regenerating and why he isn't regenerating in order. There's a very good reason for that, there's also a very good reason why we haven't seen the Derek Jacobi Master. All these things shall be revealed in time.

Believe it or not there is a plan.

I'm still not quite ready to discuss The Angels take Manhattan, but in the mean time you can always check out Joel Watson's take on it over at Hijinks Ensue. He makes a very valid point, only Martha got a traditional Companions exit.

Anyway, we'll see you all next week for Jesse's final Infinity Doctors. In the mean time we're still on Twitter and Facebook, feel free to follow and like us there.

THE INFINITY DOCTORS - Strip 3 JESSE LAX

                                                                                                                       

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  Ok, be honest; how many of you thought the Valeyard's first appearance in Paul's Guest Print was a throw away joke?

Oh he's here alright and he'll be appearing in the main strip further down the road. The Shalka Doctor is still around as well. I'm slowly, but surely, filling the strip up with my very favourite Doctors.

This is the same version of the Valeyard that writes for Kasterborous. I've written an article about our history with that website.

Speaking of personal selections of Doctors you should go and read 'The Doctor and I' by Paul Hanley and Shawn Van Briesen. The scripts are literally teaming with out of continuity references and the art is to die for. It's still a work in progress, but their previous collaboration is complete and available. 'Fade Away' is quite possibly the best Brig story I've ever encountered and it deserves to be in continuity. Go and read it now.

Next week sees the return of the main strip and marks our 50th strip (including guest slots). Yay us!                                              

During the week Jim received a tweet from Miss Jo Grant herself; Katy Manning. It would appear she was quite taken by her Jim's rendition of her. I suspect it may have been something of a high point for him and well deserved to boot.

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