The Gallifrey Exchange #2

                                                    Previous Strip   Next Strip

The Gallifrey Exchange is brought to you entirely by Jim as I attempt to get more strips to him. Life is drifting towards the new definition of normal, but not quite there yet.

And in other news Capaldi seems to be leaving. A shame, but not a huge surprise. I've quite enjoyed his performance, but I'm not utterly convinced that he's had the best of circumstances to perform in. 

The Gallifrey Exchange #3

                                                Previous Strip     Next Strip 

And now I want to re watch The Brain of Morbius. Thanks Jim!

However I'm currently doing this from my mobile and it thinks I want to watch The Brain of Morris. Hmmmmm.

Normal service is edging closer. Nice hope to have scripts to Jim by the end of the week. 

Eh, that's it for this week. I'll see you all next week.

The Gallifrey Exchange #4

                                                   Previous Strip     Next Strip

Sorry it's late but heres this weeks strip folks... Family wedding on Friday so I was a little behind on completing the strip (Jim). 

IN PRINT - 107

                                  Previous Strip     Next Strip 

And that's it for this arc. Seriously this time. I've checked with Jim and everything.

The two 10s are looking as if they're going to be quite the visual double act. I can see them cropping up in the back of panels even when I've not asked for them to appear. Luckily I trust Jim's visual judgement on these things. Speaking of which; as much as I would like to take credit for 'The Doors' joke at the end that one was 100% Jim. Kind of wish I'd thought of it though.

Back to the Infinites next week and you guys are in a for a treat. I can't say anymore than that, but just wait....

IN PRINT - 103

                                       Previous Strip  Next Strip




I'm currently typing this on my phone whilst at one of my kids' climbing clubs. I had planned to type this last night, but I've cracked some of my ribs and it's slowed me down slightly.

In case you're wondering where Jack came from he's been running since the end of the I-files - I Files Part 3

I'll see you all next week.

Read the whole I Files story here - The I Files

IN PRINT - 102

                                            Previous Strip  Next Strip

Everyone's a critic!

Five years ago today Jim and I were nervously watching the stats back on the DWRS website to see if anyone was reading the first ever In Print strip. Thankfully people were enjoying the strip and five years, 102 strips, umpteen specials and some additions to the team later we're still going.

There's been the odd bump along the way. Babies, illness, divorce and life will have that effect, but through it all we've kept going and there's no reason to think I won't be copying this entry five years from now to use in our 10th anniversary!

In other news I'm sure you've all heard that the new Companion is being announced today in the middle of something called a Fut baal mitch. I'm sure I'll find out through Facebook afterwards...

IN PRINT - 101

Previous Strip     Next Strip

He's right of course, the strip immediatly before this one started with 96 (TV Movie year) and finished on our 100th strip. That was a while back now, there have been plenty of real life delays and the likes at my end. My favourite delay is because I had to rewrite this first arc entirely after my friend David (don't call him Dave) from The Glasgow Doctor Who Society pointed that having a room 101 and a character essentially played by John Hurt was too good to pass up, If you don't get the connection then I suggest you go and watch 1984. Actually, no, I insist.

Of course David meant it as a one off strip, but the whole thing grew arms and legs and marched off in a whole new direction. Hardly the first time that's happened with an idea on here.

Anyway. Of course if you're doing a strip referencing 1984 then you really need to have 5 and 6 present. You just do.

Hard to believe we're into April and this is the first main strip of the year. Still it's just in time to help mark our 5th anniversary. I can't quite get my head around that idea, it just doesn't feel like it at all. 

Right before I sign off for this week I'd like to point you all in the direction of my friend Kenny. Some of you may have seen Kenny before as he's appeared in Doctor Who: Besieged (actually I think it might have been a follow up to that, I'll need to check), a fan film of a superior quality directed by and starring Ryan Hendrick as the Doctor. Recently Kenny and Ryan have collaborated on 'Perfect Strangers' which has been doing rather well for itself and are currently working on it's follow up that boasts none other than Sylvester McCoy in it's cast. 

But it's Kenny's current project that I feel deserves highlighted just now. Kenny does a one man show called Hero Worship that he's currently trying to take to the Edinburgh Fringe later on this year. The show tackles two subjects that are incredibly dear to my heart; mental health and superheroes. However going to the Fringe isn't cheap and Kenny is looking to raise money to help get him there. You can donate here if you're so inclined, every penny helps.

Right, that's me done. I'll see you all next week for a surprise guest star that my son pointed out should have appeared in the strip ages ago. See you then. 

THE INFINITES - Strip 44

Previous Infinites    Next Infinites

Oh yes, we've gone there. Big Finish.

Actually I've been meaning to come here for a while, but you guys are going to have to wait until next year to see why and what's going to happen. I've written a good chunk of the Big Finish outing, but haven't had a chance to type it up and send it to Nesshead yet.We're in the process of planning out the Christmas schedule and then I hope to spend tomorrow afternoon typing up scripts for the three strips and getting a writing buffer back into place properly.

And yes I'm aware Colin Baker is missing. It's not an accident. You'll discover why in time.

Now, last week's episode of Doctor Who. Wow.

Although I was a little disappointed that it wasn't the pure single hander that we'd been promised it was still an utterly outstanding performance from Mr Capaldi and I can't wait to see what happens next. Although it strikes me as odd that when 'The Impossible Astronaut' aired that the Moff insisted that one of the main cast was definitely going to die and then didn't, but this time around the Doctor was killed repeatedly and properly yet no one mentioned it in the build up. I'm very glad they didn't, would have been a hell of a spoiler, but still, strange.

And yeah, the Infinites seem a little more finite now. That was a serious amount of skulls floating in that river.

Anyway, I'm off now. Looking forward to tonight's finale and also the the finale party that the Glasgow Doctor Who Society are throwing at the Flying Duck tomorrow night. Catch you all soon.

THE INFINITES - Strip 43

Previous Infinites    Next Infinites

And here's some new Infinites. It's been far too long and great to see them back. With a Star Trek crossover no less. I didn't really much of Voyager, but it always amused me that they had a character known as the Doctor. Although it would seem our own Doctors aren't nearly as amused.

I've got about a dozen scripts for Jim and Nesshead that I need to type up so they can get the buffer back up and running. It's a constant source of frustration (for myself as well) that I write all these on paper first and then have to type them up. I did try a few times just taking photos of my notes, but neither Jim nor Nesshead could decipher my handwriting. Not an uncommon complaint.

More Infinites next week, then it's onto the Christmas schedule which includes some new Prop Cupboard and Who's Cat.

IN PRINT - 100

First     Previous  Next  Latest

This strip has always been a little bit metatextual, but we thought we'd push things just that little bit further for today's 100th strip.

In case you're wondering the gentleman in the chair is our very own Jim, not Grandfather Paradox. Though the resemblance never struck me until Jim posted the Paradox Now cover in the blog section...

So, you should be able to work out that the person behind him is me, myself and I.

So, yeah, this week the Doctors are criticizing us rather than their modern day counterparts. I think it works.

I'm starting work on the next set of scripts for Jim and Nesshead has been sending some fun stuff in for the Infinites, so we should be in a good buffer zone for 2016. Although the fact that we're still running as we reach the 100th main strip is something that fills me with a quiet sense of satisfaction and achievement.

It's at this point I really have to say a big thank you to all the In Print artists (who have all become my friends) for letting me bring my first few ideas for a series this far.

Regulars Nesshead, 2ndFade and Mike Key for helping to expand the Print Verse beyond Plan A. You guys have been fantastic and I can't thank you enough for the feeling of family you guys have brought to proceedings. Nesshead's run on the Infinites has been a wonderful way for me to explore my favourite alternate Doctors. 2ndFade is covering Christmas duty this year folks, wait to you see what he's come up with. Mike went from recurring guest artist to one of our regular artists this year, and pulled our collective fats out of the fire.

Recurring guest artists Jesse Lax and Paul Salvi for indulging my tangents and illustrating them. I look forward to the day where I can work with them both on a more regular basis. Jesse has been a collaborator and friend since before In Print began and I've lost count of the hours we've spent discussing the more obscure elements of Whovian fandom. The Infinites began when I asked Jesse is he'd read 'The Infinity Doctors'. Paul was the guy that finally got me to stop being the guy who had an idea for a webcomic to being the guy who wrote one. I can't wait until he feels ready to come out of his Bill Waterson state of retirement.

But the biggest thank you has to be to Jim. Seriously dude, that's 100 strips we've done together. 100. I don't think either of us were quite prepared for how long we'd be able to keep this thing going, but that's 100 and I'm writing more as we speak. Despite the above scene Jim and I have never actually met or even spoken on the phone. Yet we've formed a friendship that goes beyond our involvement in the strip and given the ups and downs we've both had in the last two years I don't think the site could have survived without that. At the risk of being overly sentimental; about 100 strips ago I went looking for an artist. I found a friend as well.

A quick nod to Paul Hanley who has kindly let us borrow his utterly fantastic designs over the years and with whom I've shared more than a few Emails discussing alternate Doctors. It's been a blast man and I hope one day I can persuade you to either write or draw (or both) a guest strip for us.

Another thank you is to you guys. Our readers. In particular Lynsay and David at the Glasgow Doctor Who Society. I know you guys exist because Blogger gives me stats to confirm your existence, but Lynsay and David are the fans (and friends) that I've actually met. I knew I was going to get on with David when he casually mentioned that the only Doctor he could cos play was the Nick Briggs one.

One last thank you is due, this time to Christian Cawley, former Lord and Master of Kasterborous Towers. If he hadn't allowed to advertise on the K then I probably would never have worked with or met Jim and the site certainly wouldn't exist as it does today. So, thanks boss.

RETRO COVERS #3 - THE OTHER INFINITY DOCTORS

First  Previous  Next  Latest

A slight break in the narrative today. Mostly because I haven't sent Jim the next few scripts yet. I'm hoping to get them typed up tonight once the kids are in bed. Having said that the delay means another Retro cover from Jim and that's never a bad thing.

Speaking of Jim; he's on the Radio next Wednesday. Care to tell us a little about where and when, Jim?

Hello! I'll be on the Free Seed show on Soho Radio this coming Wednesday 25th Feb between 10-12am. It'll be available on-line to catch up later that day for those who cant listen in live. Website is right here - www.sohoradiolondon.com
Back to Alasdair!

I've been working on the Infinites for Nesshead as well, so hopefully by the end of this weekend we'll have scripts in place for the rest of the year.

Which reminds me; 2ndFade had a cool idea for a crossover, I should really get back to him about that....

IN PRINT - EPISODE 77

First Previous Next Latest

As it happens the similarities between 7 and 12 seem to more than we first suspected. There's the Scottish accent of course (and they are cool), but from what we've seen of the trailers so far there seems to be an underlying darkness to this Doctor and a desire to correct past mistakes that we haven't seen since The New Adventures.

This is looking promising. Very, very promising.

And that's the end of 'The Fall of the Eleventh'. Next week should have been more Infinites, but Nesshead's laptop died and he's at San Diego this week. Apparently there's some kind of Comicon or something on...

If you get a chance you should go and find him and say hi.

We have an unusual strip for you next week and then a couple of guest slots. We'll see you all then.

IN PRINT - EPISODE 76

First Previous Next Latest

See? Even the 11th Doctor knows that you don't talk about Series 24.

Although apparently the current BBC Production team doesn't, why else would they use 'Dragonfire'?

And while we're on 'Name of the Doctor' did anyone else get the feeling they were seeing the In Print 'Verse during the Clara montages? For a very brief second I wondered if certain people had been reading the strip. Just for a second.

It seems a bit strange to have 11 join the cast as he's been THE Doctor for pretty much all of In Print's 'life'. /But he's a welcome addition and Jim is clearly having fun drawing him if the upcoming strips are any indication at all.

A short blog today as my house has been sharing a stomach bug. See you all next week.

THE INFINITES - Strip 30

First Previous Next Latest

Ah, guest starts. And what guest stars, huh?

Ace, Leela and Daak. If any of the Doctor's companions fought in the Time War it would be these three. Not that Daak was a companion, but there's no way he'd ignore a chance to kill that many Daleks.

Ace is done up in her New Adventures clothes. Chances are some of you missed that she was Ace due to the lack of leather, but NA Ace is much more likely to have taken part in the Time War, especially with her experience fighting Daleks.

Leela's new look is based on 'The Time War Leela' by Paul Hanley, with permission from Paul. You have to imagine that she would bring a savage edge to proceedings that the Time Lords simply couldn't.

Anyone else think they'd love a series with these three, Frobisher, K9 and the War Doctor in the Time War?

Speaking of which, is 'Engines of War' not out soon?

THE INFINITES Strip 24

                                                         First Previous Next Latest


We now know that John Hurt played the real, official 9th Doctor, but that Christopher Eccleston is still referred to as the 9th according to Steven Moffat (and I can't fault his reasoning). But before this most recent confusion there were still other contenders for the office of the 9th Doctor.

The Shalka Doctor (or is that the Great Intelligence? The lines are blurring slightly) was the official 9th Doctor for an incredibly short period of time before RTD was able to announce his newest project to the world.

The Fatal Death Doctor also has a claim, albeit a bit more tenuously, as he appeared on a BBC sanctioned project and was under the stewardship of one Steven Moffat.

We've glossed over this subject once before, but I thought it deserved to be revisited for the Grand Tour.

In other news Jim has created a Facebook group for In Print. I would urge you all to join it, especially if you've not been getting all of our updates. We've found that although we have about 5,000 of you liking us on Facebook that each update tends to reach less than 200 of you. Being part of the group means that you should see each and every update. We've also been showing off pre-strip sketches and alternate designs for some characters. Come and join us, it's going to be fun!



   

THE INFINITES Strip 23

                                                             First Previous Next Latest


That's a lot of 8th Doctors. Can you identify them all?

For a man that has only appeared twice on the telly Paul McGann's Doctor has had quite a significant mileage in terms of adventures and looks. Nesshead has drawn the most note worthy versions, plus one of my favourites, for this strip. Which begs the question; do all these versions exist within the Print Verse?

Perhaps, time will tell on that one.

We're coming to the end of the Grand Tour, there's only a handful left and once we're done we have a brand new arc drawn by Jim coming up. The fall of the 11th.

Wonder what that's about....

IN PRINT EPISODE 69

First Previous Next Latest

Anyone who checks Paul Hanley's dA page on a regular basis will know exactly who this larger than life character is. Although truth be told he wasn't part of the initial script for 'Paradox Now'. We'd just finished putting together our designs for the Others (with lots of help from Sasha Lipinsky) with Paul published his version of the Other, with design input from Lance Parkin no less. So I went cap in hand to ask Paul if we could use his version in the strip. Luckily Paul gracefully agreed and so we have today's very special guest star.

Paul is a big fan of alternate Doctors, like myself, as can be seen from his latest artwork. How many of them can  you name? I had to look up two...

Next week we have the finale to 'Paradox Now' and then we're going to run the last of Nesshead's 'Grand Tour'. Providing of course that he's recovered from Gallifrey One by that point of course, he seems to have had a lot of fun. How many of you saw him?

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

See you all next week.

IN PRINT EPISODE 68

First Previous Next Latest  

What sad timing.

We lost Christopher Barry recently, one of the Founding Fathers of Who. Even a quick scan of his resume tells you need to know; 'The Daleks', 'The Daemons' and my personal favourite 'The Brain of Morbius'.

In fact 'The Brain of Morbius' is what makes today's strip so sad in terms of timing, apart from directing it Mr Barry also made a brief appearance of 'The Morbius Doctors'. For those of you that don't know these Doctors appeared during the Mind Bending sequence and were originally inteneded to represent the first eight (and unseen) Doctors, making William Hartnell the 9th Doctor. It didn't take however and by the time of 'The Five Doctors' Hartnell was back to being the original. An unsuccessful attempt was made to bring in some big acting names to play the first eight Doctors, but in the end eight members of the Production team stood in instead, Mr Barry included.



So that's who the faces belong to. Their clothing comes from different Gallifreyan eras and we owe a massive thank you to Sasha Lipinsky for photoshopping the faces onto the costumes to give Jim and Nesshead a good photo reference to draw them.

The Other is a character from the 'New Adventures' who may or may not be a previous incarnation of the Doctor. The reveal of this character lead to the assumption by many fans that the eight faces belonged to him.

We'll see more of them next week.

In other news Nesshead is currently wondering around Gallifrey One! If you see him feel free to go up and say hello, he's mostly tame these days.

IN PRINT GUEST STRIP Curation Prelude- PAUL SALVI

                                                                Previous First 


One last guest strip before we return to regular service. This time it's another of our recurring guest artists, Paul Salvi, on art.

Those of you that have been with us for a while might recognise today's strip as something of a reprise of his last guest strip for us. In fact his last strip acted as something of a prelude for Paradox Now, I wonder what come of this one...?

So, yeah, in the space of a few weeks I've added the War Doctor and the Curator to the cast of In Print. There's two more additions coming in light of the 50th celebrations and I'd love to see if any of you can guess who they might be.

2014 is going to be a fun year.

Jim's back next week folks and you'll get him for 3 continuous strips before he hands over to Nesshead to finish off the Grand Tour. After that we're going to be implementing a chance in the publishing schedule; you'll get one complete arc from Jim before another complete arc from Nesshead. The guys reckon this'll help them with their respective buffers.

IN PRINT - THE I FILES Part 5

First Previous Next Latest  

And with that the Hurt Doctor joins the cast.

Of course this presents a few issues for the strip continuity, the most obvious being the accidental regeneration during 'The Great Costume Debacle', but rest assured I have a way round it and it'll be addressed later this year.

As for why we had Mr Hines dressed up as the 2nd Doctor? Well quite frankly the man has form as you can see from the picture. Actually that's probably the coolest bit of cosplay I have ever seen. As it happens Jamie is still my favourite companion, even after all these years.The fact that he's Scottish helps, but a big part of it is the easy chemistry he shared with Patrick Troughton. The two of them were an absolute joy to watch on screen.

Next week we have a Guest Print from Paul Salvi and then we'll be returning to the regular arcs. 2014 is all planned and the final tweaks are being made to the scripts. It's going to be a fun year.