That Was the DWM That Was

The Basics - Issue 151, August 1989. This issue reverts to the standard format of 36 pages for £1.25. The main photo on the front cover is from The Ultimate Adventure stage play, now featuring Colin Baker.

News And Views - The recording of Season 26 has been slightly disrupted by a series of 24 hour strikes by Union members at the BBC. David Banks portrayed the Doctor in The Ultimate Adventure in April when Jon Pertwee had flu. The German TV channel RTL has purchased all 42 episodes of the Seventh Doctor's era, to be screened in the Autumn. The Target provisional schedule is Silver Nemesis (November), The Greatest Show In The Galaxy (December), Planet of Giants (January), The Happiness Patrol (February) and The Space Pirates (March), with Curse of Fenric and Remembrance of the Daleks to follow. The DWAS Co-ordinator, Craig Hinton, writes in in response to complaints about delays in responding to member enquiries and other matters. Artist Tony Clark also has a letter published.

Previews And Reviews - Battlefield is previewed - "Battlefield is a four-part adventure of considerable strength and structure - it's well placed to capture public attention.". The Tom Baker Myth Makers video is reviewed - "This interview is the best Myth Makers I've seen so far - highly recommended!".

Notables - There is an introductory feature to a new ongoing series of Location Guides, including this issue a look at stories filmed in the South West of England. There is no comic strip in this issue - it is replaced by a text story called The Infinity Season, written by Dan Abnett. The DWM Survey Results are published, with Planet of the Dead winning Best Comic Strip, the 25th Anniversary Special winning Best Issue, and the Interviews winning Best Feature. There is a feature on Dalek Continuity, and how Remembrance of the Daleks fits in. Amongst the contributors of ideas and suggestions that were incorporated is one Nathan Cooke.

Boxpops - Top of the pop charts in August 89 was Swing The Mood by Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers.

Critique - This issue gets a minus point for me for not having a comic strip, but a text story instead - the latter never being my cup of tea. The colour photo preview of Battlefield has some unusual behind the scenes photos courtesy of Richard Bignell, although the summing up of the text preview above was sadly well wide of the mark, as it singularly failed to capture the public attention! On the positive side for me, factual features abound here, with one on the Yeti, one on the work of Havoc, and the beginning of a new recurring series taking a fairly detailed look at location filming. Ironically, despite being voted Best Feature, there is just one fairly short interview with Graham Williams, focusing solely on The Nightmare Fair.

Paying the Bills