Once in while there comes an item from the DOCTOR WHO universe that whilst on its surface looks superficial, aimed at merely cashing-in on the much-loved brand as it dips unceremoniously through the 5mm slot of the owner’s TARDIS money box.
Indeed, DOCTOR WHO – MONSTER MISCELLANY (Alien facts for space travellers) glibly looks like such an item. It could be another book that regurgitates inconsequential information about the series in a feeble attempt to say something new, different and intelligent about it.
However, exploring its hard-backed full-colour 160-pages you are deluged with an envious level of attention-to-detail and serious analysis of not only the highly popular and critically received 11 th Doctor’s stories but of the previous NEW SERIES lead characters and, this is interesting balance (see pages 82/83 spread) of this release, the CLASSIC SERIES (though the same Zygon photograph repeated three times is hardly inspiring).
Balance. Yes, that’s the phrase and the key to its success. Written (and compiled) by life-long DOCTOR WHO fan and commenter, Justin Richards,MONSTER MISCELLANY (published by Penguin Books for BBC BOOKS) is like a literary pick-and-mix stylishly designed confection; brightly coloured, dimensionally transcendental (the restrained cover design belies the TARDIS-like content) and intelligent. Such is the excellence of its article configuration that it could, without too much alteration, updated as a “smartphone” App.
The highlights? I could quote the entire book but there are several that will surely entice you to order a copy of visit your local bookshop.
This book would not be complete without focus on the series most iconic of aliens - MONSTER GUIDE – THE DALEKS. Using the NEW SERIES version 2 (VICTORY OF THE DALEKS version) design as its focus though it fails to mention that the “neck rings” can contract to allow this taller dalek version to navigate reduced height doorways, or the reverse panel allows for extra “attachments”. Equally as interesting is DALEK ENCOUNTERS as it contracts and compares each Doctors encounter with the malevolent robot-hybrids/cyborgs (The First Doctor wins hands down!), however the scant review of the design changes the daleks have had since 1963 does not do justice to their important and significance within the series. No mention here of the “first” Mark 3 travel machines as seen in GENESIS OF THE DALEKS nor the Special Weapons Dalek (REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS). These are just as important as the NEW SERIES variations (discussed later as part of RANKS OF THE DALEKS; see pages 144-145).
CHAPS WITH WINGS is gloriously evocative of one of the CLASSIC SERIES’ much-loved characters – Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart – as MYTHS AND LEGENDS (briefly discussing the Loch Ness monster and Egyptian Mummies), whilst MONSTER GUIDE – THE SATURNYNES gives the reader a close-up view of the false vampires that inhabited Venice. As a completely CGI (computer generated image) alien it will never appear on display at the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE so a full-colour photograph of this scaly, multi-limbed Crustacean-like infestation is fantastic.
DOCTOR WHO – MONSTER MISCELLANY is an essential guide for DOCTOR WHO that you will be constantly referring back to, and is the ideal companion for a long journeys in the car or train, and to test your friends will in kind of more literary game of TOP TRUMPS.
Personally, due to the success of the NEW SERIES, I would have restricted the 1963-1996 series to a DOCTOR WHO – CLASSIC MONSTER MISCELLANY release in order to concentrate upon the modern-day version of the BBC prime-time drama series.
However, as a compendium, it avoids pomposity and patronisation (and lacking the latter means that “older fans” of the CLASSIC SERIES will enjoy rattling through the book), the book is highly recommended (and a great value-for-money purchase as a Christmas stocking filler).
