Big Finish announced today that Christopher Eccleston will be returning to the role of the 9th Doctor for a series of audio stories. The set of twelve full-cast stories will be released beginning in May, with more information set to be released at a later date. Big Finish chairman Jason Haigh-Ellery commented,
I first talked to Christopher about returning to the role of the Doctor at the Gallifrey One convention in February this year. Christopher said he was enjoying meeting the fans and was pleased that his Doctor was remembered so fondly. He indicated he would be open to discussing a project with Big Finish. And then the pandemic happened and time moved both quickly and very slowly. Over recent months, ideas have been exchanged and discussions had. I am so pleased that Christopher has decided to return to the role with us – and I'm excited to welcome him to the Big Finish family as we discover the new adventures of the Ninth Doctor.
Eccleston himself said,
After 15 years it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor's world, bringing back to life a character I love playing.
Big Finish has announced they will release a second round of audio stories from Doctor Who spin-off Class next April. The release will consist of two volumes, each priced £19.99 as a CD or £16.99 as a download.
Volume 3
The Soers’ Ditch by Carl Rowens
Catfish by Kate Thorman
Sweet Nothings by Michael Dennis
Volume 4
Mock by Alfie Shaw
The Creeper by Lizzie Hopley
Queen of Rhodia by Blair Mowat
Producer/director Scott Handcock commented,
When we first announced we were reviving Class on audio, I think the response took everyone by surprise, and it became clear to everyone there was an appetite for more adventures with these characters. And now we have even more! As before, they're set within the television series, tackling urban legends, intergalactic romances, mock exams and an abandoned Shoreditch house on Halloween! Greg, Sophie, Fady and Jordan return as Charlie, April, Ram and Matteusz respectively, with a couple of new cast members lending their vocals to familiar characters. Although we were unable to secure the talents of Vivian Oparah and Katherine Kelly, I'm thrilled to welcome Joanna McGibbon as Tanya Adeola and Dervla Kirwan as Miss Quill into the Class family. They're both such brilliant actors and really capture the unique attitudes of their characters.
Scholastic announced today that the prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy will be titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The novel will be released in bookstores next May.
Scholastic announced today that Suzanne Collins will be writing a prequel novel to her Hunger Games trilogy. The currently-untitled book will be set 64 years before the original, ten years after the failed rebellion by the thirteen districts of the fictional nation of Panem. It will be released in digital, print, and audio formats on May 19 of next year. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman, Joe Drake, commented,
As the proud home of the 'Hunger Games' movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne's next book to be published. We've been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie.
Scholastic Trade president Ellie Berger said,
Suzanne Collins is a master at combining brilliant storytelling, superb world building, breathtaking suspense, and social commentary. We are absolutely thrilled—as both readers and publishers—to introduce the devoted fans of the series and a new audience to an entirely new perspective on this modern classic.
Author Suzanne Collins stated,
With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival. The reconstruction period ten years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days—as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet—provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity.
Big Finish has announced a new set of audio stories focusing on the female characters of Doctor Who. Titled The Eighth of March, it will include "The Big Blue Book" by Lizzie Hopley, "Inside Every Warrior" by Gemma Langford, "Emancipation" by Lisa McMullin, and "Narcissus" by Sarah Grochala. Starring are Sophie Aldred as Ace, Lisa Bowerman and Bernice Summerfield, Alex Kingston as River Song, Louise Jameson as Leela, Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, Ingrid Oliver as Osgood, Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra and Catrin Stewart as Jenny Flint.
The set will be released on March 8, 2019 (International Women's Day) for £25 as a CD or £20 as a download and can be pre-ordered now.
Big Finish has announced a range of audio stories starring Michelle Gomez's Master (aka Missy). The first volume will be written by Roy Gill, John Dorney, Nev Fountain, and Jonathan Morris, with Rufus Hound as the Monk. It will be released in February, priced $20 for digital or $30.27 for a CD. Gomez commented,
I was very excited to return to Missy’s world via the medium of audio because along the way I’ve always had a lot of fun with Missy; her voices and her rhythms. I absolutely love capturing it and distilling it down to the word on the page. I’m absolutely delighted! She’s such a ridiculously brilliant character, and hopefully that earns her that moment in the spotlight. To find myself centre stage with these Missy adventures is thrilling – I’m very grateful.
British audio publisher Big Finish, known for their original Doctor Who stories, is now doing Star Trek. They've acquired the rights to make audio versions of the Prometheus book trilogy originally published two years ago. The first two books are already available for £9.99 each (or £24.99 for all three), with the third one out in December. The synopsis for the first audiobook is as follows
The Federation races to discover the culprits of several terrorist attacks, sending their flagship, the USS Prometheus, to stop war breaking out in the galaxy.
A mysterious terrorist organisation has carried out several attacks against the Federation and Klingon Empire. Tensions are running high in a region already crippled by conflict. The perpetrators are tracked to the Lembatta Cluster, a mysterious region of space whose inhabitants, the Renao, regard the Alpha Quadrant s powers as little more than conquering tyrants. The Federation are desperate to prevent more bloodshed, and have sent their most powerful warship, the USS Prometheus, into the Cluster to investigate the threat before all-consuming war breaks out.
Big Finish has announced details on the sixth season of Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood. Titled "God Among Us," the season will be released in three batches from October to June. The first four episodes (released in October) are
According to Doctor Who Magazine, Big Finish is going to release six new stories from Doctor Who spin-off, Class. Roy Gill, Jenny T Colgan, Scott Handcock, Tom Foley, Tim Leng, and Guy Adams will each write one of the stories. Sophie Aldred is set to reprise her role as classic series companion Ace in some (possibly all) of the episodes. The stories are scheduled to be released in August, though they should go on pre-order later this week.
Penguin Random House has announced a new set of books featuring Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor. Naomi Alderman will pen an untitled short story for the Thirteen Doctors, 13 Stories anthology (originally released in 2013 under a different title, with the new edition scheduled for November 1). Three novels, The Good Doctor; The Molten Heart; and Combat Magicks, written by Juno Dawson; Una McCormack; and Steve Cole, respectively, will be released on October 25.
Big Finish has released a trailer for the long-awaited (seriously, it's been ten years) Doctor Who spin-off featuring the Doctor's daughter, Jenny. The series will be released this June and can currently be pre-ordered for US$20 ($32.79 for a CD, prices will go up after release).
Titan Comics has announced the first details on the upcoming range of 13th Doctor comics. The series, which will debut sometime in the fall, will be written by Jody Houser (Orphan Black, Mother Panic), and illustrated by Rachael Stott and Enrica Angiolini. More information should be released later in the year.
Sketch by Rachael from last summer. I can't find the original source
Big Finish has announced a new range of audio adventures starring the cast of An Adventure in Time and Space as the first Doctor and his companions. The stories will also feature the first regeneration of the Master, played by James Dreyfus. The first pair of stories will be available in January, with the second pair coming July.
Big Finish has announced a set of new audio stories starring Derek Jacobi's Master in the Time War. The set will go on sale in December, priced $20, and feature the following four adventures.
1. "Beneath the Viscoid" by Nicholas Briggs
On the ocean planet Gardezza, deep beneath the Viscoid, a mysterious capsule is recovered from the Time War, and an equally mysterious stranger found within. The Doctor’s reputation precedes him, even here… but can he be trusted?
2. "The Good Master" by Janine H Jones
The Time War rages around Arcking - a planet serving as a sanctuary for the sick and injured. But Arcking is protected by a mysterious, powerful force: a force the Master will stop at nothing to harness… even if time itself is against him.
3. "The Sky Man" by James Goss
When his new companion decides to save a planet, the Master indulges this most futile of requests. Materialising on a primitive, agrarian world, both the strangers quickly find their place in it… until fallout from the War invades their happy paradise.
4. "The Heavenly Paradigm" by Guy Adams
With his plans approaching fruition, the Master travels to Stamford Bridge in the 1970s: a location he believes might hold the key to his success. But what terrible secret lurks under the stairs of No. 24 Marigold Lane? And what sacrifices will the Master make in the name of ultimate victory?
Entertainment Weekly has announced a pair of tie-in novels for The Flash and Supergirl. Hocus Pocus occurs in a timeline where Flashpoint never happened and sees Barry fighting a metahuman who can control minds. Age of Atlantis will feature Kara investigating strange events and a mysterious sea person. They are written by Barry Lyga and Jo Whittemore, respectively, and are targeted at junior high school-age kids. Hocus Pocus will be released on October 3 and Age of Atlantis on November 7. The article also makes it sound like there will be more books to follow.
The season one Blu-ray of Wynonna Earp is finally being made available for sale. Interestingly enough, it's being distributed through IndieGoGo, with various bonus extras depending on how much you pay. The basic, just the disc set version costs $30, although there are 75 "early bird" copies available for $5 off. $40 gets you a Wynonna Earp comic book as well, with 75 early bird $5 off discounts. For $65, you get the Blu-ray, comic book, and a 48-page 10x10" picture book signed by showrunner Emily Andras. Only 1,000 are available. Another package includes the disc set, comic, and a replica of Wynonna's necklace for $75. There are 45 of these available. The "It's Getting #WayHaught" package includes the Blu-ray, comic, and a 8x10" photo signed by Waverly and Nicole for $125. For $350, 20 fans can get the Blu-ray, comic, a second comic signed by Tim Rozon, and a personalized video message from him. 15 really dedicated fans (which you would have to be to spend this much) can get the Blu-ray, comic, an appearance as a villain in a comic by Beau Smith, and 25 signed copies of said comic for $1,000.
They also have some options for fans who want to go to SDCC this year. For $250, 50 people can get the Blu-ray, comic, and a ticket to the Wynonna Earp party at the convention. For $750, 10 people get that plus lunch with the cast. For $3,000 five people can get to man (or woman) the IDW booth. They get the Blu-ray, comic, necklace, signed picture book, 8x10" signed photo, party ticket, a tour of IDW office, lunch with the cast, and one-day badge to the convention as part of the IDW staff. The first two options do not include con badges, but you don't need them to attend the party.
All prices do not include shipping and are available here.
Titan Comics has revealed to CBR that they are crossing over the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors for a special event starting this August. Titled "The Lost Dimension," the 8-part story will see the Doctor fighting to save the universe from being swallowed by the void.
Lucasfilm has announced a new Star Wars comic detailing how Cassian and K-2SO met. It's called Cassian & K-2SO Special #1, which implies that there's a #2, but it's also described as a one-shot, so IDK. The comic will be written by Duane Swierczynski with art by Fernando Blanco and will be released in August.
