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Back at my Desk
Phew, sorry about that mid-season break. Normal transmission has been resumed. I'm now sitting in my new office on the third floor of a lovely house, surrounded, for the first time in my life, by all my geeky stuff in one place. (I'm currently seeking a glass-fronted display case for all the little nick nacks.) Photos will follow when it's no longer a work in progress. It's been a bit like one of those puzzles where you've got one clear space in the frame, and have to move the other pieces around to make a picture. The 'box room', which will eventually be the spare bedroom (we have a spare bedroom!) is still full of stuff, but I may actually clear that today. The new village is lovely, much smaller than Faringdon was, quiet and peaceful. I still seek a pub quiz.
In the midst of moving, I've also been working, finishing a rewrite on episode two of Pulse (which the BBC have kindly commissioned a script for, despite us still not knowing whether we're going to series or being shown as a pilot), and doing a few more exciting things of which you'll hear in the future. We've been talking to SFX Magazine about Pulse recently, so there should be something in a forthcoming issue.
It seems a bit useless to do a Gallifrey One review so long after the event, so I'll content myself with saying that the usual excellent time was had, and the convention surpassed itself. You know you're at the heart of a fandom when there's one welcome video from the executive producer and the current star pops up in the next. It was great to spend time with old friends like Tara, Liz, Javier and Mark, and new ones like Katy, John Fay and Alice Troughton. Javier won Just A Minute, which was so bounced about in the schedule and deprived of technical prep that I think we tested that format to destruction this year. It survived largely because of the good spirits of our guests, amongst which Katy Manning shone. But Javi got a look in his eye and pushed for the finishing line for the USA. I may put up a list of winners over the years, if I can remember. Anyone with a better memory: please help. On the morning after, rather than mope like I usually do, me, Tara, Katy and Lizzie had breakfast and then lunch in the same four seats, and had an excellent time.
Aww, tiny Dalek!
The biggest thing to happen at the convention, though, was the arrival of this:
Chicks Dig Time Lords is a compilation of writing about the female experience of Doctor Who, from fun memories of first fandom to creative endeavours to academic critique to a new Torchwood Babiez comic strip. It's awesome, and the first of its kind, and marks a kind of watershed, I think. Gallifrey this year had a huge female audience, not quite 50/50, but getting there, bringing the cosplay and the squee and the fun. This is a good thing. The Chicks editors and writers had an amazing panel, along which stretched about twenty of them, led by Lynne and Tara. They expected it to be controversial, which just shows, but it was lovely, and afterwards they were mobbed by people getting their copies signed.
Chicks Dig Time Lords is a compilation of writing about the female experience of Doctor Who, from fun memories of first fandom to creative endeavours to academic critique to a new Torchwood Babiez comic strip. It's awesome, and the first of its kind, and marks a kind of watershed, I think. Gallifrey this year had a huge female audience, not quite 50/50, but getting there, bringing the cosplay and the squee and the fun. This is a good thing. The Chicks editors and writers had an amazing panel, along which stretched about twenty of them, led by Lynne and Tara. They expected it to be controversial, which just shows, but it was lovely, and afterwards they were mobbed by people getting their copies signed. 
They shifted every one they brought. The book's available from the publishers here. I'm told Amazon in the UK will shortly be getting its act together and selling some. But your local specialist or everyday bookshop will be able to get it. Trust me, it's a delight. And a book whose time has come.
In other news, Avengers Vs. Atlas #3 is in your comic stores and shops now, and features a back-up strip by me and Luscious Leonard Kirk, in which Venus, the goddess of love, answers readers' letters. I had a lot of fun with that.
Next weekend I'll be at the World Horror Convention in Brighton. I only have one panel, at 2pm on the Thursday, entitled 'What Is Horror?' Considering that I will have arrived in Brighton slightly less than two hours before, and will have run to the venue from my hotel, I think my mere appearance may answer that.
The weekend after is Eastercon, at which, in contrast, I'm doing all the panels in the world. I'll blog a list of them between the events. I've decided that this year I'll be going all to Comic Con in San Diego for the first time. Everyone's got to do it once, and since the New York Comic Con is on the same weekend as Newcon in Northampton, this will be my comics spree this year. Going from this village to an enormous event like that will probably be a bit of a culture shock. I may keep asking where the well is. I'm also very much looking forward to visiting Melbourne again for Worldcon. I have very happy memories of times spent there, and it'll be good to catch up with my Aussie friends.
And of course, we're in the middle of that lovely pre-season training feeling concerning Doctor Who. The first clips and interviews from the new season are out there, and everyone's getting excited. I realised the other day that I'm in a position to say to Matt Smith: 'Do you know, I was active in Doctor Who fandom before you were born?' Remind me not to.
It's good to be back. Until next time, Cheerio!
Labels:
Avengers Vs. Atlas,
Chicks Dig Time Lords,
Doctor Who,
Eastercon,
Gallifrey,
Leonard Kirk,
Pulse,
World Horror Convention
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Welcome back, Paul! Glad to hear you've got a geek space now. I'm aiming for that in my upcoming move.
Thanks for the heads up on Chicks Dig Timelords - sounds great!
Also glad to see you'll be at Comic-Con. It's my first time there, as well. Perhaps we'll even run into each other--despite the crowds. I'm looking forward to the madness a wee bit, as I totally agree that it's a must do at least once in a lifetime.
Cheers & enjoy your new digs!
- Maria (aka chickwriter)
It was great to see you again at Gally, if only for a couple minutes passing each other in the halls. Hope to pass by you again next year!
Seriously, you probably don't really have an intuitive feel for just how big San Diego is until you experience it. But my favorite stat to tell newbies so they're not totally shocked is about how big the dealer/exhibit hall is.
A few years ago, I pulled up the blueprints online. Each of the aisles is about 100 yards long, and there are 52 of them. So, just to walk down the center of every aisle, no going side to side, is 5200 yards. Since there are 5280 feet in a mile, and a yard is three feet, that means it's a 3 mile / 5 kilometer walk just to cover the dealer/exhibit hall.
Hi Paul,
Glad your back with us, and also happy that you had such a ball at the LA event.
Nothings changed this end in North West of England. I got a new sofa, which is cool. Well the cat likes it. He keeps nicking my side.
In terms of Doctor Who stuff we got some exclusive photos plus a wee report from last nights launch party at scifipulse.net. Have sticky posted it. So you'll not miss it.
Also gearing up to do an audio interview with our mutual friend Gareth Kavanagh about Vworp Vworp, which I'll run on out Doctor Who themed show. Which will air same weekend as Doctor Who:)
In fact am down to do three interviews next week for the radio show. So its going to be a bit crazy.
In terms of other news. Halfway through British Summer Time, I got distracted from the path, but plan to pick it up again because I was at a pretty good point in the story.
Also picked up a copy of your hard back edition of Black Widow: Deadly Origin and may wiz through it at weekend if I can find a spare hour.
Anyway sorry for the long post.
Must dash. Have to prep for an interview.
We were glad to have you at Gallifrey!
Comic Con is officially insane, but must be experienced at least once.
Good luck with San Diego. I can't imagine going for the first time now instead of the "quaint" old days of the mid 90s when I thought 40000 was too many people. :>
How did you do on Hoteloween yesterday?
I know i made a mention of this a long time ago.. but i thought i put fingers to keyboard and type it out
Captain Britain the movie
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/BritishAvengers/news/?a=16089
what do you think?
"Gallifrey this year had a huge female audience, not quite 50/50, but getting there, bringing the cosplay and the squee and the fun."
Are you implying, Mr Cornell, that the attributes of women are an ability to dress up, be emotional and knowing how to have a good time? (I do hope you know I'm teasing) ani
Just wanted to say a quick thanks for the Venus story in Avengers vs. Atlas. The fun you had writing it definitely translated to the page (especially with the fantastic job Mr. Kirk did on the visuals)!
I hope to see you there, Maria. Looking forward to the hugeness of that hall! Cheers Erik, good to see you too. Tyg: at least I'll get some exercise! Ian: glad to hear things are ticking over. Kippur: I enjoyed myself, ta. Mark: I'm still waiting to hear how I did on the hotel lottery. Pauley: ha ha ha ha ha! Ani: arrgh, you had me going for a moment there! I thought I was on the internet or something! John: thanks very much! Cheers, all.
Pauly that was a fun article. I'd actually love to see a Captain Britain Movie.
I think Paul Bettany would be an interesting choice for it as well. Be sort of casting him against the usual villain or anti hero he plays.
Yay! So glad you're back! Like Joni Mitchell said "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" Didn't realize how much I'd miss your regular posting until you weren't doing it. Don't ever leave us again! :) And if you do, it had better be for reasons more awesome than "moving." :) Though I'm glad the new house seems to be working so well for you.
Can't wait to get my hands on Chicks Dig Timelords! I've been looking forward to that book ever since I saw the cover online a while back. In other Doctor-related news, I'm in the middle of watching the 2nd Doctor in The War Games for the first time at the moment, and THIS STORY KICKS SO MUCH ASS I CAN'T EVEN TAKE IT.
Lastly, I couldn't quite tell from your mention of it in your post. So, are you NOT coming to NYCC? Are you going to make this New Yorker who can't afford to go to San Diego cry? :( I hope I misunderstood, as I was looking forward to getting to meet you all official-like.
Just popped in to say, welcome back to cyberspace, and some words of warning.
Daleks can be cute when they're little, but they grow up, and they're not so cute anymore.
Just wanted to say that the Venus backup in Avengers vs. Atlas #3 was one of the funniest things I've read from Marvel in a long time. Thanks for that.
Welcome back. I have been enjoying your blog -and am thrilled you will be at Worldcon this year, as we live in Adelaide and paln to be there.
Hi Paul
I've been reading your blog for some time, but am now moved to say I'm thrilled you will be at Worldcon. I live in Adelaide, and was hoping you would come to Australia.
Hope to see you -
Megan
It's been a bit like one of those puzzles where you've got one clear space in the frame, and have to move the other pieces around to make a picture.
The exact analogy I've been using... for a year now!
Photos will follow when it's no longer a work in progress.
LOL - good luck with that! :-)
I love hearing things from new fans like 'The War Games kicks ass!' Talking to Terrance recently, he said that he always used to think it wasn't great, but he's recently started to listen to those who love it. And sorry, indeed, I'm going to San Diego but not to New York, unless the Northampton convention doesn't happen. Hello again, Mr. Furious, and indeed, he'll grow up to be a Special Weapons Dalek. Thanks very much, Hoot, and see you there then, Ais! (Another person taken by surprise by my comments moderation, I think.) And Rob: it's getting there!
Loved War Games. Though my favourite Troughton Story is 'The Invasion' I love the bit at the end where Zoe gets her moment as the genius level Rocket Scientist. Plus I always thought she was cute:)
Just finished doing our interview with Gareth Kavanagh. Lovely bloke, we chatted Doctor Who, Vworp Vworp and all manner of stuff. Its about an hour and a quarter. So we have a fair bit of editing to do:)
I'm aiming to make it no shorter than 50 minutes.
BTW Paul: When your more settled in and all with the move. I'd love to be able to do some recording with you for the show. I can also write it up for the website and do something for Downthetubes as well:)
It gets quieter in the summer months because all we have to worry about then is Blockbuster movies season.
Anyhow, must dash. It's dinner time.
Last year I tried to hook up with a number of friends at ComiCon and failed miserably. It is amazing to see. Turn a corner and there's the cast of a show signing autographs, turn another corner and people are handing you free stuff. Crazy.
I'll probably be there on whichever day has Doctor Who/ Torchwood panels.
-funnyerik9
Ian Cullen: Saw 'War Games' recently for the first time since it was broadcast and it really is very good. 'Invasion' is OK, but I have a problem with it in that the story structure is so jerky with odd elisions and the Cybermen are ultimately defeated by the military. I prefer it when the Doctor's role in such things is larger. Agree that tiny Zoe was really cute, though.
- Rob Hansen
Boo and hiss, sir, re: no NYCC this year. Remember, Spider-Man is from Queens, Gotham City and Metropolis aren't based on cities in California, and Mayor Mitchell Hundred isn't the mayor of San Diego. NYC is comics' HOME. You'll be back. :)
Also, finished The War Games, and it continued to kick ass all the way through. Such an intriguing story. I really enjoyed Patrick Troughton, too, and will miss Jamie as a companion in future "Classic" Who I watch. He's great! My only qualm? We never got a quality Jamie Up the Kilt shot! Meanwhile, every other episode zeroed in on Zoe's bum in tight pants. It's all about equality people. By all means, Zoe looked great in tight pants. But Jamie was hot, and needed to come down more ladders in a plaid skirt is all I'm saying...
STORY IDEA: Amy Pond introduces the 11th Doctor to Scottish culture by making him wear a kilt. He spends the rest of the episode going down ladders as the camera is there to greet him at the bottom. The end.
Rob Hanson: Good point about 'The Invasion' being somewhat wonky story-wise.
That said, I felt it was a stronger story overall than 'Tomb Of The Cybermen' which is the other troughton Cybermen episode I have on DVD.
What I liked about 'The Invasion' was the slow build up and the little bits posted here and there throughout the story to amp up audience expectation.
I also enjoyed the Bill Gates styled Billionaire being allied with the Cybermen. And the fact that the episode was made years in advance of Bill Gates becoming a well known Villionaire. Oops typo. Sorry about that.
I know its flawed in areas. But I sort of like that. Not the actual flaws themselves. But the fact that its not perfect and by the numbers.
They took chances with it. Some worked and others didn't. And I think you kind of have to respect that on some level.
Ian Cullen: Agreed on what are the good points of 'The Invasion', though I think I'd still place 'Tomb of the Cybermen' above it. And Tobias Vaughn & Mavic Chen were the best two human villains of the b&w period - both played by the great Kevin Stoney, of course.
Oddly enough, I was at the St. Paul steps that featured in 'The Invasion' earlier today, taking a 95 year-old visiting American friend (in fandom since the 1930s) across the Millennium Bridge to visit Tate Modern, and I *did* think of that scene.
Going on fading 40+ year old memories, the Troughton story that made the greatest impression on my young self was 'Web of Fear'. A real shame only the opening episode survives.
- Rob Hansen
Rob Hansen: I liked Tomb Of The Cybermen as well. I just preferred the way in which Invasion made it somewhat of a team effort. Ultimately the way in which the Bill Gates character was also redeemed somewhat by the end as well.
Sadly I have never experienced The Web Of Fear.
Out of the few Troughton episodes that survived. I've only actually seen are: The Mind Robber, Tomb Of The Cybermen, The Krotans (Bob Holmes episode I believe), The Invasion and of course The War Games.
I've actually seen more Hartnell episodes.
And most of it has been through re runs back in the 90s on UK Gold.
I've been mulling over getting the Space Museum/The Chase DVD set. But I only want that for The Chase because of its mad 60s Pop Culture references. Plus I remember seeing some of it on UK Gold.
Sadly I've not been able to get to Gally or ComicCon, but looking forward to seeing you at BristolCon.
I've got Chicks Dig Time Lords on my bedside table - it's just as good as I hoped!
Also just brought Wisdom & Captain Britain: Secret Invasion to add to my reading pile!
Great, thanks. I hope to see you at some point!