Doctor Who Magazine



Doctor Who Magazine (formerly Doctor Who Weekly), is currently a four-weekly periodical that publishes Doctor Who news, reviews, articles and comic stories. Originally launched by the UK branch of Marvel Comics, Doctor Who Weekly began publication in October 1979. It changed to a monthly publication in September 1980 with the 44th issue. Marvel continued to publish the magazine until the late 1990s when it was sold to Panini Publishing Ltd. which continues to publish it as of 2009.

Over the years, the title of Doctor Who Magazine has changed slightly. Each of the name changes have been subtle, and very broadly speaking reflect a change of editor and direction for the title. Continuity however remains intact throughout. Since its first issue, a major feature of each issue has been an ongoing comic strip based upon the series, which has featured adventures with every incarnation of the Doctor and many (but not all) of his TV companions.

In October 2008, DWM published its 400th issue and is presently gearing up to mark its 30th anniversary in the autumn of 2009. It is currently the longest-running professionally published magazine based upon an English-language television series; its associated comic strip is the longest running comic based upon an English-language television series to be published without interruption.

See also
 * Doctor Who Adventures (DWAM) A BBC magazine title launched for the new series from Series 2 aimed at younger readers.
 * Doctor Who: Battles in Time (DWBIT) Magazine supporting the collectable trading cards.
 * Doctor Who DVD Files Magazine supporting new series DVD's.

Doctor Who Magazine (regular issues) (Links by issue)

 * Doctor Who Weekly Issues 1 - 43 (Links by cover)
 * (17th October 1979 - 6th August 1980) Every Thursday priced 12p


 * Doctor Who - A Marvel Monthly Issues 44 - 60 (Links by cover)
 * (September 1980 - January 1982)published by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * Doctor Who Monthly Issues 61 - 84 (Links by cover)
 * (February 1982 - January 1984) published monthly by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * The Official Doctor Who Magazine Issues 85 - 98 (Links by cover)
 * (May 1984 - March 1985) published monthly by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * The Doctor Who Magazine Issues 99 - 106 (Links by cover)
 * (April 1985 - November 1985) published monthly by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * Doctor Who Magazine (Issues 107 - 163) (Links by cover)
 * (December 1985 - October 1987) published monthly by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * Doctor Who Magazine (Issues 164 - 237) (Links by cover)
 * (November 1987 - August 1996) published every fourth Thursday by Marvel Comics Ltd.


 * Doctor Who Magazine (Issues 237 - Present) (Links by cover)
 * (September 1996 - to date) published every fourth Thursday by Panini UK Ltd.

Doctor Who Magazine has been in continuous publication since its launch offering special editions each year in addition to its regular issues.

A number of sister publications at various times have been published, with some ongoing features alternating between titles.


 * Doctor Who Magazine (special issues)
 * Doctor Who Magazine - Classic Comics
 * Doctor Who Magazine - Poster Magazines
 * Doctor Who Marvel Adventure Comics (Issues 1-6)
 * Doctor Who Magazine Giveaways (Issues 122 and 125)
 * Doctor Who Magazine - Graphic Novels

The TARDIS Index File uses the prefix DWM to refer to fiction (in comic or prose form) printed in this publication.

Comic strip reprints
Over the years, the Doctor Who comic strip has been reprinted -- often with colour added (it was published in black and white until the early 2000s) -- in a number of different publications. In the United States, both Marvel Comics and, more recently, IDW Publishing have issued reprint titles in comic book and graphic novel format, while Panini itself has reissued the comic strips in deluxe omnibus form and in magazine-sized publications.

Distribution outside the UK
Distribution of DWM and its forebears outside the UK has been sporadic. The original Weekly incarnation was not circulated in North America, but regular distribution through Marvel US occurred in the 1980s after it had moved to monthly distribution, and continued to the late 1990s. After ownership of the magazine switched to Panini, distribution in North America became less widespread, with many magazine shops and comic book retailers not carrying it anymore, or only carrying occasional issues. Widespread release of DWM through standard newsstands began anew with issue 394, which was widely distributed in North America in May 2008 (distribution in that region is currently running several weeks behind the UK; issue 395, which carries a cover date of 28 May 2008, was not distributed in North America until the week of 16 June). However, issue 409, dated 24 June 2009, was available in Canadian comic book shops on its cover date.

Inserts and special features
From the very beginning, occasional DWM (or ...Weekly, ...Monthly, etc) issues have featured special bonus items and inserts. The first few issues in 1979 came with free transfers, for example, and many issues have come packaged with posters and other paraphernalia. Other notable items included with DWM releases over the years have included flexi-discs of soundtrack music, CDs of specially commissioned audio dramas by Big Finish, and in the summer of 2008, issue 397 came packaged with one of 27 vintage Target novelisations (or related books).

Unusually, as many magazines strip inserts before shipping overseas due to licensing issues, DWM's international distribution includes most inserts, including the Big Finish DVDs and recent Target Books bonus.

External link

 * Lovingwho's DWM Index