On 26th October, 2Entertain will be releasing a mega box set comprising of Doctor Who Series 1 to 4. Available to pre-order now at just over £65, this represents an excellent opportunity to purchase all four critically acclaimed series in one money saving go.

2Entertain have revealed that the First Doctor serial “The Keys of Marinus” is to be released in 2009. Among the extras will be a documentary entitled A Set Piece by producer James Goss. The release is planned for the first half of the year.

Fans will be interested to know that 2Entertain have announced the latest 2009 DVD release schedule.

15th January Edit: “The Keys of Marinus” has also been announced.

• As stated last month, “The E-Space Trilogy” will be released on 26th January.
• This will be followed on 23rd February by the First Doctor classic double pack, “The Rescue and The Romans”.
• Next along on 16th March will be “Attack of the Cybermen” starring the Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker.

The remaining announced releases for this year, with currently to be announced release dates, are:

• “Delta and the Bannermen” (Seventh Doctor)
• “Image of the Fendahl” (Fourth Doctor)
• “The Keys of Marinus” (First Doctor)
• “The Deadly Assassin” (Fourth Doctor)
• A “Dalek War” double pack featuring “Frontier in Space” and “Planet of the Daleks” (with recolourised episode 3) both featuring the Third Doctor.
• Finally the epic “War Games”, Patrick Troughton’s final story, is planned to be released this Autumn in a 3 DVD box set jammed packed with extras.

So, what are your thoughts on this year’s DVD schedule? Ecstatic or disappointed? Leave a comment and let us know

Character Options have announced an exciting new handful of toys.

First up are “Collect ‘N’ Build” Cybermen. These will come in four variations – three from Classic Who (The Tenth Planet, The Tomb of the Cybermen, The Invasion) and one from the ever-so-close Christmas special (The Next Doctor). A fifth variation, the Tomb of the Cybermen Cyber Controller is built up from parts included in the other four packs, in a similar manner to the K-1 Robot built from the Classic series figures. These figures are expected to be released at the back end of January.

"Collect 'N' Build" Cybermen

Second is Captain Jack’s Vortex Manipulator and Mini Sonic Screwdriver. It has light effects, a removable cover and adjustable strap. The Mini Sonic Screwdriver also has light effects. This too is due for release at the end of January.

Captain Jack's Vortex Manipulator

Next up is The Journal of Impossible Things and Mini Sonic Screwdriver. The journal is an A5 notebook featuring a mixture of illustrated and blank pages. Like the last two, it’s also out near the end of January.

The Journal of Impossible Things

Finally is the Cyber Leader voice changer helmet, as seen in The Next Doctor. This is released on the 31st December.

Cyber Leader voice changer helmet

Big Finish have announced the three companions who will feature in the upcoming Companion Chronicles mini-series, “The Three Companions”. It will be released part by part as bonuses with the monthly Doctor Who audio range, starting from Spring 2009.

Anneke Wills returns as Polly who, in the present day, tracks down Jo Grant (Katy Manning), and realizes their past adventures with the Doctor have actually intersected. Meanwhile, as the planet Earth faces environmental catastrophe, a third companion is observing them from afar… A certain Thomas Brewster (John Pickard), who is in possession of a stolen TARDIS.

Big Finish have announced the next series of the Eighth Doctor Adventures, to be released from the 7th of March. In a new move for the company, they will be available for download in weekly episodes, with the CD of each adventure being released after the story’s conclusion at the end of each month. Big Finish have also announced plans to release a 9th episode of this season for Christmas 2009.

Click below to read some early story synopses and listen to the trailer. Warning may contain spoilers.

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