October 14th, 2019
77 comments
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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 544
DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY!
The celebratory issue comes with:
- A 100-MINUTE DOCTOR WHO DVD including exclusive and previously unseen material.
- A 32-PAGE SUPPLEMENT featuring an index of DWM and its sister publications, from 1979 to the present day.
- A DOWNLOAD CODE for 11 complete hour-long audio adventures from Big Finish.
Other highlights of this issue include:
- Exclusive interviews with showrunners Chris Chibnall, Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.
- Doctor Who Weekly’s founding editor Dez Skinn and its original features writer Jeremy Bentham reunite to discuss the magazine’s earliest days.
- Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell pays tribute to his friend and mentor Terrance Dicks.
- A previously unpublished interview with Terrance Dicks, in which he remembers his working life away from Doctor Who.
- Highlights from the original, unpublished manuscript of The Eight Doctors, Terrance’s first commission for BBC Books’ range of original Doctor Who novels.
- Professional Doctor Who fiction writers select highlights of Terrance’s Target novelisations and other books.
- A look back at how readers’ views of Doctor Who episodes, as expressed in DWM’s Season Survey results, have evolved over the last four decades.
- The Fact of Fiction explores the 1979 story The Creature from the Pit.
- A fiendishly difficult quiz, all about the first 40 years of Doctor Who Magazine.
- Part Two of Mistress of Chaos, a new comic-strip adventure featuring the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends.
- Audio reviews, previews, news, prize-winning competitions and much, much more!
On sale from Thursday 17 October 2019
£9.99 (UK)
Categorised under: Doctor Who Magazine, Magazine
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simonhanlon77
October 18th, 2019 - 1:46pmINSIDE THE DWM FOR THE BF DOWNLOAD. IT SAYS EITHER SCAN QR CODE OR GO TO bgfn.sh/544free and use CODE RUBY when prompted to unlock your FREE download of the complete DESTINY OF THE DOCTOR box set. hope that’s any help to those who asked 🙂
John
October 18th, 2019 - 3:03pmBrilliant, that worked – thanks very much!!
Anne R
October 19th, 2019 - 9:28amThat didn’t work for me at all.
There is no way for me to input the code at all.
Funnily enough there is no problem for the 50% off stories.
John
October 18th, 2019 - 10:57amAll sold out near me, gutted, really wanted to read the Uncle Terry tribute.
I wasn’t really bothered about the DVD as I already have the blu ray sets and will be getting S26, but I missed the Big Finish download as well – is this a generic code printed in the magazine or is there a unique one in each mag? If it’s generic would some kind soul please be able to show it here? Many thanks
Jim Pickinson
October 18th, 2019 - 6:25amSince I have no intention of ever buying a copy of this magazine, it never feels like it was written by genuine fans due to all the airbrushing. Can some provide the site and code for Destiny Of The Doctor download, since I was only going to be buying the issue for that and the DVD (which turns to be just extras from the Blu-Rays)
Tardis7k
October 17th, 2019 - 11:58pmDoes anyone know what supermarket sells it tried 3 Tesco’s and still no luck
The Flying Shark
October 18th, 2019 - 8:03amWH Smith and all four major supermarkets stock it, so maybe the Tescos in your area have distribution problems or something?
Anonymous
October 17th, 2019 - 7:03pmOnly bought this for the dvd and Chris Chibnall interview. I was disappointed with both.
Timelord63
October 17th, 2019 - 5:50pmVery disappointed with this as it didn’t seem very special seeing as it was celebrating 40 years. The 500th issue was much better. DVD whilst nice had nothing to do with anniversary so didn’t see the point and don’t think the £9.99 price was justified just for a free DVD and really index guide as magazine was no bigger.
The Flying Shark
October 17th, 2019 - 7:07pmI agree-whilst I don’t have this yet, there isn’t that much very special looking about it. I will get it for the DVD, but the supplement looks DULL, the comic isn’t doing anything to mark the occasion by the looks of it (unlike The Stockbridge Showdown in Issue 500) and even the Fact of Fiction is Creature from the Pit. The showrunner interviews and Terrance Dicks tributes do interest me, but knowing DWM’s style as of late, these will be restricted to six pages each! Remember in Issue 539 when a cover feature David Tennant interview was two pages! Two pages on David Tennant! They missed a big opportunity there!
BtsR
October 17th, 2019 - 4:16pmIf anyone wants the magazine minus the dvd for £5 it’s yours. I only bought it for the disc have no interest for the magazine personally.
Jim Pickinson
October 17th, 2019 - 5:51pmDo you happen to have the Destiny Of The Doctor code?
Anonymous
October 17th, 2019 - 1:23pmKind of wish the Behind the Sofa was for one of the c***er episodes, Genesis of the Daleks isn’t a story you can have that many funny reactions too.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 6:16pmAlso guys, there’s a code for a free BBC Audio audiobook in the issue as well: I got The Invisible Enemy for free with my issue…
SamWho
October 16th, 2019 - 10:44pmI don’t understand how to access this it’s a bit confusing
MJS
October 17th, 2019 - 10:17amIt’s pretty rubbish. I had to reactivate my audio books account to claim it, then it took 7.99. Not happy
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 5:51pmWhy was my comment regarding the download code deleted?
booboo
October 16th, 2019 - 6:00pmIt wasn’t , its right Below this one?
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 5:32pmIve just recieved my issue however i dont understand where the code is for the big finish download? Is it supposed to be on a leaflet or in the mag?
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 6:15pmIt’s in the magazine (page 21), along with a code to get 50% off the following:
– The 2nd Doctor Companion Chronicles Volume 1
– The War Doctor: Infernal Devices
– The First Doctor Lost Stories boxset
– The Mega
– The Worlds of Doctor Who
– Time Reaver
– Ravenous 1
– Return of the Daleks
– Philip Hinchcliffe Presents Vol.1
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 6:35pmSweet deal
BtsR
October 16th, 2019 - 4:59pmThe disc is all I’m interested in so im not going to pay £10 just for it so hopefully I can find one on ebay or if anyone here doesn’t want it and is up for selling it. Let me know.
Gordon
October 16th, 2019 - 9:06amApparently the dvd is:
It’s highlights from the forthcoming season 26 collection (and earlier), and an exclusive 20 minute programme ‘message from space’ made and unused season 18’s set.
kevin225
October 16th, 2019 - 11:47amMy subscription copy has arrived. The DVD is some trailers/extracts from Season 26 Blu Ray, some extracts from other Blu Ray sets and a new thing called Messages From Space which should have been in the Season 18 Blu Ray.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 1:07pmGood to know, means I don’t need to buy the mag now.
TIM M
October 16th, 2019 - 5:55pmAt 10 pound, I’m not buying it either. I only occasionally buy the magazine now and don’t buy it on a regular basis. Chibnall’s vision of Doctor Who isn’t for me, so I’m not as invested in the merchandise.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 6:29pmNothing to do with chibnall, just not interested in the DVD now. Haven’t bought the monthly magazine for 7 years now. Just to expensive. Rather buy stuff I want like the books.
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 11:36pmI think showing one cover from every year of its run is pretty clever.
The Flying Shark
October 16th, 2019 - 8:08amNot quite, is it? I can see a few years missing.
The Flying Shark
October 15th, 2019 - 8:20pmMy one worry for this issue is that the Terrance Dicks tribute will be rushed. In amongst all the celebrations of DWM itself, the interviews with former editors plus RTD, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall as promised on Twitter, I’ve a feeling his tribute will amount to six pages or something, when he deserves far greater. It’s bad enough in my opinion he isn’t getting a cover, so please don’t let Terrance’s tribute be a quick job. Make it magnificent.
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 8:56pmA future special in my opinion
The Flying Shark
October 16th, 2019 - 8:09amI thought it was confirmed his main obituary would be in this issue?
Gareth Pugh
October 16th, 2019 - 1:13pmFlying Shark, not to worry- the obit is here but so are a good few TD articles – 14 or 15 pages (at a rough reckoning) dedicated to him overall.
The Flying Shark
October 16th, 2019 - 5:47pmThat’s better, thanks for the info. Whilst I would have preferred a big special tribute like Nicholas Courtney or Lis Sladen got, I’m just relieved he’s not been lost in all the celebrations.
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 8:06pmHave to say I agree with some comments here about why people are complaining. Thing is if you already have the stories on offer for the download, then you have them, you haven’t lost out and if you don’t have them and want them. great! It seems odd to be ungrateful for something that is free!
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 6:33pmErr, guys. I just saw that this appeared: https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-destiny-of-the-doctor-the-complete-adventure-dwm-544-promo-2163
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 7:21amWas really hoping it wasn’t this.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 - 6:59pmDon’t worry, I was as well. The good thing is that DWM now don’t have any other opportunities to give away stuff from this series for free, so the next deluxe DWM will probably have normal audios in it…
David Havers
October 15th, 2019 - 3:56pmWhy all the moaning for. You getting loads for 10 pounds.
simonhanlon77
October 15th, 2019 - 2:40pmI DON’T THINK IT WILL BE ‘MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN’ BECAUSE IT SAYS IT ‘100MINS’. I THINK IT WILL BE STUFF THAT MOST OF US HAVE ALREADY SEEN..AND QUITE FRANKLY BORING. AS FOR THE ’11 BIGFINISH DLOADS’ THAT COULD BE THE ‘DESTINY OF THE DOCTOR’. BUT IS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY IT MAY NOT AND JUST ’11’ RANDOM STORIES.
Master of M
October 15th, 2019 - 3:50pmWow, you are a regular ray of sunshine!
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 4:23pmThough destiny of the doctor was BBC not big finish
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 5:25pmDefinitely won’t be destiny of the doctor, just checked and they were BBC productions not big finish.
booboo
October 15th, 2019 - 5:34pmThey were produced and sold by Big Finish https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-destiny-of-the-doctor-the-complete-adventure-1489
But they were sold as BBC products during the anniversary.
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 5:37pmMy mistake, thanks for the clarification boo boo!
booboo
October 15th, 2019 - 6:10pmas far as i remember Big Finish were never really mentioned as far as the original releases were concerned but something seemed to change when audio go went bust, they started to sell them under their own label in a box set, they were probably never paid so the material defaulted back to them as they produced it.
Some time later loads of the “rare” silver Tardis sets appeared out of nowhere as well.
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 6:29pmI have a feeling it won’t be Destiny of the Doctor: after all, they gave away CDs of various Destiny of the Doctor adventures with DWM 530, so why would they give their customers a download of a CD that they already have? I have a hunch that the 1-hour audios that premiered during the Big Finish 20 years livestream will be given away (specifically Celestial Intervention (from Gallifrey: Time War 1), One Enchanted Evening (from the Lives of Captain Jack), The Revolution (from the New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield) and Stolen Goods (from Jenny: The Doctor’s Daughter)), as the audios that had been given away previously with deluxe DWMs were played during the livestream. Also, just because they say 11 audios doesn’t mean that the range that only has 11 audios will be given away for free…
booboo
October 15th, 2019 - 6:44pmlooks like it is https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-destiny-of-the-doctor-the-complete-adventure-dwm-544-promo-2163
Mrs Croot
October 14th, 2019 - 10:23pmEverybody say you haven’t seen Mission to the Unknown and it’ll become unseen footage and magically appear on the DVD! ;o)
I really want Mission
Anonymous
October 15th, 2019 - 7:43amI don’t like the sound of including it as a bonus feature on another story
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 7:17pmWill subscribers get this deluxe issue?
bryan
October 15th, 2019 - 12:51pmYes. Marcus and peter, said this one will be for subscribers. I am not sure if there are even a stand-alone edition.
Dalek Bumps :)
October 14th, 2019 - 6:13pmI need to know what’s on the DVD first, a magazine all about the history of that magazine sounds rather dull and pricey at £9.99.
I bought the last £9.99 one but that came with a cool vinyl record this one I’ll probably miss.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 6:31pmHopefully there’ll be a subscriber out there who’ll tell all of us about what the DVD is and what those 11 Big Finish audios are (I’m hoping for at least one complete boxset)…
David
October 14th, 2019 - 5:33pmI know this sounds ridiculous being a DVD and not a Blu ray, but the disc looks like it has the word “collection” written on it… I can make out that the bottom writing will be DWM 40th anniversary or something like that but yeah I’m very intrigued to see what’s on it!
DWS
October 14th, 2019 - 3:46pmWill subscribers get the DVDs etc?
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 4:05pmWe will. Don’t worry.
Kevin225
October 14th, 2019 - 3:17pmDoes anybody know the revised date for the latest Special Edition/The Twelfth Doctor Companion – I have heard 16th October, but have not seen that confirmed anywhere?
Jen
October 14th, 2019 - 12:13pmJust a thought. Anyone know what is on the DVD?
Daniel
October 14th, 2019 - 12:14pmGuesswork: The Myth Makers DWM special and Mission to the Unknown remake?
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 4:29pmIt appears to be called “Doctor Who Tales”: sounds pretty good…
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 4:34pmApologies for the error: had a closer look at the HD image on Twitter, and I’m guessing it’s called “Doctor Who Gallery”…
Gordon
October 14th, 2019 - 4:40pmDon’t think it’s mission. Surely they would have advertised it as it would be a major selling point
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 4:44pmHope we get Mission on DVD, and not as a special feature
David Havers
October 14th, 2019 - 12:11pmWill it be in all newsagents or just WH Smith’s
Mrs Croot
October 14th, 2019 - 5:09pmNewsagents
Jen
October 14th, 2019 - 12:09pmThis looks cool, however I reject the fact that it’s a box set if it is a download.
Jack Oates
October 14th, 2019 - 1:19pmIt will be, Destiny for the Doctor, the 11 part 50 year special
Jen
October 14th, 2019 - 2:03pmApologies, but I’m afraid you catch me at a misunderstanding.
I was just saying how I don’t believe it can be called a “box set” if it isn’t physical.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 2:24pmYep it’s a download not a boxset
Bobby Davros
October 14th, 2019 - 2:54pmSky and I-Player call their series box-sets too. It’s silly but its a normal thing these days.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 12:03pmi wonder if it will be out this thursday
Daniel
October 14th, 2019 - 12:06pmYes it will be, the 17th
booboo
October 14th, 2019 - 12:11pmthink they are referring to the recent delays
Anonymous
October 14th, 2019 - 1:20pmyes i am
Daniel
October 14th, 2019 - 1:30pmSorry, I wasnt aware there were any recent delays as I get mine digitally through Pocketmags. I do think Anniversay issues are very good value for money though and look forward to this.
booboo
October 14th, 2019 - 1:37pmno worries many people wouldn’t know, the last 2 issues have been delayed for several days or more in many newsagents