November 10th, 2020
78 comments
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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 558
Highlights of the new issue include:
- An 18-page celebration of the show’s best-loved collectables, including: Dalek Rolykins, Weetabix cards, Dapol action figures, Doctor Who Adventures toys, the Cyberman Voice Changer and much more.
- An exclusive Series 13 update from showrunner Chris Chibnall in his Production Notes.
- A look at how Doctor Who props and costumes have sold at auction – including some of the record prices and the bargains!
- To mark 40 years of BBC Children in Need, the story of Doctor Who’s close relationship with the charity telethons.
- The first instalment of a two-part article exploring David Whitaker’s influence on the Daleks in the 1960s.
- An interview with actor Colin Spaull, who appeared in 1985’s Revelation of the Daleks and 2006’s Rise of the Cyberman/The Age of Steel.
- The Fact of Fiction explores the 2008 story The Fires of Pompeii.
- The final part of Time Lord Victorious: Monstrous Beauty, a new comic-strip adventure for the Ninth Doctor and Rose.
- Previews and reviews, news, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser, The Blogs of Doom and more!
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 558 is on sale from Thursday 12 November
£5.99 (UK)
Categorised under: Doctor Who Magazine, Magazine
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Chris Aldridge
December 10th, 2020 - 3:47pmAnyone here in the States not received their subscriber copy of this issue yet? The new issue just came out and I’m still waiting for this one to arrive.
MJS
November 24th, 2020 - 11:51amIs anyone elses subscriber copy still outstanding? Mine has not arrived but I’ve seen on twitter some have had theirs at the weekend.
Has anyone had any positive contact with Panini?
Peter
November 24th, 2020 - 4:24pmYes, still awaiting mine. Just emailed Panini about it, but not holding my breath. May have to get one elsewhere if it doesn’t turn up.
Jamiouse
November 25th, 2020 - 12:20pmNothing here either, its just not coming this month chaps
Graham
November 25th, 2020 - 2:57pmMine just got delivered so there’s always hope
Deano
November 25th, 2020 - 3:09pmMines come today as well so sounds like they’ve dispatched them at long last so hope for the rest who haven’t yet received there’s.
Better late than never but not what we signed up to as a subscriber
Darkartstimelord
November 25th, 2020 - 3:17pmStill haven’t had mine yet. Got the delay notification email on 17th Nov but not heard anything since. If it doesn’t arrive tomorrow (two weeks after publication), I’ll be phoning them.
Nick Betts
November 26th, 2020 - 9:11amGood Morning
I bought a copy at the weekend as I was concerned that I would miss out on the collectables article which I really wanted.
I have had several e-mail conversations with the subscription department and they have extended my subscription by an issue as I had to buy something that I had already paid for!
Simon Pedley
November 26th, 2020 - 5:14pmGood to know that people are starting to get theirs at last. Not had mine yet, but hopefully tomorrow. To be fair, this is the first time I’ve ever had an issue with my subscription, which I’ve had for years. Always on time before, so I’d be surprised if this is Panini’s fault in any way – however, a bit more proactive communication from them would have been nice.
Peter
November 27th, 2020 - 5:20pmMy copy arrived today!
Deano
November 23rd, 2020 - 3:15pmStill no delivery I’ve spoken to Customer service today having given it a wk since email informing me of delays and pretty much the same on going information that it’s in the hands of Royal Mail to deliver the copies they’ve received from the supplier some time ago ? and the hope is I will still at some point receive my copy ?.
John
November 19th, 2020 - 11:30amFor info I’ve had an email which says subscription delayed but no delivery date! So they must be intending to send.
Jamiouse
November 19th, 2020 - 12:40pmI had email the other day too, I wasn’t sure if my subscription had actually ended until the email came through. When i looked in my local WH Smith they also had copies of this issue so its either selling very well or there are distribution issues. I know the current lockdown is an issue but it wasn’t back in March – August during lockdown 1.
John
November 19th, 2020 - 3:58pmI’m guessing they are busy packing dalek baakazines! It must be an issue with posting as clearly the distribution to retailers has been OK!
Deano
November 20th, 2020 - 5:05pmSame here I totally agree a complete waste of time I’ve only just renewed my subscription so if I haven’t received it by Tuesday I’ll be cancelling and requiring a refund and go back to buying from local newsagents like I did pre COVID when I usually got it on the day of release which has only happened once with my subscription copies.
Tony
November 21st, 2020 - 6:36pmFinally received my 558 today, nine days late.
Nick Betts
November 17th, 2020 - 11:23amIf mine doesn’t come by Saturday, I will see if WH Smiths still have a copy. I know that it is not their fault but it is becoming more and more pointless subscribing.
Nick Betts
November 17th, 2020 - 2:34pmIt is interesting that the future of Doctor Who is being discussed in the magazine. If people keep on getting their subscription copies late, they may just not bothering subscribing and then, the headlines will be – Has Doctor Who Magazine got a Future?
booboo
November 17th, 2020 - 2:53pmCatch 22, many companies are keeping as many employees on furlough a possible to ensure survival whilst retaining a few staff in warehouses to keep thinks ticking over the best they can, but with social distancing its causing despatch times to increase, I’m seeing a lot of that at the moment.
This big companies can adapt quickly but not so easy for the smaller ones.
Jamiouse
November 19th, 2020 - 11:03amStill waiting on my copy to arrive too, I have a suspicion we won’t be getting this issue. If it leads into next week and they still haven’t dispatched any subscriber copies its heading into the release of the next issue.
Nick Betts
November 19th, 2020 - 12:06pmI have had several e-mail conversations with them. I told them that if my copy hasn’t arrived by Saturday, I will buy a copy from WHSmith. They said if that was the case, they would extend my subscription by an issue. They did tell me that subscribers were starting to receive their copies, but I can see no evidence of this.
I did ask them not to renew the subscription as every issue has arrived late since I started subscribing. You can’t blame Covid 19 as other items have arrived on time from Royal Mail!
Gareth Pugh
November 19th, 2020 - 5:26pmNick Betts, might be worth hanging tight a bit longer, mine arrived today (Thursday 19th) and I notice quite a few other people have been getting theirs today too.
Nick Betts
November 20th, 2020 - 2:39pmWell, it is still not here. I will buy a copy tomorrow from the shops. I told them that is what i would do. They said they will credit me one more issue if I do that, so that is what will happen, What a waste of time subscribing!
Dunc
November 16th, 2020 - 12:53pmMy subscription copy still hasn’t arrived.
Deano
November 16th, 2020 - 1:00pmYes me also must be a delay in sending out the subscription issue as it sounds like no one else has received it yet ?.
Tony Butcher
November 16th, 2020 - 1:08pmMine not arrived either as at Monday 16th – just telephoned them and they say there is a delay in getting subscriber copies out and they hope we’ll have them by the end of the week. I did point out subscribers should get their copy on or before the general release copy. Just got the excuse that there are unexplained delays at the warehouse.
John
November 16th, 2020 - 1:49pmMine neither, Panini not very good lately – I can only assume they have been affected by Covid. And don’t even start me on the fracas trying to get a copy of Daleks!
Kevin225
November 16th, 2020 - 2:31pmThere might not be any other copies left in the shops if there are further delays/it doesn’t arrive at all. End of this week is effectively Monday (23rd) for me (at the earliest). Is it worth trying to claim a further issue on the subscription and send it back if it does eventually arrive?
Peter
November 16th, 2020 - 5:08pmI’ve not got mine yet either. I emailed them late Friday. Haven’t checked to see if any response today yet, but the others’ explanations make sense now. Still, a bit pointless subscribing if you get it after general release date…..
Kevin225
November 16th, 2020 - 5:55pmNot just after, but possibly quite a way after (i.e. potentially 7 to 10 days late by the time it eventually arrives) and that is assuming that it actually arrives at all. From Tony’s e-mail there doesn’t appear to be any certainty – it isn’t as if they seem to know when they are sending them out. The longer things are left the less chance you have of grabbing one in the shops, if needs be…
Anonymous
November 18th, 2020 - 3:33pmBe patient we’ve entered a second lockdown. Panini warehouse will likely be operating on limited staff. Have some patience and understanding
Deano
November 14th, 2020 - 11:46amHas anyone received there subscriber issue yet ?.
Not received my subscription copy so far which is unusual it’s been pretty regular within a day or two for some months now ?
Dunc
November 14th, 2020 - 1:02pmI’ve not got mine either. With what’s going on It’s just a case of being patient.
Deano
November 14th, 2020 - 1:25pmYes I fully understand was just interested to see if anyone else had received there’s plus there’s a year magazine special due Tuesday which is part of my subscription and possibly might come together ?
Deano
November 14th, 2020 - 1:59pmSorry the 2021 Dr Who Magazine special edition 56 is 16th Dec
Got my months mixed up
Kevin225
November 14th, 2020 - 2:09pmNo sign of my subscription copy either, although we don’t get any post these days from Thursday until the following Monday so no great surprise (I live in Bristol not the back of beyond)! Disappointing that very late (forget early subscriber delivery) seems to be the new normal (and you could walk into Sainsbury’s or Tesco’s to buy it on Thursday). Late delivery wasn’t the case in the first lockdown, but in the grand scheme of things not the end of the world!
Doctorwhofan11
November 14th, 2020 - 3:14pmNot received my subscriber copy either yet. Here’s hoping for Monday.
Dean Wells
November 14th, 2020 - 4:08pmNo mines not turned up either yet for the first time since I started my sub.
Normally on the Thursday at the latest.
jvm2701
November 12th, 2020 - 5:04pmNot at my local newsagent here in Belfast today either. Will have to try again tomorrow.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2020 - 1:40pmInteresting bit from chibnall about the realities of drama production under covid. Essentially be prepared for shorter series. He said that after looking at the various restrictions same schedule would for 11 episodes would result in hopefully 8 episodes being made in the same time period due to the covid rules. I hope fans can restrain themselves and understand all drama will have to reduce either episodes made or do what holby city has done and reduce running times. Holby was 60 mins it’s now 40 mins to accomodate restrictions during filming.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2020 - 2:41pmSorry wrote this in a hurry! It should be, the schedule that makes 11 episodes under covid restrictions would make 8 episode.
Timelord63
November 12th, 2020 - 12:48pmNo sign of this today anywhere in Hull nor has the Dalek bookazine shown up either 🙁
Anonymous
November 11th, 2020 - 3:40amThis 18 pages of ‘Collectables’ seems a bit lame & more like filler to pad the mag out? Didn’t they already release a full Essential mag on this?
Dave
November 11th, 2020 - 4:06pmYes. I feel like the magazine is in a bit of a fallow stage at the moment. Still some great stuff but very padded. I feel like there’s an issues-worth of decent content every 3 months, a nadir it didn’t even hit when the show was off-air.
I think it’s struggling with the magazine having exhausted a lot of the avenues for new content on the classic series, no real input from the production team to really showcase the new series (not that it seems too interested in that anyway, as there’s no reason you coudn’t put a Jodie Whittaker figure/doll up there with Tom and David to emphasise there actually is a current Doctor)
I think a way out for it is to start treating the old episodes of the new series (ie the Ecceleston, Tennant, maybe Smith seasons) in the same way the DWM of the 90s treated Seasons 1-26. Ie really go into that period with deep forensic research. But that may not be possible in quite the same way with the show still going on.
I’m subscribing out of loyalty, considering the tough magazine marketplace and the pandemic, but it feels like a magazine running out of steam.
Haza14
November 11th, 2020 - 10:21pmAgree with a lot of what you’ve said here. Don’t like to speak ill of people, but since Tom Spilsbury left as editor I feel there has been a decline in quality. When Tom was editor I feel that DWM was actually one of the best put together magazines out there and the standard was very high, Clayton Hickman did a great job before him as well. During lockdown I’ve found myself rereading some of the issues from 2006-2010 and they were always great reads. So taking over was always going to be a tough job, but for me the decline in quality has been noticeable and it does currently feel like they’re struggling for good content and running out of ideas more than ever. And yes, having to produce current issues remotely from home might play a part in this, but I’ve thought it long before the pandemic hit.
I do think you make a good point about the lack of impact from the current production team. Russell T Davies was a great supporter of the magazine and gave them many exclusives, and Steven Moffat still allowed them regular set access and detailed interviews and contributions. That level of access doesn’t seem to be given anymore. They seem to even be struggling for decent images of the monsters from Jodie’s era, not to mention exclusive images of the Doctor and her companions. Even the interviews with Chris Chibnall and the shows stars seem to barely scratch the surface and not tell us anything we’ve not heard elsewhere. It’s a shame.
I would highly support a more detailed look at 2005-2017 eras. Or even a less trivial look back at Jodie’s first two seasons with in-depth interviews with Chris and Jodie. There‘s plenty they could do, but I’d like to see a change of tone back to slightly more detailed interviews and features.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2020 - 12:28amI like the lack of info about the new stories. It’s like it used to be. You find out as you watch. Don’t understand the modern need to know everything attitudes.
Kevin225
November 12th, 2020 - 8:37pmI agree with a lot of what is said. DWM has been a major part of my regular routine since I was 4 (when issue 1 came out). I would be gutted if it ever ceased. I think the problem is the magazine doesn’t know who it is aimed at anymore. A lot of the material is not of sufficient depth to appeal greatly to the hardcore. I don’t think that casual people are interested in the magazine (as simply the programme is not (currently) as popular as it once was). I can’t remember the last time there was an in-depth interview with anyone. However I don’t think a lot of the programme’s stars since 2005 are greatly interested in engaging with something like DWM well after they have left the show. When you compare Nu Who to Classic Who we are close to the point when organised fandom first exploded in Classic Who and the programme was first explored in detail. I can’t see that ever being the case with Nu Who due to the way that the current stars (with a few exceptions) engage with the show (especially in the UK). This gives DWM a big challenge in the next few years. If they are searching for ideas of interesting things to say (without interviewing possibly inaccessible people) perhaps take a leaf out of Gary Gillatt’s book. I would love to have a Zoom chat with the DWM team to give some constructive feedback as I really do care!
Haza14
November 13th, 2020 - 2:07amCompletely understand that people like not having info before the episodes. I like that too and don’t even read the previews until after I’ve seen the episodes, even though they hardly tell us anything nowadays. There’s definitely a balance to be struck with that. However I was talking more about in depth articles and interviews after the episodes have aired with exclusive set photos. These have always been the features I’ve enjoyed most but they are almost non existent now sadly.
Agree that who they’re aiming the magazine at seems slightly confused currently. But even when the show was very popular and DWM would have been getting more causal readers, I think they still managed to walk that line better than they do currently. Some of the current features are very very niche and will not attract casual readers, but then they’re written in a way without detail that will interest hardcore fans.
I still love the magazine and read it every month, and hope it continues for years to come. But would also love to provide some feedback!
Bobby Davros
November 10th, 2020 - 11:45pmContrarian.
Demdike@CultLabs
November 10th, 2020 - 8:17pmI’m usually one that praises the subscriber covers but this looks pretty awful without text i imagine.
Haza14
November 10th, 2020 - 11:14pmYeah it’s going to look comically bad without the text!! Haha
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 7:32pmDoes anyone know, if you subscribed on Sunday using last issues code and they take payment 1st December, whether you will get this issue or not. Thanks in advance
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 6:05pmNot really.
Whofan44
November 10th, 2020 - 4:29pmWhen do these normally go up for order on there site? I normally get it in WHSmiths but lockdown is currently preventing that.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 6:16pmW H Smiths are open throughout lockdown
Rick Astley
November 10th, 2020 - 6:26pmWaitrose always stock it, and they should be open during the lockdown
Kone112
November 10th, 2020 - 7:19pmSo does asda and tesco
Whofan44
November 10th, 2020 - 7:21pmI should probably point out that I live in small village that has no shops that stock it and going to any shop that would requires an hour bus ride. Normally I would grab the mag when I was in town anyway on a Thursday but as we are now in lockdown I can’t go into town so ordering online is my only option now.
Rick Astley
November 10th, 2020 - 8:17pmYou are allowed to travel during this lockdown, so you would be able to get it. But you’d prefer not to travel, then you could always try ebay or get a digital copy.
Whofan44
November 10th, 2020 - 8:41pmI would prefer not to travel as it would cost me more than the mag to get there and back. I am gonna order it from Panini I just don’t know when it normally goes up for order.
James
November 10th, 2020 - 8:43pmWhofan44 do you have a newsagent in your village? If so and they get there deliveries via SmithsNews, they can order it for you. If not All WHS stores are open during this lockdown. Ring ahead to get a copy put aside for you. You can also, in most of not all, set up a magazine order folder where you can get it put aside each time. Just pay a deposit to hold them which is refundable if your up to date.
Prof Horner
November 10th, 2020 - 9:21pmMy local Morrison’s usually has it, so I don’t have a travel into Leeds.
Whofan44
November 10th, 2020 - 9:21pmI do not have a newsagents in my village and I can’t get to a WHSmiths without spending an hour on a bus during a pandemic that costs more than the mag. I am going to order from Panini’s website but I don’t know when they put the mag up for order, thats what I am trying to find out.
Rick Astley
November 10th, 2020 - 10:16pmI would assume it comes in stock on Panini the same day it comes out in stores which is on Thursday. Hope you manage to find a copy man.
Haza14
November 10th, 2020 - 11:13pmIt should be available to order from Thursday. At the moment they’re doing free standard delivery as well. Have ordered a few of the special editions from them recently and never had a problem. Delivery usually takes a few days. If you order it Thursday then if you’re lucky you might get it by the weekend. If not, early next week.
Whofan44
November 10th, 2020 - 11:36pmThanks Haza14. Yeah I saw they free delivery which is nice touch. Was not sure they did a pre order thing for them as never ordered from them before.
Matty
November 10th, 2020 - 4:06pmWhat is the best way to get hold of this?
I’m not an avid reader of DWM – I’ve only picked up the odd deluxe issue from WH Smith in the past. But, I’m really interested in this one!
Is it available from any shops that are still open, or would one have to order it online somewhere?
SamWho
November 10th, 2020 - 4:31pmIt’s available in most shops that sell magazines like Asda & Tesco they also have a website that you can get them from Too
James
November 10th, 2020 - 8:44pmAlways available in WHS. Plus they are all open during this lockdown. You can set a standing order in-store, just a small deposit to cover a few issues if you can’t collect, refundable if you cancel and are up to date
Shaun
November 10th, 2020 - 1:42pmGosh – seeing how young Peter Davison looks at the top makes me realise just how long it is since we were ‘treated’ to Dimensions in Time!
Scott Thomson
November 10th, 2020 - 1:05pmI see it says Winter 2020 on the cover. Wonder if this signals a drop in frequency announcement?
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 1:21pmNo, one issue a year always says that
Gareth Pugh
November 10th, 2020 - 5:17pmYep, it’s every 4 weeks, giving 13 issues a year – so 12 of of the issues have a specific month and the other is given ‘Winter’ as its date.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 12:56pmWow! Is that the joker dressed as the fourth doctor?
Coleman
November 10th, 2020 - 1:58pmTom looks really stressed out.
the ergon
November 10th, 2020 - 2:38pmHes either just switched on the Blackpool Illuminations or recieved his decree absolute from Lalla.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2020 - 12:36pmThis is the best DWM cover ever released.
That is to say….
Bryan
November 10th, 2020 - 1:56pmThats going to be the Worst DWM cover EVER once the Text is Removed for Subscribers . 🙂