Preview – The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1988
The Dr Who Unofficial Annual 1988 – 30th May 2022
Coming this month – The Dr Who Unofficial Annual 1988, the sixth release from Terraqueous Distributors.
Originally due for release back in March, the 1988 annual took a sideways trip and got lost in the vortex for a couple of months. But just like the Tardis, the 1988 annual may have not materialised when it was originally supposed to, but the two month delay allowed for a couple of extra surprises to be added.
The 1988 annual comes in at 177 pages and includes contributions from well-known names such as John Freeman, Daryl Joyce, Alister Pearson, Bonnie Langford, Smuzz, Andy Walker, Paul McCaffrey, Shannon Gallant, Paul Mark Tams, and many more. And this time we have the sixth Doctor himself joining the list of contributors. “we are extremely humbled and grateful to the kindness of Colin Baker, who has written a very special foreword for the readers of the 1988 annual”.
The unofficial Dr Who annual 1988 is another great mix of stories, features, puzzles and artwork. And, thanks to the kindness of Bill Baggs and James Hornby, the Cyberons officially make an appearance in the annual. Although these Cyberons may not be the ones you’re expecting, redesigned by James Lee, their intergalactic menace proves to be a mighty force to be reckoned with.
But it’s not just the Cyberons the Doctor and Mel have to look out for. Within the pages of the 1988 annual, the great vampire Dracula is looking for blood – Time Lord blood!
As many will be aware, Bram Stoker created the original Dracula, and thanks to Dacre Stoker and Chris McAuley, we have been given permission to use the original Stoker Dracula in not one but three original blood curdling tales. The 1988 annual is certainly not a safe place for the Doctor and Mel.
And the Doctor makes a return to Kandalinga, where his first incarnation met the Fishmen. ‘The Coral Eaters’ is an epic sequel to ‘the Fishmen of Kandalinga’, written by Andrew McDonald, and illustrated by Faiz Rehman. The Fishmen of Kandalinga was a story from the pages of the very first Dr Who annual. And what better way to celebrate the annuals of the past, than by visiting some old friends, well maybe not friends…
Earlier this year, Terraqueous Distributors also invited you to make a £5 minimum donation to the charity ‘Lullaby Trust’, and all those who did, would have their name (or the name of a loved one) printed in the annual on the page of heroes. Terraqueous would like to thank everyone who donated, you have helped to raise more than £2,780. This was done by single donations as well as yearly subscriptions, many of you donated far more than the required amount. You guys are heroes!
This annual also marks the end of an era – the 80’s era. World Distributors ended their run of classic Doctor Who annuals with the 1986 annual. With the release of the 1988 annual, Terraqueous have completed the 80’s run of the classic annuals, having previously released the 1987 and 1989 annuals.
So whats next – Terraqueous Distributors will be releasing the unofficial Dr Who annual 1997. This will be the only annual dedicated to the eighth Doctor, and will include a very special alternative cover by beloved artist Carolyn Edwards. And then we bridge the final gap with the 1990 and 1991 Yearbooks.
The Unofficial Dr Who Annual 1988, is a not-for-profit publication. Please visit the TERRAQUEOUS DISTRIBUTORS facebook page for further details and updates.
The price of the annual will be determined nearer the time of its release, when the precise date of publication and details of how it can be purchased will also be announced.
Anonymous
May 17th, 2022 - 10:00pmWas there any truth to that online article that Terraqueous was going to re-release all their previous Annuals? Mainly trying to combat the rip-off merchants charging crazy online prices for them…
Mark @ Terraqueous
May 18th, 2022 - 7:54amAbsolutely true!
This past year we’ve been working on three books, and reformatting our previous releases.
The first of these is the 1972 annual, and I am happy to say that, although we have yet to set a release date. The work on this first re release is now complete.
In the meantime, there is the 1988 annual to look forward to in less than 2 weeks, and there’s also the extremely brilliant ‘The Zygon Outer-Space Diaries’, not a Terraqueous release, but made by very good friends of ours. That’s available now
RT
May 16th, 2022 - 4:55pmNot on Facebook is there another way to order? It looks great.
booboo
May 16th, 2022 - 6:02pmyou cant order it yet, not until 30th, will update post when its live
RT
May 16th, 2022 - 8:33pmThanks
Vote saxon
May 15th, 2022 - 10:55pmDefinately gonna be worth the wait.
Another high quality release.
Bundy
May 15th, 2022 - 7:59pmlol – more a spoiler than a preview by showing all the solutions!
1robby
May 16th, 2022 - 8:40amThe solutions page was always in the annuals at the back of the book.
Traditionally its always been there to see. I dont think people flicking through the pages are gonna be kicking themselves for doing so when they come across the solutions page.
Nick
May 16th, 2022 - 9:19amTreat it as a memory game!
Mark @Terraqueous
May 16th, 2022 - 4:24pmNick, I like your thinking, we could do that for the 1997 annual.
1robby
May 15th, 2022 - 6:37pmOh yes this looks epic
Doug Who
May 15th, 2022 - 2:00pmThis really looks great. I think the standard of illustration has continued to get better as these have gone on! Infinitely better than the last fee original WD annuals I think!
Really looking forward to it!
The great healer
May 14th, 2022 - 2:27pmI wonder what the surprise additions are?
I know last years 1989 annual included an exclusive Beano strip.
Jamie Lenman
May 12th, 2022 - 5:17pmIf the ’89 annual is anything to go by, this will be another exquisite slice of nostalgia, perfectly pitched and passionately produced!
atir
May 12th, 2022 - 12:14pmnever bought one of these because of the high print on demand price.
but the promo images are always high quality. so I’m going to buy this one – after reading the reviews and comments here.
is there anyway we can see preview pages of the inside content?
booboo
May 12th, 2022 - 12:32pmthey usually send some images through when its released
Mark @Terraqueous
May 14th, 2022 - 5:22pmI think a few sample interior pages will appear here soon.
astro pie
May 11th, 2022 - 12:34pmI was a little unsure about this one when it was first announced as this just seemed like a gap filler. But clearly the same amount of work and dedication has gone into this release as much as the previous ones.
I will buy this as I know it will be a quality product and it is nice to see Colin still doing stuff for the fans.
Macone
May 11th, 2022 - 8:15amWish these guys did the official annuals.
Ken
May 11th, 2022 - 11:27pmAmen to that
Quinny
May 10th, 2022 - 10:03pmWas afraid this was not going to be released.
So relieved. Thank you to all at terraqueous distributors
Facebook Not Found
May 10th, 2022 - 8:29pmanyone else experiencing problems with the facebook link?
booboo
May 11th, 2022 - 10:12amLink seems OK but its now a closed group so you have to request to join
Anonymous
May 17th, 2022 - 4:10pmI’ve requested to join the group but it seems to be taking awhile?
Mark @ Terraqueous
May 17th, 2022 - 4:32pm@anonymous
That will be sorted within the hour. 🙂
Fin
May 10th, 2022 - 2:13pm“Good people like you – help good charity’s like the Lullaby Trust to keep on running. ”
Total class, week done to everyone involved in putting this latest annual together, please keep em coming.
Fin
May 10th, 2022 - 4:57pmauto correct on my android is a nightmare.
“Good people like you – help good charity’s like the Lullaby Trust to keep on running. ”
Total class, WELL done to everyone involved in putting this latest annual together, please keep em coming.
bryan
May 10th, 2022 - 12:09pmHave been Waiting for this and 1997 to go on sale. The previous volumes have all been produced to such a high quality.
These are such a labour of love from so many people. Fantastic news we are so close now.
Kaled101
May 10th, 2022 - 11:48amNearly three grand raised for charity. What a result!
Can’t wait!
Roll on the 30th!
dalekguy
May 10th, 2022 - 6:02pmand thats not even achieved by sales of the book (this hasn’t even been released yet). this has been raised by fans donating just so that they can have access to the alternative covers.
amazing