John Cooper smells the pages of new Who fanzine, looking at Abslom Daak and other classic companions from the Doctor Who comic
It’s professionally produced – all full-colour and shiny pages – and volume two comes with a free gift, meticulously re-imagining a Weetabix card game promotion from 1977 involving cutting out the back of cereal packets for the game board. I’m too young to remember properly but it still gives me a nostalgic glow. According to Gareth issue two nearly didn’t appear due to an overseas printing dispute, but thank goodness it did so I can read the main reason it’s got me all excited: a feature and strip about Abslom Daak, Dalek Killer!
Created back in the early 80’s by writer Steve Moore, Abslom Daak is a chainsaw-wielding mercenary who vows to “kill every damned stinking Dalek in the galaxy” after they exterminate the girl he loves. The continuity of the character is slightly cloudy, but at one point he joins up with a disgraced Draconian, an Ice Warrior and an old mate with a metal hand to form the Star Tigers , who fly around in a ship called The Killwagon . Yes, it doesn’t sound like your average supporting cast for Doctor Who and it’s as awesome as it sounds, but was very short-lived.
Today’s telly Doctor Who has a wealth of strong supporting allies and companions, some spinning off into their own adventures like Sarah Jane and Captain Jack, while others beg to have their own series, such as Victorian adventurers Madam Vastra & Jenny. I’d even settle for Dorium Maldovar’s dis-embodied head popping up on Deal Or No Deal .
Volume two of Vworp Vworp also discusses “The Lodger”, which started life as a strip in Doctor Who Magazine before being commissioned to a full episode, making the leap to telly. Using this incredibly tenuous link I’d like to delve into the past of the comic strip for a handful of characters that would look awesome on the small screen along side the Doctor:
Abslom Daak
A kick-ass, chainsaw-wielding, pony-tailed bag of muscle. Maybe lose the pony-tail though.
Frobisher
A whifferdill detective, the shape-shifting Frobisher spent quite a lot of time as a penguin and could be an excellent budget-conscious companion for TV. A character who could be played by whatever animal or person the production can stretch too on a weekly basis.
For more info on the Vworp Vworp fanzine ,go here www.vworpvworp.co.uk
