The show's so vogue

Captain Jack says that "everything changes" - nothing more so than fashion!

As you're no doubt aware TORCHWOOD.tv has dabbled in fashion before - who doesn't want a TW.tv T-shirt?! - but now at last Woodies across the land can rejoice as Forbidden Planet International have on sale an official licensed Torchwood T-shirt (that puts our's to shame, and then some!) that you can get your hands on right now!*

*I admit that's there's been some recent scandal about online buying from FP International, but I'm assured that this has all been corrected now.

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In other news, it looks like BBC America won't be airing Children of Earth the same week as BBC One here in the UK. Instead promotional material indicates that it'll go out some time in July - a full month after its mid-June UK debut.

This Weekend In Torchwood

Last month Kai Owen announced he was in training for the 2009 Flora London Marathon. The marathon was held yesterday, April 26, and Kai was out there running alongside more than 35,000 other participants . He may not have come in first place (you can see his results here) but he did raise over £3500 for the Cancer & Leukemia In Children charity. Congratulations, Kai!

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This past Saturday, April 25, saw the release of Torchwood's first graphic novel, "Rift War", compiled from the official magazine's comic inserts. To celebrate the day, Forbidden Planet, London's geek megastore, hosted a special signing with the book's creative team. Even if you couldn't make it to the event, you can still get yourself a signed copy of "Rift War" on their site for £7.99. For the bargain-hunters among us, Amazon.co.uk has regular editions for £2 less.

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Do the people behind Sci-Fi Collector ever sleep? Last week they announced their second wave of Torchwood action figures, and now they're back again with the announcement that two of those characters will be released early, in limited-edition.

Ianto Jones and Captain John Hart figures will be available as part of the second wave later this summer, but particularly obsessive fans may be interested to know that both are now available in collectible packaging. The reason for the fancy wrappings? Only 1,000 of each figure were produced, and the majority of these will only be available at upcoming gigs by Gareth David-Lloyd or James Marsters. If you're determined to get your hands on them (the toys, not the actors!), a certain number have been set aside for online-only sales. They can be purchased individually for £14.99 each, or as a set for £29.99, here.

1000 Iantos, 1000 Captain Johns... That warehouse must be Captain Jack's wet dream come true.

Golden Age!

We've known for a while now that three brand new Torchwood audio dramas were coming our way, that'd be in the same vein as last year's "Lost Souls". Now Torchwood - the Official Magazine has revealed exclusive details about the forthcoming episodes - which includes story titles, and who's writing them.

"ASYLUM"
By ANITA SULLIVAN
The story of a troubled teen runaway called Freda, who is brought to the attention of Torchwood by PC Andy (played by Tom Price).

"GOLDEN AGE"
By JAMES GOSS
"A story with a twist" according to producer Kate McAll, 'Golden Age' is set in present day India and features a character called the Duchess.

"THE DEAD LINE"
By PHIL FORD
"A series of mysterious phone calls lead Jack into danger, and result in 'a very emotional moment for Ianto'. Listen out for familiar voices! (One possibility is that David Tennant guest stars as one of the callers, using his natural Scottish accent, but that's speculation on my behalf.)

The episodes are all 45 minutes long and will air as part of Radio 4's Afternoon Play slot from 2:15pm (it's likely they'll air all in the same week, in June). It's stated that they're set after "Lost Souls" and before "Children of Earth" - which airs a week or so after the radio series concludes.

(Sorry about the "Children of Time" typo!)

They'll be available through iPlayer and as a podcast. After that, expect a CD release of all three stories some point later in the year.

Meanwhile, two more Torchwood audio books are arriving pretty soon. "In the Shadows" is out on May 7th, and features a script by Joseph Lidster ("A Day in the Death") and will be read by none other than Eve Myles. On June 4th that's followed by another adventure, "The Sin Eaters" written by script editor Brian Minchin and likely to be read by Gareth David-Lloyd.

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Completing this round of merchandise updating, it's now confirmed that Torchwood's second series will be released on the Blu Ray platform on June 22nd.

News direct from Torchwood - the Official Magazine issue 15, out now!

The Reel Deal

Good news for anyone who's ever longed for a five-inch-tall blowfish action figure to call their very own! Not just any blowfish, mind you, but a gun-waving, joy-riding, exposition-delivering, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang-appearing blowfish.

The good people at SciFiCollector (think Dalek cookie jars and Cybermen iPod covers) are now accepting pre-orders for their second batch of licensed Torchwood action figures. This set includes The Blowfish, as well as some other less important people named Tosh, Ianto, and Captain John. But seriously, I think we all know who the reel star of this set is. (Get it? 'Reel'? Like, fishing reel? *sigh*)

The set, which is expected to ship this summer, will run you £39.95, and can be ordered here. (And while you're there, would you mind buying me a pack of Tenth Doctor handkerchiefs? I'll pay shipping - although postage within the UK is free!!)

Captain Jack:Yours To Keep (Soon)

Just a quick update to tell you guys that forbidden-planet will soon be taking online orders for the Captain Jack action figure, which suggests rumours of a June / July release are true. Anyway, for more information, click here. This will be the place where the action figure will eventually be available to pre-order. Credit cards to the ready folks!

For now, until we have an official photo image of the action figure, we'll have to make do with this humourous home-made Jack. The creator describes it as "half KANEDA (from the McFarlane AKIRA action figure line), with a FARSCAPE upper half." So, John what do you think? Have we found you a potential Torchwood costume? That red would so suit you!

This Morning The TARDIS Arrived...

The big day finally came today: John Barrowman interviewed David Tennant on This Morning, the first major meeting (bar a quick run in during John's Pantomine last year) between the two stars. Sadly, Billie Piper was a no-show (she's ill apparently - get well soon!). Her absense wasn't too noticable though - thanks mostly to one John Barrowman, as ever, being on top form.

DFOCTOR WHO RETURNS - ALAS, WITHOUT CAPTAIN JACK

Tennant came with an added beard, and he talked about two specific topics : New Earth's broadcast (Saturday, 7:15 PM, BBC One folks!), as well as the return of Sarah-Jane Smith and K9 in episode three "School Reunion". John desperately tried to extract more information from his future co-star, but all his attempts were futile. It was a great moment when John chatted to David about his return in series three, because he doesn't half sound excited by the idea! It's claer that John's missing the Doctor Who fold - so he should be counting down the days to May just like all of us then!

Anyway, today's hot news is that John recently went to a modeling session for Character Options. Yes, that's right folks, the Captain Jack action figure is coming out in June, as John 'exclusively' revealled today. Whether or not this will be a Doctor Who series one or Torchwood series one figure remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure - Captain Jack's back. At long, long last.

On assignment

For the next few weeks I will be working for the Manila branch of Torchwood and will be unable to keep up on the news coming out of the Cardiff branch. While I am in the Philippines I'm sure jackharkness will keep you abreast of any breaking news, plus there are all the Torchwood and WHO links we know and love.

Don't forget, for those of you in North America who have been waiting for a Region 1 DVD release of WHO season 27, Amazon.ca just started shipping them yesterday. Amazon.com won't be selling it until after the show has aired on the Sci-Fi network, but it is nearly as easy to order from our friendly neighbors up North. Order the box set from this link and they will kick us out a buck or two for the reference. This page has certainly been a non-profit endeavor, I'm just trying to cover the few costs I do have.

Don't worry, while I am relaxing on a beach in the tropics next week, I will surely be thinking about you.

Nobody voted for Jackie?

More self-promotion coming from the BBC. They released the results of an online poll about the best 2005 drama shows today. No real surprise as to what the results would be. For example, I doubt there are many EastEnders fans who even know what the internet is, let alone how to vote for their show on it. The shocking development is in the Most Desirable Star category. John Barrowman was only 4th, behind Piper, Tennant and Eccleston!

Source:http://www.stakesandstones.co.uk

I am going to assume that in this instance "desirable" means who you would most desire to join you in bed, not join you in a cup of tea. Granted, Piper is going to be first, as my guess is more guys than gals voted, and I can even see Tennant scoring high in this category, but Eccleston above JB! Admittedly, male sex appeal is not my expertise so those who voted for the Ninth Doctor above Captain Jack can explain themselves in the comments below.

In the mean time, anybody in North America who hasn't seen the show with the sexiest ensemble on TV, the Region 1 DVD box of Doctor Who season 27 is now available for pre-order from Canada. The US release has been pushed back to the summer because of the upcoming Sci Fi broadcast. Just make sure you also request a box of tissues with your order.

Voting might not make much of a difference but complaining sure does

The collective wine of Whovians in the USA has finally been heard by the BBC. Perhaps because they are bowing to public pressure or just because they have finally decided to use good business sense, the BBC decided today to release the Doctor Who season 27 DVD boxset in the USA. It is currently listed as "not yet available" here at Amazon but with a shipping date of Valentines Day 2006, they and others should be taking pre-orders soon.

Source:amazon.co.uk

So now all of us Statesiders won't need to cross any borders or order it from our friendly neighbors up north. Sorry that you have lost our business Canada, but those of us by the border will continue diplomatic relations and watch season 28 on CBC. It was also announced yesterday that The Christmas Invasion, which RTD has said will have more clues about Torchwood, will be shown on CBC just one day late on Boxing Day, a day which is fondly referred to by the more peaceful moniker of "December 26th" here in the USA.

Jack in the box

In response to some comments yesterday. The DVDs of season 27 (or as the BBC calls it, series one) of Doctor Who are indeed available to those here in the US who want to hunt them down. The complete box set of 5 DVDs with lots of extras including episode commentaries from John Barrowman can be ordered from the UK starting today. Disk 5 has all the BBC3 Doctor Who Confidential documentary programs which featured interviews with JB and others involved. There is a featurette called The Adventures of Captain Jack and a bonus preview of The Christmas Invasion.

For those who are not diehard Doctor Who fans and only want to buy the episodes featuring Torchwood's Captain Jack, then you can purchase Volume 3 or 4 separately. You won't be able to play any of these items outside of Europe unless you have a region-free DVD player. The exact same box set will be released in Canada on Valentine's Day 2006 and will be playable on DVD players here in the States.

Source:amazon.co.uk

I often like listening to DVD commentary tracks more than the actual soundtrack on most movies. SFX magazine has posted some of the more interesting facts you can learn from the Doctor Who DVD commentaries in an article here.

Like, we learn that John Barrowman originally planned to play Captain Jack with a fake English accent when he was introduced in The Empty Child and would speak with it up until the point where he says, "I'm a con man!" Also, during the last filmed take of Jack kissing the Doctor in The Parting of the Ways, (one wonders how many takes they needed to do) JB didn't stop with giving Eccleston a quick kiss. The goodbye was stretched into a serious makeout session with both of them ending up on the floor.

UPDATE: Bowing to public pressure perhaps, the BBC has decided to release this box in the USA as well. You can pre-order from Amazon and it will be shipped on Valentines day 2006.

Coming to a store near you: Torchwood Christmas Crackers

The BBC seems quite sure that Torchwood is going to take off. If you look at their trademark application online you can see they have covered all the bases. If they have the slightest chance of selling a product with the word Torchwood on it they have put it in their request list.


Source:http://www.joeacevedo.com
From Torchwood kites to Torchwood swimming flippers they are trademarking it. It seems quite odd to me however that there are so many toys and kid's type items in their request. After all, isn't this show being called an X-rated version of Doctor Who? There are no Trademark requests at all for any "adult items."

So for my entrepreneurial readers, now is your chance to make a fortune on some items the BBC may have overlooked. The first few that come to my mind are Torchwood Condoms, Torchwood Massage Oil and Torchwood inflatable love dolls.

PS - There was a big spread on JB in the Daily Mail this past weekend. Posted here at barrrowmanonline.