This brand new and exclusive comic strip, presented to you complete, is in the best and most stylish tradition of the classic Dalek Chronicles strips as originally featured in the lavish children’s comic TV Century 21.

If you would like to comment on Iain’s strips, please write to the usual address: empire639@msn.com. All comments are gratefully received.

4. SAUCER-DZ-99

To whet your appetite for the forthcoming Revenge of the Black Dalek, here is a short interlude...

3. INVASION OF THE MECHANOIDS

The Mechanoids are on their way to Skaro. Can the Daleks defeat their old enemy or even defend themselves against the might of the Mechanoids?

2. PROBE

The Dalek world of Skaro receives an unwelcome visitor from space. But what does it want and who controls it?

1. THE MYSTERY PLANET

In this first story, the Daleks discover a new world ripe for conquest, but is everything as it seems?

Allan Mearns writes:

Very much enjoyed the first TV21 Comic Dalek Story; very much in the style as I remember them from all those years ago. My only selfish (!!) complaint is that it took so long between episodes!

Please keep-up the great work and speed up the process !

Trevor Sproston writes:

I’d like to congratulate Iain on his Dalek strip. Not only is the artwork beautiful, but he has captured the atmosphere of the stories and translated Ron Turner’s style very effectively.

Ron’s Daleks lend themselves very well to this treatment and I can’t wait for further adventures.

I’d like to add that my comments are nothing to do with his having acquired some of my own work. ;-)

Nathan McLachlan writes:

A brilliant story and if the Chronicles were real I think this would win the best! Loved the fact that as it went on it got more mysterious! The only bad thing was when it finished! This would be a good episode and should be animated by Stuart! Tell Iain to make more please!!!

My Rating: 11 / 10! It was that good!

John Dunaj writes:

I've been a fan of Iain McClumpha since I first spotted his work at the Renderosity.com Gallery and have been amused, amazed and awed at his talent and imagination.

Mystery Planet grabbed you from the start until the surprise, at least to me, ending of the self destruction of the Red Dalek! Outstanding work!!!!

Matt Boult writes:

You asked for comments about the Dalek strip by Iain McClumpha.

Well, I've been really enjoying them over the last few months. The graphics are excellent, very dynamic and the story is great fun. They capture the spirit of the TV21 strip very well indeed and are a terrific continuation of it. I particularly like the Ron Turner style Daleks in the last couple of editions. I do hope the stories continue after this one is concluded.

For the future, well, how about some Mechanoids?

Peter Christy writes:

Well Iain’s Mystery Planet comic was very good - high in detail - great storyline, although that super computer reminded of the Emperor Dalek from Evil of the Daleks. The storyline was great, well thought out. It would be good if it was animated, then you'd see the Daleks’ space ships blown up in the first few chapters.

10 out of 10 I give that and I don't give many things 10 out of 10. (Don't worry Stuart I still like your work) ;)

Christine Crook writes:

Brilliant..You are good, very good.

Alan MacKenzie writes:

I'd just like to say how much I've been enjoying Ian McClumpha's TV-21-style Dalek Chronicles. They are very well done and highly evocative of the originals. Have just finished reading "Probe" which is very exciting and looks to be an excellent lead-in to the forthcoming Mechonoid adventure.

Throughout Mystery Planet and Probe, the illustrations are brilliant. Very powerful and very striking. The only thing missing is the nostalgic 1960s air-brush style but that probably isn't possible with today's techniques.

One thing I'm curious about in Mystery Planet though; wonder if Ian originally had a different idea for its development. In one of the early episodes, the Black Dalek states that he "does not trust the Red Dalek" - I wonder why? Is it because he was pissed off by the Red Dalek's initial reluctance to leave his work on spacecraft development, or was there a different ending planned? Something like the Red Dalek forming some sort of alliance with the alien computer perhaps and attempting a Zeg-style coup on Skaro?

As it worked out, it seems that the Red Dalek behaved in exemplary fashion in sacrificing himself to destroy a potential menace. His only failure it appears, was in being unable to get off a signal to Skaro first, to advise the Emperor et al of the situation.

Anyway, that's all speculation and it in no way detracts from a very imaginative and enjoyable piece of work!

RetroRobot writes:

Iain's respect for the material he is 'infiltrating' is perfect. He clearly understands the mentality of these old tales and has pitched his stories to that tone whilst generating exactly the right mood & visual-style for them. They really do feel like authentic continuations of the original publications. Iain even provides his own stylization of the Dalek-comix style Banners for the first 10 pages of 'The Mystery Planet' and (so far) all of 'Invasion Of The Mechanoids' to make his respectful mark as a sincere contributor to the D.C. collection. There is always the problem of such representing 'wasted-space' panel-wize and Iain also authentically parallels the later development in the series of the single corner Title Panel and summary 'frame-economy' device. (Mind you, i have oft-times wondered what else could be done about this attribute – ie, a way to exploit that space with new Banner-images each episode.*)

[* MESSAGE FROM DALEK EMPEROR: >>I hereby command that henceforth Dalekomic-Banners will be, each ep., a frame from a gif-anim. – with Op.Prog for ImageFile coming last!<< ]

And unlike the artists whose mantle he would try on, Iain doesn't have a David Whittaker to write the stories, he has to come up with his own.

Trevor Sproston writes:

This new strip (Probe) is really beautiful! The story is very neat, and the Emperor is delicious. Iain is obviously Ron Turner’s natural successor. It’s been a long wait, but worth it.

Please keep up the good work.

Jonny D writes:

I really enjoyed this strip, the plot provides us with a wonderful look into the running and security of a Dalek city, it does make me wonder if the Daleks ever sleep, they seem to be on a constant look out for enemies and intruders. This comic strip (like the last one) is beautifully drawn and well conceived. I really hope the artist/writer continues to make comics for many years to come.

PS. When will the printed version be available in the shops? I would like to buy it for my children and my collection.

More adventures to follow soon, exclusive to Altered Vistas!