Doctor Who: Paper Dolls by Ben Morris, Simon Guerrier and Christel Dee (book review).
In many respects, ‘Doctor Who: Paper Dolls’ is trying to hit several targets. With the introduction, Christel Dee suggests using the information from the pictures in this book as guidance in cosplay and how to make charity shops your favourite places to visit to find the kinds of clothes you can modify cheaply. As the latter companions shown get some of their clothes from such sources and such wardrobes aren’t likely to appear anywhere else, those enthused that way might find them easier to match.
From thereon, we are into paper doll territory with illustrations by Ben Morrie and information from Simon Guerrier covering 26 actors who played 12 Doctors and 13 assorted companions, mostly female with only Rory as the, literally, odd man out. Do I have to name the only villainess? For those missing important information, on the left hand page top corner is the name of the original costume designer involved with each character’s clothes. Around each of the paper dolls and assorted extra costumes and heads, there is a lot of information although little connecting them together. I mean, reading this, you would have thought Guerrier would have recognised that the Pertwee and McGann regenerations both got their initial selection of clothes from hospitals where they regenerated.
The worse thing about this book is you will need a sharp knife or scissors or both to cut out the figures you want to put together and then score the folds so the accessories can wrap around the main figures. I’m not too sure about folding over the sides of the base will keep them up and would suggest making a similar sized piece of card to create a more substantial support for it.
They do provide a link so you can see a couple being made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnhcZgnM80g&feature=youtu.be
I suspect you Who fans will just buy the book for your collection and not bother with the cutting. After all, there’s other three-dimensional models of your favourite characters out there already. Of course, you could always buy two books. Whether you will get such a variety of clothes depends on the size of your collection. I suspect if this book is successful, how long will there be before a Doctor Who Villains: Paper Dolls?
GF Willmetts
August 2017
(pub: BBC Books/Ebury Publishing/Penguin/Random House. 61 page illustrated hardboard. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-78594-265-5)
check out websites: www.eburypublishing.co.uk and www.penguin.co.uk
