Fan Phenomena: Doctor Who
Fan Phenomena: Doctor Who (Book)
This book investigates thoroughly the multitude of fandoms, fan works and fan discussions about the always-surprising and energetic programme Doctor Who. Featuring full-colour images of fan work and discussions of both classic and New Who fandom, this is one of only a few - and certainly one of the best - guides to Doctor Who fan culture.
Edition
Since its premiere in November 1963, the classic British television programme Doctor Who has been a cornerstone of popular culture for half a century. From the earliest 'Exterminate!' to the recent 'Allons-y!', from the white-haired grandfather to the wide-grinned youth, the show has depicted the adventures of a time-travelling, dual-hearted, quick-witted and multi-faced hero as he battles Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans and all manner of nasties. And, like its main character, who can regenerate his body and change his appearance, Doctor Who fandom has developed and changed significantly in the 50 years since its inception.
In this engaging and insightful collection, fans and scholars from around the globe explore fan fiction, fan videos and fan knitting, as well as the creation of new languages. As multifaceted as the character himself, Doctor Who fans come in many forms, and this book investigates thoroughly the multitude of fandoms, fan works and fan discussions about this always-surprising and energetic programme.
Featuring full-colour images of fan work and discussions of both classic and New Who fandom, this book takes the reader on a journey of discovery into one of the largest worldwide fan audiences that has ever existed. Thoughtful, insightful and readable, this is one of only a few – and certainly one of the best – guides to Doctor Who fan culture. It is certain to appeal to the show’s many ardent fans across the globe.
Paul Booth is assistant professor at DePaul University and the author of Time on TV: Temporal Displacement and Mashup Television and Digital Fandom: New Media Studies. He is a life-long fan of Doctor Who.
Foreword: The Eleven Fandoms? – Matt Hills
Introduction – Paul Booth
Part One: Who Are Doctor Who Fans?
Frock Coats, Yo-Yos and a Chair with a Panda on It: Nostalgia for the Future in the Life of a Doctor Who Fan – Ivan Phillips
Joint Ventures and Loose Cannons: Reconstructing Doctor Who's Missing Past – Richard Wallace
Life in the Hiatus: New Doctor Who Fans, 1989–2005 – Craig Owen Jones
Britain as Fantasy: New Series Doctor Who in Young American Nerd Culture – Dylan Morris
'You Anorak': The Doctor Who Experience and Experiencing Doctor Who – Teresa Forde
The First Time – Paul Booth
Part Two: What Do Doctor Who Fans Do?
Do It Yourself: Women, Fanzines and Doctor Who – Leslie McMurtry
'We're Making Our Own Happy Ending!': The Doctor Who Fan Vidding Community – Katharina Freund
Extermi...Knit!: Female Fans and Feminine Handicrafting – Brigid Cherry
The Language(s) of Gallifrey – Denise Vultee
'Doctor Who Unbound', the Alternate History and the Fannish Text – Karen Hellekson
Doctor Who, Slacktivism and Social Media Fandom – Jeremy Sarachan
Gif Fics and the Rebloggable Canon of SuperWhoLock – Nistasha Perez
'Apart from the well written and insightful essays, what I liked the most about FP: DW was that throughout–but particularly in editor Booth’s “The First Time,” Doctor Who fans are never treated only as a subject for study–there is a lot of (for want of a better word) “soul” when discussing fandom. Also, and this is typical of Intellect’s output, the design of the book is wonderful, with illustrations from official and fan creations and a gorgeously minimalist cover.'
