The Avengers International Fan Forum

Is the Avenger Dossier worth tracking down, if (like me) you are a huge fan of the Doctor Who Discontinuity Guide? I'm not as worried about the factual errors in this work, just that it's as much fun as the Doctor Who effort (by the same authors).

It's all right, I suppose. I have both versions (the pulped and the reissue), and I read them some time ago. It's basically another standard episode guide infused with the authors' opinions of the episodes, some of which are very strange and surprising, others terribly snarky. I found I rarely agreed with them, and their style tended to grate on my nerves. And yes, there are factual errors. If you're into those particular authors and their commentary, than you should probably get it, yes. But otherwise, I'd recommend it for completists only, or people who've already the Rogers books and Andrew Pixley's The Avengers Files and are just looking for something fresh.

I don't agree with them all the time even on Doctor Who, but I like that format - and even though I'm not usually a fan of the snarky, for some reason the Discontinuity Guide has become a favorite, and hopefully I'd feel the same way about the Avengers book.

Thanks for the info!

Borgus Weems wrote:Is the Avenger Dossier worth tracking down, if (like me) you are a huge fan of the Doctor Who Discontinuity Guide? I'm not as worried about the factual errors in this work, just that it's as much fun as the Doctor Who effort (by the same authors).

Yes. Both are well-thumbed in my house!

I actually love (yes LOVE) The Avengers Dossier. It came out just after the Dave Rogers era and although error strewn in parts with dodgy references ('Jenny Lee-Wright, the Benny Hill girl, being the first choice for Charly/Purdey in The New Avengers'!), it's written with such humour I found it (and still find it) so refreshing.

You can tell it's written by fans and the enthusiasm leaps off the page. My copy is falling to bits after re-reading it and adding notes to it (usually "ha! ha!" and "!!!"), underlining favourite bits, etc.

It was a good fun little volume, and just what we needed at the time; a counter-point to Dave Rogers' very enjoyable works. It bubbles away rather nicely, it's opinionated (so fun to compare to your own take on things) and - although I think that "Doctor Who: The Discontinuity Guide" has the edge - it's a worthy successor and one which I often pick up and flick through again.

All the best

Andrew

I think that Tat Wood and Lawrence Miles' ABOUT TIME Series has about as much attitude as one could get! I like the "Englishness" of their writing, which makes this yank do additional research when certain British cultural/slang isn't explained! Currently thumbing through volume 5...

I've got it ordered - will post back when it arrives!

Hi Brian

Brian Flagg wrote:I think that Tat Wood and Lawrence Miles' ABOUT TIME Series has about as much attitude as one could get!

I love the essays in these books; some of my favourite writing about "Doctor Who". Terrific stuff.

All the best

Andrew