Business as Usual (comic story): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkComics}}
{{ImageLinkComics}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|name= Business as Usual
|image = Business as Usual.jpg
|image=Business as Usual.jpg
|series = [[DWM backup comic stories]]
|series=[[DWM backup comic stories]]
|main character =  
|main character=  
|featuring =  
|featuring=  
|enemy = The [[Nestene Consciousness]], [[Auton]]s
|enemy= The [[Nestene Consciousness]], [[Auton]]s
|setting = [[England]], [[1989]] and [[August]] [[1990]]
|setting= [[England]], [[1989]] and [[August]] [[1990]]
|editor = [[Dez Skinn]]
|editor= [[Dez Skinn]]
|writer = Alan Moore
|writer= [[Alan Moore]]
|artist = [[Dave Lloyd]]  
|artist= [[Dave Lloyd]]  
|colourist =  
|colourist=  
|letterer =  
|letterer=  
|publication= [[DWM 40]]-[[DWM 43|43]]
|publication= ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' [[DWM 40|Issues 40]]-[[DWM 43|43]]
|release date= 10 - 31 July 1980
|release date= [[17 July (releases)|17 July]]-[[7 August (releases)|7 August]] 1980
|publisher = Marvel Comics
|publisher= Marvel Comics
|format = Comic
|format= B&W 4 parts / 8 pages
|epcount = 4
|prev= Black Legacy (comic story)
|prev = Black Legacy (comic story)
|next= Star Death (comic story)
|next = Star Death (comic story)
}}
}}
'''''Business as Usual''''' was a comic story published in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. It was written by [[Alan Moore]].
'''''Business as Usual''''' was a comic story published in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. It was written by [[Alan Moore]].
== Summary ==
== Summary ==
In [[1989]], ex-plumber [[Winston Blunt]] finds a [[energy unit|sphere]] that's one of six fallen from the sky. Winston soon patents a new method of bonding [[carbon]] atoms and sets up [[Galaxy Plastics Inc]] Before shooting himself, he appoints a Mr [[Dolman]] to run the company.
In [[1989]], ex-plumber [[Winston Blunt]] finds a [[energy unit|sphere]] that's one of six fallen from the sky. Winston soon patents a new method of bonding [[carbon]] atoms to [[Interchem]] and sets up [[Galaxy Plastics Inc]] Before shooting himself, he appoints a Mr [[Dolman]] to run the company.


When industrial spy [[Max Fisher]] breaks into the factory, he is attacked by plastic action figures before being caught by Dolman and the [[Nestene]] Intelligence. Max throws a spanner that damages the Nestene tank and causes an explosion, but Max is pursued by the remains of the Dolman [[Auton]]. Having survived a car accident whilst fighting miniature [[doll]]s, Max is killed by Dolman.
When industrial spy [[Max Fisher|Max Fischer]] breaks into the factory, he is attacked by plastic action figures before being caught by Dolman and the [[Nestene]] Intelligence. Max throws a [[spanner]] that damages the Nestene tank and causes an explosion, but Max is pursued by the remains of the Dolman [[Auton]]. Having survived a car accident whilst fighting miniature [[doll]]s, Max is killed by Dolman.


However, in August 1990, one Max Fischer invests money in a [[plastic]]s factory and leaves behind flowers on a shallow grave (that of the real Max Fischer) hidden in the grounds — plastic flowers of course!
However, in August 1990, one Max Fischer invests money in a [[plastic]]s factory (Fischer Toys) and leaves behind flowers on a shallow grave (that of the real Max Fischer) hidden in the grounds — plastic flowers of course!


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Line 38: Line 39:
* [[Max Fisher]]
* [[Max Fisher]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
''to be added''
''to be added''


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* This is one of five collaborations between writer [[Alan Moore]] and illustrator [[David Lloyd]], who would go on to create the graphic novel {{wi|V for Vendetta}}.
* This is one of five collaborations between writer [[Alan Moore]] and illustrator [[David Lloyd]], who would go on to create the graphic novel {{wi|V for Vendetta}}.
* This back up strip story was introduced and tailed by the Fourth Doctor as if recounting a story.
* This back up strip story was introduced and tailed by the [[Fourth Doctor]] as if recounting a story.
* For the DWM Issue 184 reprint, the opening frame sees the Fourth Doctor replaced with the Seventh Doctor.
* This story was alluded to elsewhere in [[DWM 41]] in the issue's ''[[Security Code (feature)|Security Code]]'', which said, "BE ON THE ALERT AGAINST AUTON INVASION. REPORT A SUDDEN, SUSPICIOUS APPEARANCE OF ANY LARGE, SUCCESSFUL PLASTICS COMPANIES IN YOUR SECTOR. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE TWENTY FIVE."
* For the DWM Issue 184 reprint, the opening frame sees the Fourth Doctor replaced with the [[Seventh Doctor]].
* The [[Titan Comics]] convention special released for SDCC 2017 and subsequent conventions - ''[[The Last Action Figure (comic story)|The Last Action Figure]]'' written by [[Richard Dinnick]] - featured a story of the [[Twelfth Doctor]] and [[Bill Potts|Bill]] tracking down action figures made by Fischer Toys (the company that Max Fischer set up in the original strip).


=== Original print details ===
=== Original print details ===
:Publication with page count and closing captions
:Publication with page count and closing captions
# [[DWM 40]] (2) ... To be Continued  
# [[DWM 40]] (2) ... To be Continued
# [[DWM 41]] (2) To be Continued ...
# [[DWM 41]] (2) To be Continued ...
# [[DWM 42]] (2)
# [[DWM 42]] (2)
# [[DWM 43]] (2) The End  
# [[DWM 43]] (2) The End


=== Reprints ===
=== Reprints ===
* Coloured and reprinted by Marvel in [[DW84 15]].
* Coloured and reprinted by Marvel in [[DW84 15]].
* Reprinted in the ''[[DWMS Summer 1981]]''.
* Reprinted in the ''[[DWMS Summer 1981]]''.
* This story was reprinted as a one-part story in [[DWM 184]] as a filler. There was a delay in the regular ongoing adventures of the main comic strip (''[[Evening's Empire]]''). Artist David Lloyd kindly provided the original boards for the story, which let it to be re-lettered. This apparently angered writer Alan Moore who complained to Marvel UK Editorial Director Paul Neary about the reprint. On hearing of this at the Vworp! Vworp! convention in Manchester in 2008 from former DWM editor Gary Russell, the editor who made the reprint decision but was unaware of the fallout, John Freeman, wrote a letter of apology to Alan Moore. Alan telephoned John almost immediately to say he bore no ill-will about the reprint, saying he could not recall complaining after the strip was re-published.
* This story was reprinted as a one-part story in [[DWM 184]] as a filler. There was a delay in the regular ongoing adventures of the main comic strip (''[[Evening's Empire (comic story)|Evening's Empire]]''). Artist David Lloyd kindly provided the original boards for the story, which let it to be re-lettered. This apparently angered writer Alan Moore who complained to Marvel UK Editorial Director Paul Neary about the reprint. On hearing of this at the Vworp! Vworp! convention in Manchester in 2008 from former DWM editor Gary Russell, the editor who made the reprint decision but was unaware of the fallout, John Freeman, wrote a letter of apology to Alan Moore. Alan telephoned John almost immediately to say he bore no ill-will about the reprint, saying he could not recall complaining after the strip was re-published.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
''to be added''
''to be added''


{{TitleSort}}
{{DWM backups}}
{{DWM backups}}
{{Nestene stories}}
{{Auton stories}}
{{Auton stories}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[Category:DWM backup comic stories]]
[[Category:DWM backup comic stories]]
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[[Category:Nestene/Auton comic stories]]
[[Category:Nestene/Auton comic stories]]
[[Category:1980 comic stories]]
[[Category:1980 comic stories]]
[[Category:Four part comics]]

Latest revision as of 04:39, 4 March 2024

RealWorld.png

Business as Usual was a comic story published in Doctor Who Magazine. It was written by Alan Moore.

Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 1989, ex-plumber Winston Blunt finds a sphere that's one of six fallen from the sky. Winston soon patents a new method of bonding carbon atoms to Interchem and sets up Galaxy Plastics Inc Before shooting himself, he appoints a Mr Dolman to run the company.

When industrial spy Max Fischer breaks into the factory, he is attacked by plastic action figures before being caught by Dolman and the Nestene Intelligence. Max throws a spanner that damages the Nestene tank and causes an explosion, but Max is pursued by the remains of the Dolman Auton. Having survived a car accident whilst fighting miniature dolls, Max is killed by Dolman.

However, in August 1990, one Max Fischer invests money in a plastics factory (Fischer Toys) and leaves behind flowers on a shallow grave (that of the real Max Fischer) hidden in the grounds — plastic flowers of course!

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This is one of five collaborations between writer Alan Moore and illustrator David Lloyd, who would go on to create the graphic novel V for Vendetta.
  • This back up strip story was introduced and tailed by the Fourth Doctor as if recounting a story.
  • This story was alluded to elsewhere in DWM 41 in the issue's Security Code, which said, "BE ON THE ALERT AGAINST AUTON INVASION. REPORT A SUDDEN, SUSPICIOUS APPEARANCE OF ANY LARGE, SUCCESSFUL PLASTICS COMPANIES IN YOUR SECTOR. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE TWENTY FIVE."
  • For the DWM Issue 184 reprint, the opening frame sees the Fourth Doctor replaced with the Seventh Doctor.
  • The Titan Comics convention special released for SDCC 2017 and subsequent conventions - The Last Action Figure written by Richard Dinnick - featured a story of the Twelfth Doctor and Bill tracking down action figures made by Fischer Toys (the company that Max Fischer set up in the original strip).

Original print details[[edit] | [edit source]]

Publication with page count and closing captions
  1. DWM 40 (2) ... To be Continued
  2. DWM 41 (2) To be Continued ...
  3. DWM 42 (2)
  4. DWM 43 (2) The End

Reprints[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Coloured and reprinted by Marvel in DW84 15.
  • Reprinted in the DWMS Summer 1981.
  • This story was reprinted as a one-part story in DWM 184 as a filler. There was a delay in the regular ongoing adventures of the main comic strip (Evening's Empire). Artist David Lloyd kindly provided the original boards for the story, which let it to be re-lettered. This apparently angered writer Alan Moore who complained to Marvel UK Editorial Director Paul Neary about the reprint. On hearing of this at the Vworp! Vworp! convention in Manchester in 2008 from former DWM editor Gary Russell, the editor who made the reprint decision but was unaware of the fallout, John Freeman, wrote a letter of apology to Alan Moore. Alan telephoned John almost immediately to say he bore no ill-will about the reprint, saying he could not recall complaining after the strip was re-published.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added