Quark: Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
No edit summary
Line 4: Line 4:
|type = Robot soldier-workers
|type = Robot soldier-workers
|origin = The [[Dominator]]s
|origin = The [[Dominator]]s
|appearances = [[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]''<br />[[DW]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'' (cameo)<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks (comic story)|Invasion of the Quarks]]''<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps (comic story)|The Killer Wasps]]''<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[Jungle of Doom (comic story)|Jungle of Doom]]''<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[Martha the Mechanical Housemaid (comic story)|Martha the Mechanical Housemaid]]''<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[The Duellists (comic story)|The Duellists]]''<br />[[TVC]]: ''[[Death Race (comic story)|Death Race]]''<br />[[DWM]]: ''[[The Fires Down Below (comic story)|The Fires Down Below]]''<br />[[DWM]]: ''[[Happy Deathday (comic story)|Happy Deathday]]''<br />[[VG]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]''
|appearances = [[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]''<br />[[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'' (cameo)<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks (comic story)|Invasion of the Quarks]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps (comic story)|The Killer Wasps]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[Jungle of Doom (comic story)|Jungle of Doom]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[Martha the Mechanical Housemaid (comic story)|Martha the Mechanical Housemaid]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[The Duellists (comic story)|The Duellists]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[Death Race (comic story)|Death Race]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[The Fires Down Below (comic story)|The Fires Down Below]]''<br />[[COMIC]]: ''[[Happy Deathday (comic story)|Happy Deathday]]''<br />[[GAME]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]''
}}{{You may|Quark (physics)}}
}}{{You may|Quark (physics)}}
'''Quarks''' were the [[robot]] slaves of the [[Dominator]]s' [[galactic empire]]. An offshoot of rebel Quarks went on to conquer worlds on their own. These Quarks were dangerous enough that the Doctor was forewarned so he could place [[John and Gillian]] in a safer location. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'')
'''Quarks''' were the [[robot]] slaves of the [[Dominator]]s' [[galactic empire]]. An offshoot of rebel Quarks went on to conquer worlds on their own. These Quarks were dangerous enough that the Doctor was forewarned so he could place [[John and Gillian]] in a safer location. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'')


== Appearance ==
== Appearance ==
Quarks were cuboid in shape with a sphere on top. Two spikes came from opposite sides of this sphere, with one on top. They had rectangular compartments on their chests into which their cuboid arms folded. Their arms were equipped with weaponry and manipulating appendages. The spore spikes were red along with the rim attaching them all. The rest of the sphere was black and the body was grey. The Quarks' feet were large pieces of metal in the shape of a block; poles attached these to the body. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')
Quarks were cuboid in shape with a sphere on top. Two spikes came from opposite sides of this sphere, with one on top. They had rectangular compartments on their chests into which their cuboid arms folded. Their arms were equipped with weaponry and manipulating appendages. The spore spikes were red along with the rim attaching them all. The rest of the sphere was black and the body was grey. The Quarks' feet were large pieces of metal in the shape of a block; poles attached these to the body. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')


== Abilities ==
== Abilities ==
Quarks were able to use their guns to kill directly, stun, electrocute, communicate and to power up objects. They could collect data from a survey just by turning 360 degrees. They emitted warning signals when tripped or covered.
Quarks were able to use their guns to kill directly, stun, electrocute, communicate and to power up objects. They could collect data from a survey just by turning 360 degrees. They emitted warning signals when tripped or covered.


The [[Dominator]]s had symbols representing each Quark on a wall, the symbol for the corresponding Quark flashing when that Quark was destroyed. Dominator Quarks generally communicated with bleeps, shrill squeaks, and squawks, although they were capable of high-pitched speech. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')
The [[Dominator]]s had symbols representing each Quark on a wall, the symbol for the corresponding Quark flashing when that Quark was destroyed. Dominator Quarks generally communicated with bleeps, shrill squeaks, and squawks, although they were capable of high-pitched speech. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')


On several occasions, the independent Quarks used [[Giant Wasp]]s to cover for their limited agility. ([[TVC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps]]'')
On several occasions, the independent Quarks used [[Giant Wasp]]s to cover for their limited agility. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps]]'')


The [[Seventh Doctor]] once described a specific weakness the Quarks had. According to him, they were effectively "allergic" to [[leptonite crystal]]s. If they came within half a mile of [[leptonite]], they would explode. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Flip-Flop]]'')
The [[Seventh Doctor]] once described a specific weakness the Quarks had. According to him, they were effectively "allergic" to [[leptonite crystal]]s. If they came within half a mile of [[leptonite]], they would explode. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Flip-Flop]]'')


== History ==
== History ==
Quarks were originally the [[robot]] servants of the [[Dominator]]s. The Dominators [[Rago]] and [[Toba]] took a party of Quarks to the planet [[Dulkis]]. There, they had the Quarks drill a shaft through which a device could be dropped that would cause a planet-wide volcanic eruption and make the planet an ideal source of power for the Dominators.
Quarks were originally the [[robot]] servants of the [[Dominator]]s. The Dominators [[Rago]] and [[Toba]] took a party of Quarks to the planet [[Dulkis]]. There, they had the Quarks drill a shaft through which a device could be dropped that would cause a planet-wide volcanic eruption and make the planet an ideal source of power for the Dominators.


[[File:Cully takes aim.jpg|left|thumb|[[Cully]] takes aim at a Quark. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')]]
[[File:Cully takes aim.jpg|left|thumb|[[Cully]] takes aim at a Quark. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')]]
The [[Second Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s [[Jamie McCrimmon]] and [[Zoe Heriot]] were on Dulkis when this party arrived. Along with [[Cully]], Jamie destroyed a number of Quarks through various methods. He destroyed one by shooting it with a gun, distracted one while Cully smashed it with a large boulder, and used explosives to destroy a third. The Doctor managed to catch the Dominators' bomb as it fell down the mineshaft and, as the Quarks and Dominators prepared to leave, placed it aboard their craft. Once the ship was in flight, the bomb detonated, destroying the remaining Quarks and their masters. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')
The [[Second Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s [[Jamie McCrimmon]] and [[Zoe Heriot]] were on Dulkis when this party arrived. Along with [[Cully]], Jamie destroyed a number of Quarks through various methods. He destroyed one by shooting it with a gun, distracted one while Cully smashed it with a large boulder, and used explosives to destroy a third. The Doctor managed to catch the Dominators' bomb as it fell down the mineshaft and, as the Quarks and Dominators prepared to leave, placed it aboard their craft. Once the ship was in flight, the bomb detonated, destroying the remaining Quarks and their masters. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators]]'')


Other accounts show the Quarks working alone, without reference to the Dominators. They were famed for their brutality and conquests. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'') [[Jack Harkness]] referred to "rebel Quarks" in a report on the [[Vespiform]], implying these were Quarks who rebelled against and broke away from their Dominator masters. Possibly at some point in their history, these Quarks waged war with the Vespiforms. ([[WC]]: ''[[Monster Files|Monster Files: Vespiform]]'')
Other accounts show the Quarks working alone, without reference to the Dominators. They were famed for their brutality and conquests. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'') [[Jack Harkness]] referred to "rebel Quarks" in a report on the [[Vespiform]], implying these were Quarks who rebelled against and broke away from their Dominator masters. Possibly at some point in their history, these Quarks waged war with the Vespiforms. ([[WC]]: ''[[Monster Files|Monster Files: Vespiform]]'')


The rebel Quarks had multiple battles with the [[Second Doctor]], especially in their attempts to invade [[Earth]]. Their first attempt was in [[1968]], where a Quark spearhead destroyed a radar tracking station in [[Scotland]] and made a landing at an old [[castle]]. The Doctor seized their ship and used it to take out the invasion fleet. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'') After this encounter, the Quarks were all ordered to search for and kill the Doctor.
The rebel Quarks had multiple battles with the [[Second Doctor]], especially in their attempts to invade [[Earth]]. Their first attempt was in [[1968]], where a Quark spearhead destroyed a radar tracking station in [[Scotland]] and made a landing at an old [[castle]]. The Doctor seized their ship and used it to take out the invasion fleet. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Invasion of the Quarks]]'') After this encounter, the Quarks were all ordered to search for and kill the Doctor.


[[File:Quark_Comic.jpg|thumb|The Quarks battle the Vespiforms. ([[WC]]: ''[[Captain Jack's Monster Files]]'')]]
[[File:Quark_Comic.jpg|thumb|The Quarks battle the Vespiforms. ([[WC]]: ''[[Captain Jack's Monster Files]]'')]]
At some point, they attacked the planet [[Gano]]. When the Doctor and [[Jamie McCrimmon|Jamie]] arrived there, seemingly in [[1968]] as well, the Quarks unleashed their [[Giant Wasp]]s. ([[TVC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps]]'') At another time, apparently on contemporary Earth again, the Quarks ambushed the Doctor and buried the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] under rubble in an attempt to prevent him escaping. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Jungle of Doom]]'')
At some point, they attacked the planet [[Gano]]. When the Doctor and [[Jamie McCrimmon|Jamie]] arrived there, seemingly in [[1968]] as well, the Quarks unleashed their [[Giant Wasp]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps]]'') At another time, apparently on contemporary Earth again, the Quarks ambushed the Doctor and buried the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] under rubble in an attempt to prevent him escaping. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Jungle of Doom]]'')


In [[1971]], when the Doctor invented the [[Martha (robot)|Martha]] series of houseworker robots and sold them to an [[United States of America|American]] company, the Quarks waited until they were widespread across the country and then turned them against [[human]]ity. This was intended as a prelude to their invasion, but they were routed when the Doctor reprogrammed the Marthas to engage the Quark armies. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Martha the Mechanical Housemaid]]'')
In [[1971]], when the Doctor invented the [[Martha (robot)|Martha]] series of houseworker robots and sold them to an [[United States of America|American]] company, the Quarks waited until they were widespread across the country and then turned them against [[human]]ity. This was intended as a prelude to their invasion, but they were routed when the Doctor reprogrammed the Marthas to engage the Quark armies. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Martha the Mechanical Housemaid]]'')


In [[1984]], slave Quarks were part of a failed Dominator secret invasion of Earth. Under [[Iceland]], [[Whitaker (The Fires Down Below)|Major Whitaker]]'s [[UNIT]] forces destroyed them. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Fires Down Below]]'')
In [[1984]], slave Quarks were part of a failed Dominator secret invasion of Earth. Under [[Iceland]], [[Whitaker (The Fires Down Below)|Major Whitaker]]'s [[UNIT]] forces destroyed them. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Fires Down Below (comic story)|The Fires Down Below]]'')


In [[2044]], a Quark squad arrived on the [[planet]] [[Hekton]] to kill the [[Second Doctor]], but were defeated by the [[human]] colonists. ([[TVC]]: ''[[The Duellists]]'')
In [[2044]], a Quark squad arrived on the [[planet]] [[Hekton]] to kill the [[Second Doctor]], but were defeated by the [[human]] colonists. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Duellists]]'')


In [[2053]], a Quark assassin pursued the Doctor when he participated in an automobile race on Earth. ([[TVC]]: ''[[Death Race]]'')
In [[2053]], a Quark assassin pursued the Doctor when he participated in an automobile race on Earth. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Death Race]]'')


In [[3090]], the [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Mel]] arrived on the [[planet]] [[Puxatornee]] looking for [[leptonite crystal]]s with which to defeat the Quarks in an ongoing battle they were having on the [[space yacht]] ''[[Pinto (ship)|Pinto]]''. It was unknown whether this battle also took place in 3090. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Flip-Flop]]'')
In [[3090]], the [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Mel]] arrived on the [[planet]] [[Puxatornee]] looking for [[leptonite crystal]]s with which to defeat the Quarks in an ongoing battle they were having on the [[space yacht]] ''[[Pinto (ship)|Pinto]]''. It was unknown whether this battle also took place in 3090. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Flip-Flop]]'')


== Other information ==
== Other information ==
[[File:QuarkPerspective.jpg|thumb|A Quark's perspective ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]'')]]
[[File:QuarkPerspective.jpg|thumb|A Quark's perspective ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]'')]]
* During his trial, the [[Second Doctor]] recalled the Quarks as one of the adversaries he had broken the [[Time Lord]] [[non-interference policy|code of non-interference]] to fight. ([[DW]]: ''[[The War Games]]'')
* During his trial, the [[Second Doctor]] recalled the Quarks as one of the adversaries he had broken the [[Time Lord]] [[non-interference policy|code of non-interference]] to fight. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games]]'')
* The [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Melanie Bush]] fought the Quarks and their [[Giant Wasp]]s again. ([[MA]]: ''[[Millennial Rites]]'')
* The [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Melanie Bush]] fought the Quarks and their [[Giant Wasp]]s again. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Millennial Rites]]'')
* [[Iris Wildthyme]] was once trapped in the [[Death Zone]] and encountered Quarks. ([[EDA]]: ''[[The Scarlet Empress]]'')
* [[Iris Wildthyme]] was once trapped in the [[Death Zone]] and encountered Quarks. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Scarlet Empress]]'')
* [[The Master (Tremas)|The Master]] once attacked [[the Graak]] with a Quark, which was inside one of [[the Celestial Toymaker]]'s toys. It could be stopped by a [[water pistol]] that squirted some sort of blue liquid. ([[VG]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]'')
* [[The Master (Tremas)|The Master]] once attacked [[the Graak]] with a Quark, which was inside one of [[the Celestial Toymaker]]'s toys. It could be stopped by a [[water pistol]] that squirted some sort of blue liquid. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]'')


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==

Revision as of 23:33, 17 September 2012

You may be looking for Quark (physics).

Quarks were the robot slaves of the Dominators' galactic empire. An offshoot of rebel Quarks went on to conquer worlds on their own. These Quarks were dangerous enough that the Doctor was forewarned so he could place John and Gillian in a safer location. (COMIC: Invasion of the Quarks)

Appearance

Quarks were cuboid in shape with a sphere on top. Two spikes came from opposite sides of this sphere, with one on top. They had rectangular compartments on their chests into which their cuboid arms folded. Their arms were equipped with weaponry and manipulating appendages. The spore spikes were red along with the rim attaching them all. The rest of the sphere was black and the body was grey. The Quarks' feet were large pieces of metal in the shape of a block; poles attached these to the body. (TV: The Dominators)

Abilities

Quarks were able to use their guns to kill directly, stun, electrocute, communicate and to power up objects. They could collect data from a survey just by turning 360 degrees. They emitted warning signals when tripped or covered.

The Dominators had symbols representing each Quark on a wall, the symbol for the corresponding Quark flashing when that Quark was destroyed. Dominator Quarks generally communicated with bleeps, shrill squeaks, and squawks, although they were capable of high-pitched speech. (TV: The Dominators)

On several occasions, the independent Quarks used Giant Wasps to cover for their limited agility. (COMIC: The Killer Wasps)

The Seventh Doctor once described a specific weakness the Quarks had. According to him, they were effectively "allergic" to leptonite crystals. If they came within half a mile of leptonite, they would explode. (AUDIO: Flip-Flop)

History

Quarks were originally the robot servants of the Dominators. The Dominators Rago and Toba took a party of Quarks to the planet Dulkis. There, they had the Quarks drill a shaft through which a device could be dropped that would cause a planet-wide volcanic eruption and make the planet an ideal source of power for the Dominators.

Cully takes aim at a Quark. (TV: The Dominators)

The Second Doctor and his companions Jamie McCrimmon and Zoe Heriot were on Dulkis when this party arrived. Along with Cully, Jamie destroyed a number of Quarks through various methods. He destroyed one by shooting it with a gun, distracted one while Cully smashed it with a large boulder, and used explosives to destroy a third. The Doctor managed to catch the Dominators' bomb as it fell down the mineshaft and, as the Quarks and Dominators prepared to leave, placed it aboard their craft. Once the ship was in flight, the bomb detonated, destroying the remaining Quarks and their masters. (TV: The Dominators)

Other accounts show the Quarks working alone, without reference to the Dominators. They were famed for their brutality and conquests. (COMIC: Invasion of the Quarks) Jack Harkness referred to "rebel Quarks" in a report on the Vespiform, implying these were Quarks who rebelled against and broke away from their Dominator masters. Possibly at some point in their history, these Quarks waged war with the Vespiforms. (WC: Monster Files: Vespiform)

The rebel Quarks had multiple battles with the Second Doctor, especially in their attempts to invade Earth. Their first attempt was in 1968, where a Quark spearhead destroyed a radar tracking station in Scotland and made a landing at an old castle. The Doctor seized their ship and used it to take out the invasion fleet. (COMIC: Invasion of the Quarks) After this encounter, the Quarks were all ordered to search for and kill the Doctor.

The Quarks battle the Vespiforms. (WC: Captain Jack's Monster Files)

At some point, they attacked the planet Gano. When the Doctor and Jamie arrived there, seemingly in 1968 as well, the Quarks unleashed their Giant Wasps. (COMIC: The Killer Wasps) At another time, apparently on contemporary Earth again, the Quarks ambushed the Doctor and buried the TARDIS under rubble in an attempt to prevent him escaping. (COMIC: Jungle of Doom)

In 1971, when the Doctor invented the Martha series of houseworker robots and sold them to an American company, the Quarks waited until they were widespread across the country and then turned them against humanity. This was intended as a prelude to their invasion, but they were routed when the Doctor reprogrammed the Marthas to engage the Quark armies. (COMIC: Martha the Mechanical Housemaid)

In 1984, slave Quarks were part of a failed Dominator secret invasion of Earth. Under Iceland, Major Whitaker's UNIT forces destroyed them. (COMIC: The Fires Down Below)

In 2044, a Quark squad arrived on the planet Hekton to kill the Second Doctor, but were defeated by the human colonists. (COMIC: The Duellists)

In 2053, a Quark assassin pursued the Doctor when he participated in an automobile race on Earth. (COMIC: Death Race)

In 3090, the Seventh Doctor and Mel arrived on the planet Puxatornee looking for leptonite crystals with which to defeat the Quarks in an ongoing battle they were having on the space yacht Pinto. It was unknown whether this battle also took place in 3090. (AUDIO: Flip-Flop)

Other information

A Quark's perspective (TV: The Dominators)

Behind the scenes

A detailed diagram of a Quark from The Doctor Who Technical Manual.

The Quarks were originally created by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln for The Dominators. They left the project as they felt it was no longer faithful to their original draft. A major factor in this was the design of the Quarks and the fact that The Dominators had been shortened from six to five parts. As a result, the story aired with the writers' names taken off and a pseudonym substituted.

Haisman and Lincoln later felt cheated out of royalties from merchandise featuring the Quarks.

A Quark, with a Dalek, a Yeti, an Ice Warrior and a Cyberman, appeared briefly in studio (rather than in previously seen footage) in the last episode of The War Games. One also appeared in publicity photos for that story.

Despite the Dominators being the titular enemy and their leaders, the Quarks appeared in TV Comic in an uncharacteristic manner, as solo villains, without the Dominators.