Matrix Data Bank (series)

Matrix Data Bank, sometimes stylized as Matrix Data-Bank, was a long-lasting regular feature in Doctor Who Magazine in which Doctor Who continuity errors submitted by readers were "solved".

Jeremy Bentham

Matrix Data Bank was introduced in DWM 51 during editor Alan McKenzie's revamp of the title towards fan culture. Poached from the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, Jeremy Bentham was the original host of Matrix Data Bank. (DWM 500) The feature would not be directly credited to a writer for the next 56 issues, although other DWAS members would take Bentham's place.

Richard Landen

For a time, the feature was written by Richard Landen.

Issue	Topics
76	Landen clarifies that the First Doctor's renewal was a different process to regeneration, with the Doctor merely getting younger rather than having his cells reborn.
79	The nature of the Doctor's designation ∂³Σx², with Landen asserting that the Master's equivalent designation is ∂⁼Βx⁴.

Gary Russell

In DWM 108, under Sheila Cranna's editorship, Matrix Data Bank received a redesign and began crediting its writer, at the time Gary Russell.

David J. Howe

Starting in DWM 114, David J. Howe took over as the feature's credited writer. Howe would be a mainstay through another design change, until DWM 167. Howe would develop several continuity concepts during his tenure, including the term "Gallifreyan Mean Time".

Andrew Pixley

Starting in DWM 170, Andrew Pixley became the feature's host. Pixley would eventually begin the meatier feature DWM Archives, leading to Matrix Data Bank only appearing sporadically. Matrix Data Bank has been sighted as late as DWM 224.

Pixley homaged his time on Matrix Data Bank with the article "Insufficient Data" in DWM 300.

The High Council

In the mid 1990s, DWM revived the Matrix Data Bank format under the name "The High Council" in a feature written by Elizabeth Jackson. It appeared in such issues as DWM 235 and DWM 252.

Sorvad

Clayton Hickman's editorship saw a return of Matrix Data Bank.

At first, the feature was homaged in the celebratory DWM 350 with Cardiff Data-Bank, written by Russell T Davies as an extension of Production Notes. Davies notably gave an in-universe explanation to changes in the exterior design of the Doctor's TARDIS.

As "Sorvad", Hickman's version of the series featured several fictional elements, from 2006 onwards having each entry hosted by fictional characters.

Straightforward Matrix Data Bank

Issue	Questions	In-universe touches
360	What stories featured Gallifrey? Why is there a technician on Platform One when the Steward says there aren't any? If Time Lords had access to the Heart of the TARDIS power, why did they lose the Time War?	Sorvad has "come forth from his exile in the Oceans of Ooze." Questions unrelated to Doctor Who will be "tossed into the space-time vortex to be picked apart by the Reapers."
361	Where was Davros in the stories broadcast before Genesis of the Daleks? Why did Blon Fel Fotch continue using the body of Margaret Blaine? Can you print a photo of the Second Doctor, Ben, Polly, and Jaimie?	Sorvad uses the Panatropic Net.
362	How did the nanogenes heal the Doctor's hand? What are the surnames of Vicki, Katarina, Dodo, Polly, Leela, Adric, and Nyssa? How did the Time Lords die if they can regenerate?	Sorvad receives his questions in a transdimensional mailbag.
363	What is the plot of Terror of the Vervoids?	N/A
364	What is regeneration? Why did the Time Vortex kill the Doctor but Rose was undamaged?

to be expanded

Matrix Data Bank on Tour

Issue	Host	Episodes discussed
382	Columbo, Krotons	to be added
385	Chatroom users	The Sound of Drums, Human Nature, Blink
387	Servalan, Cockney, Travis, Kerr Avon	Blink, Time-Flight, Human Nature

Steven Moffat

In the 2010s, a new version of this format appeared in the column written by Steven Moffat.