Broadsword

Zine
Title:	Broadsword
Publisher:	David Robinson & Richard Prekodravac
Editor(s):
Date(s):
Medium:	print, online
Fandom:	Doctor Who
Language:	English
External Links:	online alt
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Broadsword is a gen Doctor Who fanzine of articles, reviews and some fiction that was published in Australia. It began as a print zine and became an online zine in 1995. Its title is a reference from Paul Cornell’s "No Future. This zine is dedicated to New Adventures. Broadsword was known for using different layout for each issue and continually reinventing itself.

"Summary from the publisher, "Doctor Who fanfic. Web page for Broadsword, the Fanzine of the New and Missing Adventures, Doctor Who fanzine. Broadsword is a small fanzine that focuses on the only new source of Doctor Who stories, the New and Missing Adventures. This site is the metaphysical extension of the original dead tree format."

Issue 1

Broadsword 1 was published in 1995.

Issue 2

Broadsword 2 was published in 1995.

Reactions and Reviews: Issues 1 and 2

Broadsword (the reference is from Paul Cornell’s No Future) is dedicated just to the New and Missing Adventures. Small in size, but some brilliant writing and a razor-sharp look. Highlights were the debates and the pull-out posters. These two editors can write – you’ve got to get this one! Rating: • • • 1/2 & • • • • 1/2

Issue 3

Broadsword 3 was published in 1995.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

Continues the fine early tradition of this zine, and at twice the size of the first two issues! Includes a Paul Cornell interview and a weird story by David Golding. Quality down a tad, but very good nonetheless. Rating: • • • • out of five.

Issue 4

Broadsword 4 was published in 1995 and contains 8 pages. Highlights of this issue are an extract from Professor Bernice Summerfield’s diary courtesy of Paul Cornell and the debate on whether fans make good Who writers.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

Yet another well wicked cover, and a beautifully laid out zine this is. Highlights of this issue are an extract from Professor Bernice Summerfield’s diary courtesy of Paul Cornell and the debate on whether fans make good Who writers. But with only eight or so pages, the editors will have to be very careful to ensure that the reviews and previews don’t swamp all the original stuff. (There is now an on-line version of Broadsword at http://modjadji.anu.edu.au/steve/broadsword which includes the Virgin guidelines on how to write New and Missing Adventures—great stuff!) Rating: • • • 1/2 out of five.

Issue 5

Broadsword 5 was published in 1995 and contains 20 pages. It includes a lengthy interview with Nigel Robinson, articles on science in science-fiction and the character of Ace, reviews of all the latest books, and much other silliness. There is also the updated prelude to the Left-handed Hummingbird which was in issue 82 of The Sonic Screwdriver.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

The latest edition of this great fanzine (and why does Mr Broadsword Editor dislike that word so?) is A5 in format, in keeping with their policy of change and innovation in layout. I’ve always found that format attractive, and this is no exception. Enclosed in its twenty pages (it keeps growing!) is a lengthy interview with Nigel Robinson, articles on science in science-fiction and the character of Ace, reviews of all the latest books, and much other silliness. There is also the updated prelude to the Left-handed Hummingbird which we first saw in issue 82 of Sonic (yikes, that was a long time ago!). A great zine – just make those pictures a bit lighter, thanks! Rating: • • • • (out of five)

Issue 6

Broadsword 6 was published in 1996 and is "The Transit Special."

• tongue-in-cheek tribute to Terrance Dicks by Paul Cornell
• David Golding’s little piece on having his New Adventures proposal rejected by Virgin
• a couple of pages on Justin Richards
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6

And now to Broadsword. Issue 6, the Transit special, seems to have been liberated by Australia Post, so we’re having a look at its successor. Still one of the most styled and cute zines around, my favourite bits were the rather tongue-in-cheek tribute to Terrance Dicks by Paul Cornell, David Golding’s little piece on having his NA proposal rejected by Virgin, and the couple of pages on Justin Richards. Another three and a half Time’s Crucible’s haters out of five.

Issue 7

Broadsword 7 was published in 1996.

Issue 8

Broadsword 8 was published in 1996.

• focus on the Warhead/lock/child trilogy
• an interview with Ben Aaronovitch
• piece by Patrick Porter on his adulation of Kate Orman
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8

Broadsword is up to issue 8, which has a focus on the Warhead/lock/child trilogy, an interview with Ben Aaronovitch and a rather, er, interesting piece by Patrick Porter on his adulation of Kate Orman. The writing remains at a hiigh standard, and this zine is still a must-have. I’d like to know, however, what deluded souls actually voted for Sky Pirates! as the best NA of the year. Four and a half Sgloomi Pos out of five.

Issue 9

Broadsword 9 was published in 1997. It has the layout of a comic and has some sort of a pop-up thing in the middle.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9

Issue 9 is layout in some ways as if it was a comic—fun! This is one of their best issues yet, chocka with articles, chaotic layout and silly things. I dunno about the pop-up thingy in the middle, though. Four-and-a-half months to go till the Beeb takes over, out of five.

Issue 10

Broadsword 10 was published in 1997.

• considerable space telling about the new companion Samantha Jones for the BBC’s range of books
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10

...they devote considerable space telling us about the new companion Samantha Jones for the BBC’s range of books (which I reckon should be called the Now Adventures and the Missed Adventures, just to really piss off Virgin). This issue is a bit flat, however, as apart from the obligatory reviews and some news, there’s bugger-all else to capture the attention. Oh well, I hear the next issue has at least half-a-dozen interviews! Issue 10 gets two-and-a-half collaged covers out of five.

Issue 11

Broadsword 11

Issue 12

Broadsword 12

Issue 13

Broadsword 13 was published in 1997.

partial cover of issue #13

• interviews with editor Rebecca Levene, artist Tony Masero, and writers Matt Jones and Mark Morris) plus a couple of stories
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 13

The editors find yet another page orientation to use (which, unfortunately, doesn’t quite work. They’re going to run out of different layouts soon!) and fill it with even more interviews (editor Rebecca Levene, artist Tony Masero, and writers Matt Jones and Mark Morris) plus a couple of stories. As I’ve said many a time, if you have any interest whatsoever in the New or Missing Adventures and their BBC counterparts (the Now and Missed!), this zine is a must-get. This issue grabs three-and-a-half abrupt TARDIS appearances out of five.

Issue 14

Broadsword 14 was published 1998.

• much fiction including Jon Blum’s "Model Train Set"
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 14

Broadsword continues on strong, this time with a few big chunks of fiction, three of which are absolute must-reads—indeed, it’s a great shame that none of the BBC books so far have come anywhere near Jon Blum’s depiction of the Eighth Doctor in his tale "Model Train Set". Can but hope for the future, we guess! Overall, though, a tad disappointing give the previous standard set by Broadsword. Continually re-inventing oneself can be a difficult task!