Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanics Attack! - Patreon Exclusive #16

Episode Title: "Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman" - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanoids Attack! - Patreon Exclusive Sample

CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers a festive Patreon Exclusive perfect for the holiday! Join John (as Santa Claus) and Jim (as the Evil/Demon Magician) as they unwrap a mixed Santa's bag - three Doctor Who strips from the 12-week Dalek Master Plan era, plus an emotionally satisfying Dalek comic featuring the Mechanoids' first appearance!

THE SEA CHANGE: Jim identifies a major shift in the Doctor Who strip: "The stories have really become little fantasies than science fiction." What began as simplistic but genuine sci-fi has transformed into Oz-esque fantasy adventures with frog people, ancient mariners, and yes - Santa Claus himself.

DOCTOR WHO STRIPS:

"SHARK BAIT" (November 22 - December 13, 1965)
Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The Doctor helps frog people with their shark problem before the story pivots to an ancient mariner trying to claim the TARDIS as his home. Meandering plot reminiscent of Dalek Master Plan's mid-story shifts.

"A CHRISTMAS STORY" (December 20, 1965 - January 10, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin

John's bold claim: "Actually better than the TV episode [Feast of Steven]!"

Santa Claus appears as a character (Jim loves this trope from comics), falling behind on toy TARDIS production due to overwhelming demand. The Doctor saves Christmas by providing Santa with... a 3D printer! "Maybe the Doctor gave us 3D printing. Whoever thinks they invented it needs to read this story."

The B-Plot: A creepy demon magician hampers Santa's efforts. But the REAL terror? The Killer Snowman who literally tries to choke John to death! 

John recognizes similarities to Matt Smith's "The Snowman" Christmas special, theorizing Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat were subconsciously influenced by childhood comic memories. "Bill Mevin's family needs a few ducats... or grubsits."

"THE DYTUS EXPEDITION" (January 22 - February 12, 1966)
Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin

The long-extinct Dytus bird escapes a space zoo. The Doctor offers to recapture it, leading to jungle adventures with unfortunate native stereotypes (echoing the recent Monstrons issue).

Jim gets "a real Doctor Dolittle vibe" from the giant creature quest on an island. Both hosts confess: "I like stories about space zoos" (with John teasing an upcoming episode will satisfy this).

THE DALEKS: "EVE OF WAR" (December 11, 1965 - January 8, 1966)
Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts)
Artists: Richard Jennings (Parts 1-5), Ron Turner (Parts 6-7)

Artist Change Alert: Ron Turner takes over for the final two installments, redesigning Daleks to resemble the movie versions. He continues as the strip's artist going forward.

The Story: After rebuilding Skaro in "just a few months" (!) with intricate surveillance to prevent future invasions, the Daleks plan to mine nearby planet Auric. That's when the Mechanoids attack.

This is the "first meeting" between Daleks and Mechanoids in strip continuity - different from TV universe. The Mechanoids are presented as equally conquering, totally machine entities (unlike the Daleks with organic components inside).

Key moment: The strip explicitly clarifies Mechanoids are "totally machine" while Daleks are not - important distinction!

True Cliffhanger: The story literally ends mid-narrative with "TO BE CONTINUED" - not just teasing the next adventure but stopping in the middle of this one!

THE BIG QUESTION: John asks Jim: "Do you find yourself enjoying reading these more than watching some of the Dalek stories on TV?"

Only one Dalek strip disappointed them across the entire run - and the end approaches! Time to buy the collection.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DOCTOR'S BEARD PODCAST!

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