The Art Of Doctor Who by Jonathan Norton (book review).
‘The Art of Doctor Who’ is a remarkably slim volume that only recently resurfaced from my collection, having acquired it a couple of years ago. Despite Jonathan Norton being credited as the author in the title, his name does not appear on the cover, and the textual content is notably sparse. As the title implies, this book primarily showcases the art from the Eccleston/Tennant eras, featuring production designs of creatures, the TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver, and notable scenes like the trashing of the Tower of Westminster. It includes a selection of photographs of designers and actors, although images of Eccleston and Tennant are limited to one each—so this isn’t for those solely seeking images of the actors.
The photographs are compelling for those interested in the visual effects of the era, captured 19 years ago and likely published rapidly to captivate a growing fanbase. For those aspiring to work in the industry, it serves as a benchmark of the standard to meet or exceed.
Despite its concise nature, ‘The Art of Doctor Who’ can easily be overlooked in a larger collection, underscoring its modest footprint.
GF Willmetts
July 2024
(pub: Galaxy 4/Future Net, 2005. 86 page illustrated square softcover. Price: likely to vary)