With the release of Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1 from Titan Comics due on the 18th March, Villordsutch chats with writer Cavan Scott….
Cavan ScottVillordsutch: Just to break some ice Cavan, who was your Doctor and also your favourite assistant (before they became Companions)?
Cavan Scott: Ah, the age old question for Doctor Who fans. I’m a child of the 70s and so my first Doctor was the Fourth, Tom Baker. He did, however, terrify me, when I was nipper. Those eyes! That voice! Still, he became entrenched as my favourite Doctor – but I’m very fond of the three 1980s Doctors as well. As the 80s rolled on, Doctor Who grew and grew as part of my young life as I discovered Doctor Who Magazine, the comic strip, fanzines and more. Tom’s Doctor hooked me, but the 80s made me a ‘fan’.
Companion-wise, do I have to choose one? I’m so, so fond of Sarah Jane Smith, but who isn’t? It was certainly a big thrill to write for Elizabeth Sladen for the Sarah Jane Adventure audios – but when I was a kid it was Tegan all the way. I thought she was brilliant. All that sarcasm and snarkiness! I used to find her so funny, in a good way I must add. And I might have also had the teeniest bit of a crush on Janet Fielding when I was a lad too. In fact, I’ve been told that when I met her at a convention a few weeks back, I blushed.
V: You’re an author of over 70 books and audio dramas but how does it feel being given the keys to the first issue of the Ninth Doctor comic book for Titan Comics? To be trusted with the story that sets the series going?
CS: It’s daunting and exciting all at once. I definitely feel a sense of responsibility. The response to the news of the comic has been amazing – there’s a lot of love for the Ninth Doctor out there. I just want to make sure that we live up to the expectations.
I know Blair Shedd’s amazing art certainly will. Every page that has come through has been a joy to behold.
V: The Christopher Eccleston era wasn’t the longest of eras, I’m unsure if we can even call it an era; how difficult did you find it developing this Doctor? If you look at Tennant and Smith they had numerous stories to evolve their characters, making it that bit easier for future writers but you must have been a bit stuck?
CS: Not difficult at all. I think his character is right there, in those thirteen episodes. Christopher Eccleston hit the ground running I think and I think it’s definite right and proper to call it an era. Doctor Who needed someone like Eccleston to make people sit up and take notice, to take the re-launch of the show seriously.
And there’s so much to play with – his shifting moods, one minute silly and the next haunted. And let’s not forget angry. Very, very angry.
V: Issue #1 appears to start after The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances, was there a particular reason you aimed for these episodes? Did you as a writer see a change is the series which you could tap into?
CS: When we started discussed the comic, we knew we wanted to see that TARDIS crew of the Doctor, Jack and Rose working together. By the time you reach Boom Town, they’re a definite unit and obviously enjoy each other’s company, much to Mickey’s dismay. We wanted to explore that dynamic more.
V: When you’ve finished on your run with the Ninth Doctor can you see yourself sticking around for anymore Doctor Who comics? Have you had chance to read any recent Titan Comic Doctor Who releases and felt you wanted to be part of that Doctor’s run?
CS: If they’ll have me, I’ll stick around as long as possible. Yes, I’ve been enjoying all three of the ongoing series, especially how different they all are to each other. There’s a real heart to the Tenth Doctor comic, and a fantastic energy to the Eleventh – they made David Bowie a companion and regenerated Bessie, for heaven’s sake. And when it comes to the Twelfth, you can practically hear Mr Capaldi performing the lines. Robbie has nailed the Twelfth Doctor’s lines perfectly.
Would I like to write for the other Doctors? Of course I would, but I’ve also got ideas bobbing around for more Ninth Doctor adventures – and other past Doctors too. I’ve always got ideas! Hopefully, we’ll see a few of them in print.
V: Stepping away from Doctor Who altogether you undertake a lot of other projects including bestselling Skylander books – under the name Onk Beakman – and the Countryfile magazine, two completely different ends of the spectrum I’m sure you’ll agree. What other current projects are you most excited about, which you can tell us about, and is it under your name?
CS: I’m currently writing two novels, one a Sherlock Holmes novel called The Patchwork Devil that is going to be published in 2016 by Titan. The second is a YA novel that I’ve been working on for about a year now, which I hope will find a home soon. That one isn’t based on any existing property, so I’m having great fun building my own world.
V: To finish what would you say to other budding worldly writers if they want to be as busy as you? If they want to be writing for 2000AD, Doctor Who and The Beano what should they be doing to not only be earning, but clearly be having fun in their job?
CS: That’s a huge question. If you want to be writing for these things, then you have to put the legwork in. Yes, there’s sometimes a lot of luck involved – being at the right place at the right time and talking to the right people – but I’m a real believer that you make your own luck by working hard. And that doesn’t always mean jumping straight into your dream job. When I was starting out, I wrote for any magazine I could, gaining experience and learning how the industry works. I felt totally out of my depth most of the time, but the more I worked and pushed my way into publishing, the nearer I got to writing the things I love.
And, hey, you can be writing the things you love at the same time. While I was writing for business mags and – on one memorable occasion – dating magazines, I was still beavering away writing comics and fiction and all kind of fun stuff. Just write, write, write and don’t be afraid to put the hours in.
Flickering Myth and Villordsutch would like to thank Cavan Scott, who you can find more information about at his website www.cavanscott.com or on Twitter. Also we’d like to thank Lucy at Titan Comics for arranging the interview.
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1 is released on the 18th March, priced $3.99,
Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children. Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.
Originally published February 24, 2015. Updated November 14, 2019.
