Mad Norwegian Press has announced that their Faction Paradox comic series is being discontinued; the series, which further expands on the characters and situations originally created in the BBC Doctor Who novels, published two issues and is being halted due to changes in the comics industry and at its publisher, Image Comics. The novel series, however, which just had its second release, "Of the City of the Saved" by Philip Purser-Hallard, will continue. A full Q&A about the comic cancellation can be found here. (Thanks to Lars Pearson)

The BBC Books novel Synthespians™ by Craig Hinton, which was originally to be released in early July, has been delayed several weeks and will now be out on July 19. The reason: an alteration to the cover, likely due to legal reasons (as it was originally based on a "Dynasty" image), which resulted in a reprinting of the book stock. At right is a thumbnail of the final cover illustration; we hope to have a better copy shortly. (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

Composer Mark Ayres updated us today on the status of the Resistance is Futile CD. "No, the 'Resistance is Futile' CD ('Resistance is Useless' - if I have my way!) is not out yet. Nor has it been finally scheduled. Many retailers have been taking pre-orders, true...but it has certainly not been cancelled, so have no fear! The reasons for the delay are complicated. Firstly, getting all the artists together and assembling the masters took time, and the tracklisting is still not finalised. Secondly, BBC Music have been rethinking their distribution arrangements over the past few months and this has meant - sadly - a lot of projects being delayed. New distribution systems are being worked on, and as soon as there is any news, I am sure I will be able to pass it on..." (Thanks to Mark Ayres)

The music web zine Kerrang today has a statement regarding the recent press reports that US band Slipknot were in talks to record the new series theme tune (which OG already noted was not true.) "Slipknot are not in talks to record the theme tune to the classic TV show Doctor Who," says the article, "despite a report in a tabloid last week. The Sun 'revealed' that the masked metallers were working on a song to be used for the showÆs comeback at the end of the year, but a spokesperson for the band denied the claims when contacted by Kerrang!" (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Carnegie Mellon's Robot Hall of Fame poll is on... and K-9 is one of the finalists! Click the link to vote!

All the slots for extras for an upcoming audio from Big Finish are now full. "Thanks to everyone who answered I thought I might get 10 replies," producer Gary Russell told Outpost Gallifrey. "Ten times that by Sunday and they're still coming... As I only needed about 25, I'm now closing this request cos I've got what I needed. But a very, very heartfelt thanks to everyone who responded. We at Big Finish Towers are enormously grateful, and flattered, that so many volunteered. Next time I'll hire a cathedral rather than a studio and we might fit everyone in."

Music lovers should check out Orbital's new 'Blue Album', out today (Mon 21 June), which features on the fifth track entitled "You Lot", a sample featuring the voice of Christopher Eccleston from the ITV 2003 drama 'The Second Coming'. Orbital, of course remixed the Dr Who theme tune on their last album "The Altogether" which was used to accompany the 40th Anniversary celebration on last years' Doctor Who DVDs. (Thanks to Richard Allison)

There's a change at the top level on the continuing Doctor Who novel series at BBC Books -- commissioning editor Ben Dunn will be leaving BBC Books this summer to join HarperCollins, steering a new humor book line starting in August. Range consultant Justin Richards, who has been responsible for much of the interaction on publication of the books with the various authors on the range, today told Outpost Gallifrey, "For the record (and the fans) Ben's leaving makes no difference to schedules or projects currently committed." Justin did not comment on who would actually take over for Dunn on the book series. We wish Mr. Dunn well in his future pursuits, and meanwhile are delighted that the range will continue unabated. (Thanks to Justin Richards)

According to a message from retailer Galaxy 4, the expected Doctor Who audio CD title Resistance is Futile has run into problems. Says the note from Galaxy 4, "The BBC have now removed this title from the 2004 schedule with no new date assured. This is due to copyright issues regarding the theme tune and the new Doctor Who TV series. We have therefore suspended all orders pending rescheduling or cancellation." This is a surprising turn of events, considering that the long-delayed CD release was actually promoted quite heavily with free giveaways at last year's official Doctor Who anniversary event, Panopticon 2003. (Thanks to Galaxy 4, Steve Tribe)

UK viewers, tune into quiz show Mastermind this Tuesday at 9pm on BBC2 - according to MyDigiGuide one of the contestants is taking Doctor Who as his specialist subject.