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The Happiness Patrol – as seen in the classic 1988 Sylvester McCoy story – are back once more, courtesy of Cutaway Comics.

“Terra Alpha has been saved, and no one is happy about it. Which is a good thing… isn’t it?”

Cutaway Comics returns to Terra Alpha for an exciting new adventure. A satirical sci-fi thriller set in the immediate aftermath of The Happiness Patrol, get ready to return to a Terra Alpha in chaos!

The Killjoys are in charge and the citizens of Terra Alpha enter a brave new world where Happiness isn’t everything. Who will prevail? Find out in this 48 page prestige format comic is full of surprises, new characters and shocking twists.

A sequel to the critically acclaimed 1988 Doctor Who story, the Happiness Patrol: Unhappily Ever After has been developed with the blessing and backing of the estate of original writer Graeme Curry and Seventh Doctor Script Editor and architect, Andrew Cartmel.

The full synopsis is as follows:

Terra Alpha is in mourning. Helen A’s despotic government has fallen, and no longer is sadness outlawed – but not everyone is glad to be unhappy. A new group of grinning terrorists, the Humbugs, vies with the solemn Killjoys for control over Terra Alpha’s future – while an ominous figure prowls the streets in search of sweet revenge…

Join old friends and foes Susan Q, Earl Sigma, Helen A, Priscilla P, Trevor Sigma and a host of new characters as they navigate this strange and gaudy world.

As befits a return to this very special and beloved era, Cutawy has assembled a great team of talents to help make this very special world pop with colour and ideas, including writer Steve Lyons (Big Finish, Doctor Who Magazine, BBC Books and Audio, Big Finish, Warhammer) and artist Adrian Salmon (Doctor Who Magazine, IDW, 2000AD. Key strips include the Cybermen, Orcini and Sutekh the Heretic) and colourist Andrew Orton (Omega, Eldrad Must Live and Paradise Towers comics). The team is completed by letterist Colin Brockhurst (editor Vworp Vworp), designer Will Brooks (Titan Comics, Big Finish, lead designer for Cutaway Comics and Roundel Books) and VAM Producer Sean Mason.

An exclusive DVD of extra material includes:

FAN-TASTIC: THE HAPPINESS PATROL. Featuring interviews with UK and international fans, this series celebrating the original Doctor Who adventure continues in fine fashion. (Already shot and edited!)

ACE INTERVIEW: A thoroughly Ace interview with Happiness Patrol star Sophie Aldred recorded at the Whooverville Convention. Sophie talks about her time on the story and reflects on its legacy. (Already shot and edited!)

DREAM-TEAM! Steve Lyons and Adrian Salmon. Steve Lyons and Ade Salmon discuss the book and their love of The Happiness Patrol.

IN CONVERSATION: Steve Lyons. Steve Lyons discusses his long and varied writing career.

ARCHIVE INTERVIEWS. Cutaway will be diving into the archives for rare footage and audio interviews with the cast and crew of The Happiness Patrol.

Brand new Audio Commentaries for the Happiness Patrol with the people who were there as well as a new fan commentary!  The Production Commentary features Script Editor Andrew Cartmel and composer Dominic Glynn chaired with usual style by the BFI’s own Justin Johnson.

The second commentary is something brand new they’ve wanted to try for an age, A Fan Commentary on the Happiness Patrol featuring some very special guests. Join host Richard Unwin, era writer and good friend of Cutaway Stephen Wyatt (Doctor Who TV writer Paradise Towers and Greatest Show in the Galaxy), plus Gallifrey Cabaret’s impresario duo Reece Connolly and Carrot for a proudly LGBT journey back to Terra Alpha like no other.

Looking forward to the launch of the Kickstarter, Cutaway Comics Publisher Gareth Kavanagh noted “I’ve been looking forward to launching this Kickstarter for ages. I’ve always enjoyed this world and with the huge outpouring of love for the Happiness Patrol that accompanied the Doctor Who Season 25 Blu Ray launch back in the Autumn, it feels the world might just be catching up with us in our appreciation.”

The Happiness Patrol is available to back via Kickstarter from Midday 14.05.25. Pledges begin from just £4 for a digital copy of the comic.