ITEM #1: We’ll get back to all the “must-read” comic books etc. next time.

It’s that time of year again! I’m heading out to represent GEM and share in the joy of being a Doctor Who fan with about 1500 other people at the huge North American Who convention known as Gallifrey One, held annually in Los Angeles. It’s one of the best shows of any kind and a highlight of the genre convention year. Most importantly, this is the best time to be a fan of the world’s greatest, longest-running science fiction television show, and it just keeps getting better!

Those who follow such things will have already seen the latest trailer for the new series of Doctor Who debuting this April. Starring Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond, the new batch of episodes not only represent a changing of the guard in front of the camera but behind it as well, with new Executive Producer Steven Moffat (you know, the one that kept winning Hugos for his previous Doctor Who scripts like “The Girl in the Fireplace” and “Blink”) ushering in an entirely new era for the series. It’s the first change of this magnitude since the show returned in 2005 with executive producer Russell T. Davies at the helm, and now it’s reborn yet again with a promise of bold new adventures and a few familiar faces returning from the history of Who new and old. The new trailer, shot especially to promote the debut, tipped off a few of those returnees, including the Daleks (like they’d ever stay away) and the monsters of “Blink” themselves, the Weeping Angels.

US fans might have to wait a little bit for the new episodes (although BBC America aired each part of the two-part finale of the Tenth Doctor’s era one day after each airing in the UK), but minor delays aside, fans on both sides of the Atlantic have reason to rejoice. Doctor Who is bigger and better than ever, the future looks bright, and after a “Gap Year” in which only a few specials were aired it’s time to get back to a full 13-episode series of TARDIS travel (plus the now-traditional Christmas special).

See you in California, Who fans. I’ll be the one not wearing the Tom Baker scarf.

ITEM #2: COMING SOON! America’s Favorite Teenager  – Our Special Edition Exhibit
Soon I’ll be giving you the full scoop on our next Special Edition featuring Archie Andrews and the whole gang. But what will our exhibit feature? More next time!

Don’t forget to visit Geppi’s EntertainmentMuseum online at www.geppismuseum.com or in person at 301 W. Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Our phone is (410) 625-7060.