Return of the Elders

Editor: Stuart Palmer · Last update: 12 February 2007

The Daleks attack the solar system, but opposition comes from a surprising source...

After many reprints in assorted annuals, Doctor Who Weekly, Doctor Who Monthly and Doctor Who Classic Comics, these strips were published collectively in 1994 as The Dalek Chronicles, with a new wraparound cover designed by Ron Turner.

It was this commission that led Ron Turner to submit a fresh strip to Doctor Who Magazine, continuing the story of the Daleks’ attempt to conquer the solar system. However, only one story – Return of the Elders – was completed, with the art for another strip incomplete at the time of Ron Turner’s death.

Art by Ron Turner

Part One

The Daleks enter the solar system but encounter strange ships of an unknown design. The Daleks are no match for these advanced vessels and several of their saucers are destroyed.

Illustration from the original Dalek ChroniclesIllustration from the original Dalek Chronicles

Part Two

The Daleks lose the battle against the strange alien ships and are forced to retreat. They head for Titan where they discover a human mining settlement. The Emperor is forming a plan to outwit their strange enemy and orders an attack on the settlement.

Part Three

The Daleks attack the mining settlement on Titan and capture a crew of six men headed by Commander Trent.

Part Four

The Daleks condition the Earthmen to become cannon fodder for the Daleks, so that the Daleks can defeat their strange enemy. Sending them out in Dalek ships, they are suddenly trapped in a bright light.

Part Five

Trent and his men are rescued by a race of Elders who exist between the physical and sub-etheric dimensions. They seeded Earth generations before, but man has abused the Earth and now they return to purify it. They destroy all but two of the Dalek ships and Trent is determined to stop them escaping.

Part Six

Pursued by Trent’s squad, the Daleks attempt to lose it in Jupiter’s rings, but the Earthmen get the upper hand and the Daleks are forced to retreat. But they are determined to attack again…

  • This story was originally published in issues 249-254 of Doctor Who Magazine.
  • John Lawrence, Ron Turner’s agent, wrote the story.
  • It continues on from the last story of the TV Century 21 run, with the Daleks commencing their attack on the Solar System.