'Doctor Who' And UNIT's Black Archive Stick The Landing At San Diego Comic-Con

BBC Studios definitely knows that the hearts of Whovians all over the world are definitely bigger on the inside. For six-decades now, the Doctor has been gracing our screens, ears, and eyes with adventures that span galaxies and moments.

Doctor Who is no stranger when it comes to San Diego Comic-Con. Whenever I am on the show floor, I make it a point to navigate the hustle and bustle to feast my eyes on what BBC Studios and Doctor Who have to offer.

I have been following the Doctor's adventures since he found me in the late 80s. Doctor Who would be shown on PBS and Tom Baker's whimsical, eccentric, but sternly profound mannerisms convinced me to sneak onto the television after my parents were asleep to see what adventure would unfold.

Time travel some years later and here I am, having have found myself gone through an adventure of my own, raising a family. It's crazy to think that at about the same time Doctor Who found its way back into our homes over here in the States that I find myself sharing some of these adventure with my wife and kids. When I introduced to my wife I didn't know if she was going to think I was a madman to enjoy such whimsical and sometimes depressing adventures. Daleks, Cybermen, Vashta Nerada, and Weeping Angels, only someone who marries you for life would sit through these adventures. Now we indulge on the Doctor's journeys with our children.

When BBC Studios invited me and my family to check out the UNIT: Black Archive activation during San Diego Comic-Con, they can attest that I responded with "ALLONS-Y".

Upon arriving at the activation, I was able to preview new Doctor Who merchandise and apparel. I especially loved the look of the new shirts as they had a British Punk esthetic to them.

Various Doctor Who Merchandise on Display

So, if you get to know me, I can NOT pass up a TARDIS photo op. Maybe it's because phone booths are a rare sight to behold these days, or just the idea of a phone box where it really is bigger on the inside, it just warms my heart.

The Entrance to the UNIT: Black Archive at San Diego Comic-Con

It was awesome to see that the TARDIS set from the 2024 convention floor was repurposed outside for the activation. I was extremely excited as this was one of my favorite booths on the 2024 show floor. Fezzes were donned instantly and the Doctor Who UNIT: Black Archive activation was underway.

The Black Archive was definitely a sight to behold for Whovians. Scattered about the UNIT warehouse were relics of various items and artifacts from the Doctor Who timeline. Seeing an actual member of The Silence encased in glass and Cybermen heads up close truly has an added sense of wow knowing that the UNIT artifacts played a part over the last 60 years of Doctor Who lore.

Head of a Cyberman on Display at the UNIT: Black Archive

It was a breath of fresh air to see BBC Studios and the folks who planned the activation go more interactive this time around. I had hoped it would feel like I was on the set of an episode of Doctor Who, and it was exactly what I had hoped for.

I was fortunate enough to experience the immersive aspect to this activation, where attendees were able to interact with UNIT scientists to solve a series of puzzles at various stations to send a message to 'warn the Doctor'. The folks portraying the UNIT scientists were amazing keeping up with the immersion and they kept even the younger Whovians like my children highly motivated and entertained throughout. Happy to say the mission was a success.

UNIT Scientist Congratulating My Kids on a Successful Mission.

The excitement BBC Studios has for Doctor Who could definitely be felt in the air during this activation, and I am excited for what adventures the Doctor has in store.

I was also told that the San Diego Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park has a Doctor Who exhibit ongoing at the moment. The "Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction" exhibition at Comic-Con Museum is an interactive exhibit delves into the science behind the series, offering a deeper look at the Time Lord’s adventures through time and space. With a wealth of original screen-used props and costumes, along with exclusive in-depth recorded interviews from scientists and FX crew from the show, I'm told it is a must-see exhibition. Unfortunately, I was unable to check this out but, on a sidenote, if the fine folks over at BBC Studios sees this, please bring Doctor Who to San Diego Comic-Con EVERY YEAR.

Rating: ★★★★☆