Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils (novelisation)

1979 edition
Whilst visiting the Master, who has been exiled to a luxurious castle prison on a small island, Doctor Who and Jo Grant learn that a number of ships have vanished in the area. Whilst investigating these mysterious disappearances, Jo and the Doctor are attacked by a Sea-Devil, one of a submarine colony distantly related to the Silurians. Soon they discover that the Sea-Devils plan to conquer the Earth and enslave humanity, aided and abetted by the Master. What can Doctor Who do to stop them?

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: The Sea Devils which was written by Malcolm Hulke and shown from 26 February 1972.
 * The original Target novel cover illustrated at right features the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other editions published with different covers).
 * Jo Grant becomes the first full-fledged companion to appear on the cover of a Target novelisation.
 * The novelisation was going to be called Doctor Who and the Sea Monsters to follow Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters.
 * Not released to hardcover until 1981.

Deviations from televised story

 * The novelisation uses Sea-Devil rather than Sea Devil.
 * We learn about media publicity surrounding the Master's lengthy trial and the ethical debate as to whether to execute him and the ethical difficulty of putting an immortal being, a Time Lord, in prison for life. During the trial, the Doctor gave testimony urging punishment other than the death penalty.
 * The Doctor frequently tells Jo that the Sea Devils are related to the Silurian and that they are "just like those cave monsters we met in Derbyshire." This perhaps implies that Jo herself met the Silurians, which she never did on screen.
 * On page 83, the Master tells the Doctor that he plans to use the Sea Devils, just like he used the Ogrons. As the book was published a year after Frontier in Space was transmitted, Malcolm Hulke included the reference. In Frontier and its novelisation Doctor Who and the Space War, the Master tells the Doctor he thought he'd come and see him in prison like he came to see him when he was locked up in Sea.
 * At the end of the book, the Master escapes in a helicopter, rather than a hovercraft which he used in the televised version.

Writing and publishing notes

 * Jo Grant appears on the cover of the first Target edition, making her the first undisputed companion to appear on the cover of a Target novelisation (The Brigadier appeared on the cover of Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion, however his status as a companion is disputed by some).

Illustrations

 * This title contain six illustrated pages by Alan Willow

British publication history
To be added

First Publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 60p (UK)
 * 1979 Target Books with a new cover by John Geary priced 60p (UK)

Editions published outside Britain
To be added