Galaxy Four (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1965 television serial Galaxy 4.

Publisher's summary
Following a skirmish in deep space, two alien spacecraft have crash landed on a barren planet in Galaxy Four.

The Drahvins are a race of beautiful females, led by the imperious Maaga. The Rills are hideous tusked monstrosities, accompanied by their robotic servants, the Chumblies.

When the Doctor arrives, he discovers that the planet will explode in two days' time. The Drahvins desperately ask for his help in escaping the planet and the belligerent Rills.

But things are not always as they seem...

Chapter titles

 * 1) Four Hundred Dawns
 * 2) Trap of Steel
 * 3) Airlock
 * 4) The Exploding Planet

Deviations from televised story

 * On their way back the Drahvin spaceship, the Doctor and Steven fall into a pit and only escape by pulling a Chumbley along with them. By standing on it, they manage to climb out.
 * The Doctor hints that he is not in his first incarnation by stating that "[...] it is hard to find a good body." This contradicts later televised stories and novelisations which explicitly identify this incarnation as his first, however it is equally possible that this discrepancy can be explained away as a general adage held among his people.
 * He also mentions his second heart, something else not introduced until TV: Spearhead from Space. In the story TV: The Edge of Destruction, Ian checks the First Doctor's pulse and doesn't notice a second heart, implying he has only one. Also, in TV: The Sensorites, the Doctor mentions he was struck under his heart (singular). Other stories would suggest that the Doctor grew his second heart after regenerating for the first time. (PROSE: The Man in the Velvet Mask) However, other novels do imply the presence of a second heart during his first body. (PROSE: Salvation)
 * The lead-in to the following televised story, Mission to the Unknown, has been omitted.

Writing and publishing notes

 * The inside back cover includes colour details of Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
 * The cover for the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter.
 * The book is a rare example of a later-period Target novelisation using a title different from that of the broadcast (the TV version uses Galaxy 4, whereas the book uses Galaxy Four); similarly, the TV episode title is spelled "Air Lock" but "Airlock" in the book.

British publication history

 * Hardback
 * W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Audiobook
This Target Book was released on 6 July 2017 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Maureen O'Brien.

The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.