Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW:  Colony in Space  which was shown from 10th April 1971 and written by Malcolm Hulke
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
 * A hardcover edition was not released until 1982.

1974 edition
The evil MASTER has stolen the Time Lords’ file on the horrifying DOOMSDAY WEAPON with which, when he finds it, he can blast whole planets out of existence and make himself ruler of the Galaxy!

The Time Lords direct DOCTOR WHO and Jo Grant in the TARDIS to a bleak planet in the year 2471 where they find colonists from Earth under threat from mysterious, savage, monster lizards with frightful claws! And hidden upon this planet is the DOOMSDAY WEAPON for which the MASTER is intently searching …

Deviations from the Televised Story

 * Both Jo Grant and the Master are given new introductions, with Grant in particular described as joining the Doctor for the first time, despite the existence of numerous previous stories featuring her, including the previous novelisation, Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks.
 * The concrete Earth that the colonists had left is expanded upon.

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

 * The 1979 edition by Pinnacle Books in the US included an introduction by Harlan Ellison.
 * The first edition Target cover was the first to feature The Master.

Illustrations

 * This title contain 11 illustrated pages by Chris Achilleos

Publishing History (UK)
To be added

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


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 70p
 * 1979 Target Books with a new cover by Jeff Cummins priced 75p (UK)

International Editions
To be added

Audio Release
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio Books and read by Geoffrey Beevers who played The Master. The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-405-67795-3 was released in September 2007 priced £13.99 (UK) 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

External Sources

 * The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
 * On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal