The Krotons (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1968 television serial The Krotons.

1985 Target Books edition
Many thousands of years ago strange crystalline creatures came down from the stars and settled on the planet of the Gonds.

Over the years they educated the Gonds through teaching machines in the great Hall of Learning. In return, the Gonds periodically selected their two most brilliant scholars to become the 'companions' of these mysterious beings.

But when the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe arrive on the planet, they soon discover the true evil purpose of the aliens and learn what it really means to be companions of the Krotons...

1991 Target Books edition
According to legend, many thousands of years ago strange creatures came from the skies and settled on the planet of the Gonds. They were the Krotons.

And now, every year, the Gond's two greatest scholars are chosen to become the companions of the Krotons. They disappear and are never seen again, but it is held to be a great honour; for only the finest are chosen.

But when the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe arrive on the planet, they discover the true, evil purpose of the aliens and find out what it really means to be the companions of the Krotons...

Doctor Who - The Krotons, featuring Patrick Troughton in the role of the Doctor, was broadcast in 1968 and was written by Robert Holmes. This novelization is by Terrance Dicks, who has novelized over sixty Doctor Who television stories; at the time The Krotons was broadcast he was the script editor of the series.

Doctor Who - The Krotons is available as a BBC video.

Chapter titles

 * 1) A Candidate for Death
 * 2) The Rescue
 * 3) The Rebels
 * 4) The Genius
 * 5) The Companions
 * 6) The Krotons Awake
 * 7) The Militants
 * 8) The Attack
 * 9) The Second Attack
 * 10) Battle Plans
 * 11) Eelek's Bargain
 * 12) Acid

Deviations from televised story

 * The Doctor's claim that he is "not a doctor of medicine" is repeated, followed by the omniscient narrator describing this reply "a little unfair[...], since he was in fact a doctor of almost everything."
 * The Doctor is amazed that the Krotons feed off living thoughts and feels this justifies their arrogance.
 * Vana justifies avoiding the evacuation by saying she is a scientist and can help Beta.
 * The continuity error of Beta being in the Underhall when he was left behind in the laboratory is corrected, with his line given to an unnamed engineer (as it was in the original script).
 * The comedy business of Beta burning his finger while testing the acid is removed.

Writing and publishing notes

 * Inside back cover features colour Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
 * The cover of the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter.

British publication history
First publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 1991 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alistair Pearson priced £2.50 (UK)

Audiobook
This Target Book was released on 2 April 2020 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Frazer Hines.

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.