Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW:  The Tomb of the Cybermen  which was written by Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler and shown from 2nd September 1967.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It features the artwork of Jeff Cummins. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which were published with a different cover).

1978 edition
The Cybermen - silver, indestructible monsters whose only goal is power - seem to have disappeared from their planet, Telos. When a party of archaeologists, joined by the Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria, land on the Cybermen’s barren, deserted planet, they uncover what appears to be their tomb. But once inside it becomes clear that the Cybermen are not dead, and some in the group of archaeologists desperately want to re-activate these monsters! How can the Doctor defeat these ruthless, power-seeking humans and the Cybermen?

Book Chapters
Introduction 01 - Victoria and Jamie 02 - An Expedition into Space 03 - The Entrance to the Tombs 04 - Cyberman Control Room 05 - The Recharging Room 06 - The Target Room 07 - The Finding of the Cybermat 08 - The Secret of the Hatch 09 - The Cyberman Controller 10 - Release the Cybermats 11 - The Controller is Revitalised 12 - Toberman Returns 13 - Closing the Tombs

Illustrations

 * Contains no illustrated pages

Deviations from televised story

 * The narration sometimes refers to the Doctor as "Doctor Who".
 * The introduction provides a brief synopsis of the birth of the Cybermen, and the events of DW: The Tenth Planet and DW: The Moonbase. However, the introduction also states that the homeworld of the Cybermen was always Telos, not Mondas.
 * Toberman is described as either Turkish or Middle Eastern.
 * The main chamber of the tomb is lined with ornate bas-reliefs of the history of the Cybermen, from their creation to the destruction of Mondas.
 * The Cyber-Controller is described as having a black helmet, like the Cyber-Leaders seen later in the series.

Writing and publishing notes

 * The cover depicts a version of the Cybermen different from that which appeared in the story. (The photo reference used comes from The Invasion).
 * Intial designs by an unknown artist featured the Second Doctor and the appropriate Cybermen, but was unused, most likely because of the BBC’s reluctance to allow only the then-current Doctors likeness on the covers.
 * This title was delayed from its planned release in July 1977 until May 1978.
 * Dedication: Dedicated to my daughters, Victoria-Jean and Felicity-Jane.

British publication history
To be added

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


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 1992 by Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alistair Pearson priced £2.99 (UK)

Editions published outside Britain
To be added