Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: Planet of the Spiders which was written by Robert Sloman and shown from 4th May 1974.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Peter Brookes. (See below for information on other UK and international editions published with different covers).

1975 edition
`It’s happening, Brigadier! It’s happening!’ Sarah cried out. The Brigadier watched, fascinated, as the lifeless body of his old friend and companion, Dr Who, suddenly began to glow with an eerie golden light … The features were blurring, changing … `Well, bless my soul.’ Said the Brigadier. `WHO will he be next?’ Read the last exciting adventure of DR WHO’s 3rd Incarnation!

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story

 * Dicks adds a prologue featuring former companion Jo Grant, who is referenced but otherwise does not appear on screen in the TV version. Jo is referred to as Josephine Jones, which is consistent with the name she uses when she returns to television in 2010 in SJA: Death of the Doctor.
 * The original broadcast included references to Dr. Sullivan, but in the book this becomes Dr. Sweetman.
 * Lupton's fate is depicted more gruesomely in the novel.

Writing and publishing notes

 * The BBC supplied a photograph of Tom Baker when they were unhappy with the original artwork they were shown that featured the Third Doctors regeneration into the Fourth Doctor.
 * Title page includes: THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the third DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was altered by the Time Lords when they banished him to planet Earth in the Twentieth Century.

British publication history
To be added

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


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * 1978 Target Books with a new cover by Alun Hood priced 60p (UK)
 * 1991 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alister Pearson priced £2.50 (UK)

Editions published outside Britain
To be added

Audiobook
Released by BBC Audio and read by Elisabeth Sladen