Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW):  The Brain of Morbius  which was shown from 3rd January 1976 and written by Robin Bland
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Mike Little. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

1977 edition
Why do so many spaceships crashland on Karn, a bleak, lonely and seemingly deserted planet? Are they doomed by the mysterious powers of the strange, black-robed Sisterhood, jealously guarding their secret of eternal life? Or does the mad Dr Solon, for some evil purpose of his own, need the bodies of the victims? And more especially, the body of DOCTOR WHO …

1991 edition
Maren leaned forward and gazed into the crystal. "Now is the moment, sister. The Time Lord sleeps, he cannot protect himself against us..."

On the bleak and lonely planet of Karn, the mysterious Sisterhood guards the Sacred Flame, from which the Elixir of Life comes. But the Flame is dying...

Elsewhere on the planet, the renegate Time Lord Morbius awaits the creation of a monstrous new body which will give him the power to rule the Galaxy.

This is a novelization by Terrance Dicks of his own script which he wrote under the pseuodonym Robin Bland. The author of over sixty Doctor Who novelizations, Terrance Dicks was script editor of the series for five years.

Doctor Who - The Brain of Morbius is available on BBC Video and has recently been broadcast on BSB television.

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * The inside page includes the comment: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the fourth DOCTOR WHO."
 * This was one of two titles that was choosen for a rewrite for younger readers and released in the short lived range of Junior Doctor Who.

Publishing History (UK)
To be added

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


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:

Junior edition

 * Main article: Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius.

In 1980, Terrance Dicks published a shorter version of this novel aimed at younger readers; it was one of two such experiments.

International Editions
To be added

Audio Release
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio Books and read by Tom Baker who played the Fourth Doctor. The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-405-? was released in February 2008 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