The Invasion (novelisation)

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

1985 Target Books edition
Materialising in outer space, the TARDIS is attacked by a missile fired from the dark side of the moon.

Back on Earth, the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, is disturbed by a series of UFO sightings over Southern England.

Meanwhile, a large consignment of mysterious crates is delivered to the headquarters of International Electromatix, the largest computer and electronics firm in the world.

Three seemingly unconnected events - but in reality the preparations for a massive Cyberman invasion of Earth with one aim - the total annihilation of the human race.

1993 Target Books edition
'THE DOCTOR WILL BE ELIMINATED. THE INVASION MUST PROCEED.'

Bringing Jamie and Zoe to Earth, the Doctor meets up with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, now in charge of the newly formed UNIT. He is investigating International Electromatix, an electronics firm where the machines seem to have taken control. Many people have entered International Electromatix, fewer have returned, and they have all been - changed. The Doctor soon realises that his old enemies the Cybermen are involved. Will he find their hidden army in time to stop the invasion?

The first story to feature UNIT, The Invasion was written for television by Derrick Sherwin. This novelization is by the late Ian Marter who played the Doctor's companion Harry Sullivan from 1974-75.

Chapter titles

 * Prologue
 * 1) Home Sweet Home?
 * 2) Old Friends
 * 3) Cat and Mouse
 * 4) Hitching Lifts
 * 5) Skeletons and Cupboards
 * 6) Secret Weapons
 * 7) Underground Operations
 * 8) Invasion
 * 9) Counter Measures
 * 10) The Nick of Time

Deviations from televised story

 * The novel includes the UNIT rescue scene of Professor Watkins not included in the original televised transmission.
 * Gregory is shot and killed by Benton during the rescue of Watkins instead of being killed by a Cyberman in the sewers.
 * Vaughn convinces Rutlidge to shoot himself.
 * International Electromatics is renamed International Electromatix. The logo is also changed from a representation of the letters to a lightning bolt insignia and the company has a private commune.
 * Jamie writes "" in the cell, a phrase popularised by American soldiers during WWII.
 * The language is more explicit than the televised version: Packer calls the Doctor a "bastard."
 * The Brigadier views the TARDIS dematerialisation at the end of the story, the first time this has happened.
 * There is a third man with Benton and Tracy when they pick up the Doctor and Jamie.
 * Turner is not present in the early aircraft scenes, not appearing until the Brigadier sends him up in the helicopter.
 * Planet 14 is referred to as Planet Sigma Gamma 14.
 * The policeman killed in the sewers is described as "young": On television, he is middle-aged.
 * There is a second private, Harris, with Turner in the sewers who is injured during the battle. The sergeant with the group is not identified as Walters.
 * Packer strikes Jamie across the face upon recapturing him at IE, causing him to bleed.
 * The Doctor addresses Turner as "young man", a phrase more likely to come from his first incarnation.
 * The missile base is renamed from Henlow Downs to Henlow Flats. Major Branwell becomes Squadron Leader Bradwell and Sergeant Peters becomes a flight lieutenant. (These are RAF ranks rather than the army ones given on screen.)
 * The Doctor is seen to have a neurister fitted when the signal is turned on, rather than it falling off.
 * The Russian shuttle base is named Nykortny, an in joke referring to Nicholas Courtney.
 * The Doctor seems to take longer to realise the Cybermen can launch the Megatron bomb without the signal.

Writing and publishing notes

 * Back pages feature details of Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers-without the colour pictures of the posters!
 * 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:
 * 1993 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alistair Pearson priced £3.50 (UK)

Audiobook
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 7 April 2016 complete and unabridged by BBC Physical Audio and read by David Troughton with Cyberman voices by Nicholas Briggs.

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.

The audiobook was reissued on 1 September 2022 as part of The Second Earth Adventures Collection.