Doctor Who and the Giant Robot (novelisation): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Story
|image = <gallery>DoctorWhoandtheGiantRobot.jpg|1975 edition
|name=Doctor Who and the Giant Robot
Giant Robot novel.jpg|1979 edition
|image=DoctorWhoandtheGiantRobot.png
3GiantRobot.jpg|1992 edition
|series=[[Target novelisation]]s
</gallery>
|number= 28 (given to later editions)  
|number = 28 (given to later editions)  
|doctor=Fourth Doctor  
|doctor = Fourth Doctor  
|companions=[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]]
|companions=[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]]
|featuring=[[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brig]], [[John Benton|Benton]]
|featuring = The Brigadier
|enemy= [[K1]], [[Scientific Reform Society]]
|featuring2 = John Benton
|setting= [[London]], circa [[1970s]]  
|enemy = [[K1]], [[Scientific Reform Society]]
|writer= [[Terrance Dicks]]
|setting = [[London]]  
|publisher= Target Books
|writer = Terrance Dicks
|publisher2= W.H. Allen
|read by = [[Tom Baker]]
|novelisation of= Robot (TV story)
|publisher = Target Books
|cover= [[Peter Brookes]]
|publisher2 = W.H. Allen
|release date= [[13 March (releases)|13 March]] [[1975 (releases)|1975]]
|novelisation of = Robot (TV story)
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 12 Chapters, 124 Pages
|cover = [[Peter Brookes]]
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-10858-2
|release date= 13 March 1975
|prev=Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders  
|format = Hardcover and paperback editions;<br/>124 pages
|next=Doctor Who and the Ark in Space}}
|isbn = ISBN 0-426-10858-2
 
|series = [[Target novelisation]]s
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the [[1974 (releases)|1974]] television serial ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]''. The first edition utilised a unique variant of the [[Doctor Who logo|''Doctor Who'' logo]], incorporating an image of the Fourth Doctor within the O in Who (Otherwise, the Doctor is absent from the main art, the first time this had occurred since the first edition of ''[[Doctor Who and the Crusaders]]'' nearly a decade before).
|prev = Doctor Who and the Cybermen (novelisation)
|next = Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons (novelisation)
|series2 = [[Target novelisation]] numbering
|prev2 = Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks (novelisation)
|next2 = Doctor Who and the Green Death (novelisation)
|series3 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]
|prev3 = Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders (novelisation)
|next3 = Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)
|adapted into = Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot (novelisation)
}}{{you may|Doctor Who and the Robot (comic story)|n1 = the unrelated comic story}}'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1974 television serial ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]''. The first edition utilised a unique variant of the [[Doctor Who logo|''Doctor Who'' logo]], incorporating an image of the Fourth Doctor within the O in Who (Otherwise, the Doctor is absent from the main art, the first time this had occurred since the first edition of ''[[Doctor Who and the Crusaders (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Crusaders]]'' nearly a decade before).


Although the idea of incorporating the Doctor's face into the logo was later dropped, the books continued to use this version of the series logo for the rest of the decade. The first hardcover edition did not appear until more than eleven years later.
Although the idea of incorporating the Doctor's face into the logo was later dropped, the books continued to use this version of the series logo for the rest of the decade. The first hardcover edition did not appear until more than eleven years later.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
=== 1975 edition ===
=== 1975 Target Books edition ===
`Look, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]]! It’s growing!’ screamed [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]].
`Look, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]]! It's growing!' screamed [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]].


The Brigadier stared in amazement as the [[Robot]] began to grow … and grow … swelling to the size of a giant!
The Brigadier stared in amazement as the [[Robot]] began to grow ... and grow ... swelling to the size of a giant!


Slowly the metal colossus, casting its enormous shadow upon the surrounding trees and buildings, began to stride towards the Brigadier. A giant metal hand reached down to grasp him … Can [[Fourth Doctor|DOCTOR WHO]] defeat the evil forces controlling the Robot before they execute their plans to blackmail — or destroy — the world? <br />
Slowly the metal colossus, casting its enormous shadow upon the surrounding trees and buildings, began to stride towards the Brigadier. A giant metal hand reached down to grasp him ... Can [[Fourth Doctor|DOCTOR WHO]] defeat the evil forces controlling the Robot before they execute their plans to blackmail — or destroy — the world?
 
The first adventure of DOCTOR WHO's 4th incredible incarnation!
 
=== 1992 Target Books edition ===
'BRIGADIER! IT'S GROWING!' SCREAMED SARAH.
 
Still weakened by this third regeneration, the Doctor, along with Sarah, the Brigadier, and [[Harry Sullivan]], faces the threats made by a group of dissident scientists, including the icy [[Hilda Winters|Miss Winters]], to enslave the world - or perhaps to destroy the planet entirely.
 
Written by [[Terrance Dicks]] and broadcast in [[1974 (releases)|1974]], this story was first published under the title ''The Giant Robot''. It was the first television story ever to feature the Fourth Doctor, as played by [[Tom Baker]] - regarded by many as the definitive Doctor. ''Robot'' also introduced Harry Sullivan to [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] crew.


== Chapter titles ==
== Chapter titles ==
Line 52: Line 71:
* The [[Fourth Doctor]] spends several days in sick bay, rather than a few minutes.
* The [[Fourth Doctor]] spends several days in sick bay, rather than a few minutes.
* In the televised story, Harry drives Bessie towards the Robot so the Doctor can pour the metal virus on it. In the novelisation, he drives the Brigadier's Land Rover to do it instead.
* In the televised story, Harry drives Bessie towards the Robot so the Doctor can pour the metal virus on it. In the novelisation, he drives the Brigadier's Land Rover to do it instead.
* The novelisation effectively omits the first scene, although parts of it are used as flashback when the Brigadier visits the Doctor's laboratory, opening with the K1's first robbery.
* [[Arnold Jellicoe|Jellicoe]] and [[Joseph Chambers|Chambers']] first names are not mentioned. [[Short]] is not named at all, but does replace Jellicoe letting [[J.P. Kettlewell|Kettlewell]] into the meeting.
* Conversely, Kettlewell's first name is given as Jeremiah, expanding on the televised version giving his first initial as J.
* Benton is referred to as a sergeant several times before he tells Sarah about his promotion; on television, he wears his new rank insignia and is referred to as "Mr. Benton" throughout.
* Jellicoe is said to be [[National Institute for Advanced Scientific Research|Thinktank's]] Public Relations Officer rather than [[Hilda Winters]]' assistant.
* Jellicoe tries to talk Miss Winters out of letting the SRS members attack Sarah.
* The K1's pursuit of the Doctor at Kettlewell's house goes on longer.
* The Thinktank gate guard lets Sarah into the building rather than her sneaking in.
* Sarah passes out after her first encounter with the Robot.
* Harry is knocked out by an anonymous security guard rather than Jellicoe and [[Phillips (Robot)|Phillips]] (the latter does not appear at all in the novelisation).
* UNIT raid the Thinktank and find it deserted before going to the bunker.
* The K1 places Sarah on the roof of the bunker rather than a rooftop.
* There is a sequence of RAF jet fighters unsuccessfully attacking the giant K1.
* At one point, the Doctor addresses Harry as "my boy", a phrase not normally associated with his fourth incarnation.
* The K1 hides himself and Sarah in a secret compartment at the bunker, where Sarah helps herself to the supplies.
* There is a brief battle between UNIT and the Thinktank troops when they storm the bunker.


== Writing and publishing notes ==
== Writing and publishing notes ==
* The cover logo for the first edition uniquely used the Fourth Doctor’s face in the "O" lettering in WHO. Disregarding this modification, this was the first Target novelization to feature the then-current diamond logo (although only the lettering, not the diamond itself). Prior to this release the line had used a unique logo reminiscent of the one used between 1970 and 1973.
* The cover logo for the first edition uniquely used the Fourth Doctor's face in the "O" lettering in WHO. Disregarding this modification, this was the first Target novelisation to feature the then-current diamond logo (although only the lettering, not the diamond itself). Prior to this release the line had used a unique logo reminiscent of the one used between 1970 and 1973.
* The inside cover of the original edition notes: “THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the fourth DOCTOR WHO” !
* The inside cover of the original edition notes: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the fourth DOCTOR WHO"!


== Additional cover images ==
== Additional cover images ==
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:Giant_Robot_novel.jpg|1979 edition; Cover by [[Jeff Cummins]]
File:Giant_Robot_novel.jpg|1979 edition.<br />Cover by [[Jeff Cummins]]
File:Giant_Robot_hardcover.jpg|1986 hardcover edition
File:3GiantRobot.jpg|1992 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


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


== Editions published outside Britain ==
== Editions published outside Britain ==
''To be added''
* Published in the USA by Aeonian Press in 1978 as a hardback edition; despite this being one of only two novelisations published in the 1970's Aeonian Press would publish a further seven novelisations in the mid-1980's.


== Audiobook ==
== Audiobook ==
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Tom Baker]] who played the [[Fourth Doctor]].
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[5 November (releases)|5 November]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Tom Baker]].


The audio set of four CD's with an ISBN 1-405-XX was released in November 2007 priced £17.99 (UK)
The cover blurb was retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by [[David J. Howe]]. Music and sound effects by [[Simon Power]].


The cover blurb was retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by [[David J. Howe]]. Music and sound effects by [[Simon Power]]<br />
It was later reissued as an MP3-CD alongside action figures of a Weeping Angel and a Cyberman as part of [[Character Options series 5 action figures|Character Options' Panodrica wave]]. Additionally, it was broadcast on BBC Radio 7 that same year, serialised in 8 parts from 5th-9th and 12th-14th April 2010.
 
The audiobook version was re-released in [[October (releases)|October]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] as part of ''[[The Second UNIT Collection]]'' box set.
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:GiantRobotAudio.jpg
File:GiantRobotAudio.jpg|Audiobook cover
</gallery>
</gallery>


Line 86: Line 125:
: ''Main article: [[Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot]].''
: ''Main article: [[Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot]].''


In 1980, Terrance Dicks published a shorter version of this novel aimed at younger readers; it was one of two such experiments.
In 1980, Terrance Dicks published a shorter version of this novel aimed at younger readers; it was one of two such experiments; the other was ''[[Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius (novelisation)|The Brain of Morbius]]''.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{on target|1975/giant/75giant.htm|Doctor Who and the Giant Robot}}
 


{{DWN}}
{{DWN}}
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{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:1975 novels]]
[[Category:1975 novels]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor novelisations]]
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith novels]]
[[Category:Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:The Second UNIT Collection novels]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor novels]]

Latest revision as of 20:55, 16 July 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for the unrelated comic story.

Doctor Who and the Giant Robot was a novelisation based on the 1974 television serial Robot. The first edition utilised a unique variant of the Doctor Who logo, incorporating an image of the Fourth Doctor within the O in Who (Otherwise, the Doctor is absent from the main art, the first time this had occurred since the first edition of Doctor Who and the Crusaders nearly a decade before).

Although the idea of incorporating the Doctor's face into the logo was later dropped, the books continued to use this version of the series logo for the rest of the decade. The first hardcover edition did not appear until more than eleven years later.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

1975 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

`Look, Brigadier! It's growing!' screamed Sarah.

The Brigadier stared in amazement as the Robot began to grow ... and grow ... swelling to the size of a giant!

Slowly the metal colossus, casting its enormous shadow upon the surrounding trees and buildings, began to stride towards the Brigadier. A giant metal hand reached down to grasp him ... Can DOCTOR WHO defeat the evil forces controlling the Robot before they execute their plans to blackmail — or destroy — the world?

The first adventure of DOCTOR WHO's 4th incredible incarnation!

1992 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

'BRIGADIER! IT'S GROWING!' SCREAMED SARAH.

Still weakened by this third regeneration, the Doctor, along with Sarah, the Brigadier, and Harry Sullivan, faces the threats made by a group of dissident scientists, including the icy Miss Winters, to enslave the world - or perhaps to destroy the planet entirely.

Written by Terrance Dicks and broadcast in 1974, this story was first published under the title The Giant Robot. It was the first television story ever to feature the Fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker - regarded by many as the definitive Doctor. Robot also introduced Harry Sullivan to the TARDIS crew.

Chapter titles[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Killer in the Night
  2. Something More than Human
  3. Trouble at Thinktank
  4. Robot!
  5. The Killer Strikes Again
  6. Trapped by the Robot
  7. The World in Danger
  8. In the Hands of the Enemy
  9. The Battle at the Bunker
  10. The Countdown Begins
  11. The Kidnapping of Sarah
  12. The Giant Terror

Deviations from televised story[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • When the Third Doctor regenerates, he is described as writhing and twisting in agony.
  • The Fourth Doctor spends several days in sick bay, rather than a few minutes.
  • In the televised story, Harry drives Bessie towards the Robot so the Doctor can pour the metal virus on it. In the novelisation, he drives the Brigadier's Land Rover to do it instead.
  • The novelisation effectively omits the first scene, although parts of it are used as flashback when the Brigadier visits the Doctor's laboratory, opening with the K1's first robbery.
  • Jellicoe and Chambers' first names are not mentioned. Short is not named at all, but does replace Jellicoe letting Kettlewell into the meeting.
  • Conversely, Kettlewell's first name is given as Jeremiah, expanding on the televised version giving his first initial as J.
  • Benton is referred to as a sergeant several times before he tells Sarah about his promotion; on television, he wears his new rank insignia and is referred to as "Mr. Benton" throughout.
  • Jellicoe is said to be Thinktank's Public Relations Officer rather than Hilda Winters' assistant.
  • Jellicoe tries to talk Miss Winters out of letting the SRS members attack Sarah.
  • The K1's pursuit of the Doctor at Kettlewell's house goes on longer.
  • The Thinktank gate guard lets Sarah into the building rather than her sneaking in.
  • Sarah passes out after her first encounter with the Robot.
  • Harry is knocked out by an anonymous security guard rather than Jellicoe and Phillips (the latter does not appear at all in the novelisation).
  • UNIT raid the Thinktank and find it deserted before going to the bunker.
  • The K1 places Sarah on the roof of the bunker rather than a rooftop.
  • There is a sequence of RAF jet fighters unsuccessfully attacking the giant K1.
  • At one point, the Doctor addresses Harry as "my boy", a phrase not normally associated with his fourth incarnation.
  • The K1 hides himself and Sarah in a secret compartment at the bunker, where Sarah helps herself to the supplies.
  • There is a brief battle between UNIT and the Thinktank troops when they storm the bunker.

Writing and publishing notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The cover logo for the first edition uniquely used the Fourth Doctor's face in the "O" lettering in WHO. Disregarding this modification, this was the first Target novelisation to feature the then-current diamond logo (although only the lettering, not the diamond itself). Prior to this release the line had used a unique logo reminiscent of the one used between 1970 and 1973.
  • The inside cover of the original edition notes: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the fourth DOCTOR WHO"!

Additional cover images[[edit] | [edit source]]

British publication history[[edit] | [edit source]]

First publication:

  • Hardback
W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
  • Paperback
Target

Editions published outside Britain[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Published in the USA by Aeonian Press in 1978 as a hardback edition; despite this being one of only two novelisations published in the 1970's Aeonian Press would publish a further seven novelisations in the mid-1980's.

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 5 November 2007 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Tom Baker.

The cover blurb was retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.

It was later reissued as an MP3-CD alongside action figures of a Weeping Angel and a Cyberman as part of Character Options' Panodrica wave. Additionally, it was broadcast on BBC Radio 7 that same year, serialised in 8 parts from 5th-9th and 12th-14th April 2010.

The audiobook version was re-released in October 2018 as part of The Second UNIT Collection box set.

  • Audiobook cover

    Audiobook cover

Junior edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

RobotJr.jpg
Main article: Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot.

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

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

v • e
Doctor Who novelisations
 
First Doctor
Susan, Barbara, Ian
Barbara, Ian, Vicki
Barbara, Ian, Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven, Katarina
Steven, Katarina, Sara
Steven, Sara
Steven
Steven, Dodo
Dodo, Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly
 
Second Doctor
Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly, Jamie
Jamie, Victoria
Jamie, Zoe
 
Third Doctor
Liz
Jo
Sarah
 
Fourth Doctor
Sarah, Harry
Sarah
Alone
Leela
Leela, K9 Mark I
Romana I, K9 Mark II
Romana II
Romana II, K9 Mark II
Romana II, K9 Mark II, Adric
Adric
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
 
Fifth Doctor
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough
Tegan, Turlough
Turlough, Peri
Peri
 
Sixth Doctor
Peri
Mel
 
Seventh Doctor
Mel
Mel, Ace
Ace
 
Eighth Doctor
Grace
Solo
 
Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)
Alison
 
Ninth Doctor
Rose
Rose, Adam
 
Tenth Doctor
Rose
Donna
Alone
 
Eleventh Doctor
Amy
Amy, River
Clara
 
Twelfth Doctor
Clara
Alone
Bill, Nardole
 
Thirteenth Doctor
Yaz, Ryan, Graham
 
Fourteenth Doctor
Donna
 
Fifteenth Doctor
Ruby
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