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{{real world}}
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{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Story
|image          = <gallery>
|name= Doctor Who and the Zarbi
WhoZarbiMuller.jpg|1965 edition
|image= WhoZarbiMuller.jpg  
Zarbi_novel.jpg|1973 edition
|series=[[Doctor Who - Frederick Muller]] (original release)<br />[[Target novelisation]]s (reprints)
White Lion HB 1975 DW and the Zarbi.jpg|1975 edition
|number= 73 (given to later editions)  
4Zarbi.jpg|1990 edition
|novelisation of=The Web Planet (TV story)
</gallery>  
|doctor=First Doctor  
|number         = 73 (given to later editions)
|companions= [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]], [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]]  
|novelisation of = The Web Planet (TV story)
|enemy= The [[Zarbi]]  
|doctor         = First Doctor
|setting= [[Vortis]]  
|companions     = [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]], [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]]
|writer= [[Bill Strutton]]  
|enemy           = [[Zarbi]]
|publisher= Frederick Muller
|setting         = [[Vortis]]
|publisher2= Target Books
|writer         = Bill Strutton
|publisher3= W.H. Allen & Co
|cover          = [[John Wood (illustrator)|John Wood]]
|release date= [[16 September (releases)|16 September]] [[1965 (releases)|1965]] (original)<br />[[2 May (releases)|2 May]] [[1973 (releases)|1973]] (Target)
|read by        = [[William Russell]]
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 6 Chapters, 174 Pages (Target paperback edition)  
|publisher       = Frederick Muller
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-10663-6
|publisher2     = Target Books
|prev= The Romans (novelisation)
|publisher3     = W.H. Allen & Co
|next= Doctor Who and the Crusaders
|release date   = 16 September 1965
|format         = Hardcover and paperback editions; 6 Chapters, 174 Pages (Target paperback edition)
|isbn           = ISBN 0-426-10663-6
|series          = [[Target novelisation]]s
|prev           = Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks (novelisation)
|next            = Doctor Who and the Crusaders (novelisation)
|series2        = [[Target novelisation]] numbering
|prev2          = Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (novelisation)
|next2          = Time-Flight (novelisation)
|series3        = TV series order
|prev3          = The Romans (novelisation)
|next3          = Doctor Who and the Crusaders (novelisation)
}}
}}
'''''Doctor Who and the Zarbi''''' was the second ''[[Doctor Who]]'' novelisation ever published. It was based on the [[1965 (releases)|1965]] television serial ''[[The Web Planet (TV story)|The Web Planet]]''. This was the first ''Doctor Who'' novelisation to be written by the original teleplay writer. It became an on-and-off practice for the original writer to be commissioned to write the novelisation when possible (though during the [[Target Books]] era other authors such as [[Terrance Dicks]] would often be brought in to do so when this wasn't possible).
'''''Doctor Who and the Zarbi''''' was the second ''[[Doctor Who]]'' novelisation ever published. It was based on the 1965 television serial ''[[The Web Planet (TV story)|The Web Planet]]''. This was the first ''Doctor Who'' novelisation to be written by the original teleplay writer. It became an on-and-off practice for the original writer to be commissioned to write the novelisation when possible (though during the [[Target Books]] era other authors such as [[Terrance Dicks]] would often be brought in to do so when this wasn't possible).


As the second ''Doctor Who'' novelisation, this book established the title format ''Doctor Who and the ...'' which would be followed by the Target Books novelisations into the early 1980s.
As the second ''Doctor Who'' novelisation, this book established the title format ''Doctor Who and the ...'' which would be followed by the Target Books novelisations into the early 1980s. It was also the first novelisation to have a title substantially different from that of the televised story (in this case, ''The Web Planet''), a practice followed by Target on occasion through the 1970s.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
=== Target Books 1973 edition ===
=== 1973 Target Books edition ===
[[First Doctor|DOCTOR WHO]] lands his space-time machine [[the Doctor's TARDIS|Tardis]] on the cold, craggy planet of [[Vortis]]. The Doctor and his companions, [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] and [[Vicki]], are soon captured by the [[Zarbi|ZARBI]], huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws; meanwhile [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]] falls into the hands of the friendly [[Menoptera|MENOPTERA]] who have come to rid Vortis of the malevolent power of the ZARBI...<br />
[[First Doctor|DOCTOR WHO]] lands his space-time machine [[the Doctor's TARDIS|Tardis]] on the cold, craggy planet of [[Vortis]]. The Doctor and his companions, [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] and [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]], are soon captured by the [[Zarbi|ZARBI]], huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws; meanwhile [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]] falls into the hands of the friendly [[Menoptera|MENOPTERA]] who have come to rid Vortis of the malevolent power of the ZARBI...
'They're well-written books-adventure stories, of course, but with some thought…the creation of the character of the Doctor had a touch of genius about it.' Westminster Press
 
'They're well-written books-adventure stories, of course, but with some thought...the creation of the character of the Doctor had a touch of genius about it.' Westminster Press
 
=== 1991 Target Books Edition ===
THE DOCTOR STARED ABOUT HIM AND PASSED A TREMBLING HAND OVER HIS BROW. 'THE SHIP!' HE MUTTERED. 'IT'S...GONE!'


1991 Target book Edition
Drawn to the planet Vortis by some unknown force, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in a barren, cold world dominated by the Zarbi, monstrois metallic ant-like creatures at war with delicate Menoptra. Searching for the lost TARDIS, the Doctor must struggle with [[the Animus]]-seemingly a creature of evil and light...


The Doctor stared about him and passed a trembling hand over his brow."The ship!" He muttered. "It's ...gone!"
''The Web Planet'' was first broadcast in [[1965 (releases)|1965]] and featured William Hartnell in the role of the Doctor. This novel, adapted by [[Bill Strutton]] from his own script, is a example of the early style of Doctor Who novelistions and was originally published under the title of ''Doctor Who and the Zarbi.''


Drawn to the Planet Vortis by some unknown force, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in a barren, cold world dominated by the Zarbi, monstrois metallic ant-like creatures at war with delicate Menoptra. Searching for the lost TARDIS, the Doctor must struggle with the Animus-seemingly a creature of evil and light...
''Doctor Who- The Web Planet'' is available on BBC video and has recently been broadcast on BSB television.


The Web Planet was first broadcast in 1965 and featured William Hartnell  in the role of the Doctor. This novel, adapted by Bill Strutton from his own script, is a example of the early style of Doctor Who novelistions and was originally published under the title of Doctor Who and the Zarbi.
=== April 2016 BBC paperback edition ===
Doctor Who stared about him and passed a trembling hand over his brow. "The ship!" he muttered. "It's...gone!"


Doctor Who-The Web Planet is available on BBC video and has recently been broadcast on BSB television.
Affected by a strange force, the TARDIS is dragged down to the desolate planet of Vortis. Until they can discover what is holding them there, the Doctor and his friends are trapped on the planet...
 
The Doctor, Ian and Vicki are soon captured by the Zarbi - huge, ant-like creatures controlled by the parasitic alien Animus. Meanwhile, Barbara runs into a group of Menoptera, butterfly-like creatures that have been driven from their home planet by the Animus, and plan to return with an invasion force. But the Zarbi know their plans and are waiting for the Menoptera...
 
''This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 13 February-20 March 1965.''
 
''Featuring the First Doctor as played by Willam Hartnell with his companions Barbara, Ian, and Vicki.''
 
=== November 2016 BBC hardcover edition ===
The Zarbi, huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws, are waiting for ''Tardis'' when it’s police-box shape materialises on the cold and craggy planet Vortis. They capture Doctor Who, Ian and Vicki and take them to their weird headquarters, a city of web-like organic matter.
 
But the Zarbi are not the only being in Vortis. Barbara has fallen into the hands of the butterfly-creatures with soft voices and iridescent wings, whose civilisation has been destroyed by the Zarbi. She learns that her captors are only the advance party of Menoptera in exile who plan to win back their planet by and invasion form outerspace. For the Zarbi “have brought the dark age to Vortis”.
 
In the final thrilling chapters, Doctor Who and the crew of tardis encounter the power which controls both the Zarbi and the living Web City. How can they defeat this strange bladder of dazzling light which draws in and absorbs all who come into its presence?<ref>[https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1110256/doctor-who-and-the-zarbi/9781785940545/ Penguin Books page for ''Doctor Who and the Zarbi''{{'}}s hardcover release]. Retrieved 10 February 2017.</ref>


== Chapter titles ==
== Chapter titles ==
Line 49: Line 79:


== Deviations from televised story ==
== Deviations from televised story ==
* The [[First Doctor]] is mostly referred to as "Doctor Who" throughout the book, one of the few occasions where the standard naming protocol is broken.
* The [[First Doctor]] is mostly referred to as "Doctor Who" throughout the book, one of the few occasions where the standard naming protocol is broken. Likewise, the TARDIS console is referred to as a "control table" and the larvae guns are called "venom grubs".
* The [[Menoptera]] [[Vrestin]] is male. The character was female in the [[The Web Planet|televised story]].
* The TARDIS is referred to as ''Tardis'', rather than using the usual definite article.
* There is a reference made to the events of [[TV]]: ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'', concerning the Doctor and [[Ian Chesterson|Ian]]'s imprisonment on the [[Dalek]] [[Dalek Saucer|saucer]].
* Rather than encountering a Temple of Light as in the televised version, the Doctor and Ian discover a column of rock fashioned into a "huge totem pole of a figure".
* The Animus plans "to pluck from the earth its myriad techniques... in its hundredth Christian millennium... !", possibly indicating the time this story takes place.
* The Doctor slices away the web that snares Ian with a slender spar of fallen rock. The trap is noted to be statically charged, explaining the blisters on the schoolteacher's face and arms.
* The [[Menoptera]] [[Vrestin]] is male. The character was female in the [[The Web Planet (TV story)|televised story]].
* The character of [[Hrhoonda]] is replaced by [[Challis]]. A fourth Menoptera named [[Zota]] is also present in the cave scenes. Zota, along with Challis, is killed by a venom grub.
* The Menoperta radio is described as having flashing lights and an antenna. On-screen, the radio unit is crystalline.
* The Zarbi throw nets over the Doctor and Ian when they first capture them. On-screen, no such event happens.
* Upon their arrival in the Zarbi Headquarters, the Doctor is pinned against a wall by the Zarbi, so they can use a venom grub to spit acid around his head to demonstrate their ability to kill.
* Whereas the entity living within the Carcinome was called the Animus in the televised version, the novelisation leaves its identity ambiguous. It's referred to as the Voice and, curiously in retrospect, the Intelligence. The Doctor's means of communicating with it is a saucer-like dome rather than a translucent cylinder. It alters his features from without like a funhouse mirror. The Voice possesses a verbal tic that makes it repeat the last syllable of some words. For instance: "Very well-ell! We shall show you the fate that awaits all your ships, all your people-le...!"
 
* Unable to breach the TARDIS's defences, the Zarbi immediately collar the Doctor, Ian and Vicki with the gold necklets. There is no mention of Vicki having restored the Ship's power. However, there is a reference made to the events of [[TV]]: ''[[The Dalek Invasion of Earth (TV story)|The Dalek Invasion of Earth]]'', concerning the Doctor and [[Ian Chesterson|Ian]]'s imprisonment on the [[Dalek]] [[Dalek Saucer|saucer]]. The venom grub's weapon is repelled like two positively-charged magnets.
* The scene in which the Doctor tries to give Vicki a chocolate bar to calm her is removed.
* The Menoptera slaves do not have their wings entirely cut off, merely "short-clipped".
* The [[Optera]] [[Nemini]] is male. The character was female on-screen.
* The Voice plans to assault the Earth "in its hundredth Christian millennium", possibly indicating the time period in which this story takes place.
* Armed with the Web Destructor in their final assault on the centre, Barbara realises that she can't find the dark side she was instructed to attack. Instead, she focusses her energy on the "fiery mass whirling on a pivot" at the centre of the chamber. Its shape appears to alter as it grows weaker.


== Writing and publishing notes ==
== Writing and publishing notes ==
* The book was originally published by [[Frederick Muller]] in September 1965.
* The book was originally published by [[Frederick Muller]] in September 1965.
* One of three titles bought by Target from Frederick Muller that were used to launch the series of Doctor Who novelisations.
* ''Doctor Who and the Zarbi'' was one of three titles bought by Target from Frederick Muller that were used to launch the series of ''Doctor Who'' novelisations. It was released on [[2 May (releases)|2 May]] [[1973 (releases)|1973]]. The hardback edition illustrations were retained.
* The hardback edition illustrations were retained.
* Quickly sold out of the first 20,000 copies and reprinted.{{which}}
* Quickly sold out of the first 20,000 copies and reprinted.
* Chris Achilleos was excited by the idea of drawing giant ants but was told they had to look like those in the series.
* Chris Archileos was excited by the idea of drawing giant ants but was told they had to look like those in the series.
* The Target edition title page information includes: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO The cover illustration and others contained within this book portray the first DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was later transformed when he discarded his worn-out body in favour of a new one."
* The Target edition title page information includes: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO The cover illustration and others contained within this book portray the first DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was later transformed when he discarded his worn-out body in favour of a new one."
* This title was renamed ''Doctor Who - The Web Planet'' in its later reprint.
* This title was renamed ''Doctor Who - The Web Planet'' in its later reprint. The paperback release on [[28 April (releases)|28 April]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]] and the hardcover Frederick Muller facsimile on [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]], both published by [[BBC Books]], reverted to the ''Doctor Who and the Zarbi'' title.
 
== Audio release ==
This story was released in a five-CD format. It was read by [[William Russell]] (Ian). It was later released in the limited edition in [[Travels in Time and Space]] alongside the audio releases of ''[[Doctor Who and the Crusaders]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks]]''.


== Additional cover images ==
== Additional cover images ==
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File: Zarbi_novel.jpg|1973 Target edition. Cover by [[Chris Achilleos]]
File:Zarbi novel.jpg|1973 Target edition.<br />Cover by [[Chris Achilleos]]
File:White Lion HB 1975 DW and the Zarbi.jpg|1975 edition<br />Cover by ?<br />Showing the [[Fourth Doctor]]
File:White Lion HB 1975 DW and the Zarbi.jpg|alt=1975 White Lion HardbackCover by ?Showing the Fourth Doctor|1975 White Lion Hardback<br />Cover by ?<br />Showing the [[Fourth Doctor]]
File:ZarbiAlt.jpg|1978 edition
File:ZarbiAlt.jpg|1978 edition with diamond logo
File:4Zarbi.jpg|1990 edition<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]  
File:4Zarbi.jpg|1990 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
File:Doctor Who and the Zarbi 2016.jpg|2016 BBC Books Paperback edition
File:Doctor Who and the Zarbi art by Chris Achilleos.jpg|Clean Chris Achilleos art.
</gallery>


== Illustrations ==
Illustrations by [[John Wood (illustrator)|John Wood]]
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Zarbip7.jpg|Page 7
File:Zarbip16.jpg|Page 16
File:Zarbip25.jpg|Page 25
File:Zarbip36.jpg|Page 36
File:Zarbip54.jpg|Page 54
File:Zarbip66.jpg|Page 66
File:Zarbip76.jpg|Page 76
File:Zarbip92.jpg|Page 92
File:Zarbip102.jpg|Page 102
File:Zarbip111.jpg|Page 111
File:Zarbip122.jpg|Page 122
File:Zarbip140.jpg|Page 140
File:Zarbip143.jpg|Page 143
File:Zarbip158.jpg|Page 158
File:Zarbip170.jpg|Page 170
</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 (2 May 1973)
Re-issues:
Re-issues:
: Target / Virgin Publishing Ltd. UK January 1991 Cover by Alistair Pearson (£2.50 UK)
* Paperback
: Target / Virgin Publishing Ltd. UK (January 1991). Cover by Alistair Pearson (£2.50 UK)
: BBC Books (28 April 2016)
* Hardcover
: BBC Books (3 November 2016). Facsimile of the Frederick Muller original.


== Editions published outside Britain ==
== Editions published outside Britain ==
''To be added''
* Published in the Netherlands by Unieboek/De Gooise in about 1975/76 as a paperback edition, translated by Wim Hohage and published as ''Doctor Who en de Zarbi's'', it was one of eight Dutch novelisations; despite the broadcaster TROS showing [[Season 12 (Doctor Who 1963)|Seasons 12]] and [[Season 13 (Doctor Who 1963)|13]] at this time the cover still depicts the [[First Doctor]], however [[Chris Achilleos]]' image of the [[Fourth Doctor]] from [[The Doctor Who Monster Book]] does appear on the back cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wonderfulbook.co.uk/basedon/|title=Based on the Popular BBC Television Serial 3rd Edition}}</ref>
* Published in Portugal by Editorial Presença in 1983 as a paperback edition, translated by Conceição Fardim and Eduardo Nogueria and published as ''Doutor Who e os Zarbi'', it was one of ten Portuguese novelisations.
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
DW and the Zarbi Dutch cover.jpg|Dutch edition
DW and the Zarbi Portuguese cover front.jpg|Portuguese edition.<br />Cover by Rui Ligerio
DW and the Zarbi Portuguese cover.JPG|Portuguese edition full cover
</gallery>
 
== Audio release ==
This story was released in a five-CD format. It was read by [[William Russell]] (Ian). It was later released in the limited edition in [[Travels in Time and Space]] alongside the audio releases of ''[[Doctor Who and the Crusaders (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Crusaders]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks (novelisation)|Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks]]''.
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
Doctor who and the zarbi audiobook.jpg|Audiobook cover
</gallery>


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{on target|1973/zarbi/73zarbi.htm|Doctor Who and the Zarbi}}
''to be added''
 
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
 
{{DWN}}
{{DWN}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
Line 95: Line 176:
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:1965 novels]]
[[Category:1965 novels]]
[[Category:First Doctor novels]]
[[Category:First Doctor novelisations]]
[[Category:Menoptera stories]]
[[Category:Zarbi stories]]
[[Category:Stories set on Vortis]]
[[Category:The Alien Worlds Collection novels]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Doctor Who and the Zarbi was the second Doctor Who novelisation ever published. It was based on the 1965 television serial The Web Planet. This was the first Doctor Who novelisation to be written by the original teleplay writer. It became an on-and-off practice for the original writer to be commissioned to write the novelisation when possible (though during the Target Books era other authors such as Terrance Dicks would often be brought in to do so when this wasn't possible).

As the second Doctor Who novelisation, this book established the title format Doctor Who and the ... which would be followed by the Target Books novelisations into the early 1980s. It was also the first novelisation to have a title substantially different from that of the televised story (in this case, The Web Planet), a practice followed by Target on occasion through the 1970s.

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

1973 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

DOCTOR WHO lands his space-time machine Tardis on the cold, craggy planet of Vortis. The Doctor and his companions, Ian and Vicki, are soon captured by the ZARBI, huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws; meanwhile Barbara falls into the hands of the friendly MENOPTERA who have come to rid Vortis of the malevolent power of the ZARBI...

'They're well-written books-adventure stories, of course, but with some thought...the creation of the character of the Doctor had a touch of genius about it.' Westminster Press

1991 Target Books Edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

THE DOCTOR STARED ABOUT HIM AND PASSED A TREMBLING HAND OVER HIS BROW. 'THE SHIP!' HE MUTTERED. 'IT'S...GONE!'

Drawn to the planet Vortis by some unknown force, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in a barren, cold world dominated by the Zarbi, monstrois metallic ant-like creatures at war with delicate Menoptra. Searching for the lost TARDIS, the Doctor must struggle with the Animus-seemingly a creature of evil and light...

The Web Planet was first broadcast in 1965 and featured William Hartnell in the role of the Doctor. This novel, adapted by Bill Strutton from his own script, is a example of the early style of Doctor Who novelistions and was originally published under the title of Doctor Who and the Zarbi.

Doctor Who- The Web Planet is available on BBC video and has recently been broadcast on BSB television.

April 2016 BBC paperback edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

Doctor Who stared about him and passed a trembling hand over his brow. "The ship!" he muttered. "It's...gone!"

Affected by a strange force, the TARDIS is dragged down to the desolate planet of Vortis. Until they can discover what is holding them there, the Doctor and his friends are trapped on the planet...

The Doctor, Ian and Vicki are soon captured by the Zarbi - huge, ant-like creatures controlled by the parasitic alien Animus. Meanwhile, Barbara runs into a group of Menoptera, butterfly-like creatures that have been driven from their home planet by the Animus, and plan to return with an invasion force. But the Zarbi know their plans and are waiting for the Menoptera...

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 13 February-20 March 1965.

Featuring the First Doctor as played by Willam Hartnell with his companions Barbara, Ian, and Vicki.

November 2016 BBC hardcover edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Zarbi, huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws, are waiting for Tardis when it’s police-box shape materialises on the cold and craggy planet Vortis. They capture Doctor Who, Ian and Vicki and take them to their weird headquarters, a city of web-like organic matter.

But the Zarbi are not the only being in Vortis. Barbara has fallen into the hands of the butterfly-creatures with soft voices and iridescent wings, whose civilisation has been destroyed by the Zarbi. She learns that her captors are only the advance party of Menoptera in exile who plan to win back their planet by and invasion form outerspace. For the Zarbi “have brought the dark age to Vortis”.

In the final thrilling chapters, Doctor Who and the crew of tardis encounter the power which controls both the Zarbi and the living Web City. How can they defeat this strange bladder of dazzling light which draws in and absorbs all who come into its presence?[1]

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

  1. The Web Planet
  2. The Zarbi
  3. Escape to Danger
  4. The Crater of Needles
  5. Invasion
  6. Centre of Terror

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

  • The First Doctor is mostly referred to as "Doctor Who" throughout the book, one of the few occasions where the standard naming protocol is broken. Likewise, the TARDIS console is referred to as a "control table" and the larvae guns are called "venom grubs".
  • The TARDIS is referred to as Tardis, rather than using the usual definite article.
  • Rather than encountering a Temple of Light as in the televised version, the Doctor and Ian discover a column of rock fashioned into a "huge totem pole of a figure".
  • The Doctor slices away the web that snares Ian with a slender spar of fallen rock. The trap is noted to be statically charged, explaining the blisters on the schoolteacher's face and arms.
  • The Menoptera Vrestin is male. The character was female in the televised story.
  • The character of Hrhoonda is replaced by Challis. A fourth Menoptera named Zota is also present in the cave scenes. Zota, along with Challis, is killed by a venom grub.
  • The Menoperta radio is described as having flashing lights and an antenna. On-screen, the radio unit is crystalline.
  • The Zarbi throw nets over the Doctor and Ian when they first capture them. On-screen, no such event happens.
  • Upon their arrival in the Zarbi Headquarters, the Doctor is pinned against a wall by the Zarbi, so they can use a venom grub to spit acid around his head to demonstrate their ability to kill.
  • Whereas the entity living within the Carcinome was called the Animus in the televised version, the novelisation leaves its identity ambiguous. It's referred to as the Voice and, curiously in retrospect, the Intelligence. The Doctor's means of communicating with it is a saucer-like dome rather than a translucent cylinder. It alters his features from without like a funhouse mirror. The Voice possesses a verbal tic that makes it repeat the last syllable of some words. For instance: "Very well-ell! We shall show you the fate that awaits all your ships, all your people-le...!"
  • Unable to breach the TARDIS's defences, the Zarbi immediately collar the Doctor, Ian and Vicki with the gold necklets. There is no mention of Vicki having restored the Ship's power. However, there is a reference made to the events of TV: The Dalek Invasion of Earth, concerning the Doctor and Ian's imprisonment on the Dalek saucer. The venom grub's weapon is repelled like two positively-charged magnets.
  • The scene in which the Doctor tries to give Vicki a chocolate bar to calm her is removed.
  • The Menoptera slaves do not have their wings entirely cut off, merely "short-clipped".
  • The Optera Nemini is male. The character was female on-screen.
  • The Voice plans to assault the Earth "in its hundredth Christian millennium", possibly indicating the time period in which this story takes place.
  • Armed with the Web Destructor in their final assault on the centre, Barbara realises that she can't find the dark side she was instructed to attack. Instead, she focusses her energy on the "fiery mass whirling on a pivot" at the centre of the chamber. Its shape appears to alter as it grows weaker.

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

  • The book was originally published by Frederick Muller in September 1965.
  • Doctor Who and the Zarbi was one of three titles bought by Target from Frederick Muller that were used to launch the series of Doctor Who novelisations. It was released on 2 May 1973. The hardback edition illustrations were retained.
  • Quickly sold out of the first 20,000 copies and reprinted.[which?]
  • Chris Achilleos was excited by the idea of drawing giant ants but was told they had to look like those in the series.
  • The Target edition title page information includes: "THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO The cover illustration and others contained within this book portray the first DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was later transformed when he discarded his worn-out body in favour of a new one."
  • This title was renamed Doctor Who - The Web Planet in its later reprint. The paperback release on 28 April 2016 and the hardcover Frederick Muller facsimile on 3 November 2016, both published by BBC Books, reverted to the Doctor Who and the Zarbi title.

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

  • 1973 Target edition. Cover by Chris Achilleos

    1973 Target edition.
    Cover by Chris Achilleos

  • 1975 White Lion HardbackCover by ?Showing the Fourth Doctor

    1975 White Lion Hardback
    Cover by ?
    Showing the Fourth Doctor

  • 1978 edition with diamond logo

    1978 edition with diamond logo

  • 1990 edition. Cover by Alister Pearson

    1990 edition.
    Cover by Alister Pearson

  • 2016 BBC Books Paperback edition

    2016 BBC Books Paperback edition

  • Clean Chris Achilleos art.

    Clean Chris Achilleos art.

Illustrations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Illustrations by John Wood

  • Page 7

    Page 7

  • Page 16

    Page 16

  • Page 25

    Page 25

  • Page 36

    Page 36

  • Page 54

    Page 54

  • Page 66

    Page 66

  • Page 76

    Page 76

  • Page 92

    Page 92

  • Page 102

    Page 102

  • Page 111

    Page 111

  • Page 122

    Page 122

  • Page 140

    Page 140

  • Page 143

    Page 143

  • Page 158

    Page 158

  • Page 170

    Page 170

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

First publication:

  • Hardback
W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
  • Paperback
Target (2 May 1973)

Re-issues:

  • Paperback
Target / Virgin Publishing Ltd. UK (January 1991). Cover by Alistair Pearson (£2.50 UK)
BBC Books (28 April 2016)
  • Hardcover
BBC Books (3 November 2016). Facsimile of the Frederick Muller original.

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

  • Published in the Netherlands by Unieboek/De Gooise in about 1975/76 as a paperback edition, translated by Wim Hohage and published as Doctor Who en de Zarbi's, it was one of eight Dutch novelisations; despite the broadcaster TROS showing Seasons 12 and 13 at this time the cover still depicts the First Doctor, however Chris Achilleos' image of the Fourth Doctor from The Doctor Who Monster Book does appear on the back cover.[2]
  • Published in Portugal by Editorial Presença in 1983 as a paperback edition, translated by Conceição Fardim and Eduardo Nogueria and published as Doutor Who e os Zarbi, it was one of ten Portuguese novelisations.
  • Dutch edition

    Dutch edition

  • Portuguese edition. Cover by Rui Ligerio

    Portuguese edition.
    Cover by Rui Ligerio

  • Portuguese edition full cover

    Portuguese edition full cover

Audio release[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released in a five-CD format. It was read by William Russell (Ian). It was later released in the limited edition in Travels in Time and Space alongside the audio releases of Doctor Who and the Crusaders and Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks.

  • Audiobook cover

    Audiobook cover

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

to be added

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Penguin Books page for Doctor Who and the Zarbi's hardcover release. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ↑ Based on the Popular BBC Television Serial 3rd Edition.
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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