Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet (novelisation): Difference between revisions

The Sergeant blinked again. Three lights were moving towards him through the murk of the blizzard. Even as he looked, the lights changed into three tall, straight figures, clad in silver-armoured suits, advancing across the ice with a slow deliberate step. Horror-struck, the Sergeant reached for his gun, and a stream of bullets sprayed across the marching figures. BUT THEY CONTINUED MARCHING...

The CYBERMEN have arrived. The first invasion of Earth by this invincible, fearless race-and the last thrilling adventure of the first DOCTOR WHO.

1993 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

THE TALL FIGURES, EACH ONE SEEMINGLY CLAD IN A SILVER ARMOURED SUIT, CONTINUED TO MOVE INEXORABLY TOWARDS THEM...

When the TARDIS materialises in the middle of a snowstorm, Ben and Polly, driven to distraction by weeks cooped up in the time ship, insist on going outside with the Doctor. As they battle through the storm, they are unaware that they are being watched - and unaware that the planet is about to be invaded by creatures deadlier than any it has seen before...

Based on the original TV story by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, The Tenth Planet is the first story to feature the deadly Cybermen, and the last story to feature the First Doctor, as played by William Hartnell, was to appear. It was to reveal an ability of the Time Lords never before suspected...

2012 BBC Edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

"We were exactly like you once. Then our cybernetic scientists realised that our race was weakening. Our scientists and doctors invented spare parts for our bodies until we could be almost completely replaced."

The TARDIS brings the Doctor and his friends to a space tracking station in the Antarctic - and straight into trouble. A space mission is going badly wrong, and a new planet has appeared in the sky.

Mondas, ancient fabled twin planet of Earth, has returned. Soon its inhabitants arrive. But while they used to be just like the humans of Earth, now they are very different. Devoid of emotions, their bodies replaced with plastic and steel, the Cybermen are here.

Humanity needs all the help it can get, but the one man who seems to know what is going on is terminally ill. As the Cybermen take over, the Doctor is dying...

This novel is based on the final story to feature the First Doctor, which was originally broadcast from 8 to 29 October 1966. This was the First Doctor Who story to feature the Cybermen.

Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell in his very last adventure, and his companions Ben and Polly.

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

The Creation of the Cybermen

The Space Tracking Station
Disaster in Space
The New Planet
Mondas!
The Cyberman Invasion
Ben into Action
Battle in the Projection Room
Two Hundred and Fifty Spaceships
Z-Bomb Alert!
Prepare to Blast Off
Cybermen in Control
Resistance in the Radiation Room
The Destruction of Mondas!

Illustrations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Contains illustrated pages

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

Instead of the Cybermen putting their hands to the side of General Cutler's and Polly’s head, they press a button on their chest unit that fires a beam to the forehead, knocking them out.
The Doctor shows some more signs of being ill, deliriously mistaking Ben for Ian and Polly for Barbara, respectively. Ben and Polly are implied to come from the 1970s rather than the 1960s.
The events of the televised version were set in 1986, but in the novelisation the year is given as 2000.
The language in general is much stronger than was permitted in the televised version.
Another soldier is present with the Sergeant at the TARDIS when he is attacked by the Cybermen. The Sergeant's neck is described rather vividly as being completely shattered by his opponent, now "[lolling] at a grotesque angle." The unnamed offsider is killed with his own crowbar, the assaulting Cyberman smashing his helmet and skull "like an eggshell."
Krail, Krang, Jarl and Gern are sometimes called Cyberleaders. Cyberleaders were not introduced until Revenge of the Cybermen, which was broadcast the year before the book was published. Similarly, Krang is described as having a black helmet and the Cybership is "missile-shaped" as it would be in the upcoming story.
The Cyberleaders report to a Cyber-Controller on Mondas.
Barclay is given the first name of Tom and Wigner is given the first name of Robert.
Haines (renamed Haynes in the novelisation) is given some lines. In the televised episode, Haines is no more than a non-speaking extra.
A new engineer named Rogers is present in the tracking room.
Several of the radar technician's lines are given to the R/T technician.
An unknown Western seen in the original turns into a James Bond film starring Roger Moore. From the description of black-clad karate students, it is implied to be The Man with the Golden Gun. Ben recalls seeing it only the other week.
Cutler attempts to shoot Ben after catching him sabotaging the Z-Bomb, but is stopped by Barclay.
At the end, rather than collapsing by the TARDIS console, the First Doctor goes into a room near the console and uses a machine described as a long couch-like arrangement with a cover, said to be used for "compressing sleep". Emerging following the transformation, he studies his new appearance in a hand mirror before introducing himself to Polly and Ben: "I am the new Doctor!"

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

Title page includes: “THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO: The cover illustration of this book portrays the first DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was later transformed when he discarded his worn-out body in favour of a new one.”
The cover for the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Chris Achilleos. The back cover included a small illustrated vignette also drawn by Achilleos.

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

1976 Hardback edition
1993 edition.
Cover by Alister Pearson
2012 BBC Books edition

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

First publication:

Hardback

W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

Paperback

Target

Paperback (February 1993)

Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by Alister Pearson, priced £2.99 (UK).

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 7 December 2017 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Anneke Wills 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.

Audiobook cover

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

Official Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet page at Penguin Books

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{title dab away}}
 {{real world}}
-{{Infobox Story
+{{Infobox Story SMW
-|image= Tenth Planet novel.jpg
+|image = <gallery>Tenth Planet novel.jpg|1976 edition
-|number= 62 (given to later editions)
+Tenth Planet.jpg|1993 edition
-|novelisation of=The Tenth Planet (TV story)
+</gallery>
-|doctor=First Doctor
+|number = 62 (given to later editions)
+|novelisation of = The Tenth Planet (TV story)
+|doctor = First Doctor
 |companions= [[Ben Jackson|Ben]], [[Polly Wright|Polly]]
-|featuring= [[Second Doctor]]
+|featuring = [[Second Doctor]]
-|enemy= [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]]
+|enemy= [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], [[Cutler (The Tenth Planet)|Cutler]]
-|setting= [[Antarctica]], [[2000]]
+|setting = [[Antarctica]], [[2000]]
-|writer= [[Gerry Davis]]
+|writer = Gerry Davis
-|publisher= Target Books
+|read by = [[Anneke Wills]], [[Nicholas Briggs]]
-|publisher2= W.H. Allen
+|cover = [[Chris Achilleos]]
-|release date= [[19 February (releases)|19 February]] [[1976 (releases)|1976]]
+|publisher = Target Books
-|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 141 pages
+|publisher2 = W.H. Allen
-|isbn= ISBN 0-426-11068-4
+|release date= 19 February 1976
-|series = Publication order
+|format = Hardcover and paperback editions; 141 pages
+|isbn = ISBN 0-426-11068-4
+|series = [[Target novelisation]]s
 |prev = Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion (novelisation)
 |next = Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors (novelisation)
@@ Line 26: / Line 30: @@
 |next3 = The Power of the Daleks (novelisation)
 }}
-'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the [[1966 (releases)|1966]] television serial ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]''.
+'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1966 television serial ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]''.
 == Publisher's summary ==
-=== 1976 edition ===
+=== 1976 Target Books edition ===
-The [[American sergeant|Sergeant]] blinked again. Three lights were moving towards him through the murk of the blizzard. Even as he looked, the lights changed into three tall, straight figures, clad in silver-armoured suits, advancing across the ice with a slow deliberate step. Horror-struck, the Sergeant reached for his gun, and a stream of bullets sprayed across the marching figures. BUT THEY CONTINUED MARCHING...
+The [[American sergeant (The Tenth Planet)|Sergeant]] blinked again. Three lights were moving towards him through the murk of the blizzard. Even as he looked, the lights changed into three tall, straight figures, clad in silver-armoured suits, advancing across the ice with a slow deliberate step. Horror-struck, the Sergeant reached for his gun, and a stream of bullets sprayed across the marching figures. BUT THEY CONTINUED MARCHING...
 The [[Cyberman|CYBERMEN]] have arrived. The first invasion of [[Earth]] by this invincible, fearless race-and the last thrilling adventure of the [[First Doctor|first DOCTOR WHO]].
+=== 1993 Target Books edition ===
+THE TALL FIGURES, EACH ONE SEEMINGLY CLAD IN A SILVER ARMOURED SUIT, CONTINUED TO MOVE INEXORABLY TOWARDS THEM...
+When [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] materialises in the middle of a snowstorm, [[Ben Jackson|Ben]] and [[Polly Wright|Polly]], driven to distraction by weeks cooped up in the time ship, insist on going outside with the Doctor. As they battle through the storm, they are unaware that they are being watched - and unaware that the planet is about to be invaded by creatures deadlier than any it has seen before...
+Based on the original TV story by [[Kit Pedler]] and [[Gerry Davis]], The Tenth Planet is the first story to feature the deadly Cybermen, and the last story to feature the First Doctor, as played by [[William Hartnell]], was to appear. It was to reveal an ability of the [[Time Lord]]s never before suspected...
 === 2012 BBC Edition ===
 "We were exactly like you once. Then our cybernetic scientists realised that our race was weakening. Our scientists and doctors invented spare parts for our bodies until we could be almost completely replaced."
-The TARDIS brings the Doctor and his friends to a space tracking station in the Antarctic - and straight into trouble. A space mission is going badly wrong, and a new planet has appeared in the sky.
+The TARDIS brings the Doctor and his friends to a space tracking station in the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] - and straight into trouble. A space mission is going badly wrong, and a new planet has appeared in the sky.
-Mondas, ancient fabbled twin planet of Earth, has returned. Soon its inhabitants arrive. But while they used to be just like the humans of Earth, now they are very different. Devoid of emotions, their bodies replaced with plastic and steel, the Cybermen are here.
+[[Mondas]], ancient fabled twin planet of Earth, has returned. Soon its inhabitants arrive. But while they used to be just like the humans of Earth, now they are very different. Devoid of [[emotion]]s, their bodies replaced with plastic and steel, the Cybermen are here.
-Humanity needs all the help it can get, but the one man who seems to know what is going on is terminally ill. As the Cybermen take over, the Doctor is dying...
+[[Human]]ity needs all the help it can get, but the one man who seems to know what is going on is terminally ill. As the Cybermen take over, the Doctor is dying...
-''This novel is based on the final story to feature the First Doctor, which was originally  broadcast from 8 to 29 October 1966. This was the First Doctor Who story to feature the Cybermen.''
+''This novel is based on the final story to feature the First Doctor, which was originally broadcast from 8 to 29 October 1966. This was the First Doctor Who story to feature the Cybermen.''
 ''Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell in his very last adventure, and his companions Ben and Polly.''
@@ Line 66: / Line 78: @@
 == Deviations from televised story ==
-* ''Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet'' takes place in [[2000]] rather than [[1986]].
+* Instead of the Cybermen putting their hands to the side of General Cutler's and Polly’s head, they press a button on their chest unit that fires a beam to the forehead, knocking them out.
-* The Doctor shows some more signs of being ill such as deliriously calling Ben and Polly, [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] and [[Barbara Chesterton|Barbara]]
+* The Doctor shows some more signs of being ill, deliriously mistaking Ben for [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] and Polly for [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], respectively. Ben and Polly are implied to come from the [[1970s]] rather than the [[1960s]].
-* The language in general is much stronger than in the televised version.
+* The events of the televised version were set in [[1986]], but in the novelisation the year is given as [[2000]].
-* The fight sequence where the soldiers first meet the Cybermen outside the base contains a stronger description of the outcome of the battle.
+* The language in general is much stronger than was permitted in the televised version.
-* Another soldier is present with [[American sergeant|the sergeant]] when he is attacked by the Cybermen.
+* Another soldier is present with the [[American sergeant (The Tenth Planet)|Sergeant]] at the TARDIS when he is attacked by the Cybermen. The Sergeant's neck is described rather vividly as being completely shattered by his opponent, now "[lolling] at a grotesque angle." The unnamed offsider is killed with his own crowbar, the assaulting Cyberman smashing his helmet and skull "like an eggshell."
-* [[Barclay (The Tenth Planet)|Barclay]] is given the first name of Tom.
+* [[Krail]], [[Regos Krang|Krang]], [[Jarl]] and [[Gern]] are sometimes called [[Cyber-Leader|Cyberleaders]]. Cyberleaders were not introduced until ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', which was broadcast the year before the book was published. Similarly, Krang is described as having a [[black]] [[Cyber-helmet|helmet]] and the Cybership is "missile-shaped" as it would be in the upcoming story.
-* [[Wigner]] is given the first name of Robert.
+* The Cyberleaders report to a [[Gern|Cyber-Controller]] on [[Mondas]].
-* An unknown {{w|Western film|Western}} seen in the original turns into a [[James Bond]] film starring {{w|Roger Moore}}.
+* [[Barclay (The Tenth Planet)|Barclay]] is given the first name of Tom and [[Wigner]] is given the first name of Robert.
-* At the end, rather than collapsing by the TARDIS console, the First Doctor goes into a TARDIS room near the console and uses a machine (said to be used for 'compressing sleep') to become the Second Doctor.
+* [[Haines (The Tenth Planet)|Haines]] (renamed Haynes in the novelisation) is given some lines. In the televised episode, Haines is no more than a non-speaking extra.
-* The Second Doctor receives some lines.
-* [[Cutler (The Tenth Planet)|Cutler]] attempts to shoot Ben on catching him sabotaging the [[Z-Bomb]] and is stopped by Barclay.
-* Ben and Polly are implied to come from the [[1970s]] rather than the [[1960s]].
-* [[Krail]], [[Regos Krang|Krang]], [[Jarl]] and [[Gern]] are sometimes called Cyberleaders. Cyberleaders were not introduced until ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', which was broadcast the year before the book was published.
-* Krang is described as having a balck helmet.
-* [[Haines (The Tenth Planet)|Haines]] (Haynes in the novelisation) is given some lines. In the televised episode, Haines is no more than a non-speaking extra.
 * A new engineer named [[Rogers (The Tenth Planet)|Rogers]] is present in the tracking room.
 * Several of the [[Radar technician (The Tenth Planet)|radar technician]]'s lines are given to the [[Burns (The Tenth Planet)|R/T technician]].
+* An unknown {{w|Western film|Western}} seen in the original turns into a [[James Bond]] film starring [[Roger Moore]]. From the description of black-clad karate students, it is implied to be ''The Man with the Golden Gun''. Ben recalls seeing it only the other week.
+* [[Cutler (The Tenth Planet)|Cutler]] attempts to shoot Ben after catching him sabotaging the [[Z-Bomb]], but is stopped by Barclay.
+* At the end, rather than collapsing by the TARDIS console, the First Doctor goes into a room near the console and uses a machine described as a long couch-like arrangement with a cover, said to be used for "compressing sleep". Emerging following the transformation, he studies his new appearance in a hand mirror before introducing himself to Polly and Ben: "I am the ''new'' Doctor!"
 == Writing and publishing notes ==
@@ Line 88: / Line 97: @@
 * The cover for the original [[Target Books]] edition featured the artwork of [[Chris Achilleos]]. The back cover included a small illustrated vignette also drawn by Achilleos.
-== Covers ==
+== Additional cover images ==
-<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
-File:3Tenth_Planet.jpg|1993 edition; Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
-</gallery>
 <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
-File:Bbcbook-cs-thetenthplanet.jpg|2012 edition
+File:HardbackTenthPlanet.jpg|1976 Hardback edition
+Tenth_Planet.jpg|1993 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
+Bbcbook-cs-thetenthplanet.jpg|2012 BBC Books edition
 </gallery>
 == British publication history ==
 First publication:
 * Hardback
-: W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd.  UK
+: W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
 * Paperback
 : Target
 : Paperback (February 1993)
-* Target / Virgin Publishing  New cover artwork by [[Alister Pearson]], priced £2.99 (UK).
+* Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by [[Alister Pearson]], priced £2.99 (UK).
+== Audiobook ==
+This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[7 December (releases)|7 December]] [[2017 (releases)|2017]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Anneke Wills]] 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]].
-== Editions published outside Britain ==
+<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
-''to be added''
+Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet Audiobook.jpg|Audiobook cover
+</gallery>
 == External links ==
-''to be added''
+* {{penguin|1092902/doctor-who-and-the-tenth-planet/}}
 {{DWN}}
 {{TitleSort}}
-[[Category:First Doctor novels]]
+[[Category:First Doctor novelisations]]
 [[Category:Target novelisations]]
 [[Category:1976 novels]]
-[[Category:Cyberman (Mondas) novels]]
 [[Category:Stories set in Antarctica]]
 [[Category:Regeneration novels]]
-[[Category:Second Doctor novels]]
+[[Category:Second Doctor novelisations]]
 [[Category:Stories set in Geneva]]
 [[Category:Stories set in 2000]]
+[[Category:E-books]]
+[[Category:Cyberman novels]]
+[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]]