The Five Doctors (novelisation)

The Five Doctors
Doctor:	[[doctor::First Doctor, Second Doctor, Third Doctor, Fourth Doctor, Fifth Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Tegan Jovanka, Vislor Turlough, Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Sarah Jane Smith, Susan Foreman, Romana II, K-9
Main enemy:	Borusa, Daleks, Mondasian Cybermen, The Master
Main setting:	Eye of Orion , Gallifrey , Unknown
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::Target Books, W.H. Allen & Co]]
Writer:	Terrance Dicks
Release details
Release number:	81
Release date:	November 1983
Format:	Paperback Book, 128 Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-426-19510-8

Novelisation

• This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW): The Five Doctors which was shown from 25th November 1983 and written by Terrance Dicks
• The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

Publisher's Cover Blurb

1983 edition

A twentieth anniversary special featuring the Doctor in all five of his regenerations.
Why are all five Doctors being removed from their separate time-streams? Who is the enemy they will have to unite against? What will become of the Doctors when the battle is over?
We have travelled a long way with Doctor Who. The Five Doctors gives us a chance to turn the clock back and meet some old friends – and some old enemies.

Illustrations

• None

Deviations from the Televised Story

• Dicks adds a segment accounting for Susan Foreman's abduction by the timescoop, set in the era after The Dalek Invasion of Earth.

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

• Written by Terrance Dicks to tie-in with the Anniversary TV broadcast, this was the quickest novelisation for Terrance to write.
• After several unsuccessful attempts to simultaneously release titles at the time of broadcast, there was general disapproval that the book was available in some areas, up to two weeks before transmission. According to a featurette on the 25th anniversary DVD, it is believed that the release before broadcast was in fact an error.
• The usual cover price of £1.35 (UK) was significantly raised for this titles release, to a special price of £1.50 (UK), before being lowered again for subsequent releases.
• This as the first title to be seen through by Nigel Robinson, the new range editor, who took over from Christine Donohoe who had already commisioned a number of titles that Nigel inherited.
• This was the 100th title in the Doctor Who Target Book range.
• Foil cover with a lower corner flash reading `A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FIRST EDITION’.
• The inside front of the book included a single page advert for Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offer! (Featuring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and a host of target novelisations)

Associated Images

• 

  1991 edition; Cover by Alister Pearson

Publishing History (UK)

To be added

First Publication:

• Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

• Paperback

Target

Re-issues:

International Editions

To be added

External Sources

To be added