Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils (novelisation)
Publisher's summary
1979 edition
Whilst visiting the Master, who has been exiled to a luxurious castle prison on a small island, Doctor Who and Jo Grant learn that a number of ships have vanished in the area. Whilst investigating these mysterious disappearances, Jo and the Doctor are attacked by a Sea-Devil, one of a submarine colony distantly related to the Silurians. Soon they discover that the Sea-Devils plan to conquer the Earth and enslave humanity, aided and abetted by the Master. What can Doctor Who do to stop them?
Novelisation
- This novelisation is based on the original television serial TV: The Sea Devils, written by Malcolm Hulke and shown from 26 February 1972.
- The original Target edition cover at the right features the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on editions with different covers).
- Jo Grant becomes the first full-fledged companion to appear on the cover of a Target novelisation.
- The novelisation was going to be called Doctor Who and the Sea Monsters to follow Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters.
- Not released to hardcover until 1981.
Chapter Titles
1. 'Abandon Ship!'
2. Visitors for the Master
3. The Vanished Ships
4. Stranded!
5. Air-Sea Rescue
6. 'This Man Came to Kill Me!'
7. Captain Hart Becomes Suspicous
8. The Submarine
9. Visitors for Governor Trenchard
10. The Diving Bell
11. 'Depth Charges Away!'
12. Attack in Force
13. Escape
Deviations from televised story
- The novelisation uses Sea-Devil rather than Sea Devil.
- We learn about media publicity surrounding the Master's lengthy trial and the ethical debate as to whether to execute him and the ethical difficulty of putting an immortal being, a Time Lord, in prison for life. During the trial, the Doctor gave testimony urging punishment other than the death penalty.
- The Doctor frequently tells Jo that the Sea Devils are related to the Silurian and that they are "just like those cave monsters we met in Derbyshire". This perhaps implies that Jo herself met the Silurians, which she never did on screen.
- On page 83, the Master tells the Doctor that he plans to use the Sea Devils, just like he used the Ogrons. As the book was published a year after Frontier in Space was transmitted, Malcolm Hulke included the reference. In Frontier and its novelisation Doctor Who and the Space War, the Master tells the Doctor he thought he'd come and see him in prison like he came to see him when he was locked up in Sea.
- At the end of the book, the Master escapes in a helicopter, rather than a hovercraft which he used in the televised version.
Writing and publishing notes
- Jo Grant appears on the cover of the first Target edition, making her the first undisputed companion to appear on the cover of a Target novelisation (The Brigadier appeared on the cover of Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion, however his status as a companion is disputed by some).
- It was apparently planned that a new edition would be released by Virgin Publishing in May 1992 as Doctor Who - The Sea Devils to tie-in belatedly with the BBC Two repeats of The Sea Devils. The cover was to have featured John Geary's illustration of two Sea Devils from the 1981 edition, and possibly bearing a red hexagonal flash reading NOW BACK ON TELEVISION to announce the story's recent reshowing on BBC Two. Although this reissue was mentioned in the double-issue of the fanzine The Frame № 21 and 22 (Spring & Summer '92), it seems that this edition never saw print.
Illustrations
- This title contain six illustrated pages by Alan Willow
- SeaDevilsp50.jpg
- SeaDevilsp74.jpg
- SeaDevilsp101.jpg
- SeaDevilsp115.jpg
- SeaDevilsp125.jpg
Additional cover images
1979 edition; Cover by John Geary
British publication history
To be added
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Re-issues:
- 60p (UK)
- 1979 Target Books with a new cover by John Geary priced 60p (UK)
Editions published outside Britain
To be added
