Galaxy Four (novelisation)

The Drahvins are a race of beautiful females, led by the imperious Maaga. The Rills are hideous tusked monstrosities, accompanied by their robotic servants, the Chumblies.

When the Doctor arrives, he discovers that the planet will explode in two days' time. The Drahvins desperately ask for his help in escaping the planet and the belligerent Rills.

But things are not always as they seem...

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

Four Hundred Dawns
Trap of Steel
Airlock
The Exploding Planet

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

On their way back the Drahvin spaceship, the Doctor and Steven fall into a pit and only escape by pulling a Chumbley along with them. By standing on it, they manage to climb out.
The Doctor hints that he is not in his first incarnation by stating that "[...] it is hard to find a good body." This contradicts later televised stories and novelisations which explicitly identify this incarnation as his first, however it is equally possible that this discrepancy can be explained away as a general adage held among his people.
He also mentions his second heart, something else not introduced until TV: Spearhead from Space. In the story TV: The Edge of Destruction, Ian checks the First Doctor's pulse and doesn't notice a second heart, implying he has only one. Also, in TV: The Sensorites, the Doctor mentions he was struck under his heart (singular). Other stories would suggest that the Doctor grew his second heart after regenerating for the first time. (PROSE: The Man in the Velvet Mask) However, other novels do imply the presence of a second heart during his first body. (PROSE: Salvation)^{[additional sources needed]}
The lead-in to the following televised story, Mission to the Unknown, has been omitted.

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

The inside back cover includes colour details of Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
The cover for the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter.
The book is a rare example of a later-period Target novelisation using a title different from that of the broadcast (the TV version uses Galaxy 4, whereas the book uses Galaxy Four); similarly, the TV episode title is spelled "Air Lock" but "Airlock" in the book.

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

1985 Hardback edition

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

Hardback

W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

Paperback

Target

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 6 July 2017 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Maureen O'Brien.

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]]

to be added