Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen (novelisation)

Novelisation

This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: The Tomb of the Cybermen which was shown from 2nd September 1967 and written by Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler
The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Jeff Cummins. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

Publisher's summary

1978 edition

The Cybermen - silver, indestructible monsters whose only goal is power - seem to have disappeared from their planet, Telos. When a party of archaeologists, joined by the Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria, land on the Cybermen’s barren, deserted planet, they uncover what appears to be their tomb.
But once inside it becomes clear that the Cybermen are not dead, and some in the group of archaeologists desperately want to re-activate these monsters! How can the Doctor defeat these ruthless, power-seeking humans and the Cybermen?

Book Chapters

Introduction
01 - Victoria and Jamie
02 - An Expedition into Space
03 - The Entrance to the Tombs
04 - Cyberman Control Room
05 - The Recharging Room
06 - The Target Room
07 - The Finding of the Cybermat
08 - The Secret of the Hatch
09 - The Cyberman Controller
10 - Release the Cybermats
11 - The Controller is Revitalised
12 - Toberman Returns
13 - Closing the Tombs

Illustrations

Contains no illustrated pages

Deviations from televised story

The narration sometimes refers to the Doctor as "Doctor Who".
The introduction provides a brief synopsis of the birth of the Cybermen, and the events of DW: The Tenth Planet and DW: The Moonbase. However, the introduction also states that the homeworld of the Cybermen was always Telos, not Mondas.
Toberman is described as either Turkish or Middle Eastern.
The main chamber of the tomb is lined with ornate bas-reliefs of the history of the Cybermen, from their creation to the destruction of Mondas.
The Cyber-Controller is described as having a black helmet, like the Cyber-Leaders seen later in the series.

Writing and publishing notes

The cover depicts a different version of the Cybermen from that which appeared in the story. (The photo reference used comes from The Invasion).
Intial designs by an unknown artist featured the Second Doctor and the appropriate Cybermen but was unused most likely because of the BBC’s reluctance to allow only the then-current Doctors likeness on the covers.
This title was delayed from its planned release in July 1977 until May 1978.
Dedication: Dedicated to my daughters, Victoria-Jean and Felicity-Jane.

Additional cover images

Variant cover by Jeff Cummins
1992 edition; Cover by Alister Pearson

British publication history

To be added

First Publication:

Hardback

W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

Paperback

Target

Re-issues:

1992 by Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alistair Pearson priced £2.99 (UK)

Editions published outside Britain