Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils (novelisation)

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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 DW: The Sea Devils which was shown from 26th February 1972 and written by Malcolm Hulke
  • The original Target novel cover illustrated at right features the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
  • 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.

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 had given 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's 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

Illustrations

Additional cover images

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

See also

v • e
Doctor Who novelisations
 
First Doctor
Susan, Barbara, Ian
Barbara, Ian, Vicki
Barbara, Ian, Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven, Katarina
Steven, Katarina, Sara
Steven, Sara
Steven
Steven, Dodo
Dodo, Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly
 
Second Doctor
Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly, Jamie
Jamie, Victoria
Jamie, Zoe
 
Third Doctor
Liz
Jo
Sarah
 
Fourth Doctor
Sarah, Harry
Sarah
Alone
Leela
Leela, K9 Mark I
Romana I, K9 Mark II
Romana II
Romana II, K9 Mark II
Romana II, K9 Mark II, Adric
Adric
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
 
Fifth Doctor
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough
Tegan, Turlough
Turlough, Peri
Peri
 
Sixth Doctor
Peri
Mel
 
Seventh Doctor
Mel
Mel, Ace
Ace
 
Eighth Doctor
Grace
Solo
 
Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)
Alison
 
Ninth Doctor
Rose
Rose, Adam
 
Tenth Doctor
Rose
Donna
Alone
 
Eleventh Doctor
Amy
Amy, River
Clara
 
Twelfth Doctor
Clara
Alone
Bill, Nardole
 
Thirteenth Doctor
Yaz, Ryan, Graham
 
Fourteenth Doctor
Donna
 
Fifteenth Doctor
Ruby
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