The Power of the Daleks (novelisation)
Novelisation
- This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: The Power of the Daleks, written by David Whitaker and shown from 5 November 1966.
- The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It features the artwork of Alister Pearson. (See below for information on editions with different covers).
- The appearance of the Second Doctor on the cover marked the first time this incarnation had appeared on the cover of a Target novelisation since Doctor Who and the Web of Fear was published in 1976.
- The opening chapters novelises the events of Episode 4 of DW: The Tenth Planet.
Publisher's summary
THE STRANGER DREW HIMSELF UP TO HIS FULL HEIGHT.
`I AM THE DOCTOR,’ HE ANNOUNCED.
Disorientated after his regeneration, the Second Doctor takes the TARDIS to the Earth Colony Vulcan. Ben and Polly are disturbed - the Doctor isn’t the man he used to be.
The Doctor too is worried. The colonists have found the remains of two Daleks - which they plan to revive.
Once revived, the Daleks claim that they are content to serve humanity. Can it really be true? Or do they have their own, more sinister plans?
This is a brand-new novelization of a classic Dalek story, which is also the first story to feature Patrick Troughton as the Doctor. It has been unavailable since its broadcast in 1966.
Illustrations
- Contains no illustrated pages
Deviations from televised story
- Reference is made to John Benton and UNIT, neither introduced into the series until well after the original serial was broadcast. This marks one of the few times that established characters have been inserted into a novelisation of a story they weren't originally part of.
- Frequent mention is also made of the Interplanetary Mining Corporation as the driving force behind the colony's founding and funding. The IMC's first mention in the television series was not until 1971's Colony in Space.
- According the the novelisation, The Tenth Planet occurs during the 1990's.
Writing and publishing notes
- Along with The Evil of the Daleks and The Paradise of Death, this was significantly different from previous titles. The three were regarded as a bridging point between the old Target range of Doctor Who books and the soon-to-be-launched Virgin Missing Adventures range, while also fitting in with the ongoing Virgin New Adventures range. They all had a new look coverm with no Target logo being featured. Furthermore, each title was identified as part of the Doctor Who imprint and not the Target imprint. Together these three books were unique. While part of the Virgin brand, they did not include the Virgin branding, a fact that was not overlooked. From the start it was decided that the Doctor Who imprint would be replaced with the more “appropriate” Virgin branding more associated with the New Adventures range.
- Dedicated to the memories of David Whitaker, Patrick Toughton and William Hartnell and with special thanks to June Barry.
- Features Seventh Doctor and Ace illustrated advert for Doctor Who Magazine.
- Doctor Who 30th Anniversary logo features on back cover.
- Back cover flash reads `TARGET DOCTOR WHO NOVELIZATIONS 8 MILLION COPIES SOLD’
Additional cover images
To be added
British publication history
One single paperback edition, priced £4.50 (UK).
Editions published outside Britain
To be added
See also
- The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
