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It’s been nearly four years since the BBC last released reprints of the popular Target novelisations. Fortunately, in the chasm left by having no new Doctor Who until Christmas, there seems to be a push to continue the franchise’s awareness with a shed-load of official books hitting shelves across 2016.
And this includes seven reprints of much-loved Target adaptations, three of which have new uniform covers by Chris Achilleos! Take a look at what’s coming to bookshops near you this April…
Doctor Who and the Zarbi
Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell with his companions Barbara, Ian, and Vicki.
Affected by a strange force, the TARDIS is dragged down to the desolate planet of Vortis. Until they can discover what is holding them there, the Doctor and his friends are trapped on the planet…
The Doctor, Ian and Vicki are captured by the Zarbi – huge ant-like creatures controlled by the parasitic alien Animus. Meanwhile, Barbara runs into a group of Menoptra, butterfly-like creatures that have been driven from their home planet by the Animus, and plan to return with an invasion force. But the Zarbi know their plans and are waiting for the Menoptra…
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 13 February-20 March 1965.
Doctor Who and the Web of Fear
Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton with his companions Jamie and Victoria.
The TARDIS is engulfed by a mysterious web-like substance in space. Breaking free, the Doctor and his companions Jamie and Victoria land in the London Underground system. But a spreading killer mist has meant that London has been evacuated. The Great Intelligence is back – and its robot Yeti are roaming the streets and the underground tunnels.
The Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria team up with an army unit working with their old friend Professor Travers to combat the menace. They soon realise, however, that someone in the group must be working for the Intelligence. With time running out, the Doctor and his friends realise they can trust no one…
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 3 February-9 March 1968.
Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion
Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee with his companion Sarah Jane Smith and UNIT.
The Doctor and Sarah arrive in London to find it deserted. The city has been evacuated as prehistoric monsters appear in the streets. While the Doctor works to discover who or what is bringing the dinosaurs to London, Sarah finds herself trapped on a spaceship that left Earth months ago travelling to a new world…
Against the odds, the Doctor manages to trace the source of the dinosaurs. But will he and the Brigadier be in time to unmask the villains before Operation Golden Age changes the history of planet Earth and wipes out the whole of human civilisation?
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 12 January–16 February 1974.
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks
Featuring the Fourth Doctor as played by Tom Baker with his companions Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan.
The Time Lords have a mission for the Doctor. Together with Sarah and Harry, he finds himself stranded on the war-torn planet Skaro where the conflict between the Thals and the Kaleds has been raging for a thousand years.
Chemical and biological weapons have started a cycle of mutation among the planet’s inhabitants that cannot be stopped. But Kaled scientist Davros has perfected a life support system and travel machine for the creature he knows his race will ultimately evolve into – the Dalek.
The Doctor must stop the creation of the Daleks, or perhaps affect their development so they evolve into less aggressive creatures. But with Davros’s plans to destroy the Thals and to wipe out any dissenters among his own ranks in progress, is the Doctor already too late?
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 8 March–12 April 1975.
Doctor Who: The Visitation
Featuring the Fifth Doctor as played by Peter Davison with his companions Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan.
Trying to get Tegan back to Heathrow in 1981, the Doctor brings the TARDIS to the right place, but over 300 years early – in 1666. They are not the only visitors as Death stalks the local woods, complete with cloak, scythe and a skull-like face.
In fact, ‘Death’ is an android brought by a group of alien Terileptils whose spaceship has crashed. Criminals and fugitives from their own race, they now plan to take over Earth. With Adric and Tegan captured, the Doctor and Nyssa try to deal with the deadly android, and a group of local villagers under the control of the Terileptils.
But even if they succeed, can they prevent the Terileptils from unleashing an even more deadly from of the Black Death?
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 15–23 February 1982.
Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos
Featuring the Sixth Doctor as played by Colin Baker with his companion Peri.
In need of Zeiton-7 to repair the TARDIS, the Doctor and Peri travel to the planet Varos. A former prison for the criminally insane, Varos is now ruled by the descendents of the guards. The population is kept in check and entertained by broadcasts of torture and execution from the Punishment Dome – where the TARDIS lands.
Soon the Doctor and Peri, together with rebel fugitives Jondar and Areta, find themselves trying to escape the Dome’s traps and challenges – all on live television.
Can the Doctor and Peri escape the Punishment Dome, and help the Governor ensure the people of Varos get a fair deal for their Zeiton-7?
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 19–26 January 1975.
Doctor Who: Battlefield
Featuring the Seventh Doctor as played by Sylvester McCoy with his companion Ace.
A UNIT nuclear convoy, stranded on the shores of Lake Vortigern, becomes the focus of an incursion by knights from a parallel reality. In this other world, technology and magic exist side by side, and the legends of King Arthur are fact. Close to the lake, the sinister Mordred battles against his enemy Ancelyn and summons his mother, the powerful witch Morgaine.
Is the Doctor really Merlin? And will he discover what actually happened to King Arthur? But time is running out for everyone as Morgaine takes control of the nuclear weapons and summons the Destroyer – Lord of Darkness and Eater of Worlds…
This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 6–27 September 1989.
As you can see, it appears these reprints will lack introductions like the previous ones, which have featured text from Mark Gatiss, Tom MacRae, Gareth Roberts, and Russell T Davies…
These will all be released in April – £6.99 for physical copies or £4.99 for digital editions – followed by hardback editions of the first three Doctor Who Targets – David Whitaker’s Doctor Who and the Daleks, Bill Strutton’s Doctor Who and the Zarbi, and Whittaker’s Doctor Who and the Crusaders – on 3rd November for £9.99 each…
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