From TARDIS Index File, the free Doctor Who reference.

Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon
Series:	Doctor Who - Target Novelisation
Release Number:	23 (given to later editions) (Target Books) 2 (Pinnacle)
Doctor:	Third Doctor
Companions:	Jo Grant, the BrigadierUNIT
Enemy:	Primitives, IMC, Guardian, the Master
Setting:	Earth Colony, 2471
Author:	Malcolm Hulke
Publisher:	Target Books, W.H. Allen & Co (UK) Pinnacle Books (US)
Publication:	April 1974 (paperback) March 1982 (hardcover)
Format:	Hardcover and paperback editions, 166 Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-426-10372-6
Previous Story:	Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos
Following Story:	Doctor Who and the Dæmons

Novelisation

• This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: Colony in Space which was shown from 10th April 1971 and written by Malcolm Hulke
• The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
• A hardcover edition was not released until 1982.

Publisher's Cover Blurb

1974 edition

The evil MASTER has stolen the Time Lords' file on the horrifying DOOMSDAY WEAPON with which, when he finds it, he can blast whole planets out of existence and make himself ruler of the Galaxy!

The Time Lords direct DOCTOR WHO and Jo Grant in TARDIS to a bleak planet in the year 2471 where they find colonists from Earth under threat from mysterious, savage, monster lizards with frightful claws! And hidden upon this planet is the DOOMSDAY WEAPON for which the MASTER is intently searching …

Deviations from the Televised Story

• Both Jo Grant and the Master are given new introductions, with Grant in particular described as joining the Doctor for the first time, despite the existence of several previous stories featuring her.
• The concrete Earth that the colonists had left is expanded upon.

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

• The 1979 edition by Pinnacle Books in the US included an introduction by Harlan Ellison.
• The first edition Target cover was the first to feature The Master.

Illustrations

• This title contain 11 illustrated pages by Chris Achilleos

Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 20)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 36)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 53)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 73)
Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 80)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 96)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 110)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 120)
Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 135)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 151)	Chris Achilleos (Doomsday Weapon Invasion Page 162)

Associated Images

1979 US Pinnacle Books edition

1979 edition; Cover by Jeff Cummins

Publishing History (UK)

To be added

First Publication:

• Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

• Paperback

Target

Re-issues:

70p

1979 Target Books with a new cover by Jeff Cummins priced 75p (UK)

International Editions

To be added

Audio Release

This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio Books and read by Geoffrey Beevers who played The Master.
The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-405-67795-3 was released in September 2007 priced £13.99 (UK)
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

External Sources

• The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
• On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal