From TARDIS Index File, the free Doctor Who reference.

Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders
Series:	Doctor Who- Target Novelisation
Release Number:	48 (given to later editions)
Doctor:	Third Doctor
Companions:	Sarah Jane Smith, the Brigadier, Sergeant Benton, Captain Mike Yates, UNIT
Enemy:	Spiders, Great One
Setting:	Earth, circa 1970s and Metebelis III
Author:	Terrance Dicks
Publisher:	Target Books, W.H. Allen & Co
Publication:	October 1975
Format:	Hardcover and paperback editions, 121 Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-426-11068-4
Previous Story:	Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon
Following Story:	Doctor Who and the Giant Robot

Novelisation

• This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: Planet of the Spiders which was shown from 4th May 1974 and written by Robert Sloman
• The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Peter Brookes. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

Publisher's Cover Blurb

1975 edition

`It’s happening, Brigadier! It’s happening!’ Sarah cried out. The Brigadier watched, fascinated, as the lifeless body of his old friend and companion, Dr Who, suddenly began to glow with an eerie golden light … The features were blurring, changing … `Well, bless my soul.’ Said the Brigadier. `WHO will he be next?’
Read the last exciting adventure of DR WHO’s 3rd Incarnation!

Illustrations

• None

Deviations from the Televised Story

To be added

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

• The BBC supplied a photograph of Tom Baker when they were unhappy with the original artwork they were shown that featured the Third Doctors regeneration into the Fourth Doctor.
• Title page includes: THE CHANGING FACE OF DOCTOR WHO. The cover illustration of this book portrays the third DOCTOR WHO whose physical appearance was altered by the Time Lords when they banished him to planet Earth in the Twentieth Century.

Associated Images

1978 edition;Cover by Alun Hood

1991 edition;Cover by Alister Pearson

Publishing History (UK)

To be added

First Publication:

• Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

• Paperback

Target

Re-issues:

1978 Target Books with a new cover by Alun Hood priced 60p (UK)

1991 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alister Pearson priced £2.50 (UK)

International Editions

To be added

External Sources

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