Publication Information
Author: Terrance Dicks
Cover artist: Andrew Skilleter / Alister Pearson (1992) / Chris Achilleos (Goldmann)
Publishing date: 20th November 1979 Episode Information
TV serial: Destiny of the Daleks
Writer: Terry Nation
Transmission Dates: 1st - 22nd September 1979 (4 episodes) Fact and Findings
The ability of Terrance Dicks and the Target schedulers to turn out adaptations of the most recently transmitted TV stories reaches new heights with this book - released a mere two months after it was shown. As the debut serial of season 18, it even beats the book of story one from season 17 onto the shelves. It was actually hoped that the book's publication could coincide with the serial's transmission (a feat never achieved by any of the publications) but this was not achieved. Since he was writing the book from rehearsal scripts, Dicks was unable to include descriptions of certain design features - such as Romana's distinctive costume.
The last script Nation wrote for the TV series checks in as probably the shortest novelisation. A large typeface is used in a book that runs from page 7 to page 110. It remains, however, an enjoyable if undemanding read - similar to the show upon which it is based.
First edition cover price - 75p
Classic chapter title: The Secret of the Daleks
Later editions were numbered 21 in the Doctor Who library.
The ISBN was 0 426 20096 9 for all Target paperback editions.
The first edition was from W. H. Allen / Wyndham. The novel was reprinted in 1981, 1982 and 1983 (W. H. Allen, £1.35, numbered spine) and 1985 (W. H. Allen, £1.50, numbered spine, new Target logo). It was re-jacketed and reissued for a final time in July 1992, published by Virgin (£2.99, same ISBN).
Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks was released in hardback by W. H. Allen on the same day as the paperback. The Skilleter artwork was backed by a text-less deep red dustjacket. The ISBN was 0 491 02640 4 and the price was £3.50.
On TV, Destiny of the Daleks was followed by City of Death. This story, originated by David Fisher but then largely reworked by Douglas Adams, is one of the four televised serials never officially adapted. However in 1992 New Zealand fan David Lawrence wrote a version. Now reworked and available as an A5 staple-bound non-profit publication from TSV books, the book has been designed to emulate the other Season 17 Target adaptations. Cover Data
Skilleter's first cover for a novelisation (following on from the K9 and Dalek specials). Done against a plain white background, it is a well executed homage to the early Achilleos covers. He uses this style just once more for his second novel cover - Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood - although Doctor Who and the State of Decay comes close, but with a blue background.
Skilleter receives a credit on the back cover of the first edition.
Producer Graham Williams was not impressed by the cover. Its non-story-specific appearance was due to Skilleter having no production photographs to work from - the story hadn't been made when the artwork was required!
Alister Pearson's cover artwork for the 1992 reprint was released as a postcard, free with 'Doctor Who Magazine' (number 211), April 1994. It was his 60th Target cover. Foreign Editions
Goldmann Verlag published the novel in Germany, in 1990, as Doctor Who - Und der Schöpfen van der Daleks. The version was translated by Peter Tuscher and the ISBN was 3-442-23625-8. The cover was similar in style to that used for the Goldmann versions of The Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Daleks and uses the artwork by Chris Achilleos for the latter book. UK Editions
The Target editions were published as follows:
1979, 20th November (first edition, W. H. Allen, Skilleter cover, red/brown curve logo, white spine, colour Target, Wyndham W on back, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, 75p)*
1981 (W. H. Allen, Skilleter cover, red curve logo, white spine, colour Target, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, 90p)
1982 (W. H. Allen, Skilleter cover, red curve logo, white spine, colour Target, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, £1.35)*
1983 (W. H. Allen, Skilleter cover, red curve logo, white numbered spine, colour Target, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, £1.35)*
1985 (W. H. Allen, Skilleter cover, red curve logo, white numbered spine, outline Target, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, £1.50)*
1992, 16th July (retitled Doctor Who - Destiny of the Daleks, Virgin, Pearson cover, McCoy banner, dark blue numbered spine, outline Target, ISBN 0 426 20096 9, £2.99)*
* copy in site owner's personal collectionMiscellaneous
Author
TERRANCE DICKS
Countries
Germany
Die einzigartige britische Fernsehserie jetzt als Goldmann Taschenbuch!
Der phantastische Dr. WHO mit seinem unmöglichen Raum-schiff auf Abenteuersuche im Weltall!
Als der Doktor und seine Begleiterin Romana auf einem verlassenen Palneten landen, machen sie eine furchtbare Entdeckung: Sie befinden sich auf Skaro, dem Heimatplaneten der Daleks!
Die Daleks sind auf der Suche nach ihrem Schöpfer, dem ebenso genialen wie wahnsinnigen Erfinder Davros, der ihnen zum endgültigen Sieg über ihre Todfeinde, die Movellaner, verhalfen soll.
Und dann wird Romana von den Daleks gefangengenommen und der Doktor von unbekannten Wesen entführt...
Goldmann Verlag published the novel in Germany, in July 1990, as Doctor Who und der Schöpfer der Daleks (translates as Doctor Who and the Creator of the Daleks). It was translated by Peter Tuscher, the cost was DM 7,80 and the ISBN was 3-442-23625-8. Confusingly, the artwork is from The Daleks (but fittingly the Goldmann release of The Daleks uses the artwork from Destiny).
Cover artist: Chris Achilleos
1990 Goldmann Verlag edition