Publication Information
Author: Terrance Dicks
Cover artist: Roy Knipe
Publishing date: 29th March 1979 Episode Information
TV serial: The Invisible Enemy
Writer: Bob Baker & Dave Martin
Transmission dates: 1st - 22nd October 1977 (4 episodes) Fact and Findings
This story saw the introduction of K9: Also included in the little group was a squat metallic creature that stood near the bottom of the bed. It looked curiously like a kind of squared-off metal dog, with a computer display screen for eyes, and antennae for ears and tail. At the moment it was studying the Doctor's motionless form with a very sophisticated battery of scanning devices. A strip of computer-print-out papers began sprouting from its mouth, rather like a very long tongue. Although neither of the story's writers - Bob Baker and Dave Martin - ever adapted one of their scripts for Target, in 1980 Martin (writing as David Martin) had four illustrated children's books, featuring K9, published by Sparrow (the children's division of Arrow Books). The adventures were K9 and the Time Trap, K9 and the Zeta Rescue, K9 and the Beasts of Vega and K9 and the Missing Planet. The books had full colour illustrations throughout and retailed at 65 pence each.
First edition cover price - 60p
Classic chapter title: Mind Hunt
The back cover blurb evokes the wrong movie when it refers to an incredible journey into the Doctor's brain - a fantastic voyage would be more appropriate.
Later editions were numbered 36 in the Doctor Who library.
The first edition was printed by W. H. Allen / Wyndham, ISBN 0 426 20054 3. It was reprinted twice in 1982, priced £1.25.
The novelisation was scheduled to be re-released on the 19th of May 1994, but was cancelled when Target called an end to their novelisation series and focussed instead on the New Adventures.
A hardback edition was also released in March 1979. Cover Data
Roy Knipe's cover superbly captures the likeness of Tom Baker as the fourth Doctor, sadly it is also a rather accurate rendition of the Nucleus "prawn" creature.
A larger version of Knipe's artwork appears in David J. Howe's book Timeframe (Virgin Publishing Ltd, 1993). Reviews
"Not exactly a triumph, the story comes over better in print than it did on screen."
- Richard Marson, "The Invisible Enemy: Fact File", 'Doctor Who Magazine' (number 134), March 1988UK Editions
The Target editions were published as follows:
1979, 29th March (first edition, W. H. Allen, Knipe cover, red curve logo, white spine, colour Target, Wyndham W on back, ISBN 0 426 20054 3, 60p)*
1979 (W. H. Allen, ISBN 0 426 20054 3, 75p)
1980 (W. H. Allen, ISBN 0 426 20054 3)
1982 (W. H. Allen, ISBN 0 426 20054 3)
1982 ("twice", W. H. Allen, Knipe cover, red curve logo, white spine, colour Target, ISBN 0 426 20054 3, £1.25)*
1984 (W. H. Allen, ISBN 0 426 20054 3, £1.35)
1987 (using 1984 contents, W. H. Allen, Knipe cover, red curve logo, white numbered spine, outline Target, ISBN 0 426 20054 3, £1.95)*
* copy in site owner's personal collectionMiscellaneous
Author
Terrence Dicks