Review: The Classic Doctor Who Target Range (2016 Re-Issue)
Connor Johnston gives his verdict on the 2016 reissue of the Doctor Who Target Novels, out now.
It’s 2016 and even though our exposure to brand new Doctor Who adventures is restricted, our ability to explore, appreciate and access Doctor Who episodes is almost unparalleled. Due of our infatuation over DVD boxsets, online streaming agents and numerous televised repeats, it is difficult to imagine a time when fans of the show didn’t have the same opportunities to relive and obsess over the show that we have now. However, throughout most of the first three decades of the the show’s existence, fans only had one avenue in which to relive the already televised adventures of the Doctor: Target novelisations. Long out of print, this week BBC Books are republishing seven of the most popular titles from the original range including one story with each of the first seven Doctors.
The question needs to be asked though: in a time where we have access to the televised versions of these stories, is there any worth in revisiting them through novel form? In short: Yes. While these novels were originally billed as direct novelisations of the episode transcripts, the medium in which they are presented allows for a far more intimate and varied experience in revisiting these stories.
Illustrations by Chris Achilleos
When it comes to the many unsung heroes that have contributed to Doctor Who’s vast history, artist Chris Achilleos is one of the most underrated and deserving personalities out there. Illustrating the cover artwork of the original Target novel range throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Achilleos’ artistic style has become utterly iconic and integral to the show’s legacy. His prints and covers have survived the decades through fan admiration, and there’s no denying that one of the greatest selling points for this new range is its presentation. Each of the 7 novels come adorned with one of Achilleos incredible illustrations including the completely new designs for “The Visitation”, “Vengeance on Varos” and “Battlefield” which create a stunning uniform look that collectors will love.
‘DOCTOR WHO AND THE ZARBI’
By Bill Strutton
The first book of the range is the novelized version of “The Web Planet”, which unfortunately is plagued by a number of structural and stylistic setbacks that make it difficult for modern readers to fully engage with the story. For one, the fact that it implores the use of the words ‘Doctor Who’ as a pronoun for ‘The Doctor’ is very telling of the time in which it was written. Now I’m not a person who is annoyed whenever someone calls the Doctor ‘Doctor Who’ nowadays, and I fully understand that in the past is has been the acceptable way to refer to the character. The issue I am taking today with its place in Strutton’s novel is not its presence, but its overuse that increases the density of the text significantly. For example, an extract that reads:
“Doctor Who paused to think, ignoring the others. ‘In fact what?’ Ian asked. Doctor Who turned his head to look at Ian. ‘Look at the instruments’ Doctor Who shrugged.” (Page 5)
– is not only distractingly repetitive, but also an example of fairly lazy writing and fairly difficult to navigate through. In saying that, a number of Strutton’s descriptive passages read like sheer poetry and his characterization of all 4 protagonists is remarkably accurate. It may be the weakest item in the range, but there still remains several aspects of the text which are both easy to digest and very enjoyable.
Rating: 4/10
‘DOCTOR WHO AND THE WEB OF FEAR’
By Terrance Dicks
As someone who obsessed religiously over the audio reconstructions of “The Web of Fear” for many years before rejoicing without end when the its lost episodes were eventually recovered and released in 2013; entering into this novel I did have to question whether or not there was a limit to my appreciation of the story. Terrance Dicks has such an enchanting way with words, which though sounding obvious given his incredibly successful legacy on the show, really was surprising given how different the styles and requirements are between writing a script and writing a novel. His work effortlessly transports the reader into the action and horror of the story as the Doctor, Jamie, Victoria and Pre-Brig Alistair face off against the Great Intelligence in London’s underground railways. A highly emotive, expressive and adrenalin pumped novel. “Doctor Who and the Web of Fear” not only reignited my passion for the story, but impossibly furthered it significantly.
Rating: 10/10
‘DOCTOR WHO AND THE DINOSAUR INVASION’
By Malcolm Hulke
I pride myself on the fact that when watching Classic Doctor Who serials I have the ability to appreciate the quality of their storytelling without being held back by the restrictive nature of the period’s special effects. However, even for me, the overly ambitious and quite frankly embarrassing inclusion of giant rubbery dolls is almost too great a distraction when re-watching “The Invasion of the Dinosaurs”. One of the advantages to approaching this serial through print is that the shortcomings of it’s televised counterpart have no effect, given that the limitations of a reader’s imagination are remarkably less restricted by technical capabilities. The story itself is one that is perfectly captures the dynamic of Pertwee’s era, being an earth based invasion which he overcomes with the aid of UNIT and the Brigadier. Hulke translates the team-like mentality that flows through the story with ease making it very easy for readers to come to grasp with its characters very quickly. It is this kind of quirky, energetic and ambitious storytelling that was behind the success of the Target range for so many years.
Rating: 6/10
‘DOCTOR WHO: GENESIS OF THE DALEKS’
By Terrance Dicks
“Genesis of the Daleks” is without question one of the most irresistible serials of all time. From its premise offering viewers a chance to witness the creation of one of the most iconic monsters in the shows history, to its role in introducing the character of Davros to the universe; it is a story drenched in historic significance. Thankfully, the charm and intellectual merit of the story is not diluted in its transferral to the novel format, and once again it is Terrance Dick’s style that ensures readers are constantly engaged and invested in the narrative’s progression. Davros specifically, being the main focus of the story, works incredibly well in the form of a written character given how layered and dubious his motivations are. A book that frames the moral dilemma the Doctor faces at the climax of the story with an active atmosphere, the fourth novel in this series is in my mind an incredible reading experience – and easily one of the best selections in the range.
Rating: 10/10
‘DOCTOR WHO: THE VISITATION’
By Eric Saward
Unfortunately, despite an incredibly tantalizing premise and even more impressive execution; for some reason “The Visitation” has never really been as widely regarded by fans as it deserves to be. The story itself is a great example of Doctor Who’s brilliant knack for using science fiction as a tool to explain genuine historic events. Having the climactic nature of the Terileptils’ actions cause the Great Fire of London is an incredible twist that perfectly blends the universe of the show with our own reality. It’s this kind of approach to taking an everyday event and distorting it with an impossible narrative that makes the experience of absorbing this story so unique. Another great victory for this novelisation is its pitch perfect characterization of the entire main cast. There are many moments while reading where you can here Peter Davison’s Doctor rise up from the page – and not just because one’s witnessed his physical performance of the story before. Saward’s presentation of the Fifth Doctor’s personality transcends the barriers of his dialogue, and instead becomes an in-depth exploration of the character’s motivations and thoughts that just isn’t possible to fully realise without the intimate nature of a novel’s narration.
Rating: 8/10
‘DOCTOR WHO: VENGEANCE ON VAROS’
By Phillip Martin
When it comes to Doctor Who fans, there are a number of demographics that I struggle to have time for, including (but not limited to): those fans who cannot value the brilliance of Martha Jones, those fans who don’t think Wendy Padbury is not the most adorable thing ever… and of course those who refuse to put “Vengeance on Varos” on a pedestal as one of the most political and gripping stories of all time. It’s a novel whose style (as well as quite obviously its setting) is quite reminiscent of an Orwellian drama, and captures the intensity and speed of the narrative by producing a piece of work that is as provoking, passionate and cutting edge as the episode it takes its inspiration from. I’ve mentioned before about the benefits of novels having the luxury to jump between various perspectives effortlessly, a trope that is used to its best degree in “Vengeance on Varos”. From the claustrophobic cells to the chaos of the punishment dome, the structure of the control room to the domestic chaos of Arak and Etta’s home: the novel captures the scale of the story with ease.
Rating: 8/10
‘DOCTOR WHO: BATTLEFIELD’
By Marc Platt
While “The Web of Fear” was a pure example of an invasion story, “Vengeance of Varos” a heavy handed political drama and “Doctor Who and the Zarbi” a version of a Classic Sci-Fi mystery; the novelisation of “Battlefield” almost reads as though it’s a novel written in the dark corners of the fantasy genre. Marc Platt is a writer who I’ve held in a fairly high regard through my exposure to his work with Big Finish audios (specifically the incredible “Skull of Sobek” and “An Earthly Child”) as well as other Doctor Who novels (including “Lungburrow” and “Downtime”). Each of his contributions to the legacy of Doctor Who has made a lasting impression, and the novelisation of “Battlefield” is no exception. When it comes to embedding ancient folklore and legend into the world of Sci-Fi, no one does it better than Doctor Who. Both the characters of Mordred and Morgaine are brilliantly translated into the narrative to provide an original take on Arthurian Legend. “Battlefield” succeeds through its darker and more mystical approach to storytelling and makes for a different, yet equally impressive read to the rest of the series.
Rating: 8/10
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In a year where the amount of Doctor Who material we are being exposed to is incredibly scarce, it is only natural that fans will want to explore alternative formats to get their fix of in-universe material. As well as Big Finish audios and comic books, novels offer fans yet other platform in which to experience the Doctor’s adventures. Specifically, the reissued Target range resurrects some of the show’s most iconic and enjoyable stories and in many cases even enhances the narratives through a range of perspectives and descriptions that offer everyone something fresh to experience. Like the episodes on which they are based, there are some notable variations in the quality and entertainment value of each book, however in whole the series makes for an easy and enjoyable read. Opening every novel with a specially written recap of each character’s development and personality at the point each story is set, this series is one of the most accessible releases ever associated with Doctor Who.
Overall Range Rating: 7/10
The entire range of Doctor Who Target Novels are set to be published by BBC Books on the 28th of April and are available both in Paperback or eBook formats.
To co-inside with the release, The Cartoon Museum in London are also holding an exhibition of the Target book artwork featuring over 30 designs – available for public viewing for the first time ever between the 28th of April and 11th of May.
