Tardis

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Tardis
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Tardis
RealWorld

The War Machines was a novelisation based on the 1966 television serial The War Machines.

Publisher's summary

1989 edition

London, 1966 — when the TARDIS materialises outside the Post Office Tower The Doctor becomes aware of a powerful and evil force nearby, so he and the ever-curious Dodo set off to investigate.

Inside the tower they track down the source of power to Professor Brett and WOTAN, his revolutionary new computer.

Designed as a universal problem solver, WOTAN has suddenly begun to think for itself and has formulated a deadly plan. Using its phenomenal power it will programme humans to build mobile fighting computers, and with these indestructible war machines WOTAN will take over the world...

Chapter titles

  1. The Home-Coming
  2. The Super-Computer
  3. A Night Out
  4. Servant turned Master
  5. Putting the Team Together
  6. Working for the Cause
  7. A Demonstration of Power
  8. The One Who Got Away
  9. Attack and Defence
  10. Taking to the Streets
  11. Setting the Trap
  12. The Showdown
  13. We Can't Stay Long

Deviations from televised story

  • The Doctor gains access to the Post Office Tower with forged credentials and the fact that he and Brett have a mutual acquaintance in Ian Chesterton.
  • The Doctor defeats the first War Machine by burning out its circuit with a radiowave, rather than it simply stopping.
  • The second War Machine is named as Valk. It is not armed prior to going rogue, meaning the Doctor has to fit it with an automatic rifle after reprogramming it.
  • The Doctor enters the tower on realising humans are in danger from Valk's attack.
  • The battle between WOTAN and Valk is more involved, with the computer trying to defend itself with electrical charges.

Writing and publishing notes

  • The original Target edition featured the artwork of Alister Pearson with circles by Graeme Way.

Additional cover images

to be added

British publication history

First publication: Paperback (February 1989)

  • Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 21,000, priced £1.99 (UK).

Re-issues: (November 1992)

  • Target / Virgin Publishing, priced £2.99 (UK).

External links

to be added

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