Telos Publishing Re-Releases Doctor Who “The Target Book”

By John Freeman on April 22, 2016

Chronicling the range of Doctor Who novelisations published by a variety of publishers, but always under the ‘Target’ brand, The Target Book by David J Howe, first published in 2007, was one of the most popular titles ever published by Telos Publishing, selling well in both hardback and paperback editions – and now it’s being re-released in a new edition.

From 1973 until 1994, the Target Doctor Who paperbacks were a mainstay of the publishing world. From humble beginnings, they grew into a list running to 156 individual titles and selling over 13 million copies world-wide.

Celebrating the BBC’s relaunch of some of the old Target novelisations, this new hardback release of The Target Book comes ahead of the first ever display of original Target artwork at London’s Cartoon Museum, which opens on 28th April (see news story).

With a foreword from former Doctor Who Script Editor Terrance Dicks, who also write many of the novelisations, this edition of The Target Book includes a new Appendix covering the audio releases of many of the Target books, and the BBC’s own re-issues, offering a one-stop guide to these amazing novelisations.

Noted researcher and historian David J Howe chronicles the origins of the imprint, speaking to all the major players in its development, from editors to art directors, managing directors to artists and authors, and charts the books’ critical reception as well as the fortunes and failings of the many publishing houses involved in their production.

Profusely illustrated with all the covers, plus rare and unseen sketches and unused concepts and ideas, The Target Book is the definitive guide to a range of books which shaped the reading habits of a generation – and one of the best ever reference books to have been released about Doctor Who.

David J Howe has been involved with Doctor Who research and writing for over thirty years. He has been consultant to a large number of publishers and manufacturers for their Doctor Who lines, and is author or co-author of over 30 factual titles associated with the show. He also has one of the largest collections of Doctor Who merchandise in the world.

The Target Book
Written by David J Howe with Tim Neal
Foreword by Terrance Dicks
176pp. Large format 22cm x 28cm hardback. Fully illustrated in full colour throughout
ISBN 978-1-84583-114-1
Published 22 April 2016
Telos Publishing Ltd

• Doctor Who: The Target Books Artwork runs from 28th April – 11th May 2016 at The Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH – Read our news story

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.