The Catacombs The Merchandise Guide
Novelisations
Compiled by Martin Willey

Novelisations: West Germany

Breitschopf

Mondbasis Alpha 1 series, two hardback translations of three English language Year 1 novelisations. They were reprinted 1984-1985 under different titles with a different author name. Patrick O'Connor was an American book editor who commissioned TV tie-ins; his name was probably on the licensing contract and Breitschopf mistakenly credited him as author (thanks to David Spencer).

Title Details Cover
Unbekannte Invasoren by John Rankine 1975 German translation, published two years before the series appeared on German television (hence the prominent title UFO).
#848, ISBN 3-7004-1093-X, 160 pages		 Title UFO, not Mondbasis Alpha 1; photo of astronaut looking at sleeping Kaldorian
Flucht Ins All by E.C. Tubb

Includes Die Mysteriose Planet by Brian Ball

 1978 German translation of two novels in a single volume.
#534, ISBN 3-7004-0042-X, 300 pages		 Astronauts at desks in foam. back: astronaut aims laser (Alpha Child)
Terra ruft Mondbasis by Patrick O'Connor
"Terra is calling Moonbase"		 1984 reprint of Flucht Ins All- Die Mysteriose Planet
#632, ISBN 3-7004-0089-6, 300 pages
Odyssee im Weltraum by Patrick O'Connor
"Odyssey in Space"		 1985 reprint of Unbekannte Invasoren and the 1971 UFO novel In den Fängen der Außerirdischen by Wolfgang Klesl & Viktor Straub
#653, ISBN 3-7004-0107-8, 290 pages
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Koralle-Verlag

Mondbasis Alpha 1 series; 19 x 26.5 cm; covers feature full cover photo of front of Eagle by Moon, with an inset photo, photos inside.

The text is a translation of the Italian AMZ novelisations by Gianni Padoan. Each is 48 pages long; the episode adaptations are illustrated with some 70 colour photographs. Most photos are the same as the AMZ books, although the shorter page count means less photos are used. There seems to be only one different photo: the incredibly poor shot of the Eagle on page 19 of i giustizieri del cosmo has been replaced with a photo of an Eagle with lab module and boosters from The Metamorph.

Images and information thanks to Patrick Zimmerman.

Title Cover Story
Band 1. Die Katastrophe (24 November 1977) Koenig holds Helena before computer Breakaway
Band 2: Auf Gefahrlichem Kurs (January 1978) Koenig and other astronauts (Ring Around The Moon) Collision Course, Voyager's Return
Interior: characters
Book 1 cover Book 1 back cover
Book 2 cover Book 2 back cover

Bastei

Mondstation 1999 series, 12 paperback titles based on Yr 2; 11.5 x 18 cm, Cover with title over photos; back with title & description

click for larger images of covers
Title Cover
1. Alpha 1-Station Der Verlorenen by Michael Butterworth Koenig, Hawk over the destroyed Alpha from War Games
2. Die Unheimliche Kraft by Michael Butterworth & J. Jeff Jones Maya before computer
3. Der Doppelganger by Michael Butterworth 2 photos of Koenig
4. Der Weltenfresser by Michael Butterworth Koenig & Helena, rear part of Eagle launching
5. Die Zeit-Attacke by Michael Butterworth Alan enters AB Chrysalis station to find Koenig unconscious
6. Kampf um die Zukunft by Michael Butterworth Koenig holds up laser in War Games room
7. Das Andromeda-Ratsel by H. W. Springer Yasko turns from desk screen reading 'Red Alert', 2 Alpha Child pursuit ships
8. Das Erbe Der Roboter by H. W. Springer Koenig & Alan, Kaldorian ship in front of lunar surface
9. Die Ewigen Von Luna by H. W. Springer Maya (from The Metamorph) and Eagle crashing amongst NDA 2 caps
10. Invasion Der Esper by H. W. Springer Helena & personnel in Command Centre shield their eyes (Dorcons)
11. Aktion Exodus by Kurt Brand Koenig in recoils from Eagle cockpit fire (Immunity Syndrome)
12. Der Stahlplanet by M. F. Thomas Koenig holds laser, Alpha Child ship beyond

Copyright Martin Willey