Merchandise Review - 10" 13th Doctor Adventure Doll

Well, this is certainly a lot better than I was expecting - sometimes the larger figures lose something in translation so to speak, unless, of course, you happen to be Big Chief Studios.  However, for an "Adventure Doll" that retails at £19.99, Character Options have done a bang up job.

The doll is packaged extremely well - with the figure held in by plastic tags.  Like most things now, it's not the easiest to get into - you'll end up taking a scissors to it (just be careful!).  There's a Tardis effect to the background and one side of the box has one of the Tardis doors printed there.  This is where my first grumble comes in (it's fine - I only have 2 tiny grumbles about this figure).  Look at the Tardis door on the side of the box:

"Assitance"?  Really?  As this is a review sample, then I hope this is changed prior to public sale.

The figure itself however, is truly excellent.  A really good likeness of Jodie Whittaker with care being taken over every detail - literally from the hair to the boots.  The hair has the "untreated roots" effect, the earring is there - and if you pull the coat aside, the gold braces are there too.  I think the coat is removable - but it's not easy - I actually got it about halfway off and decided to leave it as I didn't want to damage it. 

As for articulation - the head moves from side to side, the shoulders, elbows and arms all rotate.  The figure sits quite comfortably - and the knees and ankles are fully articulated too.  Unlike some figures, the 13th Doctor doll stands very well - probably due to the boots - and, on a bit of a wobbly shelf of mine, happily stayed firmly upright.

My 2nd tiny grumble - and honestly, I'm being really picky now because the figure is just SO good - is the Sonic Screwdriver.  It's all silver. - the orange crystal effect just isn't there.  See?  Told you I was being picky.

Essentially though - this is a cracking figure and £19.99 is, I believe, a very reasonable price for this.  Children will love it - and I honestly think collectors will too.

The 13th Doctor Adventure Doll is released in August - and you can pre-order it now for £19.99 from The Who Shop.

Thanks to Character Options for the review sample.

Merchandise - Character Options’ new 10” Thirteenth Doctor Figure

Character Options is delighted to unveil its brand new Doctor Who figure, the first 10” figure of the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker.

The new, highly detailed 10”/26cm fully articulated, collectible figure comes dressed in real fabric high-waisted culottes, rainbow striped dark blue shirt and coat.  The figure also comes with the Doctor’s essential Sonic Screwdriver accessory. 

Alasdair Dewar, Character Options’ Director of Product Development commented:  “The new 10 inch Adventure Figure is a fantastic addition to the range. Made even better by the use of 3D scan data. The likeness is absolutely fantastic and along with the scaled fabric clothing kids and collectors alike will enjoy this bigger sized figure to play without display ... and ... it’s by sheer chance perfectly in scale with our 2006 12 inch Doctor Who range”

Rikesh Desai, Licensing Director at BBC Studios, says; “As the UK Master Toy Licensee for Doctor Who, Character Options consistently produce great toys for the brand. The new Thirteenth Doctor figure is no exception; the attention to detail, real clothes and quality of the product make it a great collectible for fans of all ages.”

The new figure will be available from August, for more information go to www.character-online.co.uk 

UPDATE:  You can now pre-order the figure from The Who Shop.

Review - Character Options 5.5" Collector Series

With Character Options releasing 11 new 5.5" Collector Series Action Figures that are exclusive to "Toys R Us" , just how well do the new figures match up to the original 5" figures?  Obviously, I haven't gone out and bought them all but, as I collect the 11th Doctor figures, it made sense to pick up the new 11th Doctor in purple outfit figure.

First off, unlike previously, the box is resealable - you can take out the figure and, as long as you keep the box and the plastic insert, you can happily put him back in the box afterwards.  I'm not one for keeping figures in boxes - I rather like them out and on display but this is the best of both worlds for collectors.

With the previous figures being 5" and the newbies being 5.5", does it really make that much difference if you're going to display all of them together?  No.  Not really - it's half an inch...barely noticeable (bend his knees a wee bit and nobody will be any the wiser!):

                    

As for the figure itself - quite frankly, it's gorgeous.  The outfit is spot on - waistcoat, bow tie, coat and even watch-chain - and it looks as though they've "resculpted" the head to make it look more like the Series 7B Matt Smith.  

I did initially have one minor quibble with the figure - I thought the boots were wrong.  However, having studied some promo images, it turns out that, of course, Character Options have got it spot on:

                             

Retailing at £14.99 from Toys R US, you really can't go wrong with these figures.  They're pretty much perfect, a good size (which gives a more detailed figure than those 3.75" versions) and a good price.  The range of figures is very good too - with an Eighth Doctor, three versions of 11 and four versions of 12.  

A little tip for you - if you can't find the figure you want on the Toys R Us website, then try their Ebay Shop - the prices are the same and sometimes they put figures there that are "out of stock" on their website.  

So.  Thank you, Character Options for releasing these figures and, being a bit of a collector of 11th Doctor figures, can I please request a non-jacket, shirtsleeved and waistcoated 11 from "Journey to the Centre of the Tardis" and also a "Crimson Horror" version please?

New UK Exclusive 5.5 inch Doctor Who Collectors Series Action Figures

Toys “R” Us has linked up with Character Options to bring to Doctor Who fans young and old a very special collector's series of figures that will be available only in Toys “R” Us Stores in the UK . The new collection of 11 Figures has launched and will be displayed in brand new resealable packaging that allows the figures to be enjoyed out of pack while also storable in pristine condition.

The new 5.5 inch figure series has been created in response to the great demand from Doctor Who fans who are eager to see the return of the highly detailed larger format. It will include:

·        Clara Oswald (played by Jenna Coleman) – the most recent time travelling companion of The Doctor

·        Rose Tyler (played by Billie Piper) with K9

·        Amy Pond (played by Karen Gillan)  in her famed police outfit

·        Three separate Eleventh Doctor figures (played by Matt Smith): One in purple Jacket, another donning a cowboy hat and finally a classically posed Eleventh Doctor with his ubiquitous Sonic device

·        Four versions of the Twelfth Doctor (played by Peter Capaldi) are also part of the line-up. Known for being a rather dapper Time Lord, there is a choice of figure in White, Black, Purple or Polka Dot shirt.

·        And last but definitely not least a brand new Eighth Doctor figure (played by Paul McGann) and as seen in the episode Night of The Doctor. The Eighth Doctor has never before been seen in the 5.5 inch figure format and so this piece is bound to whip up a storm with fans. 

What’s more, to add variety to this stunning Collector's series, four 3.75 inch Wave 4 figures will also be available.

Michelle Gomez - Multiple Missy Mischief...

Following the launch of Character Options’ double helping of Exclusive Doctor Who Missy Figures last week, the actress who plays Missy, Michelle Gomez, has been photographed with her miniature alter egos. 

When coming face to face with the figures whilst in New York last week Michelle said:  ‘I absolutely adore my new figure! I can just imagine thousands of Missy’s taking over the world one very small step at a time’.

Character's Product Development Director, Alisdair Dewar added: "Working with Michele Gomez has been so much fun; she was one of the best subjects we’ve ever scanned, patiently holding the perfect pose in both positions for a long period of time. We know that many collectors have been waiting to see if Missy would be included within our collection, it’s great for her finally come to fruition.”

The figures really are terrific - and, of course, limited editions so order them whilst you still can by using the link below:

Order the Missy figures from Character Options.

Character Options Announce New Online Exclusive Limited Edition Missy Figures

Character Options has today unveiled details of a brand new Limited Edition Doctor Who 5.5” scale action figure. Images of the Missy figure, first in a new range of scale Doctor Who Collector Series toys were revealed by Alasdair Dewar, Product Development Director, today via video on the Character Options’ website.

Missy, played by Michelle Gomez, is a villainous Time Lady who recently revealed herself as the Doctor’s arch enemy, the Master! Missy has been firmly established as a new fan favourite character, and as a collector’s figure, she is truly a must have.

The Missy Figure will be available in two variants; a purple outfitted version with hat from the series finale episodes; and alternatively in her ‘Heaven’ outfit, hatless with black jacket and manic grin. The Missy figures each have 18 points of articulation and are highly detailed and decorated. Each figure head can also be swapped so that both heads can be incorporated with either outfit, and they both come with accessories. The bespoke UK Collector Series packs are perfect for display and for the first time are re-sealable, so that the figures can be enjoyed in or out of packaging without losing their collectability.  

Only 4,000 units of each of the two figures are available in exclusive UK packaging at www.character-online.co.uk for a price of £19.99 each (excluding P&P). Delivery will be made to customers by early November.

Al Dewar states: “Character Options has been designing, manufacturing and marketing Doctor Who toys since 2005, so as true fans of the brand we wanted to tell collectors the latest news in the most direct, if informal way, which is why I made the announcement in person on the website. Missy is the first of a potential new line of highly sought after 5.5-inch action figures so we expect interest to be high and we are all very excited to share this with fans and collectors alike.

“Working with Michelle Gomez was great fun and she was the best subject we ever 3D scanned, patiently holding her facial expressions including her trademark Missy “sneer” for long periods of time. We know that many collectors have been eagerly waiting to see if Missy would at some point be included within our figure range, and at last, here she is.”

To order please go to http://www.character-online.com

New Competition - Win 2 of the new 3.75" Character Options Action Figures

Our new giveaway/competition gives you the chance to win two of the new 3.75" Character Options action figures.  You could win the 11th Doctor figure and the Clara Oswald figure - both of which are pictured above.  These are given away as a set of two.

For details on rules and how to enter then please click the "Competition" tab above.