Playthings of Kipling!

K9 Mark II (R/C, 1/4 Scale)

You might remember that hot on the heels of K9's triumphant return to our screens in 2006's School Reunion, Character Options released a remote control talking 1/4 scale K-9, lovingly made, perfectly detailed, and packed to the gills with brilliant features: the retractable nose laser, the waggling ears, the light up eye, whirring sound FX and a host of recorded dialogue phrases. 

Well much like in the TV show, we're now being treated to an impressive upgrade with the Mark II model that made its TV debut in 1978's The Ribos Operation... 

The first thing you'll notice is that the dog has a spiffy new coat - the Doctor's "2nd best friend" is a darker, gun-metal, grey, with black bumpers and tail, and a more detailed patterned collar. You'll also see that the remote control unit not only pleasingly loses the antenna, but has softer, more responsive control sticks. 

He's a sturdy unit, and copes with household floors and carpets with ease - in fact much better, you have to suspect, than the "real" K9 probably ever could! Best of all (well, apart from the fun nose laser sound FX!) are 8* brand new phrases recorded by John Leeson himself! 

If you haven't picked up by now, this is far more than just your average repaint, it's a re-release that spares no effort in cramming in those extra little touches, whether it's the lovely card insert background of the TARDIS in the Shadow's lair from The Armageddon Factor or the message from John Leeson in the instruction leaflet that fair brings a tear to your eye. 

The K9 unit itself requires 4 x AA Batteries, and the remote control needs a 9V battery (the square type), and you'll certainly need (1) an adult and (2) a small screwdriver just for the minute or so it'll take to detach the main unit from the fittings that secure the main unit to the packaging. Be patient and remove the sellotape carefully rather than giving into temptation and tearing the metal mutt free, it's very much worth it to keep the lovely card insert intact. 

All in all, an essential purchase because it won't just provide hours of endless fun but it might just melt the stoniest of hearts a little too!   

*ETA: Since writing this I've even discovered some hidden phrases by John Leeson (and accompanying movements!) that aren't listed on the control unit! Just goes to show how jam-packed with extra touches this version is. Genius!

3.75" Action Figures (Wave 3)

I seem to recall a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth when Character Options first announced that new action figure releases would be in the more commonplace and widespread 3.75" (10cm) size, and while I could understand that people might have felt disappointed that they might not get those new characters in the same scale (5") that they'd been enjoying for the last 5 years or so, it wasn't something I really thought was any great shame. There was a bit of the usual rushing to judgement, and I believe it might have been that some early photographs didn't do the range justice or a couple of stray figures might have suffered from slight (and it has to be said easily corrected) paint errors. Once they were released and people saw them 'in the flesh' as it were, I think a lot of minds were put at ease.

Let's not forget, these figures are released in self-contained waves that go together, and that compliment a particular time, particular phase of the series and its publicity. The beauty, of course, is that they're also mini time capsules, instants in time, preserved like cup-a-soups, or something. As sets, waves, there's no less to like than their larger counterparts of yesteryear.

Apart from a once larger collection that I sadly had to part with in leaner times, I've personally mostly stuck to the classics range, and releases in that respect tend to remain in the 5" size, so despite not really feeling the same aforementioned misgivings I haven't rushed to plunge into the 3.75" range. But have you seen those Daleks? Oh, those Daleks...

Yes, more fool me. The Daleks. And not just the Daleks, but the Doctors. And... well, you get the picture.

If you've not been tempted yet, put aside your reservations and treat yourself. The moulds used obviously have the same level of detail and accuracy you'd expect in your 5" figures, and the paintwork, at least on the figures I have, is immaculate. So if anything, the smaller size actually allows the detail to jump out at you.

The Daleks in particular really benefit from it, as does pretty much everything else...

12th Doctor

The new figure of Peter Capaldi's 12th Doctor perhaps surprisingly has a different moulded head to the earlier release of him, newly regenerated in the 11th Doctor's last outfit, and though it's a shame we couldn't have the red lining to his coat, the likeness is certainly more screen accurate, with the shorter hair sported in the early part of series 8. 

10th Doctor in long coat

A stunning figure; probably the best likeness of David Tennant I've seen on a figure, and let's face it, there's been one or two variations. 

Amy Pond

A great addition to the range, and another good likeness, though I think this is about as small as a figure could get without the infamous skinny Gillen legs vanishing altogether!

Asylum Dalek

As mentioned, the highly detailed nature of this size range sees an easy victor: the Daleks, and the bronze 2005 models in particular are works of art. I believe there's to be one of these little blighters in the classic 60s silver and blue livery in the not too distant future, mixing the best of classic and new, so that'll be a day one purchase! This Asylum variation boasts a grubbier paint job and decommissioning red emblem on the dome. Thinking about it, is this in fact the Clara variation for this wave? Blimey... 

Genesis Dalek

Another fantastic Dalek, and perhaps an unexpected foray for the size range into classic territory, showing that it's not just the new series characters that benefit from a closer look. A real gem for classics fans, and who knows maybe we can hope for a classic Doctor or three to go with him at some point. 

3.75" Day of the Doctor Collector's Set 

As with the wave above, the triple pack released to celebrate the Day of the Doctor contains must-have gems, this time an 11th Doctor in Fez, 10th Doctor in suit and glasses, and the new Zygon. The likeness of Matt Smith is really something, though in this case the Tennant suffers a little bit by the specs. The Zygon on the other hand is resplendent in all its blobby glory, orange in tooth and claw! Selfish me would like a Collector's set #2, with a War Doctor, maybe Bad Wolf/Moment Billie, and, erm, can we find an excuse to get a Night of the Doctor 8th Doctor in there too? (Yes, totally hooked on the new scale now!) 

  

Other 3.75" Action Figures 

The Assault Dalek is another triumph for Skaro's finest - you might know him as "the one with the claw". I always go for a 'proper' one before variations like this but he lines up nicely in the ranks. The Regenerated 12th Doctor is another fun figure, capturing Capaldi's crazier look from the closing moments of the somewhat messy the Time of the Doctor, but a small confession here: I do tend to think that post-regeneration figures, as great as they are for display, are probably a bit limited, playability wise. I suppose customers want to own a new Doctor too far in advance of the BBC wanting to reveal (or perhaps even deciding!) the new outfit, and they make nice little stop gaps.   

Dalek Patrol Ship & Pilot (3.75" Scale)

You know, I'd be willing to bet that this is a set that no-one would have thought they would wish for, but d'you know what? It might just be the pick of the bunch, and (so I believe) it's rightly popular. First off, the Pilot figure is cool like you would not believe, taking its' alternating black and bronze skirt sections from the 60s Dalek Saucer Pilot from the Dalek Invasion of Earth. Inspired! The Patrol Ship itself is a brilliant toy, with removable sections to simulate battle damage, and crafty little slots to discretely hold the pilot in place while you whizz the ship about! Slight word of warning with the spring-loaded projectile laser bolt; it's a bit fierce so best not to point it at people (or pets!). 

Spin and Fly TARDIS (3.75" Scale) 

Of course, you can't have the Doctor without his TARDIS, and the version for the 3.75" range is quite the box of tricks - with season 7B interior, beautifully flashing lamp and (very loud!) dematerialisation sound FX, it also comes with a base to spin on! Some AAA batteries and an adult with screwdriver required to fit them for this one, and probably to change them on a regular basis as you'll not get tired of pressing that button, if only to gaze adoringly at that lit lamp. 

Very special thanks to Alasdair Dewar

Dave & Sam

TTFN! K.

Coming Soon... Endgame (8th Doctor Comic Strips Volume One)