Doctor Who: The Ultimate Action Figure Adventure – Part 11

Things were beginning to get a bit wobbly in the collector universe. With a wave of re-releases amongst new figures, keeping track of what was coming was proving difficult. It was a mild annoyance, nothing to serious. But then something happened that really got collector’s in a tizzy.

Two SDCC Exclusive figure sets were announced. The first of which was…

The Ninth Doctor – Father’s Day: As welcome a variant as this is, there really isn’t a great deal to say about this figure. It is the same basic figure as the neutrally posed Ninth Doctor, the only difference being the jumper is a different colour. It is now green with a vertical black stripe down the centre, as seen in Father’s Day. It’s just too bad the Character hasn’t seen fit up to this point to release the Ninth Doctor in a different V neck jumper.

The second exclusive however really got collectors wound up. I am referring to the infamous Celery-gate.

Time Crash Set: Ahead of the release of the first wave of classic figures, it was decided to release a figure set to commemorate the minisode screened as part of Children in Need in the UK, and featured the return of Fifth Doctor Peter Davison. This was fine in theory, as the set was proposed to include a slightly repainted Tenth Doctor and a slightly repainted Fifth Doctor. Until one little detail emerged.

When the prototype pictures of the classics figures were released, the Fifth Doctor differed from expectations. It was initially said the figure released would be the Fifth Doctor as seen in ‘Resurrection of the Daleks’, with Peter Davison in his later costume, with the double V cricket jumper and trousers with the thicker striped pattern. However the figure that was shown in the prototype pictures was the earlier costume from seasons 19 and 20, with the single V and the thinner striped trousers. But there was one thing missing, the trademark celery. Expecting, this would be added to the production figure, many thought nothing of it. However information trickled out revealing that the main figure would NOT include celery, much to the bemusement of fans.

However when the initial images of the Time Crash set were released, the Celery was going to be included on that figure, but not on the main release. As far as collectors were concerned, the Time Crash set was going to be the only way to get a Fifth Doctor complete with decorative vegetable. Only with the set being exclusive in numbers of 5000 to SDCC, only very few would have the ability to purchase the set. However, after SDCC was over, the excess stock was passed on to Who North America, the US’s largest specialist distributor of Doctor Who merchandise. These almost immediately sold out meaning every one of the 5000 units in the world had been purchased.

It seemed the UK had been thoroughly chewed out. However, out of the blue an announcement came, that 100 additional, unnumbered units, sans Top Trumps card, had been prepared, and that anyone who called the Character Customer Service line on July 31st 2008, would be able to purchase a set for £12. This in some ways annoyed fans more due to the fact the announcement was so cloak and dagger, also many had already paid extortionate sums on the secondary market and that now ironically the unnumbered figures were technically rarer than the original limited release.

One of the UK 100 sets was listed on ebay shortly after for £1000. Character stated that they were ‘flattered that they’re in such demand. This really didn’t enamour anybody to the range, other than attendees of SDCC.

But what of the set contents itself? Well The Tenth Doctor is a standard blue suit version, but the time has been taken to repaint the shirt a dark purple rather than the light blue. It is a minor alteration, but makes all the difference. He of course comes with his Sonic Screwdriver. The Fifth Doctor however was the standard Fifth Doctor figure, released early, repainted and with celery. Attempts were made to age the figure, which were deemed a failure, so the original head sculpt and paint apps were retained. The jumper features a unique pattern for the V neck, and the trousers, originally Peter Davisons, altered for Colin Baker and then given back to Peter Davison for ‘Time Crash’ have an unusual pattern of vibrant orange stripes. Strangely the figure comes with the classic sonic screwdriver, despite never being featured, and it’s absence being referred to in the minisode. Nevertheless it is a welcome addition. In addition an even rarer variation of this set was released.

Time Crash Fifth Doctor: The Fifth Doctor as seen in the Time Crash set, packed singly on card. It is suggested as few as 12 of these exist in the world. You can’t get any rarer than that can you?

Time Crash Set – Signed edition: Two of these, just two, pre production samples, in box, unnumbered. These were sent to BBC Art Department for approval. It was then arranged for these to be signed by David Tennant and Peter Davison to then be sold in an eBay charity auction for Children in Need. The first of these sets raised £540, whereas the second set only made £450.

So the Time Crash set was riddled with controversy, and it had not escaped Character’s attention. Fans never did forgive this as this time, Character had taken the biscuit. So began, the war between Character and the fans.

The first wave of Series 4 figures was released mid summer of 2008, again while the series was still airing. But like with series 3, with only a few episodes to have chosen from by that point, the selection was unusual.

The Doctor in Glasses with Adipose: OK, far play Character, rather than just flogging your ubiquitous Doctor figure, you’ve made an unreleased variant with the grey suit and glasses. It’s a shame the sculpt and articulation are starting to look very dated by this point. But the inclusion of 5 individually sculpted Adipose is a very clever little bonus.

Donna Noble: Another year, another companion. Donna as a sculpt is excellent, however, it’s all thrown off by the fact she is for some reason in her ‘Planet of the Ood’ winter coat, which isn’t the most practical or iconic choice. It is such a shame that the dress is visible underneath. Although apparently the decision was made at Catherine Tate’s request because the figure made her look fat.

Pyrovile Priestess: This is a figure that had good intentions but really didn’t work. It is far too slight to get any really good articulation, the robe doesn’t help here. The removable hood is a nice touch, but there is almost no visible face or expression. This is an instance where a screaming face would have worked, but with the Weeping Angels having been released not long before it’s difficult not to be too similar. Although the stone effects are good.

Ood Sigma: This is an all new sculpt, the Ood mask is much more proportional and the paint job is far more realistic. The uniform however is painted all black when in the episode it is a navy blue/purple colour. The translator ball works in the same way, but this time the ball itself is silver.

Natural Ood: No this isn’t an Ood in the nip. This is the same new Ood head, but this time costumed in the native Ood clothes. Instead of a translator ball, the Ood comes with the secondary brain, which attaches and is held in the same manner, which is a really clever, if gruesome feature.

Sontaran Commander Skorr: You just know they’re going to get some use out of this sculpt. The figure is a decent representation of Skorr as appeared in The Sontaran Stratagem and The Poison Sky, even if the facial expression is a little more menacing than anything seen on screen. The main body has been very heavily articulated, with almost every joint aside from the elbows and knees being a ball joint. The ball joint at the shoulder allows Skorr to carry his removable helmet under his arm in typical Sontaran fashion. The only other accessory is the Sontaran blaster.

Sontaran Trooper: The same figure as Skorr but with the helmet fixed on. Why anyone would choose this variant is beyond me. He also comes with a blaster. That was wave one, but a couple of sets were also released to accompany the wave.

The Fires of Pompeii set: A smaller two figure set which features an adult Pyrovile, which is mostly made up of translucent orange plastic, with stoney elements added in a centurion armour type formation. Also included is a Roman Soldier. No Roman soldiers were seen in the episode so it is a mystery as to where this came from. It was supposedly included so the Pyrovile had somebody to fight and it is based on the main sculptor of the Doctor Who figure range. It is actually a nicely produced figure with a removable sword and dagger.

The Sontaran Stratagem Set: A four pack of Donna, Skorr, the Sontaran Trooper and the lead Sontaran from the episode, General Staal, which was at this time only available in this set. Why this was made the exclusive and not the trooper is anybody’s guess. Staal has the same basic body, with two variations, the collar insignia denotes the higher rank and the head is obviously that of Staal and is a much better likeness compared to that of Skorr. Instead of a blaster, Staal comes with his staff, stick, thing.