Review : The Monsters Collector Figure Set
Doctor Who 5.5" Range (Character Options)
Wave/Series : B&M Exclusive
Released : July 2017
Price : £16.99
Following the successful sets released exclusively by B&M stores in 2016, a further three sets of Doctor Who 5.5" figures were commissioned for 2017 and hit stores in July 2017. Each set contains 3 figures, all of the 2017 sets are re-released figures but with some tweaks in terms of paint. The price has risen from £14.99 last year to £16.99 this year. But this still represents fantastic value for money.
We take a look here at the set entitled "The Monsters". Last year this set contained three classic monsters, this year it is made up of two classic Cyberman and a Sontaran from the modern era.
The set is packaged in the same box as were used for the 2016 releases. The box front is a large window through which all three figure are on display against a clockwork and stars blue background - again as used in 2016. The window wraps over at the top onto the top flap. On the three other sides it has a border, with some shaped cutouts to add some differentiating rather than using a straight line.
The colour scheme on the box front starts with a pink/orange nebula design at the base. This transitions up the box and gets gradually darker revealing starts and space gasses. To the bottom left sits the Doctor Who logo. Rather than the logo of the current series - the merchandise continues to use the logo established with the 1996 TV movie. To the bottom right is a blue diamond into which sits the contents list of Cyberman, Cyber Controller and Sontaran Skorr. Interestingly this contents list does not follow the order they are displayed in the box. The centre of the bottom rail is then a further blue insert shape containing the name of the set - The Monsters - with the subtitle, Collector Figure Set.
The two side spines use the same nebula background and each spine is headed with the Doctor Who logo. The diamond contents list is also repeated on both sides. On the left spine (as you look) the diamond is at the bottom just above a repeat of the set name. The Cyberman and Cyber Controller are pictured on this spine. On the right spine the diamond is at the top of the images, this time the figures pictured are the Sontaran and the Cyber Controller. The right spine also contains some legal print and the BBC logo.
The rear of the box gives us a better look at the full background with a lot of stars visible in the top portion of the box. The same white Dr Who logo is prominently positioned in the top left. The Monsters Set in its blue insert sits top right. All three figures are pictured again, but once again the line up doesn't match the way the contents are packed. There is no bio or background info what so ever, only the character name sits under each picture. The only other info on the box rear is another diamond that is positioned to the left next to Skorr. In here is the text "5.5inch /14cm Scale Collector Series".
The contents can be reached via either side spine. The inner tray slips out is made up of a cardboard insert, decorated in the blue clockwork backdrop. Into this sits the clear plastic tray. One improvement on last years releases is the decision not to use the large fibre tie wraps to secure the figures. Instead the clear elasticated bands are in play. These will need snipping to get your figure out undamaged.
We start with the Cyber Controller. He is based on his 1967 appearance from the 2nd Doctor story Tomb of the Cyberman. The Cyber Controller was arguably one of the rarer of the Doctor Who 5" figures to this point. His only release previously was in a short run wave in 2008 made up of four other Cyberman. You had to get the full wave to collect all the parts to build the Cyber Controller.
Despite being nearly 10 years old, the sculpt on the figure is still quite robust and does a good job of imitating the original 1967 costume in figure form. The body is essentially a silver jumpsuit and is trimmed in some tubing up each arm and leg. The tubing is connected with ball structures, these look like indoor cricket balls - which is actually screen accurate in what the BBC costume team used to create the original.
The figure is crowned by a domed cyber head which sits on top of the shoulders and rises up to the dome section. If you were being picky the dome itself is too small and too slim, and the base of the neck piece which fits over the shoulders is a tad large. The head piece is painted a dark grey, with a silver trim separating the head from the dome. The dome is a partially translucent orange with grey veins painted across them.
Purists will be interesting to note that the head is quite different in terms of colouring from the original 2008 Build-a-Figure. The grey is darker and the silver trim was never painted on the 2008 version. The orange is also darker on the dome and the veining more pronounced. It is clear to see in the above images that this new 2017 release could be seen as a more superior version. The paint differences also preserve, to a degree, the originals rarity.
The Cyber Controller comes with no accessories. The articulation is about standard for a Character Option Dr Who release, although thanks to the design of the helmet there is no head movement. The arms rotate at the shoulder but won't move out from the body being on a simple peg only. There is a bicep swivel cut into the arm, but this cant move too much due to the piping. The elbows are simple plugged peg 90 degree joint and the hands are plugged in and therefore rotate.
There is waist joint which means the torso can be moved to either side independently of the legs. The legs themselves have a similar joint to the arms and can swing out to a sitting position. The knees are the same simple one way joint. The feet can then be rotated.
Next out of the box is the Cyberman. This figure could technically be classed as a new release as it is a clean version of the Cybermen seen in the 1985 6th Doctor story Attack of the Cyberman. We did get an Attack Cyberman in a 2-pack with Peri in 2012. Here the Cyberman was called the Rogue Cyberman. It came with a removable face plate with skull underneath. It also had a more matt silver finish and was weathered in green gloop.
In this set the figure is clean and silver and the face plate does not come off. For those who want to compare the figure to the Earthshock release from 2010 can see from the above image that the boots are different. There is also more definition on the helmet with the mouth piece and the eyes which are now black.
Sculpt wise, this is as good a Cyberman as you will find in any scale. It is well sculpted, with a whole bunch of details including the webbed pattern on the costume and various wires and piping. The chest piece sits well and the helmet is very well proportioned, with those black eyes giving a more menacing look.
The Cyberman comes with a weapon. This is a repaint of the Earthshock version but it still comes with the strap. The weapon is well designed with plenty of paint application on such a small item. The strap is an issue however as it is too stiff and doesn't really sit naturally in any pose or even when slung.
Articulation is identical to the Cyber Controller, with the head also locked in place. Here the bicep swivel does add some value as it is not restricted by any piping or wiring.
With two Classic villains in the set, and both Cyberman, it seems an odd choice to make the third figure a Sontaran - and a modern Sontaran at that. Commander Skorr was originally released in 2009 within the Series 4 releases. The sculpt is unchanged from this 2009 release and the figure still comes with removable helmet.
But while the sculpt is unchanged, the paint on this new B&M version is hugely superior. The armour is more silvery and metallic and the head is a thing of beauty with much more definition while looking less "orange". It also seems to sit a little higher in the armour so it is more visible when Skorr is displayed without his helmet.
The other seemingly improvement over the 2009 version is the joints which are much tighter. The original Sontaran's suffered terribly from floppy joints and were difficult to stand. With the tighter joints, Skorr is easier to pose and stand although you still have to be mindful of the figure being so top heavy and the feet being a little too rounded to sit flush to the floor.
Skorr comes with the same matt black Gun that the Sontarans came with in 2009. While being screen accurate, it is a pig to fit into the figures hands for posing. The helmet on the other hand is far better engineered. It is shaped perfectly to sit in the neck piece, with a grove to line it up when its being worn. The eye visors are opaque, allowing some visuals of the head beneath.
Articulation gets a few extra bells and whistles on Skorr. The arms are ball jointed at the shoulder, allowing Skorr's arms to move out to the side with his huge shoulder pads moving with the arms. You can also feel a ball joint at the waist, this means not only can the torso be rotated, but the whole torso can lean back or forward or even to the side if needed. The legs are also two way so Skorr can do the splits or sit down. There is a thigh swivel cut on the legs, and rather than rotating feet, these are on a ball joint so can be swiveled and posed in a number of angles.
There are a few things to consider when summarising this set. Firstly, these are the only 5" figures on sale on the high street - so a big thank you to B&M for making these happen at a time when there are no real 5" releases to be had. The price is also competitive and even though it has gone up by £2 from last year, it still works out at £5.66 a figure. The paint on each is improved, with Skorr much transformed by his new paint job.
On the negative side, these are all essentially re-releases. And while the Cyber figures are much sought after, the inclusion of Skorr doesn't really make a great deal of sense.
When rating I look at all these factors, and line the sets up against the others in the series. While there is a couple of new paint jobs here, there is nothing drastically new. But on the flip side there are no quality issues wither (as plagued the Monster Set last year). I therefore award the 2017 Monster Set a 4 out of 5.
