The sole TARDIS box-set release in the 2022 B&M line of Doctor Who figures from Character was the debut of the 1st Doctor as played by David Bradley in the New Series. It would arrive in the Autumn of 2022 as part of the second batch of releases and would retail at £24.99.
The set is based on the 12th Doctor finale, Twice Upon a Time, and is packed in the standard TARDIS open-sided window box using the usual blue and silver design principles that have been used on the Who line since 2019. This includes the rear of the box going into a large amount of detail about the story and the background to David Bradley’s portrayal of the First Doctor.
Out of the box and the Doctor figure is based on the earlier William Hartnell Doctor with coat and scarf, but with an updated Bradley head sculpt. The likeness is good while the aesthetics of the line remain in place so he doesn’t look out of place with any other figure from the near 18-year history of the line. Paint apps are basic with much of the figure parts cast in their base colour. There are some crisp details added in the coloured stripes of the scarf, and in the neat checked pattern of the trousers.
The Doctor sports the standard 13 points of articulation, with the joints using quite basic pinned joints or rotating plug-in pieces. There is not a huge amount of dynamism in how The Doctor can be posed, with perhaps some wider stances or arm gestures. There are no accessories included, even with the right hand sculpted to hold the cane that was originally included with the Hartnell version.
The TARDIS uses the existing base shell, and this time round Character and B&M have left in the electronics so the full sound and lights effects are in place. These are activated via a button on the base that does landing sounds when depressed as you put the TARDIS on a surface, and taking off sounds when you lift it back up and the button is released.
The TARDIS itself is reflective of its appearance in Twice Upon a Time with the most accurate roof and lantern pieces applied from those available. The decor too is accurate to the episode with Character employing a brighter blue shade than the usual classic TARDIS shells and adding in some opacity to the windows. Other details include a yellowing “Public Telephone… Pull to Open” notice and a St. John's sticker that I thought was a defect until I realised in the show it is half scratched off. Like nearly all the TARDIS releases from Character, the doors of this TARDIS both open inwards by way of a spring and clasp mechanism. There is no interior decor.
The Twice Upon a Time TARDIS set has allowed Character to bring another new head sculpt to the line and to recognise the contribution of David Bradley in the First Doctor role. The TARDIS is sufficiently different to the other releases to date, while the price of the set is not extortionate for those who would just be keen on adding the figure to their collection and putting the TARDIS away. As with all B&M sets, the paintwork is reflective of the price point and the overall looks and articulation of the figures remains consistent and therefore they never look out of place with the first figures from 2006. Like the other TARDIS sets and the accompanying Dalek packs, the set’s big issue is scalping with many collectors struggling to find this release while eBay fills up with overpriced reseller listings.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...