The 9th Doctor Collector Set is part of the Autumn 2022 Doctor Who Collectors range sold through B&M stores in the UK. Like most of the B&M 3-packs that have gone before, it includes a majority of figures (or parts of figures) that have previously been released but tweaked or repainted to create new versions. The packaging remains consistent with the other three packs and now gains some background information on the back of the packaging that talks through the 9th Doctor’s era and appearances.
The set starts with what is essentially a new version of the 9th Doctor as the figure had to undergo heavy retooling and resculpting as the original moulds were degraded. This gives us a new portrait of Christopher Eccleston and puts it onto an updated body that is then painted to give the jacket a different dark brown worn leather look, and blue jeans. This outfit combination was never seen during the 9th Doctor’s era but was something that was worn for a Blue Peter special in 2005. This new 9th Doctor variant is probably the star of the set and includes the usual level of pinned articulation.
There is a 2nd version of the 9th Doctor included, the holographic version as seen at the end of his season during Parting of the Ways. This is essentially the same figure, but cast in blue translucent plastic with some darker grey added over the top for variation. The Hologram retains the likeness, despite the lack of colour, and also doesn’t fall into the trap of other such figures by going so see-through that the inner workings and gubbins of the figure become too visible. It has the exact same articulation as the painted version.
The 3rd figure is somewhat of a letdown for fans as it re-uses the very old 2005 ‘disco’ Rose Tyler that first came packed in the Remote Control Battle Packs. The likeness to Billy Piper is passing, but the updated Series 2 version has always been the superior version. The figure has the flared blue jeans as seen before, but the hoodie is repainted to try and match the one Rose wore in ‘End of the World’. As with all the ‘Disco’ Rose releases, the articulation is pretty much non-existent. While the hips have a joint, the legs can't really move much and the same is true of the shoulders and neck. The only real movement of note is at the elbows and that simply allows Rose to swing her forearms into the body or outwards.
The 9th Doctor Set, like the other 2022 packs, is perhaps a little lacklustre compared to the usual innovations we have seen to create these sets in the past. Character themselves have admitted as much. The set does bring us an updated 9th Doctor. I can’t say it is better than the original as there is no a lot in it - but it is good to see Character invest in updated tooling for Ecclestone’s Doctor.
The Hologram 9th Doctor played a relatively substantial role in the finale of Series 1 and is on par with the Holographic 10th Doctor released a few years ago. The set is let down by the inclusion of the Rose, and the use of a figure that is close to 20 years old and lacked articulation and posing options when it first came out. I would have preferred to see either another 9th Doctor variant or a Rose that used the Series 2 sculpt and some kit-bashed parts to create something new. Out of all the 2022 releases, this one may hang about the longest - even once released, but it certainly has enough value for fans to pick up even if you do push the Rose towards the back of the display.
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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...