The 2021 B&M Exclusive Doctor Who figure sets for Summer 2021 was entirely focused on Classic Doctor Who stories and included two sets from the often-overlooked 1st Doctor era (1963-1966). One of these sets was from The Keys of Marinus (1964) and brought us the first companion from the 1st Doctor era, Ian Chesterton, as well as two of the Voord from the Keys of Marinus serial.
The set uses the same rectangular box design from previous 3-packs, with the addition now of both a diorama backing card sitting behind the figures and on the back of the box, we are now getting some background information about the story and the characters.
"The TARDIS travels to the planet Marinus and arrives on an island of glass surrounded by a sea of acid. The travellers are treated well at first but all is not what it seems. They are attacked by the 'Voord' and it is revealed the Voord are encased in special suits that protect them from the ravages of the acid seas. They survive the attack but are coerced by the elderly Arbitan of Marinus to retrieve four of the five operating keys to an ancient machine called the Conscience of Marinus, of which he is the keeper of the fifth. These keys have been hidden in different locations around the planet to prevent them falling into the hands of the evil Yartek and his Voord warriors, who plan to seize the machine and use its benevolent mind-influencing power for their own sinister purposes."
Starting with the Voord, and these are made using the existing slimline body that dates back to Shared Zek and the original Axon figure. Character Options has updated the body with a strap section and holster and webbed feet. The head is also brand new and includes the shaped symbol on the crest - of which you get two, the circle and the triangle.
There is virtually no paint on the figure, with the whole body cast in black. Some silver has been added around the belt but that aside it is a single black tone figure. This is, of course, reflective of the story which aired in black & white and the figure is a decent replication of the 1964 costume although the set photos do sometimes show the strap running the opposite way on some of the Voord.
Each Voord is supplied with a knife accessory, both identical pieces. We have a black grip and a painted silver blade and the knife is designed to fit in the right hand of the figure or into the sheath provided on the belt. The fit into the right hand is a little tight so takes some work to ease them into the grip position.
Each Voord has 18 points of articulation, albeit the more rudimentary hinge joints that Character has used throughout the history of the Who line. This of course ensures the Voord looks and feels like any other figure in the line. The Voord does benefit from the newer shoulders which pivot the arms out as well as up and around. There is also a bonus swivel joint at the ankles where the new feet have been added.
Ian Chesterton is another re-use, repurposing the Harold Saxon Master figure from 2007. The John Simms body is a decent enough match to Chesterton and the repainting of the suit and tie does recreate reasonably closely the sort of suit/blazer that Ian wore in a lot of his stories.
The issue here with the choice of outfit is that Ian didn't wear a suit during the Keys of Marinus and was wearing a more casual outfit that he had carried forward from the previous story, Marco Polo. I do appreciate that story accuracy would have required a full new figure sculpt and therefore outside the remit of the B&M figures - and to that extent as a representation of Ian Chesterton, I am happy with what we have been given. Particularly the head sculpt which is both a good likeness to actor William Russel while remaining consistent with the style of the other figures released in the long history of the line.
Ian has 16 points of articulation, using the basic peg hinge joints that the line is known for. This doesn't provide Ian with a huge amount of movement but he can gesture with his hands, turn his head and adopt some walking or wider stances.
At £20 per set, the Keys of Marinus Collector Set from B&M is excellent value for money and while the line is 90% re-use, there is some clever repurposing alongside strategic new parts that is much better than simple repaints. I also think that the focus on the early Doctor era shows an understanding of their collector base - although it will be interesting to see if this and the Sensorites sets do sell through without clearance as most of the other previous sets have done.
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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...