Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who The Cybermen From Dark Water (2014) Vortex Edition Figure Set

Release Date: June 2026

RRP: £44.99

The Doctor Who action figure line has slowly but surely been building itself back up through a range of online exclusives that feature more new/upgraded tooling when compared to the B&M store exclusive retail figures, now culminating in its most ambitious wave in years. Over the next five months Character Options will be release one new figure set a month in their website exclusive Vortex Edition range, each featuring a build-a-figure piece to create a Yeti from 1967’s The Abominable Snowmen. Kicking off the wave is The Cybemen from Dark Water (2014) Vortex Edition figure set, a two-pack of the “Cyberiad” Cybermen that first appeared in 2013’s Nightmare in Silver before subsequently appearing the 2014 series eight two-part finale Dark Water/Death in Heaven.

This double-pack of Cybermen comes the same style of revamped packaging we've seen with all of the Vortex Edition releases thus far - near rectangular but with the top corner cut out to create an almost “D” shaped box. Box size has varied between releases, but what's also differed depending on the era the figure hails from is the secondary packaging colour used alongside the standard white - with the Twelfth Doctor era opting for a light brown vortex backdrop. Alongside the Doctor Who diamond logo and TARDIS graphic the front of the box features a number of boxed off text sections boasting the scale, accessories and quality of the figures, as well as the full name of the set along the bottom. A new addition for this wave is also the Yeti build-a-figure image in the bottom corner, specifically highlighting the part included with this release. Both sides of the box simply feature the Doctor Who full text logo, whilst the back of the box features lengthy bios about the Cybermen and the Yeti - making specific reference to both Dark Water and The Abominable Snowman respectively. Inside the two figures and accessories are neatly stored on a moulded plastic tray, held down by a combination of paper ties and tape.

As has often been seen previously with these sets the tray comes in a cardboard backing card that can also be used as a display diorama, depicting a backdrop of the episode in question. For “Dark Water” Character have chosen the corridors of the 3W Institute – featuring tanks of skeletons submerged in the titular dark water. As the Doctor soon discovers though, the water is in fact hiding their identity as Cybermen. It’s quite a grisly backdrop but then Dark Water is a particularly grisly story, so fits the set perfectly. The print looks great, and will definitely add an extra dash of horror to your display should you choose to use it.

Although this new iteration of the Cybermen originally debuted a year earlier in Nightmare in Silver, Character Options have opted for this two-pack to represent their subsequent appearance in Dark Water. The differences are minimal so ultimately the figures can represent either appearance (or even their subsequent one in The Doctor Falls), but its said that the Dark Water versions do sport a slighter darker paint job than they did in their original appearance. Dark Water also made greater use of the blue chest light, with both figures here featuring illuminated ones. The design itself is a sleek upgrade to the 2006 Cybermen, which remained the staple version all the way up until 2011. These "Cyberiad" Cybermen have much rounder features as well as far more detailed armour plating, both of which have been beautifully replicated on the figures' sculpt. This might just be some of Characters' finest work yet, with the figures covered in lots of impressive metal detailing - particularly on the spinal section. The colour scheme is primarily a bright silver that's been weathered to give it a more realistic metal look, but all of the joints as well as the hand and feet sport a darker grey which gives the design a little more colour variation. Though (as previously mentioned) the helmet design features a much smoother look than previous Cybermen that too has its own intricate detailing - the iconic handlebars having all the little details carved into them. It's a great looking set, and continues the trend of the Cybermen figures being among the very best in the Doctor Who line.

Of course it goes without saying that these new figures are an improvement of the 3.75” version released all the way back in 2013, but credit where it’s due the smaller version hasn’t aged that badly all things considered. Articulation-wise they’re nearly identical, but when it comes to sculpting the 5.5” definitely takes it – that larger body allowing all that metal plate detailing to stand out in a way that simply wasn’t possible on the smaller figure. The head sculpt is also much more screen-accurate too, again thanks to the larger size but also general accuracy improvements the line has seen in the last 13 years.

Despite its age the “Cybus” iteration of the Cybermen (which would eventually also become a Mondasian version in 2011’s A Good Man Goes to War) was one of the more poseable figures in the Doctor Who line, something which has continued on into this version as well. Having completely build the sculpt from the ground up the Dark Water Cybermen boast the best of what the Vortex Edition figures have to offer, including;

- Ball jointed head, torso and hips

- Swivel hinge shoulders, elbows, hips and ankles

- Wrist swivels 

Swivel hinge shoulders have become a lot more common on newer releases (or at least ones that doesn’t reuse old torso/arm parts), but it’s still wonderful to see them on these releases every time it happens. What’s perhaps even better though is that torso joint, which still remains a rarity for the line. Unfortunately the armour sculpting does limit the movement of the shoulders and elbows somewhat (the latter only managing a 45° bend), but having both the torso joint and additional swivel at the elbow helps alleviate that somewhat. The leg articulation however is wonderful, with both a wide range of movement in the hips and proper ankle joints to help with balance. It’s easily the most articulated version of the Cybermen yet, as well in in the Doctor Who line in general. Hopefully this bodes well for the rest of this year’s range, as it’s undoubtedly the one area the line continues to lack in despite the rising prices.

Both Cybermen include replaceable right forearms featuring wrist-mounted blasters, the signature weapon of this iteration of the monsters. The blaster is relatively small but has the same show-accurate detailing and shiny silver paint as the figure itself, offering up a wider selection of posing and display options. The alternate forearms have their own elbow joint so swapping them out is a simply case of just pulling the standard one out at the elbow and replacing accordingly – thanks to the slightly softer plastic use either arm slots in and out without any difficulty. As an added bonus, the closed fist featured on the blaster arm can also be removed and fitted into the standard arm, and in turn the standard arm’s open hand on the blaster arm. This allows the Cybermen to not only pull off punching poses, but also the signature salute they often did in the series. Despite being a small selection of accessories compared to some of the other Vortex Edition figures (almost certainly due to the added build-a-figure piece), they’re a good inclusion that really add to the play value.

Rounding off the accessories is the first part of the assortment’s build-a-figure, with this Cybermen set featuring the Yeti’s head. While it’s still far too early to tell what the finished figure will be like this piece certainly gets things off to a great start, with some fantastic moulded detailing and paintwork present. Peer inside the mouth and you’ll even see the mesh detailing the suit actor would have seen out of whilst filming! The texture and colouring of the hair is great too, promising what should be an incredible looking figure should all the parts have the same level of care to them. Inside the head is a thick ball joint, which suggests the parts should also be nice and straightforward to combine into the finished figure.

Doctor Who figures have spent the last few years chasing their former glory and if The Cybermen from Dark Water (2014) Vortex Edition figure set is anything to go by, this might be the year they do it. While the significantly higher price tag and online exclusivity show just how much the times have changed, the figures themselves are wonderful. 13 years in the making, their addition to Character’s rather extensive range of Cyberman figures is long overdue – the pair also boasting the sculpt quality and articulation worthy of the “Vortex Edition” title. Whilst personally I’m not a huge fan of build-a-figures as a selling tactic, there’s no denying it’s generated a level of hype the line hasn’t seen for some time. And releasing these first was the perfect way to ensure that hype continues.