Custom Figure: TV21 Dalek Comics Menoid Master Mechanoid

The Menoid Master is the leader of the Mechanoids in the TV21 Dalek comic strips, which told the story of Dalek history and conquests in world outside of Doctor Who. Whereas the Mechanoids that appeared in The Chase were simply robots that were abandoned on the planet Mechanus, the Mechanoids of the comics were a different story. As the Daleks began their plans for conquest across the cosmos, the Mechanoids were among their earliest opposition – warning them to stay away from their territory. War was narrowly avoided thanks to the efforts of the Zerovians, but the Mechanoids were still wary of the Daleks and continued to consider them enemies.

Toybox REVIEW: Power Rangers Pint Size Heroes Yellow Ranger & Putty Patroller

RRP: £3 per figure

Where to buy: Available in the UK exclusively from Tesco

Now is truly the age of vinyl toys. What was once a somewhat unique niche even among collectors has now become a global juggernaut, thanks to the like of Funko and their multi-franchise Pop! Vinyl line. However Pops aren’t the only line the brand have on the market, and now the company are tackling blind-bagged figures with their Pint Size Heroes line. Thanks to the wonderful people are Underground Toys we’re taking a look at two figures in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers range, which given the imminent release of the new movie could not have come at a better time. 

More London Toy Fair 2017: Power Rangers at the Underground Toys Booth

With the 2017 Power Rangers movie close in sight and Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers nostalgia at it's highest, it isn't just Bandai UK currently getting in on the ranger revival. While attending London Toy Fair 2017 I had the chance to drop by the Underground Toys booth, the official partner and distributor of Funko's range of collectables in Europe (including the unstoppable juggernaut that is Pop! Vinyls), recently acquired by the US company. Among the seemingly never ending range of licenses they seem to be gathering (the newest ranges included Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Stranger Things and the live-action Beauty & the Beast) was of course Power Rangers. Read on for a full run-down what was on show.

Custom Figure: Promotional Blue Classic Dalek

While Character Options have brought out the best selection of Dalek variants by any toy company to date, any Doctor Who (or specifically Dalek) collector will tell you that in-show variants can only give you so much. Between the movies, stage plays, audios, annuals and comics there’s a whole wealth of variants and colour combinations left untapped, and as a customiser bringing these to life in toy form is one of my biggest pleasure. And sometimes some of the most interesting versions aren’t even part of Doctor Who fiction. Over the years companies have used some pretty interesting Daleks as part of various promotions, and although this latest custom isn’t the most extravagant of them it’s certainly one of my favourites.

Toybox REVIEW: The Night of the Doctor Eighth Doctor

Doctor Who may have unfortunately wrapped up for the year once again (although this year it’s only a matter of weeks between the season finale and Christmas special), but there’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to the toys. The 5.5” scale figures from Character Options and Underground Toys has been reborn in the form of a collector orientated toy line, and the releases of the Twelfth Doctor and Missy have been followed by a line of rereleases exclusive to Toys R Us and Forbidden Planet in the UK. But among these reissues is also a brand new figure – the Eighth Doctor himself as he appeared in 50th Anniversary prequel The Night of the Doctor. Once again portrayed by Paul McGann, this mini-episode featured a whole new look for this version of the Doctor before he boldly regenerated into the War Doctor.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 5.5" Scale Missy (Purple Dress Variant)

It's taken a bit of time to find its footing again, but collectors can rejoice in the knowledge that the 5.5" line of Doctor Who figures has made its grand return. Now being billed exclusively as "collectors series"figures, these are something a bit more special than your average Who figure and the way this particular one was revealed proves it. Announced as part of a web broadcast with lead product designer Al Dewar and then sold exclusively via Character Options' website, the next character to join the 12th Doctor is none other than Missy! The latest incarnation of the Master (played by the fantastic Michelle Gomez) was released in two variants - a purple dress version with hatted-neutral expression and a black dress version with hatless grinning face. Both versions are limited to only 4,000 pieces each, although the word is that the black dress version is the rarer one as the purple variant is also to be released in the US.

However since I can't afford both and the purple dress is arguably more iconic, that's the variant I decided to go for!

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 5.5" Scale Twelfth Doctor

To say that I’m not a fan of the current 3.75” Doctor Who figures would be flogging a dead horse at this point. I’ve bought a few and been pleasantly surprised by most of the Daleks, but I among many others long for the days when the 5.5” figures rule the roost again. This was the scale that produced some of the finest Doctor Who action figures ever, and sadly the sculpts of the smaller figures just don’t measure up. But while Character Options seem more preoccupied with the show’s younger audience, American distributor Underground Toys are tackling the collectors end of things. Over the past few years they’ve sprinkled a few great releases here and there (such as the War Doctor figure and Time of the Doctor 11th Doctor), but at long last comes their properly attired Twelfth Doctor 5.5” figure. Although this figure was originally slated for release in October, it was brought forward a month – coming just before Peter Capaldi returns to screens for the premiere of series nine. Perfect timing.

Custom Figure: The Christmas Tree Dalek

It's been a while since I last did a custom painted Dalek - not so much because I've had no desire to do one but more that the much nicer to paint 5" figures are becoming harder and harder to find cheap. However after being linked to a custom Christmas Davros figure over on Facebook, my girlfriend suggested to me the idea of making my own Christmas Dalek as a present for her mother (a fellow Doctor Who fan who I have many a discussion with). So that got my brain ticking on how I could successfully mash Daleks and the holiday season, and here is what I came up with...

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 3.75" Classic Dalek (from 'Genesis of the Daleks')

With Doctor Who finally back on television screens, its time for the merchandising train to continue on full steam once again. The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay will reopen from its "regeneration" in a few weeks time, and both the 3.75" action figures and Character Building mini figures are back for brand new waves. The subject of this review is particularly special, as it marks the new scale's first foray into the classic series. This Classic Dalek figure hails from the 1975 story Genesis of the Dalek, released as part of wave 3 of the new figure line. In the US, it is also a Walgreen's exclusive figure.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who Dalek Patrol Ship

It's almost time for a brand new series of Doctor Who, so what better time than now for Character Options to spring a brand new selection of figures on us! However the contents of this pre-season eight wave is a subject for another review, as here we're going to be looking at something a lot more exciting - vehicles! And vehicles that aren't the TARDIS no less! The new 3.75" scale has already opened new doors with play sets and mini vehicles, but here is our first full-sized one. And Character have picked the perfect thing to start with - the Dalek Patrol Ship that first appeared in the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 5" The Other Doctor

Most of my Doctor Who figure reviews these days are opened with my lamenting the demise of the long-standing 5" scale line in favour of the newer 3.75" scale, but for once here's a review of a brand new figure that isn't a remould or re-release! Even if this scale is on its way out (and those signs are increasingly pointing to 'yes'), Character Options and Underground Toys have conjured up one last hurrah with a figure that would sorely be missing from people's collections had it not been made. Appearing in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor and played by the legendary John Hurt, here is the long awaited 5" Other Doctor figure. Of course, the "Other Doctor" is a stupid name that's being used on all his merchandising, so for the rest of the review I'll be referring to him by what most fans call him - the War Doctor.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who "The Chase" Sound FX Guard Dalek

After what feels like an eternity of waiting (I'm fairly sure they were first revealed back at Toyfair 2013, which was this time last year), the second wave of Character Options' sound FX talking Daleks have finally hit retail (albeit seemingly very limited at the moment). Possibly due to the decline of Doctor Who figures in the 5" scale, the wave has sadly been made much smaller than initially expected, dropping a number of Supreme Daleks to make up a wave consisting of:

• Standard Dalek from The Dead Planet/The Daleks
• Standard Dalek from Genesis of the Daleks
• Guard Dalek from The Chase
• Special Weapons Dalek from Remembrance of the Daleks

Once again the majority of these are variations that have been previously released without sound FX as part of various sets (not that I'm complaining - Dead Planet Daleks are ideal custom fodder), so this review will be looking at the one brand new variation - the Guard Dalek.