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.

Custom Figure: Dalek Zeg

This is a custom I've wanted to do for god knows how long, but the fact classic 1964 Daleks don't come cheap on eBay hasn't sped the process along. Anyway I finally managed to get one for a reasonable price and have created what was not only one of (if not the) first red Daleks in Dalek history, but also the first Dalek ever to have a given name. I present to you...Zeg the invincible!

In the TV21 comic strip he originated from, Zeg was a Dalek inventor who conducted experiments to strengthen the Daleks' Dalekanium casing. After a lab accident he went through a transformation that made him almost invincible. He named his new red casing 'Metalert'.

Believing he should rule the Daleks, Zeg challenged the Emperor for supremacy. Untouched by even the black Dalek (the emperor's second in command) it was decided that both the emperor and Zeg should duel to the death. In an intense battle through the landscapes of Skaro, Zeg withstood attacks from both acid and mercury. He was eventually killed when the emperor froze him with liquid oxygen, the extreme cold freezing Zeg and then crushing him upon contact with heat.

This custom was done using a Character Options classic 1964 Dalek as a base, and then using Humbrol red enamel paint and Revell gold enamel. I am extremely pleased with the outcome, as its the most extensive repainting I've ever done to a Dalek. The downside is I now really want to get a few more classic Daleks to make some TV21 drones, and that won't come cheap!

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who Classics 'The Chase' collectors set

Truth be told, my interest in Character Option's Doctor Who figure range has been waning of late. Besides their high price point (which seems to only be getting higher), there's been an increasing focus on one off monsters paired with releases or remoulds of existing figures. But among the god-knows-how-many sets they announced over the Christmas period (seriously, there were LOADS) was a set themed on the 1965 first Doctor/Dalek story 'The Chase', including a figure I've wanted to be made since I was five. Alongside two Daleks, the set also included a Mechanoid - the spherical robots that not only battled the Daleks in the final episode of the story, but was also one of their main adversaries in the TV21 Dalek comic strips.

Given its size, I was expecting the Mechanoid to be hollow. But nope, its a solid figure and therefore as you can imagine quite heavy. The sculpt is perfect (although the arm did suffer some bending in the packaging) and the colours, while simple, are striking and reflective of a 1960s Doctor Who robot (as it would look exactly the same in black and white) The anntenae decoration on the top of the figure can be extended up, and the Mechanoid's claws can be pulled out via little tabs on the side of them that make them easily accessible, but don't ruin the aesthetic or accuracy of the figure. The dish piece at the front is on a ball joint so has a little bit of articulation, but can also be swapped out for a piece with a translucent flame piece, for that weapon firing effect. The Mechanoid has 5 free moving wheels on its base, making it possible to roll the figure round in all directions.

The two Daleks are of usual fare, but notably the first release of the standard Dalek model used from 'The Chase' up until 'The Evil of the Daleks' (although the eyestalk lense would change during the second Doctor stories). The silver/blue finish still remains my favourite Dalek drones, and the translucent orange head lamps are the icing on the cake. As usual the dome rotates 360 degrees, the eye stalk moves up and down and the plunger and gun are on ball joints - all the articulation a Dalek ever needs.

I'm going to be honest, this set is for collectors only. Its fairly expensive (£40 for 3 figures) and in reality only contains one brand new figure, which is a pretty obscure one at that. But for Classic Who/Dalek fans, this set is worth every penny. The Mechanoid is a fantastic figure, and has become hands down the best Doctor Who figure I own (and I own A LOT of Doctor Who figures). The only real downside is that the Mechanoids won't get a single release, because I'd really love a few more of these. The 5 year old in me is grinning with glee, and so is the 22 year old in me. The wait has been worth it.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who Classics 'Resurrection of the Daleks' boxset

I may have skipped over reviewing the 'Remembrance' of the Daleks set (one word: PERFECT) due it being 3 repaints and 1 remould (but an excellent one at that), but this set has a little more variety to it. Based on the 1984 story 'Resurrection of the Daleks', this one is comprised of the Doctor, the Dalek supreme, a standard Dalek drone and, most importantly, our first classic Davros figure.

This set's Doctor figure is (obviously) the 5th Doctor, who's already received his fair share of figures in the line. Despite 5 being my least favourite Doctor, I have to say that he has one of the best sculpts so far. It's a dead ringer for Peter Davison, and the clothes are the perfect representation of his series attire. That's not to say the other Doctors have been bad, because they've all been brilliant, but this one definitely stands out. My own gripe is I feel the figure should have come with some sort of accessory - maybe not a sonic screwdriver, but perhaps the gun he uses to threaten Davros in the story's climax.

Obviously the star of this set is Davros. Based on the Terry Molloy version of the character (Resurrection was Molloy's first appearance as Davros) the figure has very limited articulation, mainly only in the one arm and head. The sculpt however is magnificent and really looks like Molloy's iteration of the character. The figure even has a bonus feature - by pressing a hidden switch on one of the spheres a panel pops off on the side of the chair, revealing some circuitry details. Perfect for recreating those scenes from episode one of the story.

By now there's not a lot to say about the Daleks - any one who reads this blog will know my feelings about the classic Dalek figures by now. The supreme Dalek looks stunning, which is especially good for me as its my favourite supreme Dalek from the classic series. The drone however sadly isn't so good. Its clear that the Dalek mould is beginning to run its course, as a few quality control problems were present in mine (and after looking round the internet, others have been affected too). Firstly, the figure was forced in the packaging in such a way that the eyestalk is completely bent, leaving my Dalek to view things at an angle (it can bend back with a bit of force and doesn't break, but eventually returns to that angle). Secondly the top neck ring is also bent, leaving a gaping hole in the side of my Dalek. Looks quite good from a battle damage point of view, but I would not expect a figure to arrive in this condition. Hopefully any Daleks released in the future won't suffer from the same problems. The QC problems can be seen below.

All in all this set is amazing, simply amazing. Some people may prefer to wait for the Genesis (Michael Wisher) that's coming in the near future, but Molloy fans will not be disappointed by this set. My only suggestion is that if you're picking this set up in-store personally, check the Daleks carefully to make sure that they don't suffer from the same problem my grey one did.