Following on from the summer’s B&M release, Character Options is delighted to announce a brand new wave of Doctor Who action figure sets for Autumn 2020. The new collection will be available in the UK on shelf in B&M Stores from early October. Sales in the US will begin mid-October via The Official North America Doctor Who Store, and Amazon.

This exciting launch will introduce six brand new Action Figure Sets - an all new look for the Friends of the Thirteenth Doctor set, a new Companions of the Third and Fourth Doctors set, a very special U.N.I.T set, plus a Fifth Doctor & TARDIS set. Rounding up the release will be two more History of the Daleks Sets which chart their chronological TV appearances.

Each and every set of this detailed series will include highly detailed 5.5 inch scale figures featuring multiple points of articulation and come presented in the now well established ‘classic’ Doctor Who packaging.

The sets in detail

The Companions of the Third & Fourth Doctor set features new figures of Sarah and Romana 1 and 2 and spans the dates April 1974 to December 1979. This set includes Sarah Jane Smith in her outfit from 1974’s ‘Monster of Peladon’ story, Romana 1 in her outfit from December 1978’s ‘The Power of Kroll’ story and Romana 2 in her red outfit from the story ‘The Horns of Nimon’.

Staying with the ‘companion’ theme, is the Friends of the Thirteenth Doctor set with updated figures of companions Yasmin (Yaz) Khan, Graham O'Brien and Ryan Sinclair. These, most recent companions all feature in a brand new set of outfits inspired by their onscreen adventures.

For many collectors, the arrival of the 1971 U.N.I.T Claws of Axos Set can’t be bettered but with the addition of the 1975 U.N.I.T Terror of the Zygons Set, Character Options has added what is possibly the most anticipated and eagerly awaited variant of the Fourth Doctor to the mix; decked out in his fetching tartan scarf and Tamm ‘O’ Shanter hat. The set is completed by the addition of Sergeant John Benton, this time in camouflage fatigues and an additional U.N.I.T trooper, both with Sterling SMG machine guns as seen in the timeless 1975 story battling the shape shifting Zygons.

Next up is the updated release of the Fifth Doctor and TARDIS Set featuring detailing from February 1982’s ‘The Visitation’. The set comprises a crisp moulding of the Fifth Doctor with his floppy hat, while the TARDIS comes in a pristine blue livery.

Finally, Character Options is to release the next two History of the Daleks Sets.

“The Daleks’ Collector Set Number 3 comprises of a Twin Dalek Set and features the Daleks as seen fully in in 1965’s ‘The Chase’. This set features one of the ‘guest’ Daleks brought in from the Doctor Who and the Daleks film which appear in the Dalek Control room sequences of Episode 3 and one of the Standard silver drone Daleks.

Additionally, “The Daleks’ Collector Set Number 4 features two Daleks as seen in 'The Dalek's Master Plan' from 1966. This set features the attractive Black Dalek with Grey shoulders, a silver neck bin and silver solar struts alongside one of the Silver Drones seen in the jungle sequences clearing foliage with a flame

Al Dewar, Character Options’ Creative Director, said:

“This is another first for the Doctor Who line and good news for the fans in what has been a difficult year. We are delighted therefore to announce this full second wave of figures being released which has comes in addition to our recent Internet exclusive.

We were determined to give the fans something exciting and again hopefully we have genuinely surprised them with the new additions that have been coupled with some of our previous released figures. The inclusion of a new Fourth Doctor, Sarah and Romana 1 will hopefully surprise everyone in what is an astounding number of new figures this year and hopefully we will continue to exceed the expectations of fans and collectors alike.”

+  All sets will be available from B&M Stores from 5th October. RRP will be around £19.99 each.

[Source: Character Options]

Manufacturer: Character Options

RRP: £14.99

Release Date: June 2016

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 19th May 2016

At the end of Season 10 of Doctor Who (which seems so long ago now), to ease the pain of Clara’s departure we were treated to a brand new sonic screwdriver with a completely revamped look, and at last the 12th Doctor got his very own model - and what a model it is!

When we visited Toy Fair back in January of this year, there was next to no Doctor Who merchandise whatsoever - for the first time since the show returned to our screens in 2005. At the event, we had our annual chat with Character Options who said that things should fire up again for the second half of the year, kicking off with the brand new Sonic Screwdriver.

Here we are in May, and we are lucky to be among the first to review the new toy, ahead of its official release date at the start of June.

Starting off with the packaging, it comes in the familiar cylindrical plastic tube and looks quite striking against the blue and orange visuals. The blue of the new sonic really stands out whilst the silver paintwork seems to catch the light more than previous models, again making it jump out at you.

Once out of the packing, it’s clear that Character Options are going more down the replica route this time around. Gone are the legal text and copyright statements - instead, these are housed inside the sonic with a twist and pull motion.

There’s a good weight to it and the hand hold feels natural. The wheeled thumb grip looks and feels great to the touch with a simple push / pull motion, whilst the palm grip, although slightly bulky from an aesthetic point of view, actually sits really well in your hand.

The very bottom of the sonic protrudes out a little, but this is explained on-screen as it's a plug-in point for the TARDIS console.

As for features, for the very first time in a sonic, we have both blue and green light modes with 4 different light FX and sound FX modes. Pushing up once will give you the static green light mode, with familiar baseline sound FX. Pushing down once will give you the static blue light mode with the familiar upper baseline sound FX.

However, the best modes (in our opinion) are when you push up or pull down twice on the wheel; pushing up twice will give you a throbbing green light mode with a tracking bell type sound FX. Pushing down twice will give you a rotating blue light mode with whirring sound FX.

It’s very hard to find fault with the sonic - it looks stunning and it’s nice how the blue paintwork ties in with the TARDIS colouring, whilst the light section at the top reflects the TARDIS’ time rotor. 

For the very reasonable £14.99 RRP, not only do you get a durable, feature-packed toy, but now, thanks to Character Options' continued efforts to listen to the fans, you have a loyal replica!

+  PREORDER The 12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver from Character Options for £14.99!

Manufacturer: LEGO

RRP: £49.99

Release Date: 1st December 2015

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 9th October 2015

For years we have been campaigning (and pleading) to LEGO to make some Doctor Who sets. The greatest toy company in the world, coupled with one of the most-popular Science Fiction TV series in the world - it's a no-brainer! When we found out that Andrew Clark's Doctor Who set had achieved the 10,000+ votes needed on the LEGO Ideas site, we were keeping our fingers crossed that it would be picked for production. Thankfully it was, and what a set it is!

We were lucky enough to be sent one of the very first sets to review from LEGO, and when the box arrived, it was smaller than we expected. Without wanting to throw in a well-known Doctor Who phrase, however, the set literally is bigger on the inside. There are only 623 pieces, but due to the fact they are smaller in size, and the fact there are lots of sections to build, you get great value for money - both in time (taken to build), and for what you get with the finished build itself. 

We clocked the build time at around 2 Hours approx, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable 2 hours at that! Building the TARDIS console room from the ground up was immensely satisfying as you see the familiar set take form. The time rotor was a particular favourite section to put together, and clicking it into place will appease the bubble-wrap fans amongst you. With two main build sections - THE TARDIS exterior and the TARDIS interior - you will similarly like the way one simply connects to the other, giving the impression that The Doctor has just walked into the TARDIS from the outside.

There are some fantastic little details on the build, from the various buttons and screens that form the TARDIS console, to the back panelling of the TARDIS and the Police Box signs that adorn the top of the TARDIS exterior. The exterior can be detached and once the hinged Police Box signs are swivelled down, you can place the TARDIS roof on. You then lift up the hinges and remove the roof to open the Police Box. Inside, you get a cool effect of the interior of the doors, a plinth to stand The Doctor or Clara on, and a neat little roundel effect, either side of the hinged, pull-out sections.

As for the mini-figures, you get The 12th Doctor, The 11th Doctor, Clara, 2 x Daleks and a Weeping Angel. There's a feeling that this set is based on the events at the end of 'The Time Of The Doctor', as the 12th Doctor (complete with Sonic Screwdriver) is wearing 11's purple frock coat, Clara is also wearing the exact outfit she wore in the episode. The 11th Doctor is wearing his brown tweed suit, and comes with a Fez and Sonic Screwdriver accessories.

The Daleks are constructed a little differently to what we expected them to look like in LEGO form, but this is no bad thing. For a scaled-down version, they look fantastic, and LEGO have gone all out by creating custom art for the Dalek dome. A little bonus is that you can actually swivel the Dalek's head 360°. Finally, you also get a Weeping Angel - complete with wings! There are two faces, so, dependant on your mood you an choose between 'serene' and 'screaming'.

Tying everything together is the impressive 127-page build manual. It's full of easy-to-follow instructions, as one would expect from LEGO, but, ever so coolly, there are neat little Doctor Who facts randomly printed along the way. There is also a brief guide to the character featured in the set, as well as a short bio on Andrew Clark and his process with LEGO Ideas. There are also some short bios on LEGO Product Designer, Samuel Johnson (Paul McGann's nephew) and LEGO Graphic Designer; Adam Corbally.

We forsee this set being a huge success, and we can only hope that it will pave the wave for future LEGO Doctor Who releases. 

[With thanks to LEGO] 

Check out DWO's exclusive unboxing & product spotlight of the set in the video, below:
[youtube:aXph6p5k0-0]
  +  Fans can PREORDER the set shortly from the LEGO Shop, priced £49.99. 

[Source: DWO]

Doctor Who and LEGO® fans around the world received exciting news today as The LEGO Group announced that it would be producing a LEGO Doctor Who set.

The concept for a Doctor Who set came from the LEGO® IDEAS website where fans can submit ideas for a set and vote for their favourite idea to be produced.

The BBC launched Doctor Who in 1963 and it is the world’s longest running sci-fi drama. Starring Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Jenna Coleman as his companion, the hit BBC One show has become a global phenomenon with a loyal and passionate fan base.

The Doctor Who concept from fan Andrew Clark received the 10,000 votes requisite for The LEGO Group to consider it for production.

A licensing agreement between BBC Worldwide and The LEGO Group will see the new set available in all of The LEGO Group’s key markets before the end of the year.

Andrew’s winning design featured a range of Doctors, companions and monsters across the show’s history, but fans will have to wait until later this year to discover what will be produced.

Marcus Arthur, MD of BBC Worldwide UK said:

“Both Doctor Who and LEGO enjoy a particularly close relationship with their fans and I can’t wait to see what LEGO produce.”

Emma Owen, UK spokesperson for LEGO Ideas commented:

“We’re extremely excited to announce that a Doctor Who and a WALL-E set will be released as our next LEGO Ideas fan based sets, congratulations to the designers Andrew Clark and Angus MacLane! After receiving over 10,000 votes from the online community and having gone through rigorous toy testing from our expert panel, these awesome sets are on track to be on shelves later this year. The final set designs, pricing and availability are being worked out as we speak, so watch this space for the final details!”

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Fans of Doctor Who have much to be excited about at present, with the successful return of the television series and a new Doctor to get to know. In addition, Character Options is delighted to unveil the much anticipated action figure for the newly regenerated Twelfth Doctor, as portrayed by Peter Capaldi.

A great gift for fans and collectors alike, this poseable range of 3.75 inch action figures include some iconic characters from the hit TV show. The new assortment includes favourite characters from the past and present series, including the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth incarnation of the famous Time Lord, his fiery former companion Amy Pond and two versions of the Daleks; classic design and Asylum design (as seen in Asylum of the Daleks).

For collectors wishing to complete their line-up of Time Lords the Twelfth Doctor can be found in two guises; in his regenerated form as seen in the The Time of the Doctor and in his stylish new outfit which will become more familiar as Series 8 progresses; resplendent in black long-line jacket, waistcoat, trousers and boots.

This latest figure will be first of the Twelfth Doctor in his own unique style and is eagerly awaited by fans. In fact, the range is so highly anticipated that Character Options had to air freight more figures in order to meet demand. The figure promises to be one of the most successful to date...!

Each figure is presented on its own red Doctor Who Display case (excluding Dalek figures).

+  The new wave of figures are Out Now, priced £6.99 each.
+  Order Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Character Options]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

'The Impossible Set' features The Doctor from 'The Snowmen' and Clara from 'Asylum Of The Daleks'.

Product Details:

Clara and the Doctor: Linked through time in the most impossible way!

Clara 'Oswin' Oswald: The Impossible Girl. She and the Doctor first met on the Dalek Asylum planet where she claimed to have been fending off Dalek attacks for a year, making soufflés - where did she get the milk and eggs? Oswin agreed to deactivate the forcefield around the planet, but when human the Doctor went to rescue her, he discovered the terrible truth. Oswin wasn't a girl any longer, but actually an insane Dalek who, unable to cope with her conversion, had retreated into a fantasy world. Oswin fulfilled her promise of helping the Doctor, telling him to "Run. Run, you clever boy, and remember..." They will meet again... and again.

The Doctor, appalled by his inability to save Amy and Rory from the Weeping Angels, retreated to Earth and hid himself and the TARDIS away from the Universe. Another chance but ill-fated meeting with Clara Oswald in snowy Victorian London pulled him out of his solitude and set him back on a new adventure.... to find the Impossible Girl!

Set details:

Presented here in the Impossible Set, together but apart, are the Eleventh Doctor in his iconic Victorian frock coat from The Snowmen, and Oswin Oswald, the Impossible Girl, in her iconic red dress from Asylum of the Daleks. The Doctor's outfit features his top hat and jacket with fur and brocade detailing. Oswin's outfit is a one piece red dress with her soufflé-making accessory belt. The set is presented in a unique double sided foil embellished SDCC collector pack with 'peephole' Dalek eye window on one side and a Victorian winter vista on the other.

Contents:

•  The 11th Doctor in Victorian Frock Coat Action Figure.
•  Oswin Oswald Action Figure.
•  Souffle Accessory.

** Previously available as a San Diego Comic Con 2014 Exclusive, this set is now available exclusively through Forbidden Planet! 

+  'The Impossible Set' is released in August 2014, priced £29.99.
+  Order Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

At this year's Toy Fair, Titans Vinyl Figures have unveiled the figures for their upcoming Doctor Who Gallifrey and Geronimo collections.

From the Geronimo Collection we have the new look Cyberman and the Wooden Cyberman as seen in the 2013 Christmas special The Time Of The Doctor, Clara in her ‘Souffle Girl’ outfit, Rory the Last Centurion, a terrifying Whisper Man, The ‘Monster’ Doctor from The Crimson Horror, John Hurt’s War Doctor, Amy Pond, a shape shifting Zygon, an Ice Warrior, and everyone’s favourite Sontaran butler Strax!

And from the Gallifrey Collection we have The Tenth Doctor in his Sanctuary Base 6 spacesuit and his TARDIS, which someone has graffiti’d with the words ‘Bad Wolf" - with more to be announced!

View a gallery of the upcoming figures, below: 

[Source: Titans Vinyl]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

'The Other Doctor' action figure features The Other Doctor as played by John Hurt, from the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special; The Day Of The Doctor.

Product Details:

The ‘Other Doctor’ is the Doctor’s dark chapter, a hitherto unknown incarnation whose existence has spent centuries repressing a secret he wants no one to know of.

He is a relic of the past, part of the great Time War, when he spent centuries fighting alongside his fellow Time Lords against the Daleks and made the final decision to end it with a desperate act that cost that incarnation the right to use the name “Doctor”.

This haunted and battle-worn Other Doctor is finally forgiven after helping find a new solution to end the war, giving the Eleventh Doctor a new purpose as he heads into further adventures.

Contents:

•  The Other Doctor Action Figure.
•  The Other Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver Accessory.
•  The Moment Accessory.
•  The Eighth Doctor alternate head.

+  'The Other Doctor' action figure is released on 28th February 2014, priced £14.99.
+  Preorder Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

As the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who moves ever closer, a brand new ultimate range of Doctor Who Micro Figures featuring all 11 incarnations of The Doctor has been released as part of the Character Building collection.

Each highly detailed and fully articulated micro-figure is sealed within a bag to keep the figure hidden, giving a surprise each time. Finding them all will be a challenge as some figures will be harder to find than others.

Within the new range, certain incarnations of the Time Lord will be classed as Rare, Super Rare or Ultra Rare.

Here’s what to look out for:

•  Rare - Tenth Doctor with just 500 pieces in circulation.
•  Super Rare - Third and Fifth Doctor with only 250 pieces.
•  Ultra Rare - Second and Eleventh Doctor with merely 100 pieces each to be found.

There are 11 micro-figures to collect, each with its own display base and collector’s leaflet highlighting all the characters available in this special series. Whether, Rare, Super Rare, Ultra Rare or one of the remaining six, these micro-figures will make treasured mementoes in a landmark year. The question is... Who will be the first to collect them all?

DWO's sister site, CompareTheDalek, has complete sets of all 11 Doctors from the 50th Anniversary series of Micro Figures, together with a Figure Selector Utility, to enable you to complete your collections from all the series to date. Click on the relevant links below.

+  Buy a complete set of all 11 Doctors from CompareTheDalek.com.
+  Complete your collection using the Figure Selector Utility. 

[Source: Character Options]

Character Options have sent DWO details of the upcoming Doctor Who 50th Anniversary 12" British Icon Dalek.

Doctor Who 12-inch British Icon Dalek

This ultimate Doctor Who collectable 12-inch Dalek has been produced exclusively in Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary year. Beautifully displayed in the Union Flag, it celebrates the Daleks as a British icon and is ideal gift for all Doctor Who fans.

This limited 50th anniversary edition free-wheeling Dalek features poseable arm, head and eye. Also includes 8 Dalek phrases with lights and sound FX.

The Daleks were created by the Kaled scientist, Davros as travel machines. He had deduced that the years of radiation and chemical poisoning from an ongoing war would lead his race to mutate into immobile organisms. The Dalek travel machines would house these creatures and allow the Kaleds to survive. However, in the course of his experiments, Davros deliberately removed what he considered to be debilitating emotions from the mutants and a force of evil was spawned! Requires 4 AA Batteries. For ages 5 years and over. 

8 Dalek Phrases include;

•  Seek, Locate, Annihilate
•  Seek, Locate, Destroy
•  You will obey the Daleks, obey, obey!!
•  Halt or you will be Exterminated!
•  You are an enemy of the Daleks!
•  We are the Supreme Beings
•  Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate! + Gun SFX
•  Exterminate! + Gun SFX

+  The '50th Anniversary 12" British Icon Dalek' is released Late August, priced £39.99.

+  Order this product from Forbidden Planet for just £35.79!

[Source: Character Options]

Entertainment Earth and Bif Bang Pow! have unveiled the First & Eleventh Doctor Tin Tote which will be a San Diego Comic Con 2013 Convention Exclusive!

This Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Tin Tote features plenty of authentic detail and imagery that spans 50 unforgettable years of Doctor Who, from the First Doctor to the Eleventh Doctor to the iconic TARDIS and beyond! The colorful tin box (measuring approximately 8 5/8-inches wide x 6 3/4-inches tall x 4-inches deep) is magnificent enough by itself, but inside you'll find retro-style action figures of William Hartnell's First Doctor and Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor!

The Doctors stand about 8-inches tall and feature real fabric clothing, accessories, and multiple points of articulation. Carry them all with you wherever your intergalactic travels take you!

The First Doctor is easily identified in his fancy buttoned vest, black coat, black-and-white checkered pants, and black shoes, carrying his walking stick. Fans of William Hartnell and the exciting adventures that first brought Doctor Who to the world will welcome him into their collection with open arms!

Matt Smith's popular Eleventh Doctor is dressed in his trademark red bowtie, suspenders, white shirt, dark pants, brown tweed jacket (complete with elbow patches!), and shoes. He brings his Sonic Screwdriver along as an accessory, of course.

NOTE: This item will first be sold at San Diego Comic Con 2013 at the Entertainment Earth Booth #2343. If supplies remain, your order will be filled and shipped to you after the event, during the last week of July 2013.

+  Preorder this Exclusive set at Entertainment Earth for $54.99, here.

[Source: Entertainment Earth]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world’s longest running sci-fi series Doctor Who in 2013, Toys ”R” Us will launch a special 5-inch action figure collection that includes all eleven reincarnations of the Doctor alongside his most infamous foe – the Daleks.

Commencing from May 2013, 11 limited edition commemorative twin packs will be launched, each featuring a different Doctor together with the Dalek design that he faced in his adventures.

The first three packs will be available to pre-order from 1st May and comprise of;

The Second Doctor played by Patrick Troughton and the Silver and Blue Dalek he faced in The Evil of the Daleks.

The Sixth Doctor played by Colin Baker and the White and Gold Dalek he encountered in Revelation of the Daleks.

The Tenth doctor played by David Tennant and the formidable Bronze Dalek that attempted to exterminate the universe in The Stolen Earth.

The 5-inch figure sets are incredibly detailed and expected to be hotly sought after by fans. Each set is only available for a limited time, and will be replaced by another three sets from this unique series in the summer, details of which will be announced soon.

Mike Coogan, Marketing Director at Toys “R” Us commented:

“We are delighted and excited to be able to offer our customers this commemorative Doctor Who action figure collection. There are so many fans of the Doctor and collectors from the past 50 years who will be eager to own mementos of the anniversary year and these prestigious twin packs will have special meaning to them, whatever their age.”

The first three exclusive Doctor Who Doctor and Daleks sets at Toys “R” Us will be priced at £19.99 and fans will be able to pre-order online from 1st May 2013. Updates on expected delivery of sets will be notified via the Toys ”R” Us UK Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/toysrusuk.

[Sources: Character Options]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

'The Daemons' Collector's Set features The Brigadier, The Master and Bok, as featured in the 3rd Doctor adventure; The Dæmons.

In the peaceful village of Devil’s End something very strange is happening. A professor is preparing to open a nearby burial mound and a local white has foresees death and disaster. Meanwhile, the new vicar looks suspiciously like the Master and he is using black magic to conjure up an ancient Daemon.

Contents:

1 x Brigadier action figure in jersey with U.N.I.T. beret and pistol.
1 x The Master action figure.
1 x Bok the dæmon action figure.

+  'The Dæmons' Collector's Set is released in August 2013, priced £29.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet for £29.99!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

'The Claws OF Axos' Collector's Set features Jo Grant, The Brigadier and an Axon Man, as featured in the 3rd Doctor adventure; The Claws Of Axos.

A In this Third Doctor adventure an approaching alien spaceship lands in England and the UNIT team meet its occupants: Beautiful golden-skinned humanoids called Axons. The Axons claim that their ship, Axos, is damaged and that they need time in which to repair it. In return, they offer Axonite, a substance that can cause animals to grow to enormous sizes and thus end Earth’s food shortages. The Doctor is suspicious, and rightly so: Axos, Axonite and the Axons - whose true form is that of hideous tentacle monsters - are all part of a single parasitic entity brought to Earth by the Master to feed on the planet's energy.

The Doctor links his and the Master’s TARDIS's together to make one giant time machine in order to help Axos - but on condition that they assist him in taking revenge on the Time Lords for exiling him to Earth. But, this is merely a trick, and Axos is locked in a time loop from which it can never escape.

Contents:

1 x Brigadier action figure in jersey with U.N.I.T. beret and pistol.
1 x Jo Grant action figure.
1 x Axon in Humanoid form action figure.

+  'The Claws Of Axos' Collector's Set is released in July 2013, priced £29.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet for just £27.99!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

DWO attended the 2013 Toy Fair at London Olympia, and got the chance to sample some of the exciting Doctor Who products due out this year.

This year's range of Doctor Who products from Character Options were a joy to behold, with a real focus on the 50th Anniversary.

Past Doctors, Daleks and other monsters all feature in the 2013 product line-up, with a special Union Jack covered Anniversary Dalek (pictured-right). We're gonna dub this the 'Marmite' Dalek, as it will no doubt divide some sections of fandom with a more purist nature.

DWO grabbed 5 Questions with Mark Hunt (Character Options' Brand Manager) regarding the range:

1) 2012 was a fantastic year for the Doctor Who Character Options range, especially with the further development of the Character Building products. What does 2013 hold for the range and do you have any teasers we can look forward to?

After huge popular demand from fans, 2013 will see the launch of a range of new series 3¾ inch figures and playsets. The new collection will succeed the incredibly successful 5 inch figures portraying both characters and storylines from the new series including The Eleventh Doctor, his new companion Clara as well as many of the foes he has met over the past 50 years.

To travel from one adventure to another, no new series would be complete without a TARDIS. The new 3¾” scaled Spin and Fly TARDIS has motion-activated interactive sound effects to bring the action to life. We also have some very special 50th Anniversary product for later in the year…but that is top secret!

2) What was the catalyst behind the decision to reduce the size of the figures from 5" to 3¾?

This is the 50th anniversary year of Doctor Who and we wanted to create something that was new for the brand and refresh our product offering, and create some demand amongst both avid collectors, fans and children. 

Our market research showed that many children today are collecting smaller figures and boys action figures across the market are moving to this size.

The new size also allows us to bring a more affordable price point that we would not be able to at this time with a 5-inch figure. This again is reacting to the market conditions and makes the figures more accessible to more fans. Again in such a special year it was important that we cater for as many as possible. 

3) Do you have a particular favourite Doctor Who product since you joined the company?

I’m a massive Tenant Fan! 10th Doctor all the way!

4) Will Character Options continue to produce Exclusives through Forbidden Planet and Toys R Us, and if so can we continue to expect a mix of classic and new series exclusives?

We have some very exciting 50th Anniversary product that should please all fans as they will be available across all retailers. Overall our product range will have a good mix between classic (5-inch) and Series 7 Part 2 (3 3/4-inch).

5) Finally, if you could have one round trip in the TARDIS, anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

After our trips to Hong Kong and London Toy Fair...my bed!

* * *

With so many great products coming out, DWO have compiled a list of upcoming products for 2013 from Character Options, below:

Character Options 3¾" Action Figure Range

- Series 7 Action Figure Assortment, new action figure size (3¾").
6 to collect, including; Weeping Angel, Dalek, Clara Oswin, The Doctor & Cyberman.

- Series 7 Action Figure Playsets, each comes with an exclusive accessory and can be interconnected.

- Doctor Who 'Spin & Fly TARDIS', in-line with new 3¾" range.

Character Options - Other Doctor Who Products

- Sound FX Daleks (Wave 2), (5").
Supreme Dalek (The Dalek Invasion of Earth) (1964), Guard Dalek (The Chase) (1965), Supreme Dalek (Planet of the Daleks) (1973), Supreme Dalek (Resurrection of the Daleks) (1984), Supreme Dalek (Remembrance of the Daleks) (1988) & Ironside Dalek (Victory of the Daleks) (2010).

- 50th Anniversary 'Iconic Scenes Collector's Sets'. Includes; The Invasion (2nd Doctor), The Invasion Of Time (4th Doctor) & Asylum Of The Daleks (11th Doctor) sets. (5").

- 11 Doctor's figure pack re-issue. (5").

- Sonic Screwdriver re-issues; 3rd, 4th, 10th & River Song sonics.

- Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Collector's Dalek. Features Lights, Speech and Sound FX.

- Doctor Who Mashems. Launchable, twistable, squishable character heads, foil packaged in a blind bag. 4 to collect; Weeping Angel, Silurian, Dalek & 1 other Monster TBC.

- Doctor Who Q.L.A Device, Cleric Wars Gun & App.

Character Building Doctor Who range

- Character Building 50th Anniversary, 11 Doctors blind packs.

- Character Building 11 Doctor's figure pack re-issue (variation).

- Character Building 'Monsters' Micro-Figure Multi Pack.

- Character Building 'The Ponds In New York' Micro-Figure Multi Pack.

- Character Building 'Cyberman Speeder' Mini Set.

- Character Building 'Dalek Skimmer' Mini Set.

Before Character Options came out with their Character Building range, DWO contacted Lego on numerous occasions to recommend Doctor Who Lego sets, owing to the demand we get from our visitors - in fact, it's one of the most popular merchandise requests we get on the site.

We paid Lego a visit at this year's Toy Fair and spoke to Emma Owen (Lego PR & Promotions Manager) and asked her about Lego's position on Doctor Who product:

"Obviously we realise the popularity is massive in the UK for Doctor Who and as I've heard as well it's popular overseas but it doesn't have that complete global appeal, which obviously we have to have when developing a product. We don't develop products that are just one country specific. It has to have mass appeal because obviously the investment that goes behind a product business-wise, we're operating on a complete business sense"

You can also listen to our brief Lego interview with Emma Owen below:

Look out for some other great products this year too. Paul Lamond Games will be releasing the first Doctor Who DVD game, which promises to challenge even the most dedicated fan! Star Cutouts will be releasing some fantastic new cutouts and masks, featuring characters from both the New Series and the Classic Series. Zeon have a rather extensive range of products coming out this year, including, USB devices, Mugs, Teapots, Cookie Jars, Money Boxes, Watches, Alarm Clocks, Keychains, Mint tins, Keychains and Pens (to name just a few).

More on all of these products as and when we receive more details. 

[Source: DWO]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Three Doctor's Collector's Set features Jo Grant, The Brigadier and a Gel Guard, as featured in the 3rd Doctor adventure; The Three Doctors.

A gel-like plasma creature arrives on Earth and hunts down the third Doctor, who calls on the Time Lords for help. The Time Lords themselves are in crisis as their energy is being drawn off into a black hole. They send the Doctor’s earlier selves to join him.

The first Doctor, caught in a time eddy and able only to advise, deduces that the creature is a time bridge. The third Doctor and Jo then give themselves up to it and are transported to a world of antimatter beyond the black hole.

On Earth, the second Doctor is forced to take refuge in the TARDIS along with the Brigadier and Sergeant Benton. On the advice of the first Doctor he switches off the ship’s force field, and the whole UNIT building is transported through the black hole.

Behind these events is Omega, a figure from Time Lord history whose solar engineering provided the power for time travel. He has been trapped in the black hole ever since and now wants the Doctor to swap places with him, but it transpires that the corrosive properties of his domain have already destroyed his physical form, leaving only his will.

Contents:

-  The Brigadier In Peaked Cap with Pistol.
-  Jo Grant (with alternate arms and removable gilt).
-  Gel Guard.

+  The Three Doctors Collector's Set is released on 3rd January 2013, priced £26.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Pyramids of Mars Collector's Set features Sutekh with 2 Robot Mummy Action Figures.

In this fourth Doctor adventure, the TARDIS materialises on Earth in the year 1911 inside an old priory owned by Egyptologist Marcus Scarman. Scarman has been possessed by Sutekh, last survivor of the god-like Osirans, who is held prisoner under a pyramid in Egypt by a signal transmitted from one on Mars. Sutekh desires his freedom and instructs Scarman to construct servicer robots - which look like Egyptian mummies - to build a missile with which to destroy the Martian pyramid. The Doctor foils this plan by blowing up the missile.

He then falls under Sutekh’s control himself and is made to transport Scarman to Mars in the TARDIS. Scarman cuts off the signal but the Doctor, now freed of Sutekh’s influence, realises that there will be a short delay before it stops, rushes back and uses the time control from the TARDIS to move the end of Sutekh’s space-time tunnel into the far future. Sutekh, travelling down the tunnel, is unable to reach the end in his lifetime, and dies.

Contents:

1 x Sutekh with jackal head action figure.
2 x Mars Guardian Robot Mummy action figures.

+  The Pyramids of Mars Collector's Set is released on 18th September 2012, priced £19.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

At long last, Character Options are finally releasing a Rory Williams Action Figure (for the fan who waited).

Amy Pond’s fiancée who, on his stag night found himself whisked away in the TARDIS. After defeating the Saturnynes and the Dream Lord, Rory was killed saving the Doctor’s life during a battle with the Silurians. However, his body was absorbed by the time energies leaking across time and space – resulting in him never having existed. However, his essence was placed into an Auton replica of himself in Roman times and after briefly reuniting with Amy, he accidentally killed her.

To restore her, the Doctor placed her in the Pandorica and for two thousand years Rory stood guard over her, the legendary Lone Centurion. When time was finally rebooted, Rory became human again, married Amy and once again joined her and the Doctor in the TARDIS.

Recreate scenes from Doctor Who with this incredibly detailed and fully articulated 5-inch Rory Williams action figure. One supplied. For ages 5 years and over.

+  The Rory Williams Action Figure is released this October, priced £9.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet for just £8.99!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy, released in conjunction with the 2012 San Diego Comic Con.

The Victory of the Daleks Set features Winston Churchill, an Ironside Dalek and extra accessories from the War Room setting.

The Doctor has been summoned by his old friend Winston Churchill but in the Cabinet War Rooms, far below the streets of blitz-torn London, he finds his oldest enemy waiting for him... The Daleks are back! And can Churchill really be in league with them?

The Ironsides were designed to be the perfect warrior, after the concept was dreamt up by Professor Bracewell, seemingly from nowhere. In actual fact, these new weapons which Winston Churchill wanted to use to win the war were in fact Daleks, who had fallen back through time and needed the Doctor to be able to create the new Dalek race. Professor Bracewell was in fact an android built by the Daleks, part of a complex trap to lure the Doctor back to where they were hiding, so he would unwittingly allow the Dalek race to be reborn thanks to his testimony. The new Daleks appeared, and exterminated the Ironsides.

Contents:

1 x Winston Churchill action figure
1 x Ironside Dalek action figure (with Tea Tray!)
Plus extra accessories from the War Room setting!

+  The SDCC 2012 Victory of the Daleks Set is Out Now, priced £26.99.

+  Order this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Character Options have sent DWO the details for their upcoming Electronic Sound FX Daleks.

The Daleks were created by the Kaled scientist, Davros as travel machines. He had deduced that the years of radiation and chemical poisoning from an ongoing war would lead his race to mutate into immobile organisms. The Dalek travel machines would house these creatures and allow the Kaleds to survive. However, in the course of his experiments, Davros deliberately removed what he considered to be debilitating emotions from the mutants and a force of evil was spawned!

The Daleks were born without any ability to feel compassion or pity and were motivated only by hate, fear and an implacable belief that they were the superior creatures in the Universe.

Recreate scenes from Doctor Who with these highly detailed 5" poseable Dalek action figures.

Featuring the following six Daleks, modelled accurately on some of the famous Daleks from past episodes. Bronze Dalek (2005), The Dalek Invasion of Earth (1964), Power of the Daleks (1966), Revelation of the Daleks (1985), Planet of the Daleks (1973) and Death to the Daleks (1974). Each Dalek includes sound FX and speech by era! Collect them all!. Six to Collect.

+  The Electronic Sound FX Daleks is released on 22nd August 2012, priced £14.99 each.

+  PREORDER all six Daleks from Forbidden Planet! for just £79.99 (RRP: £89.94).

[Source: Character Options]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Castrovalva Collector's Set features The 5th Doctor, The Master's TARDIS (in Pillar disguise) and a shrunken figure accessory.

The newly regenerated Fifth Doctor escapes with his companions back to the TARDIS. Suffering from post-regeneration trauma, he only narrowly manages to save the ship from destruction as it plunges back to Event One, the hydrogen in-rush that preceded the creation of the universe.

He then seeks sanctuary in the peaceful domain of Castrovalva, only to discover that it is an illusory, dimensionally paradoxical trap set for him by the Master with the unwilling aid of a kidnapped Adric. The Doctor eventually wins the day by enlisting the help of the Castrovalvan people who, although also part of the Master's creation, are nevertheless able to exercise free will.

Contents:

1 x Post-regeneration Fifth Doctor action figure.
1 x Shrunken figure accessory.
1 x Master’s TARDIS as a Stone Column.

+  The Castrovalva Collector's Set is released on 20th August 2012, priced £19.99.

+  Order this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Seeds of Doom Set features The 4th Doctor and a Krynoid (as seen in the Classic Series adventure The Seeds of Doom).

Two alien seed pods are found buried in the Antarctic permafrost. The Fourth Doctor, accompanied by Sarah-Jane Smith, realises that they are from a Krynoid, a form of voracious plant life that infects and transforms all animal life on planets upon which it becomes established.

One of the pods opens and infects a scientist at an Antarctic base but the developing Krynoid is destroyed by a bomb set to cover the tracks of two men, Scorby and Keeler, who have made off with the other pod for their boss, eccentric plant collector Harrison Chase.

The second pod infects Keeler and he also becomes a Krynoid, rapidly growing to giant proportions. UNIT are called in, and they arrange for the Krynoid to be bombed before it can spread its pods across the Earth.

Contents:

1 x Fourth Doctor action figure

1 x Krynoid action figure

1 x Cutlass accessory

1 x Open Seed Pod accessory

1 x Closed Seed Pod accessory

+  The Seeds of Doom is released on 25th March 2012, priced £24.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Remembrance of the Daleks Set features Davros (as Dalek Emperor) and a Destroyed Imperial Dalek (as seen in the Classic Series adventure Remembrance of the Daleks).

The TARDIS arrives in London in November 1963, where the Seventh Doctor and Ace discover that two rival factions of Daleks - one loyal to the Dalek Emperor and one to the Dalek Supreme - are seeking the Hand of Omega, a powerful Time Lord device that the first Doctor hid there during an earlier sojourn on Earth.

The Daleks are focusing their search around Coal Hill School - the school that the Doctor's grand-daughter Susan attended - while a human military unit led by Group Captain Gilmore is attempting to resist their incursions. The Imperial Daleks eventually capture the device.

The Dalek Emperor is revealed to be Davros, now with only the last vestiges of his humanoid form remaining. The Doctor begs him not to use the Hand but is ignored. However, this is just the final ruse in a complex trap laid by the Doctor.

The Hand of Omega utterly destroys the Dalek home planet, Skaro, and then returns to destroy their forces orbiting Earth.

Contents:

1 x Dalek Emperor Davros action figure.

1 x Destroyed Imperial Dalek action figure.

+  The Remembrance of the Daleks Set is released on 9th March 2012, priced £29.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Attack of the Cybermen Set features Peri and a Rogue Cyberman (as seen in the Classic Series adventure Attack of the Cybermen).

When something disturbs the TARDIS in flight, the Sixth Doctor is determined to find out the reason why. Landing in London, 1985, he and Peri are shocked to find the Cybermen are hiding in London’s sewers!

Becoming their prisoner, the Doctor is forced to take the Cybermen to their home planet, Telos. There he discovers the inhuman monsters have captured another time vessel and plan to change history. They want to redirect Halley’s Comet so it crashes into Earth in 1985 – the year before their original home planet, Mondas, was destroyed.

Perpugilliam Brown, known as Peri, was an eighteen year-old American Botany student holidaying in Lanzarote with her step-father, when the Fifth Doctor and Turlough landed nearby. Turlough rescued Peri when she tried to swim to shore from her uncle’s boat, and took her inside the TARDIS to recover. The TARDIS took off with Peri still on board. Headstrong and argumentative, Peri stayed with the Doctor and helped him through his most difficult regeneration to date. Peri’s fate is unclear.

Contents:

1 x Peri action figure.

1 x Rogue Cyberman action figure (with detachable faceplate).

1 x Cybergun accessory.

+  The Attack of the Cybermen Set is released on 24th February 2012, priced £26.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Image of the Fendahl Set features Leela and a Fendahleen (as seen in the Classic Series adventure Image of the Fendahl).

An anachronistic twelve-million-year-old human skull has been discovered by archaeologists and is now being used by Professor Fendelman in his time scanner experiments at Fetch Priory in contemporary England. The skull is actually an artifact of the Fendahl, an ancient creature that feeds on the life force of others.

Drawn by the operation of the scanner, the Fourth Doctor and Leela arrive as the experiments reach a peak. The skull is exerting an influence over the mind of Thea Ransome, one of the scientists in Fendelman's team, and glowing with power each time the scanner is activated. Thea is eventually transformed into the Fendahl core, and a group of acolytes assembled by Maximillian Stael - another of Fendelman's team, who is trying to harness the creature's power for his own ends - are converted into snake-like Fendahleen.

The Doctor shows the remaining scientist, Adam Colby, and two locals, Martha Tyler and her son Jack, how to defend themselves against the Fendahleen using rock salt. By activating the scanner once more, he triggers an implosion that destroys both the Priory and the Fendahl core.

Contents:

1x Leela figure

1 x Fendahleen adult

1 x Fendahleen infant

1 x Skull

1 x Stand

+  The Image of the Fendahl Set is released on 23rd December 2011, priced £34.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Keeper of Traken Set features The Doctor, The Master and The Melkur (as seen in the Classic Series adventure The Keeper of Traken).

The Fourth Doctor and Adric learn from the wizened Keeper of Traken that a great evil has come to his planet in the form of a Melkur - a calcified statue. The Keeper is nearing the end of his reign and seeks the Doctor’s help in preventing the evil from taking control of the bioelectronic Source that is the keystone of the Traken Union’s civilisation.

The Melkur, via various deceptions, becomes the next Keeper. It is then, however, revealed to be the Master’s TARDIS. Its owner, still blackened and emaciated, hopes to use the Source’s power to regenerate himself. The Doctor manages to expel him and install a new Keeper in his place, but in a last minute ploy the Master traps one of the Traken Consuls, Tremas, and merges with his body before fleeing the planet.

Contents:

1 x The Fourth Doctor in Waistcoat action figure.

1 x The Master Decayed action figure.

1 x The Melkur Statue action figure.

1 x Master’s TARDIS as a Grandfather Clock 

1 x Source Manipulator Sphere accessory.

+  The Keeper of Traken Set is released on 15th December 2011, priced £39.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Peri & Sharaz Jek Set features companion, Peri Brown and Sharaz Jek (as seen in the Classic Series adventure The Caves of Androzani).

The Fifth Doctor and Peri arrive on Androzani Minor, the source of a life-prolonging drug called spectrox. Production of the drug is controlled by Sharaz Jek, a facially deformed madman in self imposed exile, who blames Morgus, a powerful industrialist on Androzani Major, for all his misfortunes. Jek is fighting Morgus’ troops on a daily basis using his android army. 

Jek’s android weapons are supplied by gun-runners employed by Morgus, who then receives payment in refined spectrox. But, Jek becomes infatuated with Peri and saves her and the Doctor from execution by Morgus’ troops only to hold them prisoner himself. They escape Jek but contract spectrox toxaemia, a fatal condition with only one antidote - milk from a giant queen bat.

In a climactic battle, Morgus, Jek and all the soldiers are killed. The Doctor now dying, carries Peri back to the TARDIS, where he gives her the antidote. She recovers, but the Doctor has to regenerate to save his own life.

Contents:

- Peri in Blouse

- Sharaz Jek with Alternate head (not shown)

- Android Head Accessory

+  The Peri & Sharaz Jek Set is released on 9th December 2011, priced £26.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The SIGNED City of Death Set features The Fourth Doctor and with Count Scarleoni (as seen in the Classic Series adventure City of Death), and is signed by Julian Glover.

The Fourth Doctor and Romana II are in Paris investigating a fracture in time. During a visit to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, the Doctor purloins from a stranger, Countess Scarlioni, a bracelet that is actually an alien scanner device. The trail leads to the home of Count Scarlioni, who is selling duplicate Mona Lisas to fund time experiments - all originals! 

The Count is revealed as an alien called Scaroth, last of the Jagaroth race. He was splintered in time when his ship exploded above primeval Earth. His intention is to go back in time to prevent the destruction of his ship. 

Realising that the Jagaroth spaceship exploding started life on Earth, the Doctor and Romana race back in time to stop the Count's plan. 

Contents:

-  Count Scarleoni Figure with Scaroth Head

-  Pistol Accessory (not shown)

-  Painting Accessory (not shown)

-  Fourth Doctor with Sonic Screwdriver Accessory

+  The SIGNED City of Death Set is Out Now, priced £34.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Enemies Of The Third Doctor Set features Omega, an Auton and a Drashing (as seen in Classic Series 3rd Doctor adventures).

From the adventures of the Third Doctor, the Drashig figure stands approximately 220mm high and doubles as a hand puppet for little hands, children can animate the mouth in classic FX fashion!

This set also includes the imposing Omega figure which features a removable head and fabric robes, lastly the classic Auton figure has a swappable gun hand and Nestene Sphere accessory.

Contents:

-  Drashig figure.

-  Omega action figure (with Detachable head).

-  Auton action figure with Nestene Sphere accessory and swappable gun hand.

+  The Enemies Of The Third Doctor Set is released on 16th December 2011, priced £44.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Chase Set features a Mechanoid and two Daleks (as seen in the Classic Series 1st Doctor adventure, The Chase).

From the classic story: 'The Chase', the Mechonoid figure is approximately 130mm high (160mm with the antenna extended) x 130mm wide. It features a swappable flame arm, flip-out claw arms and wheels. It is faced by the Daleks ready to do battle!

Contents:

1 x Mechonoid action figure with swappable flame weapon

2 x Daleks (The Chase) action figures

+  The Chase Set is released on 16th December 2011, priced £39.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]