In early 2020, the existing 13th Doctor figure from Character Options was tweaked to add in the Doctor's bum-bag and packed into a new wave of 13th Doctor era figures as a general release wave in both the UK and the USA. This 13th Doctor featured a red shirt, but on the card back and in some promo images a 2nd version with a light blue top was also illustrated but at the time there was no confirmation of how it would be released.
Roll forward to Summer 2020 and the blue shirt variant went up for pre-order via Amazon in the US and it was then confirmed that this would be an USA exclusive
While the figure is an Amazon US exclusive, the packaging indicates this was not always the plan as there are some very specific UK warnings on the reverse, particularly the new UK CA mark that replaces the CE mark after Brexit in early 2021.
The entire packaging setup is identical to the earlier UK release and includes the Dark Blue header and grey TARDIS illustration that are standard to all current releases. The Doctor is named on the base blue rail, but without any specific episode or season details.
The red flash under the figure in the blister window includes some safety warning and then confirms the figure includes Bag and Sonic Screwdriver accessories - although that is a very loose interpretation of accessories considering the bag cant be removed from the figure. The card back still shows all the figures from the early 2020 wave and both variants of the Doctor with bum-bag.
The fact this is a blister card is disappointing when much of the Who range has moved to boxes that can be opened and re-sealed if you wish. In this case the only way to open the figure is to destroy the card. Amazon are also placing a large sticker on the blister window which is not easy to remove.
3.5
The nearest reference I can find to the Doctor wearing both a blue shirt and the bum-bag is from Arachnids in the UK (please let me know if I am wrong), although the blue in that episode was darker than what we have on the figure. This potentially makes this more of an inspired by the Jodie Whittaker Doctor's outfit than a dead on accurate representation of a full outfit from an episode.
The likeness to Jodie is good, one of the better ones in the line - which itself retains its charm and basic sculpt & features to the same level as when it was launched. Considering nearly 15 years have now passed, it is great to see the 2020/1 figures fit in with the 2006 figures without any problems.
The costume is painted in single tone colours - there are no washed or weathering - with the details painted out on top like the stripes on the shirt or the trim down and around the coat. All of this is neat and without any obvious errors. We do get a touch of paint décor on the boots which are painted in brown then weathered with a lighter tan colour to bring out details like the laces and to add wear & tear.
This is the same base figure as originally released in 2019 with amended paint apps, and the same bum-bag part as was added in early 2020. Lining all three versions up together, the red top is the most defined in terms of likeness with the new Amazon version having much softer pain around the eyes and hairline.
4.0
The Doctor has her Sonic Screwdriver as an accessory. This is painted silver with golden trim to the emitter end and down the handle. Considering the size, it is still well shaped in line with the onscreen prop. It is the same version as the previous 13th Doctor releases.
It is designed to fit in the Doctor's right hand which is sculpted in an enclosed grip with thumb attached to forefinger. This makes the fit very tight and risks paint rub on both Screwdriver and hand as you slot it into position. Unlike other Doctor figures, the shape of the hand is not shaped so that the Screwdriver is being pointed when the arm is outstretched - and sits more as though Jodie is holding it up vertically and taking readings.
3.0
In line with the rest of the long running 5.5 inch Doctor Who line, the Doctor has the basic level of articulation as has been the norm for a number of years with 14 points of articulation in total - although she loses the thigh swivel we see on the other figures which further restricts the legs.
Head : neck swivel
Body : waist swivel
Arms : peg shoulder, bicep swivel, single elbow joint, wrist swivel
Legs : T-Joint hip, single joint knee
The joints are quite basic, and "of an era" with exposed pins and swivels that move the whole arm out of line when turned. It does mean that this Doctor still fits in with any Doctor Who collection without looking out of place.
There is some level of movement in the arms for gesturing and posing. The legs can't kneel or sit due to the cut of the coat, but some slightly wider stances are possible. The Doctor Who figures do not use ankle rockers and the stability of the figure is great with the feet cast flat to the floor for balance.
3.5
Doctor figures with minor costume updates are nothing new for the Character Options Doctor Who line, I lost count on how many David Tennant's we got with variations across his era. While this is the third 13th Doctor in a little under 2-years and although other versions of Jodie's Doctor like the Tuxedo would have been great, these tweaked versions are not unprecedented.
What is perhaps a shame with this one is that the outfit doesn't relate to a story, and all it would have needed would have been a darker top to align it to Arachnids in the UK. This aside the figure is well executed and in keeping with the long running Character line in both looks and articulation.
As UK collector I appreciate I don't have an automatic right to every exclusive in every line, and certainly region specific exclusives are not unusual. The difference here is that the packaging indicates this was made for the UK market, and something has then changed and pushed the variant into Amazon as a US only release. It is still accessible to UK collectors, albeit at a price premium of circa £20, but as many collectors know Amazon are not the most protective when shipping figures and your card back is likely to arrive in a bubble mailer from the US with some level of damage - and most likely an over sticker on the window.
I score the Amazon US Exclusive 13th Doctor variant a total of 3.0
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...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, character options, character toys, doctor who, dr who, 13th Doctor
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