For dedicated Doctor Who fans and collectors, the quest for the ultimate piece of memorabilia can be a lifelong journey. While the term “grail piece” might be overused, in the realm of Doctor Who collectibles, certain items transcend mere toys and become iconic symbols of fandom. Today, we delve into one such treasure: the Character Options Quarter-Scale K9 Mark II figure. Having explored various K9 figures before, none have prepared me for the sheer scale and detail of this magnificent rendition of the Doctor’s faithful robotic companion.
Originally released in 2007, this quarter-scale K9 initially flew under my radar. It wasn’t until stumbling upon an online gallery showcasing a Doctor Who collection that I first laid eyes on this impressive figure. There it stood, a majestic K9 towering over standard figures, instantly sparking an intense desire to own one. Upon discovering it was Character Options’ Quarter-Scale K9, inspired by his “NuWho” appearance in “School Reunion,” my reaction was one of sheer disbelief and excitement. The hunt began, but quickly hit a snag. These figures were scarce on the secondary market, and importing one from Great Britain proved prohibitively expensive. The dream of owning this K9 took a backseat, until 2014. That year, Character Options revisited this impressive mold, re-releasing it as a Classic Who version, and reigniting my passion for this robotic canine.
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The impressive packaging of the Quarter-Scale K9 figure, showcasing its size and Classic Who branding.
Behold, K9 in his gloriously oversized window box! The packaging proudly displays the current Classic Who branding style employed by Character Options. Honestly, the reality of owning this toy still feels surreal. To truly grasp my elation, one must understand my deep-seated childhood adoration for K9, particularly the Mark II version who served alongside the Fourth Doctor. K9’s debut in “The Invisible Enemy” in 1977 coincided with the release of Star Wars, a pivotal year for sci-fi culture. While my introduction to K9 may have been a few years later, around the age of 12 or 13, he instantly captivated me, arguably surpassing R2-D2 as my ultimate robotic icon. From that moment on, a desire for a definitive K9 toy took root. Fast forward three decades, and my collection boasts several K9 figures, including Character Options’ 5-inch scale versions and an Eighth-Scale figure from Biff Bang Pow! While these figures are commendable, they merely hinted at the ambition of owning a truly substantial K9. While not quite life-size, this quarter-scale marvel emphatically scratches that itch.
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A closer look at the box contents, revealing the impressive size of the Quarter-Scale K9 figure within its packaging.
Forgive my digression into personal fandom! Returning to the packaging, it adheres to the standard design of this toy line, albeit significantly larger. K9 is securely nestled within, his access panel detached, revealing a “Try Me” button that offers a tantalizing glimpse of his voice clips. This brings me to a moment of pure fan delight – John Leeson’s name is prominently featured on the toy box! SQUEEE indeed! Leeson, the original voice of K9, whose iconic tones are synonymous with the character, even through a brief replacement and subsequent returns for NuWho appearances and the (less-loved) Australian spin-off series. Leeson’s voice is as fundamental to K9 as any element in science fiction, and seeing his credit acknowledged on the packaging is a genuine treat.
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Size comparison shot of the Quarter-Scale K9 box next to a standard 5-inch scale K9 figure box, highlighting the significant difference in scale.
The sheer scale of the box is truly something to behold. I’ve included a picture alongside a 5-inch scale K9 figure box for a clear size comparison. However, liberating K9 from his packaging proved to be an unexpectedly arduous task. He was anchored by four plastic straps screwed in from the bottom, and one screw frustratingly stripped. It took a solid 20 minutes of wrestling, but finally freeing him was, in K9’s own words, “most satisfactory!” Speaking of screws, while AA batteries are included for the “Try Me” function, a 9-volt battery is required for the remote control, so keep a screwdriver handy. This US release also sports an FDC sticker, which thankfully peeled off easily, though some adhesive residue remains to be addressed. But before diving into the electronic features, let’s appreciate the figure itself.
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Multiple angles showcasing the detailed sculpt and design of the Quarter-Scale K9 figure.
With minor exceptions, the level of detail and screen accuracy achieved in this K9 figure is remarkable. Notable highlights include his antenna tail, the black base bumpers, the multi-colored collar with dog tag, and the pull handle beneath his neck. The keypad on his back is correctly positioned, his nameplate adorns the right side panel with sculpted faux screws, and his computer monitor is present on the left. The proportions are excellent, and while the coloring might appear slightly darker than on-screen, this could be attributed to studio lighting variations. However, the left side does feature somewhat conspicuous grey circular plugs concealing screws, a minor aesthetic compromise for screen accuracy. Yet, considering how other toy manufacturers might handle such details (or lack thereof), this is a forgivable imperfection.
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Close-up shots highlighting the screen-accurate details and minor inaccuracies of the K9 head sculpt.
K9’s head presents a few minor deviations from perfect accuracy. The antenna dishes serving as ears are solid plates, whereas mesh would be screen-accurate, a change likely made for structural integrity. Secondly, the blaster is positioned slightly lower than its on-screen counterpart, perhaps for internal mechanism practicality. Lastly, the “mouth” slot for K9’s tape printer is absent. While these might seem like nitpicks, they are simply observations and do not diminish my appreciation for this figure. Pointing out these nuances is part of the fun for dedicated collectors.
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Images showcasing the removable side panel, revealing the sculpted internal components of K9.
K9’s removable side panel offers a glimpse into his “inner workings,” though it’s essentially a sculpted facade of components. Notably, this internal detail appears unchanged from the earlier NuWho release, differing considerably from the more chaotic circuit boards and wires seen inside K9 in Classic Who episodes. Removing the panel grants access to the electronics. Switching K9 from “Try Me” mode to “On” initiates his light-up boot sequence. Beyond the internal lights, the keypad and facial red panel illuminate. Breaking from tradition, I even captured a short video with my phone camera to showcase this feature…
[Video of K9 light-up and voice clips would be embedded here if possible]
The voice quality is exceptional, a testament to John Leeson’s iconic delivery. After experiencing the “Try Me” mode and boot-up sequence, it’s time for the real fun: remote control operation.
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Images of the remote control unit, highlighting its design and button layout.
The remote appears largely unchanged from the 2007 release, sans the prominent antenna. Dual control sticks govern K9’s movement: pushing both forward moves him ahead, pulling back reverses him, and combinations facilitate turns. The controls are responsive, and the loud electric motors authentically mimic the somewhat noisy movements of the on-screen prop. Buttons activate various voice clips, with some offering different phrases on repeated presses. Another short video showcases these voice clips and movement:
[Video of K9 remote control and voice clips would be embedded here if possible]
The ear movements during “scanning” are a delightful touch, also synchronized with his general motion. While the eye extension feature is absent, its inclusion would have undoubtedly increased engineering complexity. A fun easter egg awaits those who experiment with the remote: activating buttons in a specific sequence unleashes a “berserk” mode, where K9 spins and babbles about detecting Time Lords and recognizing his Master.
Finally, there’s the blaster…
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Image of K9 with his blaster extended, demonstrating the action feature.
As mentioned, the blaster’s lower positioning is a minor inaccuracy, but its impressive extension range and the authentic sound effects for deploying, firing, and retracting are faithfully recreated from the Classic series. Intriguingly, K9 remains stationary when the blaster is extended.
In conclusion, after much enthusiastic rambling about my new robotic companion, the bottom line is this: while not inexpensive at $100, the Quarter-Scale K9 feels reasonably priced for what it delivers. Slightly pricier than comparable RC Dalek or Davros figures, K9 offers a broader range of features. Is it worth the cost? Subjectivity reigns, but for a lifelong fan, the value is immense. Even with a collection overflowing with Doctor Who memorabilia, the childhood yearning for a substantial K9 remains. Recalling the days before readily available Doctor Who merchandise, even a simple pewter K9 miniature felt like a treasure. This quarter-scale figure taps into that same childlike wonder.
“How much would you pay for a Quarter-Scale Electronic K9 figure that’s remote controlled and talks?
Me: “A BILLION DOLLARS!!”
“It’s only $100”
Me: “SOLD!!!”
When a limited number appeared on Who North America’s website, the purchase was instantaneous. Considering the inflated prices of the original 2007 release on the secondary market, this Classic Who version is a bargain. While not a flawless replica, it’s a remarkably impressive and robust toy. K9 has earned a prominent spot on my desk, likely to remain there until a suitable space is cleared on the Doctor Who display shelves – that is, when he’s not engaged in playful chases with the cat!
