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The 46th issue in a quarterly series of magazine releases by the publishers of Doctor Who Magazine from Panini UK looked at Doctor Who toys and games.

Publisher's summary[]

In 1964 Dalekmania led to the birth of Doctor Who licensing, and it's been with us ever since. The return of the series in 2005 prompted an even bigger range of merchandise, which this time invaded supermarkets as well as toy shops. In 2017 the popularity, and ingenuity, of these products continues unabated.

This is the surprising story of Doctor Who toys and games - told by the people who make, sell and collect them.

Contents[]

  • Enterprise and Initiative
In 1960 Ronnie Waldman founded the BBC department that would oversee the earliest years of Doctor Who licensing.
  • The 1960s
The first Doctor Who merchandising boom peaked with the Dalek Christmas of 1965, but licensing activity soon declined...
  • Dalek Agent
In the early 1960s Richard Culley negotiated merchandising deals on behalf of the BBC and Dalek creator Terry Nation.
  • Christmas with the PVC Daleks
The strange tale of Scorpion Automotives' luxurious but controversial Dalek suit – a rarity

now highly prized by collectors.

  • The 1970s
Doctor Who merchandise enjoyed a resurgence with more Daleks and dolls based on other

characters from the series.

  • Intrepid Explorers of the Galaxies!
Former employees of Denys Fisher Toys recall the design and marketing of the company's innovative Doctor Who range.
  • The 1980s
The first items aimed at adult collectors, and the emergence of Doctor Who computer games – both official and unofficial.
  • Playing with Fire
Through their Dapol product line, David Boyle and his wife Pauline launched a range of Doctor Who action figures in 1988.
  • Counter Culture
An interview with Alex Loosely-Saul, whose London shop has been stocking Doctor Who collectables since the mid-1980s.
  • The 1990s
Doctor Who had largely disappeared from television screens but licensed merchandise continued to cater for dedicated fans.
  • Dalekmania
Steve Walker describes how his company, Product Enterprise, brought a new level of sophistication to Doctor Who toys.
  • Drawn from Memory
Graham Humphreys' vivid illustrations for the Product Enterprise packaging evoked

the golden age of Dalekmania.

  • The 2000s
Doctor Who returned to mainstream culture, accompanied by its biggest range of toys

and games since the 1960s.

  • Worldwide Domination
In the 2000s the organisation formerly known as BBC Enterprises brought modern marketing

techniques to Doctor Who licensing.

  • Cover Stories
As the art editor of junior magazine Doctor Who Adventures, Paul Lang helped to create a new cover-mounted collectable for each issue.
  • New Adventures
Jason Quinn, the current editor of Doctor Who Adventures, ponders some of the more eccentric toys given away in recent years.
  • Go Figure
Alasdair Dewar, Jason Leung and Edmund Barnett-Ward discuss toy company Character Options' long and fruitful relationship with Doctor Who.
  • The Space Museum
Former police offcer Andy Glazzard began collecting Doctor Who toys in the 1980s – and now runs his own museum.
  • Hail to the Chief
BIG Chief uses sophisticated technology to design and sculpt its range of meticulously

detailed Doctor Who figures.

  • Battle of the Board Games
Every decade since the 1960s has brought new Doctor Who board games, but which is the best? There's only one way to find out...
  • The Winner Takes It All
The Doctor and his opponents have played memorable games of their own in some of the series' most intriguing episodes.
  • Strings Attached
The untold story of a bizarre licensing dispute and its impact on a unique set of Zarbi puppets...

Credits[]

BBC Worldwide, UK Publishing
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