The 15th Dr. Who

The 15th Dr. Who was released in 2025.

I was not interested in this doll when it was released in 2025. Recently, after taking another look at his online pictures and clothes and realizing how seldom decent-looking male doll clothes are available, I decided I needed him. I found him on eBay for a reasonable (make-offer) price.

His full-length in-box picture illustrates his outfit completely.

Spreadsheet Description: 12-inch articulated Ken as the 15th Doctor Who in the BBC's Doctor Who series, portrayed by Rwandan-Scottish actor Mizero Ncuti Gatwa, has a painted black crew cut, brown-painted eyes, a black mustache, and a closed mouth. Wears an orange, blue, and rust striped shirt, royal blue pants, a brown faux leather trench coat, and white low-top tennis shoes trimmed in red around the laces and royal blue near the toe tips. Includes a doll stand and a COA.

Mizero Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the role of the 15th Dr. Who in the BBC series of the same name, is featured on the box side panel.

A full-length picture of the doll and a description of Dr. Who's role is on the back of the box.

The back of the box describes the 15th Dr. Who as fashion-forward.

His clothes did influence this purchase, but my initial plan was to redress another doll in them.  

He's been unboxed, and for now, he will keep his clothes. 

Dr. Who unboxed

I gathered all the guys in my collection that use the same head sculpt for two group pictures.

In the two pictures above, Dr. Who (far right) poses with Barbie Basics Model 17 Ken, the Texas A&M Cheerleader, and redressed Ken Looks #25; all share the New Basic Ken Sculpt. See Looks 25 in his original clothes here.

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Two Kens that use the New Basic Ken sculpt are missing from my collection, and they will remain missing. 

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Stop, Drop, and Debox with Update!

Texas A&M deboxed and using box as backdrop

After reading Fiery Dragon Lady's comment to my Texas A&M Finally! post regarding her Ken's uneven arm seams, I immediately deboxed my doll to conduct a thorough examination.


I had heard of another collector who received a doll with a similar arm issue.  I had hoped my doll did not exhibit any flaws...

...but he does, on both arms.  The outer seam of his left arm is the worst, but there is visible separation on the inner seams of both arms as illustrated in the photos taken without the aid of flash.

Above, Top-Bottom:  The inside seams of the upper portion of Ken's right inner and outer arm have seam separations as illustrated above.

The seam of his left upper arm is also separated.

This is such poor craftsmanship!

Fiery Dragon Lady's comment mentioned her doll's flocked hair is flaking off.  My doll's hair is not flaking, but there is a flocking rub or flattening caused by pressure when his head was against the box lining.  See below:

Smooth area of Ken's hair

This makes him look like he is in the early stages of tinea capitis (ringworm).  Poor guy.

These flaws are not bad enough for me to return him to Wal-Mart for a refund, particularly now since he is sold out at their dot com site, but I am not happy they exist.  Had I been scalped by an eBay seller, like Fiery Dragon Lady indicated she was, I would upset. 

If you have not already deboxed your Texas A&M Ken, you might want to do so and conduct your own thorough examination.  I hope your doll is flawless.

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Update on 10/02/2013 @1:15 p.m. CST

I called Mattel to complain about this doll's seam separations illustrated above. (I didn't mention the hair rub because I have managed to lift most of the hair up by rubbing it from the bottom to the top of the affected area.) 

After verifying my ID and that I had never called to file a complaint on a Mattel product, I provided the product ID number and answered a couple of questions re: the doll.  The customer service agent wanted to know where the doll was purchased and how long I have had it.  He checked for available stock to replace the doll.  Since no dolls were available, he offered and I accepted a voucher for the amount I paid through Walmart.com including applicable taxes.  The voucher, which will arrive within 7 days, is good at any major retail store that sell Mattel products:  Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, etc.  It cannot be used online.  I do not have to return the doll to Mattel, but was instructed to keep it until the voucher arrives in the event I plan to discard it.

With that taken care of, I asked him to please ensure that the company is informed of these major flaws because they are not isolated to my doll.  I let him know that several other collectors' dolls have similar seam separations, "nips" in the vinyl and other vinyl flaws, uneven seams, protruding ankle pegs, and shedding hair.  These flaws, I informed, have been noted on both versions of the doll (AA and white).  He made a note of these issues, whether it will help or not, remains to be seen. 



dbg

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Texas A&M Ken, Finally!

Texas A&M Ken Yell Team Ken

After the sellout at BarbieCollector.com several months ago, I missed this guy at Walmart.com when first offered there, too.  Their stock was recently replenished and I immediately ordered Texas A&M Ken.  His initial photo is shown above.  In the next photo, someone attempts to expedite his freedom.

 

Model 17 (Floyd) tries to assist Texas A&M Ken to freedom.

I will eventually debox him and discard the box.  Before that happens, I took a photo of the back of the box which illustrates the Texas A&M War Hymn.

Obviously cut from the same mold, these guys have very subtle differences.  Floyd's hair is lighter.  Ken's lips appear a little fuller.  The outline of his eyes is darker than Floyd's and Ken's complexion has more red undertones.

The biggest difference between these two obvious closely related dolls is Ken's several points of articulation on his pivotal Harley Ken body.   I look forward to seeing how well he moves.  Floyd will probably be filled with envy because his MaleMuse body severely restricts his movement. 

The doll world needs more articulated males with deep complexions in a variety of head sculpts.  Mattel, are you listening?
 
dbg

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Texas A&M University Ken® Doll - African American | Barbie Collector

Mattel Stock Photo

Texas A&M University Ken® Doll - African American | Barbie Collector <== Click to read full description.

I just found out about this guy.  (Basic Model 17 head sculpt on what appears to be a semi-articulated body -- hope I am wrong since his knees look slightly bent.  Perhaps they are articulated, too.)

Update (05/31/13):
Ken is a playscale version of a Texas Aggie Yell Squad member.  According to their website, "the Fightin' Texas Aggie Yell Leaders... are the leaders of the unique spirit for which Texas A&M is so well known. The Yell Leaders are comprised of five students that are elected by the student body. They are the official spirit organization of the university and they lead Aggie fans in 'yells' during athletic events and other school events. Unlike cheerleaders, the Yell Leaders do not perform gymnastic feats. Instead they use a variety of hand signals, called 'pass backs', to direct and intensify the crowd."

So don't go callin' him a cheerleader.

dbg

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