Got my newest toy today - the Vortex Manipulator. Having never seen the original prop (yes, Nick Robatto didn’t make the original, just the one in the Day of the Doctor, but I imagine it’s pretty close to the original!), I was amazed at how big it is - to the point of me looking slightly ridiculous whilst wearing it. Granted, I’m quite the shorty but I was still surprised - I’d say it’s around twice the size of the CO toy. Unlike the CO toy, there’s no risk of cosplayers getting the sweaty, itchy wrists (My God this post sounds so dirty out of context!) that goes hand in hand with the plastic toy. The leather soft and very comfortable, and I'm very glad they included the LED (which just made the Sonic Blaster feel incomplete to me!).
The only minor complaint I have is that I would’ve preferred if the three buttons were all functional, rather than having one miniature button to activate the LED on top of one of the three ‘fake’ buttons which are sculpted rather than separate pieces.
I cosplayed for the first time during the Celebration in November as Jack and it was at this point I met Nick. As it was the Saturday, Nick was not yet allowed to reveal what he would be announcing the next day but after saying to him “If it’s the vortex manipulator I’ll give you the money right now”, he was kind enough to give me a sneak peak. After briefly discussing limited edition numbers, I jokingly said “I take it number one is spoken for” to which he replied “No…you’re the very first person we’ve showed this too”. My heart skipped a beat, and Nick’s lovely wife Kath took my details with the promise of limited Edition number 1! Rock on!
Imagine my disappointment later on when I was found out they had decided to change their mind and instead give Number 1 to a certain Mr Barrowman. Pretty gutting. Wouldn’t have minded if they’d told me at the time it was reserved for him, but having it ‘assigned’ to me then being taken away again was a right kick in the teeth. I know people will think I’m being petty and that I’m incredibly lucky to have number 2, but I can’t help but lose a bit of respect for anyone who goes back on their word. But they’ve got a business to run and if that’s what it takes to get Barrowman to sign their plaques then so be it. They’ve got to make as much money as they can. There’s no point in holding a grudge and although the Vortex Manipulator was my *must have* replica, I can’t say that such a petty thing will stop me from doing business with them in the future. Possibly not til they manage to prize the screwdriver license from QMX though…
Anyway, here’s some pics...
A work in progress Jack display. Any ideas what else could go in there?