Test Set Magazine Series

The Battles in Time test series was conducted in the Westcountry and Grampian regions of the UK, as evidenced by questionnaires which stated which areas they were for included with all first issues (GE Fabbri, 2006c). This test aimed to gauge the popularity of Battles in Time in a test market before it was released to the public. The test series consisted of 7 pilot magazines distributed through newsagents. These magazines contained articles, puzzles, games related to the Doctor Who series, and an exclusive set of collectable trading cards, which were the first 85 cards of the main release Exterminator card set.

In addition to the pilot magazines, a "test set" Super Rose was also released with a possibility of only 50 ever being printed, it makes it the rarest card in the Battles in Time series.

The Test set magazine "variants" had different covers than the main release. Internally, some changes were also made, which are explained in the "Main Magazine Series" tab. An eighth issue was planned but never published as evidenced in the rear of Issue 6 in the Test Run (GE Fabbri, 2006a). The Test Set magazines also came with a questionnaire not included in the main set versions. The additional printouts supplied with these early magazines were slightly altered with a preferred design. For the main set versions, please refer to the Main Magazine tab.

Overall, the test series of Battles in Time was a success, and it paved the way for the successful launch of the main series. The test series allowed the creators to gather feedback from the test market before releasing the main series to the public. This feedback helped them make necessary changes and improvements to the main series, ultimately making it more popular among Doctor Who fans.

Test Set Issue 1

Here you can see a high-definition scan of a Test Release Issue 1, as it was when you bought it. By clicking the directional buttons on the image, you can see the issue without the magazine, and the reverse of the cardboard backing. Although this looks similar to the Main release, there are subtle differences (GE Fabbri, 2006c). 

Issue 1 of the Test Set came with a Psychic paper card to read the hidden bonus messages

Leaflets!

There were a multitude of leaflets given with the first five issues in the Battles in Time Series both with the Test Set and the Main Set. The Test Set had a few differences however, the main difference was that all Test Set issues had a questionnaire within them for children to fill out with their parents and send back to GE Fabbri (GE Fabbri, 2006c).

 These questionnaires were separated by area, one for the West Country and one for the Grampian Area. The area was noted on the bottom right of the front cover, shown in the photos in this section.

Another notable difference was there seemed to be two separate leaflets printed for each area. Those with the West Country questionnaire had the leaflet which also featured card packs on the front. The Grampian area only had the Dalek. It is unknown why this was (ibid).



Test Set Issue 2

The picture shows what the sealed Test Issue 2 appeared like when purchased. To clarify, the cellophane packaging used for Test Issue 2 was repurposed for the main release, which explains why the cards on the packaging do not have rarity symbols. 

There are some notable differences between the Test Issue 2 and the main release, Issue 2. Firstly, the Tardis requires cutouts to keep the cards in place, which you can see in the image attached in this section. This design feature was added to the main release but not present in Test Issue 2.

Secondly, the front cover design of Test Issue 2 is different from the main release (GE Fabbri, 2006b).

Test Set Issue 3

The final "special" in the test run was Issue 3, which was similar to the Main Release version. However, it came with the Test Set Tardis Lid, which had a more rigid design than the Main Set version. This design difference resulted in a more stable Tardis Lid that could withstand more wear and tear. Additionally, the cover of the Tardis Lid was also different from the Main Set version.

The Test Set version and the Main Set version were otherwise similar, with only a few differences. (GE Fabbri, 2006d)

Test Set Issue 1 used the same cover as the main release.

Test Set Issue 2 used the same cover as Issue 4 in the Main Release

Test Set Issue 3 used the same cover as Issue 7 in the Main Release

Test Set Issue 4 used the same cover as Issue 6 in the Main Release

Test Set Issue 1 used the same cover as the main release.

Test Set Issue 6 used the same cover as Issue 2 in the Main Release

Test Set Issue 7 used the same cover as Issue 3 in the Main Release


This issue was advertised at the end of the Test Set Issue 7. However, it was never released.