Figure of the Day: Day 68: C-3PO

C-3PO Episode I
Episode I Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84095 No. 84106
Number: n/a
Includes: CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: Primarily Episode I; also appears in the Expanded Universe

Bio: Beginning life as a home built protocol droid, C-3PO was an unfinished bundle of wires and metal before becoming the shiny, golden droid we all know. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: With the dawn of Episode I, fans quite literally lined up to spend hundreds of dollars on new and familiar faces from a movie they never saw. One of the more popular early winners was C-3PO, based on the "naked" puppet used in the filming of the first prequel per Anakin's designs. With the standard six points of articulation and no accessories, though, this figure quickly realized to be a somewhat lousy deal and, due to the higher production of the "secondary characters" of Collection 2, tended to sit around and could be had cheaply down the road. It's a fine figure, though-- there's a lot of color and unique paint operations, and the uncovered droid should be a must-buy figure for fans of the whole saga. Unfortunately, it's just for looks-- mostly. He sits just fine, but he doesn't really do much of anything but act as a figure that merely is what it is. It's good, though, and worth tracking down if you are so inclined toward the somewhat prissy golden droid.

Collector's Notes: A snap to find, the mold was retooled heavily for Episode II as a new figure with removable coverings and a storage box that was from a deleted scene. As far as toys go, the second version is more fun and therefore superior. As far as looks go, this Episode I edition reigns supreme and is one of the most distinctive versions of the droid available. His parts are showing, after all, and he can be yours for a couple of bucks. Odds are you can get the figure on eBay, including shipping, for less than the $6.99 it cost in the stores-- plus there's no tax on eBay yet, making it a real bargain.

Day 68: July 13, 2006