Figure of the Day: Day 123: ASP-7 Droid

ASP-7 with Spaceport Supply Rods
Power of the Force Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 69605 No. 69704
Number: n/a
Includes: Spaceport Support Rods
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 1997
Appearances: Star Wars: Special Edition, Shadows of the Empire

Bio: ASP-series droids, also known as asp droids, were general-purpose labor droids manufactured by Industrial Automaton and found throughout the Galaxy. Simple-minded droids, the ASPs were strictly working droids and nothing more; their vocabulary, likely a variant on CBell-1, consisted of only "Yes" and "No" or "Affirmative" or "Negative." The most common of these models was the ASP-7, which stood at 1.6 meters. The Prefect of Mos Eisley kept a large amount of ASP-7s throughout the settlement, such as ASP-704.

A more advanced model, the ASP-19, was used by Darth Vader to hone his lightsaber dueling skills. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's other toy shelf.

Commentary: While I think some of the information on Wookieepedia about the ASP-7 droid is in error (that or the toy's goofed up), it's a notable figure in the history of the line because it's one of the first all-computer generated Star Wars characters to be produced as a toy. Articulated at the neck twice (so he can nod or look up) as well as the shoulders and hips, it's a fairly good robot and a welcome addition to any quasi-industrial setup you may have in your collection. The sculpt is simple, as is the design from the films. All this figure is really capable of doing is carrying his cargo (or if you have a spare, a lightsaber) and standing there-- he can't really sit; he can't really enter a pose that makes it look like he's doing much aside from fighting or staying put. As such, if you like the look of this figure-- and I do-- I can't say enough good about it. If you want a figure that's probably likely to spark a kid's imagination, this is a good one because it really doesn't have too much of a backstory. If you want a super-posable crazy awesome droid, get something else.

Collector's Notes: ASP droids were first seen in the Shadows of the Empire project, but an action figure wasn't made until Summer of 1997 for the Special Edition line. Back then, nobody cared about this figure. Today is no different, although it's a unique droid and one of my favorite action figures. Despite the unique design from Lucasfilm and an appearances on screen and in the expanded universe, these droids vanished from the Star Wars continuity almost completely after 1997.

Day 123: September 6, 2006