Figure of the Day: Day 374: R2-D2

R2-D2 Marvel Star Wars #4
30th Anniversary Star Wars Comic Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87504 No. 87518
Number: 6
Includes: Stormtrooper Luke action figure
Action Feature: Twist dome, leg retracts; lightup eye port
Retail: $10.99
Availability: April 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Luke, Han, and Chewbacca have rescued Princess Leia - but now they have to escape from the Death Star! After being hunted by stormtroopers and narrowly escaping a crushing end in a garbage masher, the four are reunited with the droids and nearing the safety of the Millennium Falcon. But tragedy looms as they watch Darth Vader and Ben Kenobi face each other in a lightsaber duel to the death! (Taken from Hasbro's press materials.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' crappy photo studio.

Commentary: Ever since Hasbro released the awesome R4-G9 astromech droid in 2005, fans were saying "hey, when can we get R2-D2 based on this mold?" R4-G9, you see, had a place to plug in a holographic projection, a fully retractable third leg, wheels, and no pop-off panels or anything that might offend the eye. Early in 2006, Hasbro released photos showing such a figure, but instead re-released the "Vintage" R2-D2 with new dirt. So in 2007, we get two versions of R2-D2 based on the R4-G9 mold, and none of them are "normal"-- one is covered in flames, and this one is in comic book-inspired deco.

This one is pretty minimalistic. The dome is basically white. The legs are totally unpainted, with a few bits of color on the feet. There's a few odd bits and pieces painted in blue or metallic black, and the end result is some sort of pop art take on R2-D2. It looks like R2, and it's weird, sure. But due to the vast number of droids in Star Wars, this figure also functions well as a random, generic droid or as a good base for a custom figure-- after all, there's less paint to remove in many places. If you like this style of astromech mold (and odds are you already know if you do), this is a neat figure to buy. Totally worth it. So get one if you see it.

Collector's Notes: Having just been released, I'm actually FOTD-ing this figure just days after I got it and long before I ever saw one in the wilds of retail-- so I have no idea how popular it is yet. However, it comes packaged with a Stormtrooper Luke, so it should be snapped up by the kids if collectors don't buy it. It's a great set for the money, and you're probably only hurting yourself by not buying it. I mean, $11 for a Stormtrooper and a droid. You gotta get it. And hey Hasbro, if you're reading, when can I get my new modern Droids-style animated R2-D2?

Day 374: May 15, 2007