Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,880: Power Droid

POWER DROID Droid Set
The Vintage Collection  Target Exclusive Special Action Figures Set
Item No.: Asst. 32976 No. 32976
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Death Star Droid, R5-D4
Action Feature: Removable chassis
Retail: $14.99, $24.99, $26.99, other (varies)
Availability: July 2012
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: These three, together with R2-D2, were captured and transported by the Jawas in the sandcrawler across the Tatooine Desert. R5-D4 was originally purchased by Luke. The power droid was first seen in the sand crawler dungeon together with a gleaming silver Death Star Droid.  (Taken from the set's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.


Commentary: When the first photos appeared online, we all assumed this Power Droid was a repack of the Ammo Droid from the Battlefront II sets.  The color was right, and it was the last Hasbro Power Droid that saw production.  It made sense Hasbro would repackage it, but they instead stunned us with a 100%-new mold that was in brown, and sadly, not the original Kenner action figure colors.  It's still a nice figure.

Keeping the proud tradition alive, this figure has an action feature.  The 1979 one had clicky legs, the 1999 version (and its progeny) have a button with clicky, moving legs.  This one has a top that comes off.  If you pop off the figure above the waist, you can see what amounts to a bunch of cooling arrays, wires, and other bits and pieces never really glimpsed at on screen (or not for any significant length of time.)  It's a nice touch, but also somewhat cruel as this Power Droid was the only new figure in a 3-figure exclusive set.  Long-time collectors would probably want it, as the dirty brown exterior looks great and it even has decent leg articulation.  The legs can swivel or, at a slightly awkward angle, bend a little bit.   This gives the figure a decent range of motion without causing it to topple over.

If Hasbro sold this figure on its own for $10 you would be upset.  I'm not crazy about it being $25 in a 3-pack, but since I got mine for $15 and wanted another Death Star Droid anyway I'm not complaining.   If memory serves this is the fourth modern-era "gonk" droid, and I hope Hasbro can squeeze in a few more between now and when rising manufacturing costs finally kill the line... or get so high that it moves from China to Canada or Mexico.

Collector's Notes:  While released in early July 2012, Hasbro announced this item at Comic-Con 2012 after it started hitting some retail stores, and with an October release date.  As such, if you don't see it yet, maybe there's more coming around October?  The set is neat, easily worth $15-$20, and it's not bad for $25.  It's not great for $25, but $6-$8 for each droid feels about normal these days.  As Hasbro has been good about recreating "Special Action Figure Sets" for Target in exquisite detail, their deco selection has been, well, dubious.  Still, it's a nice set.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,880: August 28, 2012