Monday, September 24, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,899: C-3PO

C-3PO  Arena Battle
The Legacy Collection Target Exclusive Geonosis Arena Packs 2010
Item No.:
Asst. 97645 No.  97652  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 6 of 6
Includes: R2-D2 figure
Action Feature: Swappable Battle Droid head, blaster, backpack, R2-D2 figure
Retail: $12.99
Availability: October 2010
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi Knights rush to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme from execution. The Jedi brandish their lightsabers against the Geonosian warriors and the massive army of battle droids, super battle droids, and droidekas. All hope seems lost that any Jedi will survive this battle, then Yoda arrives with an army of clone troopers. Although many Jedi are lost that day, others survive this climactic battle that ushers in the Clone Wars.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's former kitchen.

Commentary: When is C-3PO not C-3PO?  When it's based on the 4-LOM body!  This super-articulated figure is swimming in moving parts and fantastic paint detailing, plus it has a removable head which can be swapped out for a Battle Droid just like in the movies.  This version looks way better than the 2002 deluxe release (which was subsequently repackaged in 2006 and 2007), and I assume the reason Hasbro went with the 4-LOM body, aside from it being unused most years, was because the hands were ready to grip a blaster.  That's something most C-3POs cannot do.  This 2-pack is a lot of fun, so if the price is right go ahead and get it.  Both figures are improved over previous releases.

Collector's Notes:  This set dried up pretty quickly.  They were all over in late 2010, and then suddenly vanished in a pile of what seemed to be a new shipment (but not new production, if you checked the date stamps, and I did) of the 2009 arena packs.  The 2010 sets were pretty nice, but as they're harder to get you may have to shell out for them.  I can't help but wonder if more are out there to be had, or if figures like this one are due to be repackaged in light of the upcoming 3D rereleases.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 1,899: September 24, 2012

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I absolutely had to have this set. I was not collecting the Geonosis Arena sets, but thought this one was a particularly stellar release. The Threepio is beyond amazing. The paint applications (considering this to be a "budget" repack exclusive) beat the tin pants off the previous releases of Episode II Threepio. The Artoo was a nice bonus with some of his little gadgets included in the sculpt.