Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Geonosian gun, TC-70 right arm
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones
Bio: In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Sun Fac sentences Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala to be executed in the Geonosian arena after conficting them of espionage. The ruthless Sun Fac is chief lieutenant to Archduke Poggle the Lesser, and runs the Geonosian Droid Factories with a cold and brutal efficiency. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam's photo lab.
Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!
Commentary: I'll take "Updates Nobody Asked For" for $100, Alex. Sun Fac was close to being useful - Hasbro could have tweaked the deco some more and just released him as a generic Geonosian Trooper, thus making him worth army building and giving this set a reason to be bought in bulk. Back in 2010 Hasbro did use this mold for a generic Trooper as part of Target's exclusive Geonosis Arena packs, which benefitted from retooled legs with an added knee joint. This figure is based on that configuration, with new deco over the kneeless 2006 version which you no doubt have bought by now.
In terms of articulation, this version wins. In terms of accuracy, Hasbro had it right in 2006. Sun Fac 2013 lacks the scar on his face, and parts of the loincloth armor seem to be colored less consistently with the digital models from the movie. The 2006 version had detail that "popped" better, particularly in the red/silver around the waist, and had some exaggerated red in his skin which, I think, better captured the spirit of the movie design. The lack of the eye scar is somewhat baffling, but Hasbro has made a surprising number of figures that took a step back over the years - which is to say, any. I'm lazy, I'd just reissue the guy with no changes.
It's different enough to be notable, and there's no doubt why Hasbro decided to push this wave away from retail. I feel they should have gone the extra mile and just dumped it completely, it's fine for people who haven't gotten Fac-ed yet but anyone with the 2006 version - which also includes a display base and a secondary pole weapon - will see Sun Fac 2013 as a waste of plastic and resources. Of course, what we all really want is that TC-70 arm so suck it up, people.
Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it. The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC. The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself. As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 2,059: November 18, 2013
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