Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,545: R4-H18 (Droid Factory Line Look)

R4-H18 Disney Parks Christmas Exclusive
Star Wars Disney Droid Factory
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: Bar tray with removable drinks
Action Feature: Pops apart
Retail: $12.99
Availability: October 2018
Appearances: n/a

Bio: All different types of Astromech droids populate the Star Wars galaxy.  Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors.  This droid faithfully serves the elite guests at the casino city known as Canto Bight.  Join R3-H18 on his adventures throughout the galaxy.  May the Force be with you... and your Droids!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)
Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Merry Giftsmas!  I got myself R4-H18 a few weeks ago, the latest of the in-universe additions to Disney's merchandise galaxy.   This little fellow is a redeco of the R4 mold we've been getting for years in a milky clear plastic with silver highlights.  It's festive - sort of like a snowflake, or an undesirable replacement shell for a GameBoy.   It's ghostly, ethereal, and mildly angelic.  It isn't Star Warsy, but it's weird and I'll take weird these days.  Disney has delivered the goods with most of its droids as of late, with things that look like candy, or glow in the dark, or just plain look awesome.  This one is fine.  It's not amazing.

The figure has the same articulation and swappable parts as all the rest.  Thanks to dome clearance issues, you won't have it standing while wearing both the drink harness and third leg.  The cups are all removable, and look like candles or Christmas lights.  The fit is tight, but the motif is cute enough.  I almost wish they saved the whole lights thing for a tree-themed droid, but it still works.  The figure is pretty lacking in color otherwise.

I won't lie to you - this is not my favorite holiday droid.  I'd go as far to say that it would be skippable were it not for the fact it's the only time I've seen this color of plastic on a Star Wars figure.  If you have dozens or hundreds of droids, this is one more - it won't change your life, it's not a character from the films, but you can buy it and put it on a shelf if you like.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from some guy on eBay.  The going rate seems to hover around $20 delivered shortly after release - it's a bit of a mark-up for a $13 droid, but tax + shipping is pretty close to that. Also just parking at Disneyland is enough to make me say "$20 it is."

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,545: December 25, 2018