Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,218: HK-87 Assassin Droid (Arcana)

HK-87 ASSASSIN DROID (Arcana | Red and Tan)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. F9792
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #330
Includes: Cloth cloak, staff
Action Feature: The cape, my friend, is blowing in the wind
Retail: $16.99
Availability: September 2024
Appearances: Ahsoka

Bio: Assassins by design, the HK-87 droids loyal to Morgan Eslbeth have served her as tireless bodyguards and enforcers. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: The HK-87 Assassin Droid (Arcana) figure is one that you're going to want... and find wanting. It's not bad - it's a redeco of another figure I actually didn't realize I hadn't yet reviewed, though, because there's a similarly colored 6-inch one from The Mandalorian, and a Kenner-flavored one without a cape, and a Vintage one in red. Also that red one is a 6-inch figure, but I skipped that one - there's just a lot of very similar product rolling around, each of which probably doesn't quite have the pack out you want. The "Kenner" one has no cape and no staff. This one has no blaster and/or no energy bolt effects for the staff - but is decent.

This is a good figure, but it doesn't amaze - why? Hasbro keeps upping the price, and upping the ante, so anything short of perfection is going to be disappointing. The red version of this very figure included a blaster - and this one doesn't - so that's a knock against it. This droid also has only swivel wrists, which kind of makes sense, but at $16.99 we've had figures with bend-and-swivel wrists and alternate hands. For a figure who double-grips a staff, that kind of accessory is helpful - not essential, but as it is it limits how he can hold the accessory. It doesn't mean you can't get a cool pose - far from it - but you may be asking why there's a premium price and less gear over the previous release. I don't have that answer.

If you can take it for what it is, it's OK - I don't feel you get enough parts in it to be worth $16.99, but the cape hangs nicely, the staff fits in his hands, he stands well, and the articulation he does have is pretty good. The sculpting work, the colors mostly look great, there's not as much battle damage on the cardback. There's a red visor that's very subtle, but looks great. If someone just handed you this figure with no concern for price or reference photo, you'd say "Wow, this looks fantastic!" and be very happy with it. This probably sounds contradictory, but such is how it is to be a super picky fan who isn't getting their money's worth on most new releases. He's a skinny boy and looks cool, but if you're not picky about joints you may be just as pleased with the $5-$7 The Retro Collection version at Ross or other fine closeout shops near you.

Being adapted from an old 1980s concept sketch, this is a cool droid. They even put it in nice colors, and came along kind of late and is now easily had at a lower price. Two years removed from the series, the $12-ish price on some online commerce sites is hard to beat - $17 seems too pricey, and $12 seems right where it should have been in the first place. I can't help but wish Lucasfilm had a better program for Ahsoka at the series' launch. Thrawn, the Rebels cast, killer droids, witches, fancy zombie Stormtroopers, intergalactic ships, space whales, turtle people, had they just dumped a Force Friday toy drop people would probably be incredibly excited. Spoilers be damned, laying your cards out on the able invites speculation and inspires awe - everything we saw for The Phantom Menace looked pretty great in the merch lead-up! If Lucasfilm keeps it all under wraps, that's a big loss to the marketing - and education - before a show airs. But I digress. Go make yourself a cool bridge and buy a couple of droids. It's not perfect, but it will be cool if you like the look of these things, and Disney's Lucasfilm has done a pretty bang-up job with cool designs for its Mando-era shows so far.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,218: February 25, 2025