Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,256: IT-0 Interrogation Droid (with Darth Vader, Epic Hero Series)

IT-0 DROID, DARTH VADER | Stormtrooper, MSE Droid - Interrogation Pack
Epic Hero Series Deluxe Target Exclusive Figure 2-Pack
Item No.: No. F9374
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, blaster, lightsaber, cape, MSE droid, IT-0 droid with display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99 $14.99
Availability: August 2024
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: The Galactic Empire ruled for years through fear and intimidation with a mighty military force including stormtroopers and spy technology like Imperial probe droids. (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Last year, we saw a flurry of multi-packs for Epic Hero Series. Some I bought, even though I knew the prices had to be wrong - I'm kind of stupid that way. Others I waited on, because I was willing to bet that they would be marked down. This was the latter category. Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Interrogation Droid, and the MSE-6 droid all came in a set for $19.99. Individual Stormtrooper and Darth Vader were already available (and in my collection), selling for $9.99 or $7.99 each. I didn't want to throw down the extra cash for their sidekicks alone just yet, and I waited until March of 2025 when the stars aligned with a 40% off sale on a $14.99 price drop. $8.99 for two new sidekick guys? That seemed fair.

So, how's that Interrogation Droid? Pretty good. The black ball is molded in color with a red dot and a silver equator. The various gray tools are molded in color, and they can rotate. Some pop out fairly easily, too, so keep an eye out for all five gray appendages and a clear, short base if you ever see it in a second-hand shop. The sculpted details are fine, and arguably better than the 1999 CommTech version. The paint is inferior to that 1999 version, and there are some rough spots in the black plastic of the Epic Hero Series version. It's good enough for your needs, most likely, but it's not the best version we've ever got. Given that $6.99 got us a talking chip display stand and a Darth Vader figure 25 years ago, as inflation goes, it's not a bad set - but I find the short display stand to be a knock against it, too.

But only in terms of display. If I were a kid, I'd prefer this one as it has more moving points, and the wider base on a shorter stand makes it a more stable toy. In terms of engineering, it's pretty impressive and satisfying.

Unless I'm mistaken, the last time we got the IT-0 droids were in 2003 (Toys R Us Imperial Forces set) and 2002 (Target Death Star Accessory Set), both of which were rereleases of the CommTech droid. You'll no doubt correct me if I forgot a Battle Pack somewhere. If I'm right, that means this is the first Hasbro 3 3/4-inch/4-inch-scale version of the droid to see release in 21 years. That's an extremely long time, and something I really need to consider when griping "oh gosh, this again?" Five years is kind of soon, ten years is a pretty long time, but twenty years? That's multiple generations of kids and new fans never having a crack at an item. The Darth Vader in this pack is allegedly identical to Darth Vader (FOTD #3,128], I noticed the figure stands up better and doesn't flop over. It's probably just some sort of batch variation or the tray not warping the legs, so I'll just say I like this one slightly more if I had to pick.

The whole pack at $19.99 is a pretty good deal, and comes recommended to people who appreciate toy-style toys at $14.99 or less. Only this set has the droid buddies. Yes, both Vader and the Stormtrooper have five joints each - but you get two whole figures and two nice sidekick droids for less than the price of a single The Vintage Collection figure. It is possible that you can find single-carded Vader or Stormtrooper from $3-$6 on closeout shelves - but if you want all of the parts and accessories, don't buy those.

It is my assumption that some adults are still eye-rolling the "toy" stuff despite our entire hobby being born out of plastic toys for little boys, and I hope people give these a shot. Vader's a perfectly fine figure, and the bang for the buck seems to be there.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,256: July 8, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,474: Grand Moff Tarkin (The Black Series 6-Inch)

GRAND MOFF TARKIN Bigger
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E1202
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #63
Includes: IT-0 Interrogation Droid
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: April 2018
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: An ambitious, ruthless proponent of military power, Wilhuff Tarkin became a favorite of Emperor Palpatine and rose rapidly through the Imperial ranks.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: You need to get Grand Moff Tarkin. 

...oh I need to write more?  Very well.  Reusing arms and legs from Grand Admiral Thrawn, Tarkin makes good use of Hasbro's new facial printing technique to get an increasingly lifelike look on this Peter Cushing figure.    The outfit is more grey than green, and just feels "right."  The only things I don't love - the figure doesn't include the better-range elbows we got on New Han and New Lando, and there are pin holes in his pants that are a little unsightly.  Otherwise?  Exquisite.  The new facial printing makes up for a lot, and if Hasbro reissued the first few years of main characters with the new face paint you'd buy them all over again.  Seriously, who wouldn't throw down $20 for a revised Harrison Ford or Carrie Fisher?

26 meaningful points of articulation await you, but he's not going to sit.  So far that isn't a problem, the lack of playsets or vehicles for figures means they're just going to stand around and look cool.  Tarkin can be posed to look down at Leia, or posed gesturing to his crew.  He's posed so he can hold a blaster, but includes no such weapon.  He's even got separate trigger fingers if you're so inclined to give him a gun, but it's also kind of fascinating to think of what this means.  For years we've been trained to expect almost every action figure has a gun or a sword - some weapon, anyway.   Tarkin doesn't. He's a bad guy who's old, grey, and intimidating as Hell.   He has an extra accessory, but it's almost a separate figure - the man himself has everything he needs to impose his vision of order right in that head of his.  The likeness is stupendous, and while I assume Hasbro will have a better version in 20 years this i right up there with the high-end figures.   Or rather, it's probably the best I could possibly imagine getting from an American toy company at any price, let alone about $20.

The bonus droid is a fine bonus, but it's not perfect.  Comparing it to the movie prop, a lot of deco is missing - some of which is pretty significant. The tools are rounded off or generally altered, shortened, or simplified.  The syringe is all silver now, with no clear.  The tongs are loops.    It's good enough, but if someone got a license for high-end 1:12-scale replica parts this is something that could benefit from a do-over with differing safety standards and budgets.  I'm not saying it's worth $20, but it might be if you want perfection.  As a bonus with a $20 figure, it has a clear stand and a jointed base for "posing."  It's really good, but a few pennies of paint this could've been way cooler.

This is a figure for collectors, and you collectors are going to dig this.  I'm sure it could be more perfect, but for the price point and overall quality I'm impressed.  It's a real honest-to-goodness nearly perfect take on the character, and I'm glad he turned out well enough where I doubt any of us are going to demand a do-over.   Pink slippers joke for SDCC goes here.   Anyway, get one if you see it.  Even if it's a few bucks extra, just get it.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,474: April 18, 2018