Figure of the Day: Day 147: R2-Q5

R2-Q5 Imperial Astromech Droid
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84629
Number: n/a
Includes: Death Star Holograph, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: Summer 2001
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: R2 units specialize in starship diagnostics and repairs. However, Imperial designers consider astromechs to be unneccesary weight for their short range TIE fighters. On the second Death Star, R2-Q5 helps maintain the station's elaborate weapons and security systems, and also services all TIE fighters and bombers. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus. And those white specks? Dust. (I'm not taking the damn picture again.)

Commentary: Power of the Jedi was considered to be the finest hour for Star Wars by many collectors, because it took cast-aside releases from Episode I and Power of the Force collections alongside some of the most obscure and weird offerings including aliens, the RPG, concept art, and of course droids like R2-Q5. Originally slated to be part of a two-pack, this would be the first use of this body mold (different from R2-R9) which would be re-used for numerous R3- and R4-series droids, as well as remolded for the "Bartoo-Deetoo" version of R2-D2 for Jabba's Sail Barge. The figure has 7 moving parts, and was considered to be one of the best molds to use for any Astromech droid. The problem is that the big eye was sculpted, frankly, really shoddily-- it's flat, and doesn't stand out all that much. Future releases would correct this, but for the time being, this R2-Q5 is as good as they'll get.

Collector's Notes: Upon release, the figure shipped in a case with all-new sculpted Lando Calrissian, Tessek, and Jar Jar Binks with wacky tongue and collapsed Pit Droid. The assortment was very hard to find for months and proved to be a huge hit, and today these figures aren't exactly all that hard to get. Still, they're all quite good, and this is an Astromech droid you just have to add to your collection. Someone needs to help out the Stormtroopers, after all.

Day 147: September 30, 2006