Figure of the Day: Day 298: C-3PO

C-3PO with Removable Arm
Power of the Force Flashback Collection
Item No.: Asst. 69680 No. 84041
Number: n/a
Includes: Flashback Photo, removable arm
Action Feature: Arm pops off
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Spring 1999
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: C-3PO, the always proper, overly anxious, human-cyborg relations protocol was a key member of the tightly knit Rebel Alliance that fought against Darth Vader and the evil Galactic Empire. But buried in the dust of history is the fact that the droid and Vader actually shared a common bond many years prior, when the evil Lord was a promising young man named Anakin Skywalker. As a gifted mechanical builder, Anakin cobbled together a skeletal-looking protocol droid and named it C-3PO. Many adventures and a gold-coated facelift later, C-3PO would once again cross paths with his equally-rebuilt creator in a less than happy reunion. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Before release, Hasbro referred to this figure as "Shop Worn" and "Desert Worn" C-3PO. The decision to include a classic C-3PO into the assortments-- again-- in 1999 was a bit of a surprise, given Hasbro made a nearly perfect dirty C-3PO in 1998, and a downright excellent clean one in 1998. This one has some amazing dirt sculpting, and top-notch gritty deco. Unfortunately, the head sculpt was one of the worst in the modern line, with a face that looked a little too thin and long and really funky looking eyes. If you can get past the head, the figure is excellent-- sure, it has nothing special in the way of articulation, but it showed Hasbro was willing to try something new when creating grime on an action figure. The removable arm was a nice bonus, so you could simulate Tusken Raider attacks.

Collector's Notes: In early 1999, this figure shipped alongside Aunt Beru and Anakin Skywalker (flesh & blood) which rounded out what may have been one of the most kid unfriendly trios of action figures to ever constitute a single wave. Still, it sold fairly well and I don't recall seeing this one on clearance. The figure has been reissued in 2003 as part of one of the many waves of repackaged figures.

Day 298: February 28, 2007