Figure of the Day: Day 993: C-3PO (Removable Limbs)

C-3PO Removable Limbs
Power of the Force Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 69570 No. 69832
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Removable head, arms, leg, also Freeze Frame and bag
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Summer 1998
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A short stay on Bespin's Cloud City left protocol droid C-3PO dismantled and dependent on his Rebel companions. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: This is one of the best (and the last) C-3PO action figure to be released under the "Kenner" brand. In 1998, the company went and released its first few "resculpts" on individual cards, thus leading to the constant hey-don't-we-already-have-this? marketplace of today. Back then, though, the figures were obviously newer and improved with awesome accessories or significant deco changes. C-3PO here has massive amounts of dirt and grime on him that don't necessarily look good in a flash photo but it looks wonderful in person. Sure, he only has five points of articulation, but he looks awesome! The arms and legs and even head pop off and can be stored in a "rope" backpack which was included for Chewbacca, which works if you're willing to fidget with it a lot. In other words, it doesn't quite work perfectly, but it looks nice and I gotta say I admire the fact that they included an accessory for the droid. What you see is basically what you get-- a neat figure with good deco and a decent accessory. One of the amazing things about it is that 11 (or possibly more) years later, it's still one of the best.

Collector's Notes: This figure was never reissued, but many other C-3PO figures were. None of them looked this good and had this many removable parts, though.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 993: April 3, 2009