Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,107: C-3PO (Star Wars Rebels Mission Series)

C-3PO and R2-D2
Star Wars Rebels Mission Series
Item No.: Asst. A5228 No. A8657
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MS02
Includes: R2-D2 figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: October 2014
Appearances: Star Wars Rebels

Bio: C-3PO and R2-D2 unknowingly play a part in helping the Rebels intercept a shipment of Imperial weapons. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Commentary: I'm kind of surprised we got cartoon C-3PO and R2-D2 so soon - after all, not a year ago we got movie versions in this very assortment.  Articulation was similar, but in some respects this one is a tiny bit better.  I like the animated look of the character on the show, which translates fairly well here as an unpainted, gold plastic protocol droid.  He has no problems standing or sitting - the hips aren't obstructed - and the hands are posed quite nicely. His palms are black, and there's a silver leg. There's even a hint of glitter in the plastic.

Deco is simple, but even then there are things to watch for - a little black paint around the mouth sometimes has slop, and the eyes aren't consistently sized or aligned.  Be sure to take a look at them before you take it to the register.  The gold hard plastic torso is also barely a different color than the arms, and depending on the light you might not even notice.  It's one of the better C-3POs overall and I assume as not-vac-painted ones go, is going to look better down the road.  Some of the gold paint has a strange molting process over time where it starts to molt, turn green, and liquefy - but not always.  Gold paint now makes me nervous - so I'm happy this one is unpainted.

I don't have a lot else of value to add here - it's a decent take on the figure, it stands and sits, and the quality for a cost-reduced assortment is on the happy side of acceptable.  I like it, and I think I'll keep it around to fidget with on my desk.  I suggest getting this set, but I also have an unreasonable love of the two droids from the original trilogy.  It's a pretty good figure, so if you think you might need a new C-3PO this is a decent one to snag.

Collector's Notes: I got this from Entertainment Earth.  I have not seen these figures show up in stores yet.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,107: November 5, 2014