Droid Set (R5-D4/Death Star Droid/Power Droid) - TVC - Special Action Figure Sets

These three were captured and transported by the Jawas in the sandcrawler across the Tatooine desert.

Back in the Hasbro Q&A on June 14, 2011, when Star Wars fan sites were still “treated” to direct answers from Hasbro regarding our burning questions about the toy line (a feature that sadly no longer exists), we received an interesting answer from Hasbro about the fate of the TARGET exclusive Special Action Figure Sets. After receiving the Hero Set, the Rebel Set and the Villain set, we wanted to know why Hasbro went with the action figure selections they did. In short, we asked why they couldn’t do simple retooling or repainting to give us characters that more closely represent the classic vintage three-packs from long ago. They explained that sometimes there are unavoidable timelines to follow and drastic updates to older figures are not always possible. We still didn’t understand why this wasn’t something they couldn’t work into their schedule, but they reassured us that the next sets would contain a good amount of newness. Well, that didn’t happen either. The next batch included the Android Set, Imperial Forces and Imperial Set and were comprised of mostly straight repacks, with only a few revised paint jobs. Where was the “newness” that Hasbro claimed was coming? Apparently Star Wars collectors needed to wait another calendar year because that newness comes in the form of both the Droid Set and Villain Set [Version 2] for 2012. And we have to frank with you and advise you that they are easily the best of all the Special Action Figure Sets Hasbro has done to date. You should be getting very excited.

The Special Action Figure Set (Droid Set) is an answer to prayer. Yes, there are still carry forward figures brought into the mix, but despite this, Hasbro gives us our first 100% newly sculpted Power Droid for the first time in over a decade. The Power Droid is absolutely the reason to buy this multipack. But curious collectors wanted to know right away why the droid was colored brown instead of the blue that the 1979 vintage Kenner figure was done it, or the more greenish colored Power Droid seen at the Lars’ homestead. Well, we haven’t received that flavor (yet) so you’re going to have to find it somewhere within yourself to appreciate this figure because it’s a brilliant masterpiece. Digitally sculpted by Hasbro 3D modeler Jay Kushwara, the Power Droid is a total marvel and we thoroughly enjoy it already. A special feature has been added to the Power Droid where its top cover can be removed to show its innards. The details are mesmerizing and Hasbro spent some time to develop and simple yet pertinent paint scheme on the “guts” to make it very authentic looking. We’re extremely impressed. Yes it’s brown. Let it go and enjoy it for what it is. The blue/green version will undoubtedly come at a later date. What’s more, the Power Droid come with ball-jointed “hips” and “feet” and many are missing this including other reviews we have seen across the web on this gorgeous figure. Hasbro has created a stunning base sculpt for plenty of future GNK droids. Let’s hope they get that ball rolling very shortly.

So we have an all-new figure in the set and that’s great. But we also get a repainted version of R5-D4. Whether it was because Hasbro knows they have a great sculpt, or perhaps it was Star Wars collectors complaining that Hasbro used a Build A Droid sculpt for 2011’s TVC R5-D4 (VC40) figure, the great news here is that they repainted 2006’s TSC R5-D4 (SAGA 032) figure and gave the droid a slightly cleaner look. There are less dripping grease marks this time around and the overall dirty wash is more even and less dark. R5-D4 hasn’t really looked better. We are still however perplexed how Hasbro has managed to leave the three vertical panels white on the droids rear side when they should be red, something they haven’t gotten right once in the basic figure line to date. The only exception to this is the 2008 TLC Remote Control R5-D4 which was released as a TARGET exclusive too. That is the only Episode IV specific version of R5-D4 we have in 3.75” scale. (The R5-D4 figures without the red panels is R5-D4 sourced from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.) You may be interested to know too that his antenna is glued in place. Weird! The last figure in the Special Action Figure Set (Droid Set) is Death Star Droid. Available for the first time assembled and sold as a whole action figure, it’s a near-exact repack of 2008’s TLC MB-RA-7 Build A Droid figure. We’re happy to see Hasbro make use of these droid sculpts in other ways than piecemeal, but not all collectors feel this way. Of particular note, MB-RA-7 is a figure based on the Kenner vintage Death Star Droid figure and not the actual character from the film, so that confuses things a bit. A completely new repaint would have been best utilized here. But despite whatever negatives you may think this set has, the new figure is reason enough to pick it up! Definitely pick it up!