Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] - TBS [AC] - Six Inch Figures

Sigh. No matter how you look at it, Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] is a misfire on every possible level. First, let’s discuss the elephant in the room. We weren’t thrilled about Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) getting a slot in The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40] line, but we’re willing to let that one slide. Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40]? Are you kidding, Hasbro? Why did they waste a slot on this terrible R2-D2 tooling? Why did they “make up” a new version of R2-D2 when they could have taken the opportunity to give collectors a 6” version of the vintage Kenner R2-D2 [Sensorscope]? Why not use that classic packaging instead of creating a new “Dagobah” version of the astromech droid? It’s entirely coincidental that Hasbro is in some way “advertising” the “sensorscope” version of R2-D2 by the way they packaged this 6” figure. (It’s a periscope, but Kenner also messed it up in 1982.) Hasbro could have quickly taken this figure, placed it on the same card back as 1982’s ESB ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) figure, and then collectors of the line would have another character checked off while keeping with the theme of this line. Also, what the heck is up with the spelling of R2-D2’s name? Why is “detoo” lowercase? Hasbro’s graphics department needs better attention to detail.

Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] is a repaint of 2017’s TBS [AC] Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Star Wars 40] figure. This time, however, Hasbro intermittently dirtied the body, legs, and dome of R2-D2 to create the effect that R2-D2 has been outside, somewhere, of the Rebel Base, presumably Echo Base. For the parts of Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] that are dirty, the paint operations look excellent. But as you inspect the action figure, you will find places on the droid that Hasbro completely ignored for this final deco wash. The bright white parts are jarring because they’re so brilliant. They don’t fit in with the dirty parts. Hasbro may have had better success with the look of this figure if it had been cast in an off-white plastic, perhaps. The figure looks odd, and it comes off as a half-hearted effort from Hasbro. They could have done more to improve the figure, especially when so much goes against it for years. Unlike the 2017 TBS [AC] Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Star Wars 40] figure, Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] comes with the appropriate accessories from The Empire Strikes Back. Hasbro omitted the others, thankfully. We give credit for that action. So, Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] comes with fewer accessories than previous versions; collectors should applaud that because screen accuracy matters.

When an “anniversary” collection is a point of focus for the Hasbro Star Wars brand, it makes “new” additions like Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) and Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) challenging to join the celebration. What “classic” action figure is Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] meant to pay homage to here? You must go back through the modern Hasbro Star Wars toy line. Is Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) [The Empire Strikes Back 40] paying homage to the pack-in figure from 2002’s SW [S - P1] Luke Skywalker’s X-wing Fighter? Is it meant to be the 6” version of 2004’s OTC R2-D2 (OTC #04) figure? Perhaps it pays tribute to the R2-D2 figure from the Jedi Training On Dagobah Battle Packs set? In our estimation, we think it's the figure from the Toys R Us/Entertainment Earth exclusive C-3PO/R2-D2 two-pack from the Star Wars [Solo] Force Link line. Who knows at this point? 2019’s TVC Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (VC149) figure is probably the right candidate because it’s so dirty in appearance. Three separate dome panels are removable, allowing the collector to attach the included “sensorscope/periscope” utility tool. For $19.99, collectors are used to paying this much for an under-scaled astromech droid. Perhaps they’re used to it at this point. We probably would have forgiven the sloppy paint operations here if they placed this figure on the 1982 ESB ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) card art. WHY DIDN’T THEY!?