2-1B (Surgical Droid) - Mini Busts

2-1B (Too-Onebee) was chief surgeon for the Rebel Alliance on Hoth's Echo Base. This highly-skilled surgical droid has treated a variety of injuries and patients, most notably Luke Skywalker. Attending to the young commander on several occasions, 2-1B revived Luke from a state of dormo-shock after a prolonged exposure to the Hoth elements. After Luke's confrontation with Darth Vader on Bespin, 2-1B affixed Luke with a cybernetic hand.

Originally conceived to be a 2010 summer convention exclusive, 2-1B (Surgical Droid) finally saw release at the end of the 2010 calendar year because of production delays. And by the time Christmas 2010 came around, 2-1B (Surgical Droid) finally was ready to be shipped for a better-late-than-never celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Believe it or not, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Gentle Giant Ltd.’s 2010 holiday Padmé Amidala (Snow Bunny) Mini Bust also saw unfortunate delays in production and was delayed until January 2011 so this sort of filled it’s shoes for the time being. Not only does 2-1B satisfy the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back requirement, he kind of also serves the “Christmas” requirement as he lights up beautifully (something we always love at Christmastime). Besides, this is also a rarity in the mini bust line as it’s a feature they normally don’t include features like this in too many of their pieces. But probably the most important requirement it satisfies is that it’s probably one of Gentle Giant’s best efforts of all time. 2-1B (Surgical Droid) should thrill you in every way. It’s just an incredible piece!

2-1B is a mixed media mini bust. Typically mini busts are all one material (polystone) but Gentle Giant has worked in plastic, polystone and metal into this spectacular mini bust. The various mediums work together beautifully and we couldn’t be more impressed with the final execution of this mini bust. They have included so many delicate features here utilizing these various materials and it makes us extremely nervous to even handle it. From fine tubing to even finer hair-thick wires, Gentle Giant has provided us with a bust that gives the illusion that it is ready to perform whatever surgeries needed right here and now. This is one realistic mini bust. 2-1B is holding a tool in his hand and his arm is outstretched ready to perform a procedure. And his head is ever so slightly looking down completely enthralled with the mission at hand. Gentle Giant has included a brilliant light-up feature in this bust. It’s not a bright white bulb. It actually has a yellowish or greenish hue to it and it completely fills his hollow and see-through body beautifully. When you turn out the lights, the body is completely engulfed with the light and his eyes light up as well. It’s stunning.

The body plating has an incredible texture throughout it. Perhaps best described as dimples, 2-1B has periodic tiny craters on his body plating which have been done so realistically that we have to remind ourselves that this is only a mini bust. And they have matched the metallic baby or gray-blue perfectly. While it’s hard to clearly see all of the inner workings inside his belly (like it is in the film), you can still make out some of detail despite this. The tubing from his mouth pieces to the chest is a detail that we have instantly fell in love with because every detail of it is exactly the same as on the real-life prop in the film. Even the gears in his arms are so believable you’ll expect them to move. You’ll need to compare it side by side to appreciate the exactness of Gentle Giant’s interpretation here. Simply put, this is one of the best pieces Gentle Giant Ltd. has ever produced. We are totally in love with it and it makes us hanker for a Hasbro 3.75” version even more. But while we wait, this is the definitive version of 2-1B (Surgical Droid) for now. He is a marvel and a work of fine art.