2-1B Medic Droid - POTF2 [R/G] - Basic

Height: 1.5 Meters
Status: Industrial Automaton Surgical Droid
Classification: GeenTech 2-1B Series
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
Weapon of Choice: Medical Diagnostic Computer

After a two grueling years of getting out the basic characters in The Power Of The Force “2” line, Hasbro loosened their belts a bit in 1997 and began stretching a little deeper into the Star Wars universe and picked characters that were more in the background. While they did this, they introduced first time offerings into the line, but they also listened to collectors by updating modern version of the original Kenner figures. One of their first goals was to created a modern update to the vintage Kenner Two-Onebee (2-1B) figure. This was done with 1997’s POTF2 2-1B Medic Droid figure, and it is one of the finest releases of the entire line. There are many differences between the vintage and modern releases, but not enough where they look like totally different characters. Really, the biggest difference is the feet. Each has a unique take on how they were shaped. Overall, we think the modern version more closely replicates what the actual design may have looked like the most, even though we never say this character’s feet in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Also of note, a new (and different) accessory was tooled for the modern figure which gives the character an all-new personality.

With time comes better technology and 2-1B Medic Droid is a testament to how far Kenner/Hasbro has come with how they develop action figures. The detailing in the sculpt is tremendous and really for the first time ever we see the texture in the metal of the droid’s head and upper body. They also corrected the vintage figure’s major error. The hose from the mouth doesn’t connect to the droid’ right side. Instead, it runs to the lower right “breast” of the droid. While the mouthpiece isn’t removable this time, the end of the hose is and you can remove it for alternate display. But there honestly isn’t much you can do with this feature, so we really don’t understand why they included it with this figure. Just like the 1981 figure, 2-1B Medic Droid has a clear body with a ribbed texture. You can’t see a whole lot of detail inside of the cavity, but it is well done nonetheless. Where 2-1B Medic Droid lacks the most is the articulation. Although this droid has standard articulation like most of the other figures in the POTF2 line, not all of it is entirely useful. Specifically, what makes this action figure a disappointment is the swivel hips. They function in a way where they spin more than articulate. They really don’t offer much in the way of valuable movement. These added articulation points are almost unnecessary.

Another difference between the vintage Kenner figure and the modern version are the droid’s arms. Obviously they’ve been completely retooled, but instead of a three-figure claw, 2-1B Medic Droid comes with only two prongs for hands. 2-1B Medic Droid comes with an accessory called a medical diagnostic computer. This handheld device looks like a stock or price gun, but it is nicely detailed and colored in the same blue as the droid. As a droid from The Empire Strikes Back, 2-1B Medic Droid will be a popular action figure for Star Wars collectors. And we’re confident that this sculpt will stand the test of time. Yes, 2-1B Medic Droid is a little bit too tall, but the sculpt is so dynamic that we can’t see it aging too quickly over time. Expect an incredible amount of new figure released from Kenner/Hasbro. The Power Of The Force “2” line has been loaded with some great droids and aliens and those vintage versus modern lists are getting smaller and smaller. 2-1B Medic Droid for us is a must-have Star Wars figure. We would have loved to see a great deal more articulation added to this modern take on the droid, but Kenner/Hasbro really did a fantastic job and we’re sure you’re going to love it.