The protocol droid K-3PX is in the service of the evil Darth Vader who is determined to crush the Rebel Alliance.
One of the weaker two-packs in the first release of Droid Factory exclusives, Hasbro gave us realistic interpretations of two more Marvel comic book figures but this time sans the comic book. (And sans blue paint deco too.) While the first few Comic Packs sets of 2007 were also realistic style, Hasbro drenched them in a blue wash for more comic-styled authenticity. In short, it failed. So they made the wise choice of eliminating that distracting final coat of paint in order to produce a pretty solid release and authentic realistic-styled figure set. The Walmart exclusive Droid Factory sets were a very nice mix from across all the various different Star Wars sources and this particular set focused on the source that the Comic Packs normally do. Based on the Marvel Comics' Star Wars #74 comic, Darth Vader and his newly introduced K-3PX protocol droid interact in new and exciting events. While you may not do cartwheels over this two-pack, you will still need it to complete your C-3PX protocol Build A Droid. (And you should buy it for this reason alone because C-3PX is just plain awesome.)
K-3PX is a retool of the 2007's TAC 4-LOM (30 41) figure. This time around, the base figure was given a new torso and head. The droid looks to be a little short (but this is because 4-LOM is a little short) but overall it isn't a bad sculpt. It is definitely a very cool protocol droid, but we have to comment that it has very bizarre head proportions and features. But if you look at the reference materials, Hasbro did a pretty good job of bringing over its "weirdness" well from two dimensions into a three dimensional action figure. The figure is pretty much all black and if history repeats itself over and over like it normally does, this figure should do well on this fact alone. We love black figures as Star Wars collectors and they always seem to look cooler that a figure that is, well, not solid black. K-3PX is super-articulated and it is a very generous amount of articulation for a droid that probably doesn't need to do anything more than stand around and serve Darth Vader. But then again, we don't mind having all this extra articulation on any action figure.
The bummer of the set? Well, it is Darth Vader. Darth Vader is a simple repack of the 2005 ROTS Darth Vader (III 11) figure. While this isn't a bad figure at all sculpt-wise, it is inferior because of its rather static pose and awkward action feature. And since this figure has been released a "bazillion" times already, he by default is a very boring and unengaging figure. We wish Hasbro would have done something different to make this figure stand out a little bit better. Essentially a repack, we really didn't need to get this figure again. Your opinions of course may vary. But with all the other work Hasbro has done with the rest of the figures in these sets, we can't really complain too much. Many collectors may be introduced to K-3PX for the very first time by buying this two-pack. He definitely will hold your interest and there is no denying that this set is a steal. So we bet that if you decide to get this set that there will be little to no regrets. And let us remind you that you need to build C-3PX. He is reason enough to put up with the "not-so-exciting" sets to get the necessary droid parts!
Collector Notes
Darth Vader/K-3PX (2 of 6)
Original Droid Factory/Build A Droid Part: C-3PX left arm
Assortment Number: 87665/12980
UPC: 653569329794
Retail: $9.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
Darth Vader
Status: Darth Vader is a straight repack of 2005's ROTS Darth Vader (III 11) figure.
Articulation Count: 10 points (9 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details:swivel neck (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), swivel right shoulder (1), swivel right bicep (1), swivel left forearm (1), swivel right forearm (1), swivel waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1)
Accessory Count: 1
Accessory Details: lightsaber (soft-goods cape isn't removable without damaging it)
Date Stamp: 2005
K-3PX
Status: K-3PO is a kit-bashed figure that utilizes most of 2007's TAC 4-LOM (30 41) figure except this figures comes with an all-new head and torso.
Articulation Count: 22 points (14 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details: swivel head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), swivel torso (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)
Accessory Count: None
Accessory Details: None
Date Stamp: 2007