Week 22: Power Droid

Power Droid:  This figure always looked like a television or old computer main-frame or something with his sticker face and box-like shape.  I’m pretty sure this was the last figure picked by me or my siblings or friends whenever we played with Star Wars figures because hell, it’s not that cool.  I don’t care what they call it now (Gonk), it’s still the Power Droid to me.  And even though the POTF2 version that was packaged with the Commtech Jawa is much more movie accurate at least the old Kenner version can stand on his own (without aid):

To get the POTF2 “Gonk” droid to stand, I have to hold his legs together with a tiny rubber band.

The Power Droid is the final figure to make it’s debut on the 20 back card and run through the ROTJ series.

Here are the known card back releases according to Kellerman's book Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide for Collectors:

SW 20-Back E w/Fett offer

SW 21-Back A

SW 21-Back C

ESB 21-Back G w/”Secret Figure” offer

ESB 31-Back C

ESB 41-Back A w/Survival Kit offer

ESB 47-Back A w/4-LOM offer

ROTJ 48-Back D w/Nien Nunb offer

ROTJ 65-Back B

ROTJ 77-Back A

Like many others from the early lines he did not make it onto the Power Of The Force card yet POTF proofs exist:

The Power Droid definitely gets no love as I found very few foreign moc pictures for him.  (all carded images from www.12back.com, www.toysrgus.com, www.brianstoys.com) as well as a few Google searches and some are not the best quality either:

Canadian Star Wars 20-Back Power Droid: (note the French text on the card and offer)

Palitoy (UK) SW 20-Back Power Droid:

German ESB Power Droid:

Meccano (France) 20-Back square card Power Droid:

Loose Variations:  It’s not surprising that yet again there are not major variations for this figure.  There is a coo variation.  Hong Kong and no coo.  Mine pictured below is the Hong Kong coo figure.

Note the small black antenna on his head.  This can often time be missing on loose figures.  Also with loose figures the legs tend to be worn out or the sticker will suffer some damage.  The grey/silver feet are also prone to paint wear.

Power Droid Prices:  Like the R5 and Death Star Droid figures, the Power Droid can be found pretty easily on 20 and 21 back cards and are somewhat affordable in the $100 to $150 price range depending on condition, grade, etc.  Loose figures are quite commonly found for under $10 and for even less than $5.

Next time:  Boba Fett  A HUGE fan favorite and an action figure that is as legendary as the popularity around the character.