STAR WARS Black Series R2-D2

Presenting R2-D2 from the Star Wars Black Series.

Now note that this is supposed to be a part of Hasbro's new 6 inch series, but R2-D2 is still to scale so he's about 3 inches tall instead.

Even his box is smaller.

So you might feel that you're being cheated out of buying a smaller figure in what it supposed to be a 6" series of toys.... and it does feel a bit that way... but can you imagine what you would be scrambling for if they decide one day to release an X-Wing fighter big enough for the Black Series Luke Skywalker to sit in?

I guarantee you'll be scrambling then for a Black Series R2-D2.

And if they never bother....well.... R2-D2 makes for a nice paperweight.

R2-D2 and the theory of Flight

Presenting the R2-D2 and the Super Battle Droid from the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Coin Collection. A few weeks ago a good friend of mine Ed Geronia posted the question "Why is it that R2-D2 does not fly in Episodes IV-VI?"

To the uninitiated, R2-D2 first took flight in Episode II in the Droid Assembly plants of Geonosis. R2-D2 then again in the hangar of General Greivous' flagship in Episode III where we find this actual scene where R2-D2 sprayed a pair of Super Battle Droids with fuel before igniting his Brooks Propulsion Booster Turbines and setting fire to the Super Battle Droids, destroying them in the process - though we only have one Super Battle Droid in the diorama.

R2-D2 was also depicted as flying in the Clone Wars -in fact Anakin Skywalker actually rode him (I know, weird.). And he is again seen flying this time in space in the Expanded Universe (Star Wars Legacy of the Force) where he saves Luke's Skywalker's Grandson Cade Skywalker from floating to his death in a sun.

I honestly don't recall him ever flying in the books, but I could be wrong.

R2-D2 Bar

A few weeks back while waiting for my wife, Rochelle, I chanced upon the R2-D2 Serving Droid collectible in Toy Kingdom in the Podium. I just had to have it because it was one of the most original R2-D2s I've ever seen. Not only did it come with a pop-up sensor scope, it also came with a pop-up lightsaber for Luke Skywalker - just as was seen in Return of the Jedi. Further this particular incarnation of R2-D2 unit came with the serving tray and drink dispenser that Jabba the Hutt and Company had R2 don after Luke Skywalker "gifted" the droids to the crime lord's service. Not only did I think that it was a hilarious representation of the most popular Droid ever, it was creative and perfect for anyone who was building a Jabba the Hutt Throne-room collection - which I kinda am. 

But then I started thinking: "What if R2-D2 actually ran a bar?" And the wheels in my head started turning.