....A1-R2....

R2-D2 is perhaps one of the biggest icons in The Star Wars Universe, which is funny as he is also one of the smallest characters in that universe.... and, maybe, the biggest hero! He is the one that some how saves the day in each of the movies!

I have been a fan of the little guy since I first saw him in the original Star Wars film. He, along with C-3PO, are the first characters that we glimpse in the original trilogy. I thought back then that these two could be REAL robots, and in a way R2 was a real robot - he functioned via remote control sometimes, but he was also controlled from inside from time to time by "Big Ken," Kenny Baker.

I have collected R2 all of my life. He truely is one of my favorite characters, and has become the main focus of my collection. After many years of collecting all kinds of "stuff," I decided to trim down what I wanted to keep. Seeing as many of the things that I had collected over the years had a bit of R2 mixed in, I kept the R2 related items from all of the "clutter" and began to part with most of the rest.

R2-D2 was represented in four (movie specific) styles in the vintage era (1978-1985). In the modern era (1995-present) R2 has been released MANY times, using different molds, and with different accessories. The R2 that I'm focusing on today is the latest release from 2010, the one I call - "A1-R2!"

I call this one the "A1" because I personally think this is a spectacular figure, and it's the one that I believe Hasbro wanted to make as THE FIGURE to represent all of the vintage releases. I'm sure they believe this is the ultimate R2 - and it is, in many ways, due to all of the bangs and whistles incorporated with the figure.

Here is an example of the new R2 with comparisons to his vintage counterparts. Just watch out for those pesky Jawas! They're always after a good droid. ;)

- The 2010 carded R2-D2 from the popular ROTJ Wave of figures....

- Next, R2-D2 (loose) with his vintage counterparts from 1978-1985....

- Next features the 1978 R2 with the new one in standard R2 mode....

- Next is vintage R2 from the Star Wars Droid Factory Playset (1979). This one was unique as it was the only way to get an R2 with his middle leg. Next to him, the 2010 R2 with the middle leg dropped down....

- Next came R2-D2 with Sensor Scope from The Empire Strikes Back (1980). 2010 R2 also came with sensor scope that now has a little better detail....

- Finally, 1985 brought us the final R2 in the original movie line - with pop-up lightsaber from The Power of The Force era. 2010 R2 also came with a lightsaber, again with better detail, to replicate the vintage figure....

- 2010 R2 also has a great feature that is sometimes overlooked - he has duel wheels on his left and right feet! This is the first astromech in the modern action figure line to include this. Most have only one wheel per foot which makes standing upright on two legs problematic as the wheels are set in the middle of the feet and usually cause him to tilt forward, or backward, in the two legged position. Kudos to Hasbro for changing this design!

- Finally, here is a look at the 2010 R2 with complete accessories. He has a service bar with removable glasses that was used aboard Jabba's Sail Barge in ROTJ, sensor scope, lightsaber, and a pop out front panel with extendable interface arm....

Is this the ultimate R2? Well, you have to decide for yourself. In my estimation this is a GREAT little figure, and to me IS the current ultimate R2!!

Until next time - have fun, stay safe, stay positive, and enjoy yourself!