SCRUBBER DROID Tatooine Accessory Set
Episode I Accessory Packs
Item No.: Asst. 26207 No. 26209
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Kenner
Includes: Blasters, poncho, datapad, backpack
Action Feature: Bull-back rolling action
Retail: $4.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: This series of droids was designed to clean up hazardous materials from spaceports and hangar areas. The scrubber, which resembled a squat box, moved about in search of fuel spills and other areas where potentially dangerous chemicals pooled. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's shelves.

Commentary: Is it a figure or isn't it? The Rubbermaid tub-turned-droid wasn't named when he came in the Tatooine Accessory Set in 1999, but we're going to call him the Scrubber Droid as that's what they seem to call him these days. It's a small yellow robot that you can kinda move around and use as a prop. It's brightly colored and one of the few quasi-characters to be introduced in the accessory sets. There's no articulation to speak of, but it's pretty neat-- although there's a fine line between "appliance" and "character," I'd still say it's worth picking up because, really, how many consumer cleaning goods get turned into a prop and then into a toy? It's neat, it's small, and it's worth having-- so track it down if you like having scrubbers in your collection.

Collector's Notes: The set went on clearance because accessory sets proved a failure at retail, so you can get this for next to nothing. It has some unique parts in it, so I'd say it's worth a look if you open your toys.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 743: May 18, 2008