Background

In June of 2003, AFI (the America Film Institute) released their list of 100 greatest movie villains - and heroes. Over six years later, and many people still don’t understand how the most recognizable villain of all time finished in third place. That character – Darth Vader – is straight from one of the most popular science fiction franchises – Star Wars.

Darth Vader (the former Anakin Skywalker) is the original Star Wars trilogy’s primary antagonist. Fans of Sideshow Collectibles’ 1:6 scale Star Wars line have been clamoring for more of the major characters, and with the recent release of Lord Vader…they’ve gotten their wish.

The Facts



Darth Vader
Series: Star Wars Lords of the Sith
Manufacturer: Sideshow
Material: Hard plastic articulated body
Height: 14”
Points of Articulation: Over 30
Accessories: Ignited and unlit lightsaber; Interchangeable hands - 5 total; Display base; Unique ‘Force Choke’ hand (Sideshow Exclusive)
Outfit: Shin, shoulder, mantle and groin armor; Breastplate with chest box; Faceplate; Helmet; Jumpsuit; Inner robe; Outer cape with chain clasp; Boots; Detailed belt with lightsaber hook
Edition Size: 6,500 regular and 1,977 exclusive

Packaging

The Darth Vader box is slightly larger than the packaging for Sideshow’s previous Star Wars 1:6 scale figures. It has everything to do with the height of this slightly taller toy. The box has two plastic windows – one for the figure and one for the accessories. There are photos of the figure on all four outer sides, with stills from A New Hope on the back. Inside, there is plenty of reading up on the character.

Our Opinion

In a perfect world, Sideshow would have released their Darth Vader 1:6 scale figure before they dropped a boatload of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo variants on us. But here’s something to ponder. If Sideshow had released him back then, they probably wouldn’t have used their new and improved body. So I would opt for the wait and this superior body. It’s very solid and allows for some great posing.

Several years back, I picked up Medicom’s version of Vader. One nice aspect of that figure is that his helmet comes apart to reveal the pasty-faced old actor who George Lucas decided to wipe out of the final scene of the “remastered” Return of the Jedi. However, on that figure, the helmet looked slightly off. Sideshow has it near perfect. There’s even a slight reddish tint to the eyes (or maybe it’s just a side effect of my Lasik surgery).

I’ve really looked and attempted to compare the figure to stills from Star Wars: A New Hope, but I can’t find any major differences. One tiny issue I have is the chain on his outer robe. It seems to be caught under the helmet, and rather than a hook, the chain appears to be sewn on. But that’s just me being nit-picky.

Overall, I can’t imagine Sideshow being able to produce a better Darth Vader figure. The piece is in perfect scale with the rest of their line, the body they’ve used makes this the best posing 1:6 scale figure they’ve made, and the outfit is spot-on.

You can pick one up at the following:

Sideshow: $124.99 - Wait List

Darth Vader Grades:

Figure Quality: 9/10
    Sculpt: 9/10
    Paint: 9/10
Accessories/Outfit: 9/10
Packaging: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Fun Factor: 10/10
Value: 8/10

Overall: 9.4/10

What do you rate this figure?