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Review |
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| Sculpt: |
| Based on early concept design paintings of George Lucas' THE STAR WARS script. The most-referenced image for this is the concept painting by Original Trilogy designer Ralph McQuarrie of the "Famous Five"--R2-D2, C-3PO, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a female version of Luke Skywalker, with Darth Vader's disembodied looming in the background, which was used as the cover for the December 1976 paperback release of STAR WARS: FROM THE ADVENTURES OF LUKE SKYWALKER. Vader's face has a purple hue in that painting, with large, insectoid eyes and lots of little detail (aka "greeblies") on his mask. This is the head that the figure has attached in the package. The proportions are slightly off, as the helmet dome needs to be just a bit higher, and the mouth section is too large. A second head, packed separately in the blister, is based on the painting of Vader dueling "Deak Starkiller," as Luke was called in the script at that time. The painting was used as the cover for the 1977 STAR WARS PORTFOLIO collection of color art prints by Ralph McQuarrie. This is the head on the concept art shown on the card, and this painting was used as the basis for Concept Vader's body. This head and body go together well, and really stand out as a 3-D realization of a concept art piece. This second head, however, isn't quite accurate to the source material, either, as there isn't any "pinching" of Vader's "nose" in the art, but it's there on the figure. Otherwise, this all-new sculpt rates an outstanding 9 out of 10. |
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| Paint: |
| Although the two paintings the figure was inspired by show him tinged violet (paperback cover) and blue (duel painting), the figure is molded in black and dark charcoal gray. Both heads are molded in black, with glossy black paint apps to the eye lenses, and silver decos to the prongs on either side of his breath intake screen. The neck is also molded in black, with no paint apps. The belt and pelvis armor are molded in black, with dry-brushed silver paint apps to the control boxes on either side of the belt buckle. The torso, arms, pelvis, and legs are molded in dark charcoal gray. The pectoral armor onthe torso is painted metallic black, with dark brown paint apps to the straps attached to the chest box. The chest control box itself has dry-brushed silver apps. The shoulder armor on each are is metallic black. The palms and fingers of both hands have gloss black paint apps, and the small control box set into the gauntlet of his right glove has a silver paint deco.The shin armor on both legs has metallic black apps, with his feet glossy black. The holster strapped to his right thigh is dark brown. His blaster is molded in black, with glossy black paint app. His lightsaber is molded in translucent blue, with silver and black paint apps to the hilt. His lower tabbard is black softgoods material, and his softgoods black cape has a silver cord at the neck to simulate a metal chain. An interesting spin on the traditional all-black Vader suit: 9/10. |
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| Articulation: |
| Ball-jointed neck, shoulders, knees, and ankles. Planer-cut collar, waist, forearms, and hips. Angle-cut elbows. The elbow joints are terrible, allowing the arms to fall off on many samples I've seen. What should have been the standard-bearer for this line turned out to have a rather disappointing flaw: 7/10. |
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| Accessories: |
| Darth Vader comes with a blaster pistol, lightsaber, removable softgoods cape, two interchangeable heads, and a collectible coin. The cape has a batwing scallopping to the bottom that might be more appropriate to a Batman or Dracula action figure, but it was present in the original concept art: 9/10. |
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| Packaging: |
| The Thirtieth Anniversary Collection card is basically rectangular, but with several die cut wedges that make it the most serious departure from the basic card design in the modern line. The McQuarrie Signature Series card art features light blue accents and lettering on the front and on the card insert, with the art that inspired the figure enclosed on the front. The reverse of the card features a portrait of Mr. McQuarrie, with text explaining his pivotal role in realizing STAR WARS creator George Lucas' unique characters. The collection number and figure's name are also on the card insert ("Darth Vader" being #28): 9/10. |
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| Availability: |
| As of this writing, Concept Vader has been appearing at retail for seven months. It sold out instantly on initial release, and still is a huge seller with collectors. Finding these on the pegs at retail remains a rarity. It's also available at most online sources, although it sells out quickly there, too: 6.5/10. |
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| Conclusion: |
| Concept Darth Vader is yet another incredible interpretation of the iconic concept designs originated by Ralph McQuarrie. While the sculpts are mostly solid and the paint apps very detailed, this figure is marred by very poorly designed articulation at the elbows that makes casual poses difficult, and harsh play for kids nearly impossible--unless you want to lose one or both of the figure's arms at the elbows! 8.3/10. |
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