Darth Revan - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (34)

The enigmatic former hero of the Jedi Civil War, Darth Revan continued to play a pivotal role in the ongoing war between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic.

So, it’s been a couple of years, but we’re still reeling over how Darth Revan won the very first The Black Series 6” Fans’ Choice Poll. It has nothing to do with being sore losers because obviously the collecting community has spoken (despite our own unsubstantiated accusations of major cheating), but we don’t understand how a newbie collector audience even knew about this character. A main antagonist in the Knights Of The Old Republic video game, it seems to us that Darth Revan is in more need of major of psychiatric help to deal with his flipflopping identity crises than he is a Sith Lord or whatever else he claims to be. Sure, this character has a history when it comes to the Fans’ Choice polls. After all, he won the Fans’ Choice Poll for the collector favorite 30 (77-07) line and was released in the stunning Expanded Universe wave in the middle of the summer in 2007. He became the hottest figure that year and continues to fetch a premium on the aftermarket. It’s quite a coincidence that he has won the Fans’ Choice vote once again for the 6” line, but that’s what happened. Released in larger scale and with less features, we’re not totally on board with the approach taken for this figure’s debut in The Black Series [Phase III] 6” line. The basics are certainly in place here. Darth Revan has a great sculpt as expected. But the paint operations, while clean, just aren’t accurate to what we have seen in still images of the video game or concept art, and the soft-goods have been woven from cheap materials (as evidenced by their excessive sheen). The cape does however have nice cutouts to recreate tears and damage, so it’s cool from a certain point of view.

Also, Darth Revan’s hood isn’t removable much to our chagrin. The 2007’s TAC Darth Revan (30 34) figure did have this option so we’re disappointed. (By the way, how coincidental is it that both the 3.75" figure and the 6" figure are numbered "34"?) The hood on the 6” figure IS a separate piece, so Hasbro definitely did the right thing at the start, but the hood is tacked down (glued down) at the shoulders and unless you’re willing to tear away the seal and risk damage to the figure, there is really no way to remove the hood. We find this a major disappointment. There isn’t really a way to appreciate the details of the head sculpt, or see his bald head, or be given an alternate way of posing him. Right now it’s very hard to appreciate the head sculpt because of how the hood obstructs its view. Right now, it almost looks like “Boba Fett” inside of a black hood rather than the character it should be. Sure, Darth Revan and Boba Fett don’t share too many similar features, but we challenge you to look at Darth Revan’s face quickly than turn away. We’re certain you’ll also experience a Boba Fett “flashback” as we did. The light copper details on Darth Revan’s torso and gauntlets is distracting at best. We have seen some images which shows this golden color, but it just looks off on the action figure. Hasbro should have muted this drastic coloring to allow for a smoother blend on the figure. His skirt has a “crepe” texture to it so it feels like it is a better quality material than the cape. It also allows movement below the waist. And that leads us into the figure’s articulation. We’re not so sure you’re going to be happy with that either.

As with all The Black Series 6” figures, it's almost impossible for them to not have great sculpts and articulation systems. Darth Revan is the same. BUT. The figure really doesn’t move that well. Ultimately his shoulder, arms, hips and legs don’t move all too well. Sure, you can get Darth Revan is some acceptable poses, but he is just a tad too chunky in spots which really prevents you from getting the movement these joints should be able to provide. This absolutely includes the head sculpt. Admittedly, we’re frustrated that we can barely move Darth Revan’s head. Because the head sculpt is separate from the “locked” hood, you can force the head left and right (you can barely grasp it however) to give the figure some options, but we believe that in the end you’ll also feel that Hasbro should have produced a head/hood combination that was more freeing for the figure. There are some wonderful details sculpted into Darth Revan. We just don’t think that Hasbro optimized the sculpt to make articulation junkies happy is all. Darth Revan also has no place on his belt to hang his lightsaber hilts. Now, the 3.75” version didn’t have this options either, but we were sincerely hoping for a few premium options here to set this version apart from all others. Hasbro neglected this detail too. Oh, and those lightsabers? Yeah, how are people NOT complaining more about the current 6” lightsabers? The hilts, while nice, are rubbery and bendable and the blades are thinner than toothpicks. How has this not been upgraded to be more accurate and substantial? Hasbro, make those blades more like the 3.75” line. Please! Darth Revan just doesn’t really “do” it for us, but we hope that those who wanted him are happy.