Darth Vader - TVC - Basic (VC334)

During the Galactic Civil War, Darth Vader set out to find the Rebel Alliance's secret location and retrieve the schematics of the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star.

It’s a crying shame that it took DEIsney Star Wars to give us the best Original Trilogy version of Darth Vader (based on the character’s appearance from A New Hope), but at this point, we’ll take it by whatever means necessary. If you already own the Darth Vader (The Dark Times) (VC241) figure, we’d say your every expectation will be present on this release. Of course, we wouldn’t have expected Hasbro to reinvent the wheel here for another Darth Vader figure when they have a perfect buck in a 3.75-inch scale to use, which we’re thrilled they utilized here. A revisited Original Trilogy character using existing tooling trumps an all-new action figure based on a character from Disney Star Wars any day of the week. With a focus on multiple Episode IV characters as of later, we hope and pray that Hasbro keeps the momentum rolling and continues to release much-needed updates to classic Star Wars characters like Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and others in desperate need of upgrading. From the moment we had it in our hands, we felt that The Vintage Collection Darth Vader (The Dark Times) was hands down the best Darth Vader action figure of all time. But now this version, which Hasbro based on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, rivals it. Hasbro often released monumental Darth Vader action figures with a bang. Remember how incredible the Episode III-inspired 2015 TBS [P2] Darth Vader (#03) figure was? These latest models blow all other versions away, including 2012’s TVC Darth Vader (VC93) figure.

The Vintage Collection’s Darth Vader action figure is a triumph. It combines the best of all mixed media worlds to compile an action figure that can do nearly “anything” regarding its articulation and look as pretty as it is functional. That’s due to strategic design and attention to detail we haven’t seen in the line for years. Moreover, Hasbro added premium accessories here, such as two interchangeable hands, which they do “next to never” in the 3.75-inch action figure platform. Darth Vader is a magnificent creation. Hasbro’s 3.75-inch action figuremaking has come very far in recent years, but with the last couple of figures, they’re pushing the boundaries of what seems to be their comfort level. How do they get such incredible movement and functionality out of these tiny areas? How do limbs move and spread wider than ever, and how do they effortlessly translate magnificent detail into these miniature works of art? They’ve done all these things effortlessly on Darth Vader. Darth Vader’s portrait is gorgeous and updated to reflect the prop in Episode IV. It’s different from the helmet on the “Dark Times” figure. The details are crisp, and the deco captures the mask’s alternating silver and black shadows. Thanks to the beautiful barbell joint, the head sculpt is attached to the body, so you get a range of movement that is not always standard on super-articulated versions of Darth Vader.

The newish ball-socket hips give Darth Vader fantastic flexibility. You can spread the figure’s legs wide, and thanks to “rocker” ankles, you can balance the figure as needed, no matter how aggressive the pose. You won’t appreciate the versatility of this action figure until you have it in your hands. We’re even fans of the soft-good cape Hasbro employed here. We wouldn’t go so far as to say it has a perfected drape because it is a bit too thick and doesn’t fall as needed when trying to pose it, but it fits the figure beautifully and is cooperative when you pose it dynamically. Darth Vader shines from helmet to boot. The figure is glossy, where it needs to be polished, and matte, where it needs to be duller. The articulation system is astounding. We couldn’t believe the energetic, static, and action-oriented poses we obtained with this figure. And it was interesting how easy it is to articulate this figure. Also, the figure’s personality is quite impressive. You almost “hear” what Darth Vader is uttering underneath the black iron lung. It helps you to appreciate the action figure on a personal level. Whether you cock its head or curiously angle the arms, your options are limitless with the body language you can create with this action figure. The cart art is also gorgeous. Hasbro fixed the font on the nameplate, and the card stock is heavier. We also have many accessories here, including the previously available interchangeable hand. This release is a must-have figure.