Darth Maul - TBS [P4] - Six Inch Figures (TCW11)

A deadly, agile Sith Lord, Darth Maul was a formidable warrior and scheming mastermind. He wielded an intimidating double-bladed lightsaber and fought with a menacing ferocity.

In a rare move, Hasbro gave The Black Series 6-inch collecting community Darth Maul, based on the character’s appearance in The Clone Wars’ seventh season, last. Most commonly referred to as Darth Maul (Mandalore) in the 3.75-inch figure line, there are two versions, a 5POA version and The Vintage Collection Darth Maul (Mandalore) (VC201) version. The Black Series 6-inch version is pretty nice, too, although we feel they missed the mark a bit with the figure’s head sculpt. It’s not a bad likeness, but it is more closely how Darth Maul looked in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, instead of the likeness we see in the animated The Clone Wars series. It’s a bit ironic, too, since wave mater Aayla Secura (AOTC03) figure has a likeness that closely mirrors the character’s appearance from The Clone Wars instead of Attack Of The Clones. That said, we believe you will enjoy what Hasbro created for you here with Darth Maul. A likable character on all levels and a hot collectors’ item no matter how often produced, Darth Maul, is a hit in this wave and will maintain its “hot commodity” status for the foreseeable future. Darth Maul is a mostly all-new figure that uses the torso of 2021's TBS [L50] Darth Maul (Sith Apprentice) figure. It has enhanced articulation that previous versions don’t have. But thanks to the advent of remarkable action figure-making technology, this figure will stand the test of time.

If you were collecting when The Phantom Menace hit theaters, you felt in the air that Darth Maul was a new mainstay in the action figure line. It became true. Hasbro released one Darth Maul action figure after another for years and years and years. From movie-accurate representation to concepts and artwork, we’ve received multiple versions of Darth Maul in the action figure line. Collectors seemingly can’t get enough of the character in plastic. By the time the original run of The Clone Wars was winding down, Hasbro had managed to get out a new version of the character, as he appeared in many episodes in the fifth and final season (at that time) of the beloved television series. With robotic legs and new clothing, Darth Maul looked like no other Darth Maul action figure to date. Unfortunately, part of a rare Mission Series two-pack, 2013’s SW [DV/ROTS] Obi-Wan Kenobi/Darth Maul (Mandalore) (MS06) set, 3.75-inch collectors went into a frenzy trying to secure this unique version of Darth Maul into their collection. Who’d know it would be eight long years later that Hasbro would produce a 3.75-inch super-articulated version of Darth Maul (Mandalore) for The Vintage Collection, but from the “new” final season of The Clone Wars in a season 7 episode entitled The Phantom Apprentice? Now we have the corresponding 6-inch version.

In this episode, Darth Maul battles Ahsoka Tano in the final arc of the season. Hasbro made collectors very, very happy. Hasbro applied the rest of the figure’s deco with dazzling precision, and the final figure looks like it was designed and painted by professionals. The colors on the chest are vibrant yet look different from those on the face. You’ll find 30 points of articulation on Darth Maul, and all of the joints work well to allow you to pose the figure as needed. This articulation is crucial since Darth Maul comes with a double-bladed lightsaber accessory that splits into two halves. The blades are also removable for additional display value. Darth Maul will unequivocally become a highlight for you and your collection. Collectors should commend Hasbro on the work well done. Darth Maul is part of a wave of figures that should have been the last in plastic packaging. And although the next wave is “plastic free,” Hasbro admitted defeat and is returning to the Collector-friendly version, which replaces the plastic insert tray into the box and an open window to view everything inside. We like this version of Darth Maul very much, but we don’t believe it’s one of Hasbro’s highlights in The Black Series [Phase IV] lineup. We think they messed up on the portrait, but you may feel differently. Whatever you’re choice, this is a quality action figure, and you need it if you own Ahsoka.