1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 279 - Star Wars Episode IV: 1/6th scale Darth Vader

[Jaymas]

I'd be willing to bet that this is all about the moment in your life when Star Wars first entered and took over your life. If you are old enough to have sat in the theatre in the summer of 1977 and we old enough for conscious thought, then ANH Vader is likely your man. If you first bum in seat theatre experience was ESB, that's propbably the Vader that hits home in all the right places best. And despite all the yub, yub... If you were 13 or so when that one hit the streets, then spit and gloss Darth is likely to be your pick.

I was almost 7 when Star Wars came out and I remember seeing it for the first time and the scene where Vader boards the rebel ship is a vivid memory for me, as well as the lightsaber battle with Ben. And until ESB came out I was able to revisit the movie 3 ways (remember there was no way to watch it home back then)...
1. The Star Wars Story Book


2. Marvel's Giant size comic adaptation


3. And of course I had the figures, ships and even the 12” Luke, Vader, 3PO and R2

Vader in the Storybook looked great and the promo picture on the back made a big impact on me, and if I get this ANH version of the figure, that may be the pose I use. But the other representations of the characters (figures and comics) had less detail, and this really jumped out at me the most when ESB came out. Everything had more detail and was more accurate when that came out- just compare the representation of the characters on the movie posters of the time. The Marvel Comic was also better as the ESB adaptation was now drawn by Al Williamson (famous for doing Flash Gordon) and was far more accurate. It’s not that this was my frame of reference but as the artist added more detail I started to go back and look at my pictured storybooks to look at the differences more carefully. By then I also had the ESB picture storybook too so I think I noticed the some of the differences between Vader between the photographs in the storybooks for the first time. What stuck out to me then the most was that the armor was over the robes in ESB, and not under and I noticed detail on the armor more and the chain on the cape. I liked it better. I think as a 10 year old I simply thought he wore it different and never considered that the helmet, gloves, and chest box might also be different. Being a little older when Empire came out, combined with the dramatic impact of Vader being revealed as Luke’s father I think the ESB version became more definitive in my mind. I think this was solidified by the time I was 13 when ROTJ came out and Vader looked pretty much the same.

The ESB version will always be my favorite, but what tempts me about the HT ANH version is a recent appreciation for what I think is actually a more menacing version of the helmet, the LED saber (now that I have Kenobi and Luke preordered with the same feature), and the temptation to want to round out what will be a pretty complete set of a HT classic/first appearance versions of Luke, Ben, Han, Chewie, Leia, and Stormtrooper with Vader too.

The thing is, I don’t want more than one Vader. I think ideally, I’d like to have one Vader that I could swap out helmet and a few choice components to obtain either an ANH or ESB look or perhaps an idealized version that uses a little bit of both depending on my display or mood. I’m guessing the easiest way to accomplish this will be to get this HT one and then wait for HT to make an ESB version down the line so all the parts would more likely be more easily interchangeable. Then I could sell my SS version along with whatever left over redundant HT parts I don’t want.

Lol- So I guess if I buy the ANH HT Vader right now, knowing that I can’t possibly pass on a HT ESB Vader down the line, I’ll kind of be investing in a long term project.

 

[Sardo Numspa]

I'm in almost the exact same boat (except that I was 4 when I saw ANH in the theatres), had the storybooks and comics as well, and I love the ESB Vader best for the same reasons. In ESB, he was just so much more menacing. People were dropping around him like flies, he was demonstrating much more of the dark side of the force, his dialogue was so much more intimidating, and of course, the lightsaber battle with Luke was fantastic.
The only reason I was considering the HT Vader was for the light-up lightsaber. I didn't think I'd care for it at first, but the one that came with Obi Wan really looks nice, both in person, and in pics.

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Interesting and fun discussion guys…
You’ve both highlighted an element of the analysis into favorite Vaders that forces me to face (once again) a movie going tragedy that befell me which was entirely of my own making. More on that in a minute…

The element I’m referring to is the story based shock and awe that was ESB. I don’t see how the “in your face” presence of Vader , the expansion of character, and general “Wow” factor he had in that film could fail to impact which incarnation of Vader you prefer. So consider my hat tipped to that undeniable reality. And I can definitely see how that element could overwhelm even the impact of the first appearance of Vader in ANH. Other elements also considered (availability of superior merchandising in terms of detail offered included), this emotional aspect can’t be overstated.

Back to my tragic tale…

The reason I have to stop and purposefully try to remember the emotional appeal of ESB to folks seeing the central revelation of Vader concerning Luke in that film for the first time sitting in a theatre seat is that my own experience with that moment was sabotaged by my own hand. As some of you will undoubtedly recall, a few weeks prior to the release of ESB in theaters, the novelization of the story was released in book stores (remember those?). And as I recall, there might have even been some full color pictures included in the middle of the book (a la the Star Wars novelization)!



I’m sure I don’t need to go on because you all see where I’m headed with this, but suffice it to say, my unbridled zeal to consume anything and everything Star Wars at that time (anybody remember the exclusive ESB movie footage that was released on the Ray Rayner show in 1980?) overcame me, and while I promised myself I’d only read the opening chapter before going to the movie, I quickly became an unstoppable reading force to have made Evelyn Wood blush as I plowed through the entire book in spite of myself. So when the immortal words spoken by Vader to Luke came in the theater, I was yawning in my seat waiting on the reaction of others.

So I robbed myself of the experience you all reveled in, and I’m much worse for it. That’s the reason why, when contemplating the impact of Vader versions, this aspect is not at the forefront of my thought process…but now I get it!

Don’t bother reading this, it’s far too long.

 

[TonTon]

Nice story, QuiGon. I was too young to remember the Vader reveal--was born in 1980 a few months after the movie came out so just grew up with the films around me at home from as early as I can remember. That Vader reveal really does elevate the film from just a story of good vs evil like it is in the first flick into something greater. Our own evil within.

Funny thing about those novelizations. I only read one in my entire life, and it was for Terminator 2.

 

[Jaymas]

Don’t bother reading this, it’s far too long.

Not at all- thanks for sharing

Actually, remembering the fun of being surprised at the end of ESB when I was 10 years old is one reason I have stopped paying attention to all things TFA. I have even avoided the threads about the figures fearing someone will spill something it might be more fun to discover watching the movie. The anticipation for these films are so different from the anticipation from the prequels - with the prequels there were moments we were all anticipating to see. We knew Anakin would turn bad, we knew he was supposed to be this great pilot and would be trained by Kenobi, We knew there would be something called "clone wars" and somehow (I am not sure how I knew this as far back as the mid 80s) we expected to see Anakin fall into a volcano after he battled Kenobi. Regardless of how the prequels may or may not have lived up to everything we were expecting, these new movies don't have that burden. We have no idea where the story can go, and so I feel released from those kind of expectations and I can just enjoy watching it to see what happens.

Oh and QuiGonFishing, a word of advice.... stay away from TFA novelization.

 

[canofhumdingers]

Has anyone who's got this tried painting that black center stripe on his chest armor gunmetal like it should be? I'm curious how hard it is to match the paint color.

 

[jedijim3002]

Great stories guys! That's the thing about Star Wars is that everyone remembers what they were doing or where they were when they watched the movies. It's like any emotional powerhouse event that always sticks with you.

 

[FlyAndFight]

... I had a bank that spoke his lines during that scene if you pressed a button.

If it's the same one, I still have that bank, along with the C3PO & R2D2 bank as well! They are in my son's room and still work perfectly!

 

[WhoaItsJBot]

If it's the same one, I still have that bank, along with the C3PO & R2D2 bank as well! They are in my son's room and still work perfectly!

View attachment 225169

That's the bank alright! I got that when I was probably 11. I think it's in storage at my dad's house... Need to look for that. Brings back some memories, lol.

 

[Johnny6666]

Interestingly, I have no actual memories of Empire itself from the theatrical screening I attended in 1980. All I remember is queuing for it (!), and the HUGE Kenner Star Wars stand they had in the foyer selling the figures and other memorabilia.

What I do have memories of from the Empire screening is the short film Black Angel that preceded it (which Lucas apparently insisted play in certain markets). I was terrified of the titular character: Darth Vader was by far the lesser of two evils to a 4 year old!

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Yep! Misplaced the sabre somewhere along the way...

Was the first present my then girlfriend, now wife, ever got for me. She was clearly a keeper.

 

[guyver1]

Interesting and fun discussion guys…
You’ve both highlighted an element of the analysis into favorite Vaders that forces me to face (once again) a movie going tragedy that befell me which was entirely of my own making. More on that in a minute…

The element I’m referring to is the story based shock and awe that was ESB. I don’t see how the “in your face” presence of Vader , the expansion of character, and general “Wow” factor he had in that film could fail to impact which incarnation of Vader you prefer. So consider my hat tipped to that undeniable reality. And I can definitely see how that element could overwhelm even the impact of the first appearance of Vader in ANH. Other elements also considered (availability of superior merchandising in terms of detail offered included), this emotional aspect can’t be overstated.

Back to my tragic tale…

The reason I have to stop and purposefully try to remember the emotional appeal of ESB to folks seeing the central revelation of Vader concerning Luke in that film for the first time sitting in a theatre seat is that my own experience with that moment was sabotaged by my own hand. As some of you will undoubtedly recall, a few weeks prior to the release of ESB in theaters, the novelization of the story was released in book stores (remember those?). And as I recall, there might have even been some full color pictures included in the middle of the book (a la the Star Wars novelization)!

View attachment 225105

I’m sure I don’t need to go on because you all see where I’m headed with this, but suffice it to say, my unbridled zeal to consume anything and everything Star Wars at that time (anybody remember the exclusive ESB movie footage that was released on the Ray Rayner show in 1980?) overcame me, and while I promised myself I’d only read the opening chapter before going to the movie, I quickly became an unstoppable reading force to have made Evelyn Wood blush as I plowed through the entire book in spite of myself. So when the immortal words spoken by Vader to Luke came in the theater, I was yawning in my seat waiting on the reaction of others.

So I robbed myself of the experience you all reveled in, and I’m much worse for it. That’s the reason why, when contemplating the impact of Vader versions, this aspect is not at the forefront of my thought process…but now I get it!

Don’t bother reading this, it’s far too long.

I miss these original books. Now they changed these novels into something that fit the films.

I remember the original ANH novalization was very different from the movie

 

[dms54nyc]

Wow, those banks omg, i feel so old. I used to think they looked so accurate too.

 

[The Iron Koob]

Sorry I'm sure this was discussed before but did this turn out all roughed up like when he appeared in anh or is it more shiny and clean like esb?

 

[Cicada17]

Sorry I'm sure this was discussed before but did this turn out all roughed up like when he appeared in anh or is it more shiny and clean like esb?

"Ruff..."

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[Cap'n Cook]

Sorry I'm sure this was discussed before but did this turn out all roughed up like when he appeared in anh or is it more shiny and clean like esb?

He's fairly pristine although the mask has a few scuff marks.

Needs a little weathering to be ANH accurate.

 

[Hydeous]

If it's the same one, I still have that bank, along with the C3PO & R2D2 bank as well! They are in my son's room and still work perfectly!

View attachment 225169

I remembered having the 3po and r2 one as well, now that I see that pic. Too bad it's all gone now. With the moving and all over the years.

 

[paramoremcr88]

Think mine has the wrong voice box in...

 

[DiFabio]

Think mine has the wrong voice box in...

Ultra rare variant, sell it off for the big bucks man!

 

[Cicada17]

Think mine has the wrong voice box in...

Lol. Those quotes are not from the original Star Wars; but rather The Empire Strikes Back! Oops!
That reminds me of that episode of The Simpsons where a little girl's Malibu Stacy doll says, "My spider sense is tingling. Anybody call for a web slinger?"


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