HOT TOYS QS 1/4 Darth Vader (pic courtesy Seanxlong)

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Why does Hot Toys step backwards from proto to production. At the chin part, two tubes goes as tubes in proto accurate to the movie? In the proto they form a plane surface there. Do HT enjoy doing this?
 
Why does Hot Toys step backwards from proto to production. At the chin part, two tubes goes as tubes in proto accurate to the movie? In the proto they form a plane surface there. Do HT enjoy doing this?

Not gonna lie it?s pretty glaring. It?s all I see when I look at it from straight on or from the side, Im disappointed w it not aligning properly.




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Aside the other issues, another problem with the mask and helmet is it's too symmetrical -- no doubt HT made this with a computer then 3d printed it.
The ANH movie helmet was sculpted by hand that's why it's asymmetrical, then cast in gel coat so there will be no need to paint it in gloss black and gun metal. I read somewhere that they pulled out the helmet from the mold before it thoroughly cured so it became warped and more asymmetrical. I think they used the same helmet in ESB but was painted in gloss black and gun metal and polished to make it glossier.
 
Aside the other issues, another problem with the mask and helmet is it's too symmetrical -- no doubt HT made this with a computer then 3d printed it.

3D printing does not preclude asymmetry. It's just not something these companies generally do for scaled toys, either by routine or perhaps mandates from the licensor.
 
Aside the other issues, another problem with the mask and helmet is it's too symmetrical -- no doubt HT made this with a computer then 3d printed it.
The ANH movie helmet was sculpted by hand that's why it's asymmetrical, then cast in gel coat so there will be no need to paint it in gloss black and gun metal. I read somewhere that they pulled out the helmet from the mold before it thoroughly cured so it became warped and more asymmetrical. I think they used the same helmet in ESB but was painted in gloss black and gun metal and polished to make it glossier.

3D printing does not preclude asymmetry. It's just not something these companies generally do for scaled toys, either by routine or perhaps mandates from the licensor.

Long time ago in a company named Gentle Giant they managed to make a pretty accurate Stormtrooper asymmetrical helmet. That was and remains a rare thing to this day, when most licensed collectibles, even 1:1 ones are idealized to a certain level. I doubt we'll see very soon a Darth Vader figure looking that close to the screen used helmets.
 
Long time ago in a company named Gentle Giant they managed to make a pretty accurate Stormtrooper asymmetrical helmet. That was and remains a rare thing to this day, when most licensed collectibles, even 1:1 ones are idealized to a certain level. I doubt we'll see very soon a Darth Vader figure looking that close to the screen used helmets.

Right, the stormtrooper bust...I think amongst other things it's difficult to get the asymmetry correct, making a complex mass of curves and angles even more so. Didn't GG supposedly have access to props that they scanned?
 
Right, the stormtrooper bust...I think amongst other things it's difficult to get the asymmetry correct, making a complex mass of curves and angles even more so. Didn't GG supposedly have access to props that they scanned?

Indeed. Those were the good times. Their new Stormies look way different
 
Being symmetrical don't bother me. If they have done the tusk tubes incorrect right from the proto stage, it would be forgivable (Like tusks following upper tube in ESB version). But they did this right in the proto and manage to undo a correctly done section. What's this? Licensor interruption?
But, since I ordered knowing that, I don't feel betrayed thanks to my new no preorder policy.
Mine departed US, by the way.
 
A comparison with the EFX 1.1 helmet...

HT definitely added some asymmetry and crookedness to the sculpt...with both the eye and cheek shape being a very close match...helmet dome too is gloriously wonky...

VC1.jpgVC2.jpg
 
Aside the other issues, another problem with the mask and helmet is it's too symmetrical -- no doubt HT made this with a computer then 3d printed it.
The ANH movie helmet was sculpted by hand that's why it's asymmetrical, then cast in gel coat so there will be no need to paint it in gloss black and gun metal. I read somewhere that they pulled out the helmet from the mold before it thoroughly cured so it became warped and more asymmetrical. I think they used the same helmet in ESB but was painted in gloss black and gun metal and polished to make it glossier.
Pretty sure I read that they remade the Vader helmets for ESB, all the ANH ones were "lost". Stormtrooper stuff was reused, about 40 ANH suits were used for Empire.

As others have mentioned, HT would need to scan props to get the exact asymmetrical look. For the money we pay, they should do that.

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Flip comparisons show the asymmetry a little more...

I'm guessing HT kept the mouth vent straight more so to help the mask sit down flush on the neck brace...with this being a mass produced piece some of the masks may not fit as snug as others...

Personally i kind of wish they had made the mask and neck brace one solid sculpt as to avoid seeing the cuts on tusk tubing(which were only ever seen for a split second in the movie)

I still think they done a great job though as there's so much to love:)

0 1 (7).jpg0 11 (4).jpg
 
Great comp pics Matrix.

It's strange that this is a totally different HT sculpt yet it shares the same small "button nose" issue with the HT 1/6 ESB sculpt.
 
The whole face at the cheeks is also too narrow. It takes a few small details wrong to throw the whole thing off

Iron Studios statue looks more like screen Vader
 
The whole face at the cheeks is also too narrow. It takes a few small details wrong to throw the whole thing off

Iron Studios statue looks more like screen Vader

Yeah, it only took me a few seconds to know there's something wrong with the mask.
 
I only had one nitpick, besides that, this is by far my grail piece in my collection.

Still have to test those batteries though.


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Here's a helmet comparison with the Iron Studios 1/4 statue...

The mouth vent and nose are better scaled on the IS mask and i prefer the shape of tusk tubing...but the eyes and nose bridge are way off..and the helmet dome is inaccurate too...

IS Pic courtesy of EditionCollector.fr

VC6.jpg
 
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