Sideshow ESB/ROTJ Darth Vader

[Invictus Sol]

I can already say that this looks like the best 1/6th scale Vader ever made.

Whatever the inaccuracies (haven't noticed as I've never really studied Vader's costume -- aside from the obvious differences between the ANH and ESB/ROTJ versions), it's still way better than the Medi, IMO. Looks more menacing and feels more like 'Vader' to me. Just surprised that they didn't display all the details, like his chopped off hand and the helmets. Really looking forward to seeing Vader in more detail when he goes up for pre-order (or maybe Sideshow will show more in the next couple of days?).

 

[SilentSurfer]

I don't know if anybody else noticed this, but I just noticed something wrong with this Vader. I painted almost all of the parts for this except the fully built helmet and the shoulder armor. Those parts weren't ready when I painted the rest, like the reveal helmet. But now that I see it fully built up I see that his shoulder armor is WRONG! They should be BLACK, not gray! The prequel shoulder armor was gray, but not Empire/Jedi.

This kind of thing really frustrates me.

 

[SilentSurfer]

So are we sure this doesn't light up? It really looks like there is a slight haze around the green of the belt.

Crap, I hope they didn't paint in a light haze like the did with Galactus and all the orange lava effects on Vader and Sauron

Sorry, I painted it like that. Doesn't light up (as far as I know).

 

[FLOSI]

Whatever the inaccuracies (haven't noticed as I've never really studied Vader's costume -- aside from the obvious differences between the ANH and ESB/ROTJ versions), it's still way better than the Medi, IMO. Looks more menacing and feels more like 'Vader' to me. Just surprised that they didn't display all the details, like his chopped off hand and the helmets. Really looking forward to seeing Vader in more detail when he goes up for pre-order (or maybe Sideshow will show more in the next couple of days?).

I'd say a couple months.

I don't know if anybody else noticed this, but I just noticed something wrong with this Vader. I painted almost all of the parts for this except the fully built helmet and the shoulder armor. Those parts weren't ready when I painted the rest, like the reveal helmet. But now that I see it fully built up I see that his shoulder armor is WRONG! They should be BLACK, not gray! The prequel shoulder armor was gray, but not Empire/Jedi.

This kind of thing really frustrates me.

Someone mentioned it... I really hope they fix that. Does SS depend upon painters, such as yourself, to do all the research of source material or do they provide, specify how those details should be handled?

 

[MaulFan]

The shoulder armor looks like the ANH armor just glossed.

I am starting to think this may be a cobbled prototype for the sake of having it out there, might also explain why there was so much shadow in the teaser, and perhaps they want to get some feedback on things from folks before unveiling the full protoptype.

 

[FLOSI]

Sorry, I painted it like that. Doesn't light up (as far as I know).

Is that overspray or just light catching it?

 

[MaulFan]

Sorry, I painted it like that. Doesn't light up (as far as I know).

Good job, and even the factory can pull off the effect, I was amazed by ANH Vader how his buttons are just paint but done in a way that in the right lighting, they look lit up, it's really cool.

 

[FLOSI]

The shoulder armor looks like the ANH armor just glossed.

I am starting to think this may be a cobbled prototype for the sake of having it out there, might also explain why there was so much shadow in the teaser, and perhaps they want to get some feedback on things from folks before unveiling the full protoptype.

I've been thinking the same... Some parts are new, some are rehash. The TBD price makes me think we're a few months away, so I'm sure there's more work to be done.

 

[Invictus Sol]

This kind of thing really frustrates me.

Ah, man, can't even imagine how annoying that must be when it was literally one of two parts you didn't paint. Any chance that can be fixed before production, or is it too late? Guess it would be a simple paint fix, too, for those that it would bother.

 

[kl241]

The shoulder armor looks like the ANH armor just glossed.

I am starting to think this may be a cobbled prototype for the sake of having it out there, might also explain why there was so much shadow in the teaser, and perhaps they want to get some feedback on things from folks before unveiling the full protoptype.

Surely they would have known if they cobbled together a hackneyed ANH Vader that the fans would nitpick it to pieces and cry foul. Why even bother? If you don't have something to show (like Grievous) then don't even try to Con ('ja get it?) us with a makeshift prototype.

 

[MaulFan]

I've been thinking the same... Some parts are new, some are rehash. The TBD price makes me think we're a few months away, so I'm sure there's more work to be done.

In some of the photos, the height doesn't really seem like anything got changed. Also, as has been mentioned, you would think if this was a fully working figured, the pieces of the helmet would be on the display surface with the Anakin portrati showing, plus showing off how they're doing ESB and ROTJ helmet pieces.

The thing I take away from this display piece is the cape and robe look to be of a nicer material this time around, maybe something with a little weight to it.

 

[SilentSurfer]

Someone mentioned it... I really hope they fix that. Does SS depend upon painters, such as yourself, to do all the research of source material or do they provide, specify how those details should be handled?

They usually have some references, but mostly the same you can find by doing good Google-Fu. Most of my Vader refs were stuff I found.

Is that overspray or just light catching it?

It was my deliberate attempt to create a light glow effect, but essentially it is the same as a controlled overspray.

 

[pixletwin]

Sorry, I painted it like that. Doesn't light up (as far as I know).

I actually quite like the effect too.

 

[MaulFan]

Surely they would have known if they cobbled together a hackneyed ANH Vader that the fans would nitpick it to pieces and cry foul. Why even bother? If you don't have something to show (like Grievous) then don't even try to Con ('ja get it?) us with a makeshift prototype.

Well you hit the nail on the head, they brought Grievous even though he was nothing more than a statue. It's like they can't get on track to have complete pieces for the show or something, or think it's smart to show off work that's not finished. I'm sure they felt a need to start showing some more non-Clone stuff again, plus with Boba Fett shipping, doesn't hurt to show off that a Vader is coming that could be a companion to him, and DX Luke from HT is still coming.

 

[Invictus Sol]

It was my deliberate attempt to create a light glow effect, but essentially it is the same as a controlled overspray.

Cool, never would've guessed that anyone would've gone to the trouble to overspray on such a small detail on a 1:6 figure. Well done, Silent. That picture really had me believing there was an actual light source there.

 

[SilentSurfer]

I can't say with 100% confidence that this has no rehash parts, but I do know that all the parts needed to be painted, and I believe they are all new. The helmet for sure is all new, and I'm pretty sure the one on display IS the fully built version. I can't see evidence that it comes apart where I know it does. This helmet is definitely superior to the old one, most specifically in its more correct larger size, which is evident in the pics.

The gloves are all new obviously because the pattern is different, as well as poses.

 

[SilentSurfer]

Cool, never would've guessed that anyone would've gone to the trouble to overspray on such a small detail on a 1:6 figure. Well done, Silent. That picture really had me believing there was an actual light source there.

Mission accomplished. Thanks.

 

[Matt S]

That dome still looks too short or whatnot to these eyes! I am sure it'll look great in hand as they always seem to do with little adjustments

 

[gibby]

It was my deliberate attempt to create a light glow effect, but essentially it is the same as a controlled overspray.

Yeah, thanks btw....my wife said you painted the lights to look on, so now I owe her a fancy pants dinner.

Seriously, though, awesome work as always, SS!!!

 

[SilentSurfer]

Awesome. She deserves it.