Sideshow ESB/ROTJ Darth Vader

[Too Much Garlic]

No, I own one of the earlier prototypes - untrimmed formed parts in light colored vinyl with some resin pieces (saber and dome) and no body. A fully completed pink version prototype was up for auction on eBay some months back, but I couldn't afford it. The one above, which is what I would call a near production sample ready prototype would be even more expensive.

Sure, there are things that can be improved upon the Marmit, but it is also an old sculpt and much more and better reference material is available now as well as new production procedures such as scanning and printing, yet it still surpasses the Sideshow Vaders and is still the licensed figure benchmark to strive for, for many people.

The thing that would really top everything is scanning the real helmets and armor and hard parts and then printing them in the correct scale. Though, my experience is that even those who say they want accuracy, really still prefer idealized and not the level of accuracy that the real props would give. Many are surprised by how the original pieces actually look. But for someone like me who has studied the props for such a long time... then the real accurate look is the winner every time.

Thing's I'd give for recasts of that that wouldn't shrink..

I won't be offering copies of the Marmit pieces ever. But they really are nice.

It won't be difficult for Hot Toys to beat the Sideshow offerings. But whether they'll beat the Marmit is another thing. Even though that one is unproduced, it is still the best created licensed version to date. Of course, if Hot Toys want, they can go all-accurate and do what I did - scan the original pieces for sixth scale reproduction - but they won't. Sadly.

Will you be offering these rescaled originals?

I cannot offer them here, but have more extensive threads about this over at TheClubhouse1.net forum.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Wasn't this back in the late 90's? If so back then this Vader is still is spectacular!

For those who haven't seen it you can find some more pictures of the prototypes on this page

https://www1.odn.ne.jp/~cdt96010/marmit-vader.htm

and it has the pink Vader that was up for auction, but I think it didn't sell. Wish I could afford it.

 

[Kamandi]

My Vader just arrived today. Lights aren't turning on. Was there a tab to pull or something besides the switch on the back of the belt?

For the price would it kill Sideshow to include an instruction sheet?

 

[eczamurai]

Open the battery package, and there should be a piece of plastic to prevent the patteries from working/leaking. Remove it.

 

[eczamurai]

A CHOIRBOY!

.... STOP BEING SUCH A *****!

 

[eczamurai]

Made myself a `join me` hand. Remodeled the gripping hand with hot water and cut the vingers lose from eachother. I just had to.

 

[Kamandi]

Open the battery package, and there should be a piece of plastic to prevent the patteries from working/leaking. Remove it.

Yup. found the plastic. Unfortunately the batteries fell out so I'm unsure what direction they were supposed to be or how many. Two batteries isn't lighting it up no matter if I put them in + side up or down.

 

[eczamurai]

Yup. found the plastic. Unfortunately the batteries fell out so I'm unsure what direction they were supposed to be or how many. Two batteries isn't lighting it up no matter if I put them in + side up or down.

I had the same thing. There is a tutorial in the box. The + side is the side with the letters and stuff on it. hope that helps

 

[TaliBane]

He has like this tense almost closed first for his right hand when it ahould be his left.. The luke vader scene in esb I'm talking about

Yeah, I made a pointing left hand for Vader to point while holding the saber with his right hand.

Made myself a `join me` hand. Remodeled the gripping hand with hot water and cut the vingers lose from eachother. I just had to.

That looks great - and I love that Vader's fingers become "vingers"

 

[Kamandi]

OK, my ******* moment is over and I got the lights to work.

Robes take a LOT of futzing, and he's freakishly out of scale, but I dig this figure.

 

[Pixelpiper]

Two batteries isn't lighting it up no matter if I put them in + side up or down.

That's because they can't both be in the same orientation - they're in series.

For future reference: The one on the left (closes to the switch) should be flat side down and the one on the right (closest to the screw) flat side up.

 

[OutLander]

.Robes take a LOT of futzing, and he's freakishly out of scale, but I dig this figure.

Yes, Yes and Yes. People have done mods to make him in scale, but I have him displayed by himself unmodded. He commands the room.

 

[eczamurai]

Yeah, I made a pointing left hand for Vader to point while holding the saber with his right hand.



That looks great - and I love that Vader's fingers become "vingers"

Lol im dutch. I confused our word with yours!

 

[eczamurai]

Wish there was a way to lower his body that didn't require cutting and stuff and didnt cost me a new body.

 

[Kamandi]

Lol im dutch. I confused our word with yours!

Just say you spent too much time in Amsterdam and everyone will understand.

 

[TaliBane]

Lol im dutch. I confused our word with yours!

And... umm... when you call out "father," what is the Dutch word you use....?

 

[agonistes86]

Wish there was a way to lower his body that didn't require cutting and stuff and didnt cost me a new body.

Same here, man. I'm dreading the abdomen the most, as it involves modifying the joint. Shortening the lower arms, and even the upper legs to some extent, isn't as difficult, but that upper body... And then the bodysuit has to be modified as well of course.

 

[eczamurai]

And... umm... when you call out "father," what is the Dutch word you use....?

Fun fact. Father is Vader in Dutch. And no. That's not a coincidence. Funny how I never was surprised by the big reveal, nor most dutch people. Vader... means father so yea.

 

[DarthAlias]

Custom body and Hasbro dome. Still my favorite. Had to beef up the body too.

 

[eczamurai]

Custom body and Hasbro dome. Still my favorite. Had to beef up the body too.

The original body? Specifics?