Darth Malgus - Premium Format Figures

There is something really special about an Expanded Universe character that becomes exponentially popular with Star Wars fans simply based on the way he looks. Let’s be honest, aside from The Old Republic video game trailer, there wasn’t much more of Darth Malgus that was made public before he became the focus on most people’s minds. Thankfully, Hasbro got right on the ball and developed a definitive action figure of him right from the beginning and released it as 2012’s TVC Darth Malgus (VC96) figure. That figure was excellent in its entirety. Now Sideshow Collectibles develops this character in the Premium Format Figures line (along with a Life Size Figure collectible and 1:6 Scale Figure collectible). Just as you might imagine, Darth Malgus is another spectacular work of art. Sideshow introduces Premium Format Figure collectors to a few new changes too. For example, unless it’s just special packaging to commemorate the fact that Darth Malgus is a video game character, he comes in a box that sports all-new artwork. Sideshow Collectibles has broken their format on how Premium Format Figures are packaged. Of particular note, no long bio is present anywhere on the box. We suppose Sideshow Collectibles has finally realized that collectors don’t have time to reach such things. When you open up the box, you’ll find a figure that breaks down into seven parts (eight if you have the Sideshow Exclusive version) and it can be assembled with relative ease. We were quite shocked with the weight of this piece. It is significantly more than the eight pounds Sideshow has claimed the piece weighs on the item’s product page on their website.

When fully assembled, Darth Malgus is remarkable. He is extremely tall and he must have one cut body underneath all of that armor. His thighs are thick and his upper body is massive. We don’t know who would be brave enough to engage this behemoth in a lightsaber battle. That would be madness. The head sculpt on this Premium Format Figure is stunning. You’re doubly fortunate if you purchased the Sideshow Exclusive version because the exclusive accessory is a second, but unmasked, portrait. It is on this interchangeable piece that you will really find all of the details that have been sculpted to create a malevolent, angry and frightening Sith Lord. The shadowing on his portrait adds texture and then the veins painted on his head add an unbelievable amount of detail. They are applied so incredibly well that they couldn’t appear more real in our opinion. His eyes also provide a sense that this guy is really irritated and that is what is so magical with the characters presented in the Premium Format Figures line. Sideshow Collectibles truly possesses a talent that allows them to look amazingly realistic. As you continue down the piece, you’ll find that both shoulder armor pieces are removable. (They attach via magnetic attraction which runs along his upper chest and shoulders). The nice feature here is that you can add his soft-goods cape that has a wire for shaping and the magnetic pull holds the wire in place. Then the shoulder armor can be laid over the cape and held in place thanks to these magnets for alternate display. For one reason or another this option looks cool even it is isn't accurate. It’s a rather ingenious way of providing Darth Malgus with layers and added textures.

We have never been entirely crazy with electronic features on these very expensive collectibles. (If they go, that’s it. You’ll never be able to have them replaced.) But with the enhancements Sideshow Collectibles has made with updated lightsaber hilts, we have to say that they’re continually growing on us. In Darth Malgus’ case, they’re absolutely necessary, in fact they’re needed. Not only does his lightsaber blade light up beautifully, so do electronic features in his neck, chest and gauntlets. They don’t ignite as brightly as the lightsaber blade, but they glow enough to make a point and be very noticeable. As a result, we couldn’t be more happier with how this piece turned out. We will just have to pray that the electronics hold up and that they last for our lifetime at least. Darth Malgus brings everything to the table that you want to see. It has some interchangeability and it looks fantastic no matter how you display him. And you truly feel like you are getting what you paid for thanks to his very noticeable weightiness. It really is disheartening to get an expensive high-end collectible that is light as a feather. It just doesn’t feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. That is absolutely not the case here. We even love his display base, which houses the electronics, battery or AC power, and provides a setting for him to be showcased. We really tried hard to find some fault with this piece, but we come up empty-handed. We have always said that Sideshow Collectibles’ Premium Format Figures are better than the last, but it seems like that is a trend that is indeed holding true.