Darth Vader [Version 2] - SW [SOTDS] - Saga Legends (SL06)

Vader is obsessed with finding the young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star, believing him to be the offspring of Anakin Skywalker. Following up on a probe droid lead, Vader identifies the Rebel base on Hoth but arrives too late, as the last of the Rebels flee Echo Base.

Saga Legends has been all over the place as far as being a line for kids and collectors. After the marvelous 2007-2008 30 (77-07) collection, it was a tough act for Hasbro to beat and quite frankly, they never did supersede their efforts from that line since. But even after the 30 (77-07) line came to a close, Saga Legends periodically had a few surprises added here and there. While Hasbro focused on many main and key characters and clones, some obscure choices to help balance out the line have always been appreciated by collectors. This turnaround came to pass in the Star Wars “Shadow Of The Dark Side” facet of the Saga Legends line. Bounty hunters made their debut in the line and it was great to be offered another chance to pick them up, especially with many of them experiencing some refreshed and enhancements of their own. But it’s rare in the Star Wars line when a running change figure ends up being a worse quality figure than it’s predecessor, but that’s exactly what happened in the Star Wars “Shadow Of The Dark Side” Saga Legends line. There were many changes made in the 2010-2011 Saga Legends line. Whether it was a result of miscommunication between Hasbro and the factory (likely) or just one of those unavoidable mistakes that happen for reasons unknown (unlikely), usually an updated running change translates as “a better figure” for collectors. Sadly, the 2010 SW [SOTDS] Darth Vader Saga Legends (SL06) figure started off as a slight repaint of the very popular 2008' TLC Darth Vader (BD 8) figure. This excellent Return Of The Jedi specific Darth Vader figure was a wise candidate to repack in a Saga Legends line. Darth Vader, always a sought after action figure, can never be repacked enough in any Star Wars toy line, and a high quality version like this is just ideal for kids and collectors since the articulation, details and accessories are of such a high caliber.

Darth Vader [Version 1], the repaint of 2008’s TLC Darth Vader (BD 8) figure, comes with 22 points of articulation. He also comes with a removable helmet which reveals Anakin Skywalker and the damage he sustained during his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar. The figure is plainly excellent. It was popular in 2008 and it’s popular again in 2010. It’s competition, 2010’s TVC Darth Vader (VC08) figure is based on this figure but now comes with a removable helmet that breaks apart into three pieces. There is debate on which figure is better, but we think aesthetics aren’t compromised with The Legacy Collection/Star Wars “Shadow Of The Dark Side” Saga Legends versions. There isn’t an odd indentation in the back of the head to allow for the removable collar. But interestingly, Hasbro changed the paint operations just a bit necessitating another purchase for collectors that needs to have one of literally “everything”! Hasbro used new lighter and brighter colors of red and green to decorate his chest box. The deco is tighter and much cleaner than The Legacy Collection figure. Hasbro also cleaned up the paint job on the armor plating. The updates look pretty good. They also cleaned up the details on his belt including the buttons on the boxes and the center belt buckles is significantly brighter (it's nearly glistening). Hasbro has greatly improved the figure's overall aesthetics of the figure. For example, the black paint is perfectly in the lines for this release. And most importantly, Darth Vader's head has received a major update. A significantly less amount of "wash" on his skin is lighter and the final result looks much improved to our eyes. Although this figure may have only had minor adjustments made, it has done a lot to improve the figure ultimately. And improvement is what entices us to purchase figures we already have again.

For most of 2010, the revised TLC version of Darth Vader shipped alongside some popular bounty hunter and other main characters of the Star Wars saga. Somewhere along the way, Hasbro realized that the factory was packaging the incorrect figure and had it changed. (It’s a shame they thought this was the wrong figure in the line.) They directed the factory to include a repainted version of 2006’s TSC Darth Vader (SAGA 038) figure instead. This figure is based on the 2005’s ROTS Darth Vader (500th Figure) and has severely limited articulation by comparison. This of course became an instant letdown for collectors. This particular Darth Vader pales in comparison by a long shot. Between the swivel shoulders and the swivel elbows, the figure suffers from its immobility and isn’t that practical of an action figure by most collectors' standards. What we do find odd is that the figure has experienced a pint job revision of its own. The glued down helmet is the dead giveaway that this is the 2006 The Saga Collection version, but for Hasbro to update the upper body paint job is very strange to us. Hopefully you’ll be able to find the first version of Darth Vader. The figure you want is packaged without the helmet on his head. If the packaged figure is “wearing” his helmet, that’s the second (inferior) version. Inside of the packaging you’ll also receive the Galactic Battle Game card, a die, an action figure stand and an arsenal of “Secret Weapons”. There are three different random packages of seven weapons which can be used to enhance the included Saga Legends figure, or accent other figures you currently own in your collection. We’d recommend updating your 2008 TLC Darth Vader (BD 8) with the first version of 2010’s SW [SOTDS] Darth Vader (SL06) figure. It’s significantly improved. And we want improved figures in our collections.