Darth Maul (Sith Lord) - Lords Of The Sith - 1:6 Scale Figures

Darth Maul is undoubtedly one of the most frequented Star Wars characters in 12” (or one-sixth) scale. Let’s face it. He is probably the coolest villain in the entire Star Wars universe (who isn’t Darth Vader) and despite being in one of the weaker Prequel Trilogy films, his scnes were exciting and extremely entertaining. There is something alluring and eerie about his ominous presence. The red skin with black tattoos is quite alarming and the unique patterns on his face immediately catch your attention. His few lines in the film helped add to his notoriety. It’s an unofficial rule in Star Wars films, but typically the less you say, the cooler you are. (Well, it certainly works for Bossk and Boba Fett – among many other characters.) It was inevitable that when Sideshow Collectibles was licensed the 12” figure line from Hasbro that Darth Maul would be one of their first goals to produce. Actually, he was one of the first 10 figures released and the first non-exclusive 12” figure in the Lord of The Sith collection. (The 2006 Comic Con exclusive Darth Vader was technically the first.) Sideshow Collectibles did an outstanding job on the figure and we have to say it’s one figure that will be a timeless fixture in your collection. Darth Maul has been designed that well and we’re so happy he got the treatment he deserved.

Darth Maul was also the first 12” collectible to be released with an inclusive edition size. What this actually means is that collectors will never know how many peoples exactly of Darth Maul have been produced with the extra accessory. The “inclusive” concept was great in theory, but not ideal in practice. Collectors typically want to know how many pieces of a limited edition product get produced. Unfortunately, that information will remain proprietary to the staff at Sideshow Collectibles. At the same rate, it does offer everyone an opportunity to grab the exclusive accessory. (Editor’s Note: We think it didn’t pan out as Sideshow had hoped as Inclusive Edition pieces have not been offered in a very long time.) But how did the Darth Maul figure turn out? Well, it came out incredibly. Utilizing the short Art S. Buck body type, it may not be the best base body, but the costuming and paint job make up for whatever you may consider to be limitations of the Art S. Buck body. Darth Maul is loaded with accessories. Inclusive collectors are treated to two unique pieces: the damaged lightsaber hilt and the damages lightsaber with ignited blade. But you still have more accessories than you know what to do with if you purchased the regular edition. The detailed belt, various lightsabers and electrobinoculars accent Maul wonderfully. And the multiple interchangeable hands including one wit the droid controller bracelet complement this versatile figure even more.

Darth Maul has been designed a gorgeous outfit. It’s comprised of a tunic, undershirt, pants and hooded Sith robe. The outfit is fitted and creates a beautiful silhouette for Maul. He doesn't look chunky or bulky in the least. The outfit is clean and perfectly cut and you really couldn’t ask for a finer job as far as what fabrics they used to imitate the real costume in the film. Sideshow scores high marks for their attention to detail here. We’re also very impressed with the portrait. Although it may be relatively easy for licensees to recreate a red face with black tattoos, it’s not as frequent to nail the likeness of Maul’s expression. We think Sideshow succeeded here also. Darth Maul has the right amount of attitude, deadened emotion and grimace needed to capture his personality. Unless figures come with multiple portraits, it’s hard to find an all around average look for a character, but we think Sideshow got it right. The horns look incredibly realistic protruding through his skull and they’re not too long so the hood looks natural when atop his head. Darth Maul is a great figure for the Lords Of The Sith line. We honestly couldn’t be happier with the final results and this may be the definitive 12” version of him. We would like to see Sideshow Collectibles hit more of the Sith in this line. More are sure to come, but we likely won’t relax until Sideshow gives us something to satiate our longing.