Ree-Yees - Kenner - Vintage Return of the Jedi (1983)
Return to the Main Jedi Temple Archives Home Page

The Legacy Collection

Darth Vader - TLC - Basic (BD 8)

Name: Darth Vader
Collection: The Legacy Collection
Number: BD 8
Source: Return Of The Jedi
Availability: July 2008
License: Hasbro

Review_DarthVaderTLC001 Review_DarthVaderTLC002 Review_DarthVaderTLC003 Review_DarthVaderTLC004
Review_DarthVaderTLC005 Review_DarthVaderTLC006 Review_DarthVaderTLC007 Review_DarthVaderTLC008
Review_DarthVaderTLC009 Review_DarthVaderTLC010 Review_DarthVaderTLC011 Review_DarthVaderTLC012
Review_DarthVaderTLC013 Review_DarthVaderTLC014 Review_DarthVaderTLC015 Review_DarthVaderTLC016
Review_DarthVaderTLC017 Review_DarthVaderTLC018 Review_DarthVaderTLC019 Review_DarthVaderTLC020
Review_DarthVaderTLC021 Review_DarthVaderTLC022 Review_DarthVaderTLC023 Review_DarthVaderTLC024

As has been the custom of the Jedi and Sith for many centuries, Vader uses a meditation chamber to enhance his powers. Within this specially pressurized, hyperbaric enclosure, the Sith Lord is able to remove his mask and briefly still be able to breathe.

When The Legacy Collection debuted on July 26, 2008, the first so-called Return Of The Jedi wave really didn't contain that many figures that were based on the film; many were from deleted scenes or other Expanded Universe sources. Darth Vader is an exception to this - he is based on one of the final and most beloved scenes of the saga and having a true source from Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. Although he is not a new concept to the modern line, as we have received our fair share of Darth Vader (removable helmet) figures. But for the first time it was cleverly constructed with a helmet that comes apart in two separate pieces. This is a first and a very cool improvement on a previously established (and successful) figure. Hasbro had explained to us that the helmet was originally intended to come apart in three pieces, but production delays (and obvious additional tooling costs) prevented this from happening. But the two-piece gimmick works very well and it doesn't detract at all from its authenticity - the pieces lock together to form a complete helmet without blatantly visible connection points or lines for that matter. And to be honest, aside from the need for the droid part, this would be one of the few reasons to pick up this figure. After all, Darth Vader is not that much different from what we have already received before from Hasbro.

For the most part, this figure is nothing new as it is a retool of the 2005 ROTS Evolutions Darth Vader figure. It has seen release after release in one form of another including the late 2006 Episode IV Commemorative Tin Darth Vader and the 2007 TAC Darth Vader (30 16). Each time, Hasbro has done something just different enough to make you at least consider each purchase, including interchangeable uses of the Hayden Christensen head or the Sebastian Shaw head among many other changes. So if you're like us in the slightest (gluttons for punishment that is) then you will most likely see this figure as a necessity for your collection rather than a novelty purchase. Darth Vader is clearly the most popular character of the entire Star Wars saga, so it makes sense to get him multiple times every year in the basic figure line (and many other sub-collections). And while Hasbro could have simply just repacked an old figure, they have been gracious to collectors and made him new enough to warrant another purchase. Since you have seen this figure before (for the most part), Darth Vader is super articulated and his joints are quite utilitarian and posing-friendly. It is a great action figure even if it borrows so much from an older figure. As an additional side note, another Darth Vader figure was released in wave 1. It was Battle-Damaged Darth Vader GH 3, a straight repack of the 2008 TAC Battle-Damaged Darth Vader (08 12) figure. If you didn't pay attention, you may have picked this one up by accident. Since the blue TLC line look is so similar, it was easy to mix these two figures up.

Depending on the sample you have, your figure's paint job could be a bit messy and outside of the lines. Of particular note, the chest plate colors have ranked anywhere from OK to horrid for samples we saw out in the wild. We had to search the pegs high and low to find a very nicely painted Darth Vader figure ourselves. It still puzzles us how one figure's paint job dramatically differs from the next. We are even more puzzled by how Hasbro seems to let so many sloppy samples slip out from the manufacturers in China. Take the time to find a great painted figure because it makes all the difference in the world, trust us on this one. As a figure who Hasbro knew would be popular, this figure has seen subsequent releases in refresh waves with new droid parts quite a few times. And we expect it to make repeat appearances throughout the future of the basic line. And although the 'red phase' of the Legacy Collection is about to begin as of this entry, it's likely that this figure may be chosen to be added to this new line to because of its intense popularity. If Hasbro can clean up some of the paint ops, it will be a nearly flawless figure! But no matter how good or how well this figure is painted – it is still excellent for its attention to details and articulation. Besides, you know you want to remove his helmet (in pieces like Luke did) to recreate your own Anakin Skywalker reveal! This is reason enough for us to own this figure. And after all, he is Darth Vader. That should be all the reason in the world to add this figure to your collections.

Collector Notes

Darth Vader

Status: Darth Vader is a repaint of the figure from 2005's ROTS Anakin Skywalker To Darth Vader Evolutions set. This time Darth Vader comes with an all-new two-piece removable helmet.

Articulation Count: 22 points (14 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: swivel neck (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left glove (1), swivel right glove (1), swivel waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 3

Accessory Details: lightsaber, removable dome, removable mask

Original Droid Factory/Build A Droid Part: R7-Z0 dome/third leg

Date Stamp: 2005

Assortment Number: 87680/87535

UPC: 653569330400

Retail: $7.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.



Darth Vader

The Legacy Collection Wave 1

Han Solo (BD 1)

Luke Skywalker (BD 2)

Chewbacca (BD 3)

Leektar & Nippet (BD 4)

Ak-rev (BD 5)

Yarna d'al' Gargan (BD 6)

Bane Malar (BD 7)

Darth Vader (BD 8)

R4-D6 (Build A Droid)

R7-Z0 (Build A Droid)

The Legacy Collection Greatest Hits

Commander Gree (GH 1) (See TAC 08 03)

Kashyyyk Trooper (GH 2) (See TAC 08 04)

Battle-Damaged Darth Vader (GH 3) (See TAC 08 12)

Imperial EVO Trooper (GH 4) (See TAC 08 09)

Added: July 14, 2009
Category: Legacy Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:
blog comments powered by Disqus

Return to Research Droids Reviews Index

-Click HERE to return to the home page-

Channels

 

Follow Us

JTA Info

Affiliates

Hasbro

Gentle Giant

Sideshow Collectibles

Hot Toys

LEGO

Mattel

Disney

Disney Store

Acme Archives

Hallmark

Trading Cards

Store Reports

Research Droids Reviews

Visual Guides

Books & Novels

Convention News

Movie & TV News

Rants & Raves

Special Reports

       Facebook

       Instagram

       Pinterest

       Youtube

       RSS

Home

Contact

News Archives

Site Search

Image Use Policy

Disclosure Policy

Privacy Policy

RDR Index

Visual Guide Index

Bantha Skull

Collector's Cantina

Jedi News

Star Wars Figuren

Star Wars New Zealand

Star Wars is a Copyright and Trademark of LucasFilm LTD. This site is intended for informational purposes only, and is not in anyway associated with LFL. All Visual Guides, images, and content are the property of JediTempleArchives.com, © 2004-2019 and may not be reused without permission. Please do not direct link to any of the content on this web site.