Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,581: Darth Vader (2019, The Vintage Collection)

DARTH VADER 2019 Rerelease/Redeco
The Vintage Collection Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370  No. E5184
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #08
Includes: Mask/Helmet, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: April 2019
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: As a Sith Lord, Vader turned against his former comrades and hunted the surviving Jedi into near extinction. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Let's start with a warning - it may be difficult to identify this variation of Darth Vader for the average citizen.  In 2010, Hasbro released a VC08 Darth Vader too, with a very similar card front.  It was a repurposed 2005 Evolutions Darth Vader from the Revenge of the Sith line.  This new 2019 release has a new paint job on the face under the helmet, so you will probably want to track it down.   So to put that in perspective, Hasbro's state-of-the-art Darth Vader that's brand new is, in fact, 14 years old with a new coat of paint.

If you want this one - and you do - here's what you want to look for on the packaging.  One, the top-left corner reads "AGE/EDAD/IDADE."  Two, look for assortment E0370 and number E5184 under that trilingual age warning.  Three, there's a smaller "Darth Vader" name in the pill under the Empire Strikes Back logo.  Four, the back of the carded figure shows Yak Face on it.  If you're buying online and it's not obviously from the wave with the new Vader (also includes Echo Base Han, Hoth Leia, and Jedi Luke with new head deco) be sure to ask a lot of questions or ask for photos.

So! This Darth Vader is quirky.  If you have that previous release, you'll want this one too.  The big changes include: the helmet seems to be fused to the mask which is still painted.   The head has new paint which is more in line with the DVD edit - dark make-up, dark circles on the eyes, no eyebrows.   The chest computer now has a blue light rather than a green one.

While it is possible the mask/helmet on mine was just fused shut, I just got this figure the day I wrote the review and haven't heard a lot of feedback yet.   I was surprised to notice bits of gold paint inside the helmet, so maybe mine just dried and fused itself - your mileage may vary.  The cape on mine has a garbage "chain" that's sewn on off-sides, but that head! Oh, that head! The scars are so nasty.  The skin is so pale! The chest armor is so glossy!  That right hand is still totally worthless!  Thank goodness the left hand can grip a lightsaber.

Back in 2005, this was the very best Darth Vader - but keep in mind it's from 2005.  It doesn't have rocker ankles, bend-and-swivel wrists, or anything like that - the hips are much simpler, too.   This was a big step in the right direction back then, but we've since had figures with considerably more articulation that would probably be more welcome to bring back in the line.  Of course, then you wouldn't get that awesome head deco, which Hasbro didn't highlight and you probably don't know exists because the reads on this feature have dropped considerably in recent years.  Your loss, dudes.  But I digress - variant seekers and those wanting the very best, go get this Vader.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,581: April 30, 2019