It’s always disappointing when something regresses.  We want to see constant progress.  The action figure line took a huge step forward with 1998’s removable helmet Darth Vader figure.  It took two steps backwards with this Flashback Darth Vader from 1999 while taking one step forward.  That step forward is the fact that at the time of its release, this was the most articulated Darth Vader figure.  The arms feature a then unprecedented six points of articulation with swivel joints at each shoulder, elbow and wrist.  That makes this offering the first Darth Vader action figure that could hold the saber in both hands through articulation.  1997’s Final Jedi Duel Darth Vader could hold the saber in both hands, but that was via sculpting and not articulation.  The lightsaber battle in A New Hope was consciously choreographed to use a two handed sword style, so this is a significant advancement. 

The problem is that everything else seems to take a step backward.  The swollen POTF2 proportions that were thankfully starting to wane with the previous Vader release make a bit of a resurgence with the Flashback Darth Vader.  While not as bicep bursting as the original modern Darth Vader figure released in 1995, the girth of the limbs certainly seem exaggerated as does the thickness of the torso.  The hands suffer from the familiar POTF2 gigantism.  It appears as if Vader is wearing hockey gloves.  I wonder if he also taped on the foil before his match with Kenobi. 

Also taking a step backward is the episode accuracy that Hasbro had paid close attention to with this figure’s 1998 predecessor.  This Vader figure is based on the Episode IV costume with the correct gloves and robe placement, but the chest box is wrong.  It may be minor, but the top light should be green for Episode IV, but it is instead painted blue which is how the chest box appeared in Episodes V and VI.  The helmet is also oddly pitted.  I don’t know if this was an attempt at a used universe look despite it not being reflected on screen.  This figure was part of the last wave of original trilogy figures before the onslaught of Episode I product.  I sense it was a half hearted effort while the majority of Hasbro resources were focused on the Phantom Menace.  It feels like we’re experiencing the same thing in the current Black Series as Hasbro ramps up for Episode VII.

While the 1998 release could have value to a collector as a landmark figure, I can’t imagine anyone wanting this Flashback Darth Vader unless you simply need to own all Darth Vader figures (nomad).  2 out of 10.