There Is Another…Darth…Vader That I Would Buy

2022 brought us the outstanding VC241 - Darth Vader (Dark Times) release. Two years later, it's still one of the best figures in the Vintage Collection lineup. In 2023, some (or most) of that tooling was put back to use for two more incredible Darth Vader figures. They are VC280 - Darth Vader (Death Star II) and VC291 - Darth Vader (Duel's End). They are sourced to Episode VI and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, respectively. Next month, we are due to get the fourth reuse of that tooling for an Episode IV based Vader. That's four Vaders in three years, and I'm still hungry for more.

For all intents and purposes, there are no differences between Vader's costume in Episodes V and VI, at least nothing that could be appreciated in the 3.75" scale. What makes V280 specific to Return of the Jedi is the removable helmet to recreate the scene at the end of the movie, and it's that removable helmet that has me wanting one more Original Trilogy release. I had hoped that Vader's portrait reveal would be accomplished via swappable heads, but Hasbro opted to go for a two-piece helmet as was seen in the movie. It seems most fans actually preferred this approach for the scene recreation it afforded. I have to admit that it was executed very well, but I contended it's not as aesthetically perfect as it could be with a sculpted helmet.

As mentioned above, because of the Ep V/VI interchangeability, I'm using VC280 for my Episode V dioramas, but I would actually be a buyer if I could replace those figures with a non-removable helmet version. First, I think the card would appeal to carded collectors. We've had two Darth Vader film outs from Episode VI. They are the above-mentioned VC280 and VC115 - Darth Vader, which is colloquially given the "Emperor's Wrath" sub designation. We've had two Darth Vader figures using the same Episode IV film out. The first is VC08 - Darth Vader (even though the figure is sourced to Jedi), and the second is VC93 - Darth Vader. We've never had a Vintage Collection Vader film out sourced to The Empire Strikes Back.

To give you an idea what one might look like, John Miko or the Star Wars The Vintage Collection Facebook group whipped up the following mock up:


I think that looks pretty cool. If I had to distill Episode V down to a single visual, it's Vader in the Carbon Freeze Chamber. It's also reminscent of what Hasbro did for the VC171 - Stormtrooper release from the Carbon Freeze Chamber playset.

To further entice you, the savings from the sculpted helmet compared to VC280 should allow Hasbro to cost in swappable hands as they've done with some of the other Vader releases using this Dark Times sculpt. I would want this Vader to come with the "if you only knew the power of the dark side" hand:


Hasbro sort of sculpted that hand (I assume) for the "Saga" 02-30 - Darth Vader (Bespin Duel) figure in 2002. Obviously, a single hand sculpted in that pose destroys the utility of the figure, but as a swappable hand, it would be sweet. I'd also want a clenched left fist as a second swappable hand.

So who else is coming with me to the looney bin and would be willing to plunk down another $17 for a fifth Darth Vader? No one? Just me? I figured. Now, about that Episode III Vader that needs updating...

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