Hot Toys Darth Vader

[torgospizza]

http://www.hottoys.com.hk/productDetail.php?productID=276

If I missed a thread with the announcement, I apologize. It looks like this will be the definitive version of Vader to have.

[Gorn Captain]

He looks amazing. It's a piece of art.
I must admit, one of the finest figures I have ever seen. And will never own...

[Nostalgiabuff]

interesting. does not look like his helmet is removable though

[Brown Bear]

Wow...they really do an amazing job.

[Hedji]

It is a well crafted figure, for sure. Probably the best Vader figure ever. And yet, for $300, all I can see are its faults. Don't wish to dwell on the negative, but I've worked hard to build a life-size ANH Darth Vader, and I would think for the price Hot Toys is asking, that they would get the details down pat.

[BlackKnight]

Told myself I wouldn't
Then saw it
And must ....

[Gorn Captain]

It is a well crafted figure, for sure. Probably the best Vader figure ever. And yet, for $300, all I can see are its faults. Don't wish to dwell on the negative, but I've worked hard to build a life-size ANH Darth Vader, and I would think for the price Hot Toys is asking, that they would get the details down pat.

Where did Hot Toys go wrong? What mistakes are there?

[enyawd72]

Where did Hot Toys go wrong? What mistakes are there?

The shape of the helmet is still a little off, and it doesn't have the two-tone black and gunmetal paint scheme from the looks of it. It also looks too clean overall, IMO. Episode IV Darth was a little battle damaged and not so polished looking.

[Hedji]

Okay, since I was asked for more, I'll go into more detail. Keep in mind, I'm a Vader costumer, with a focus on ANH. It's my thing. So I'm not bashing just to be negative.

Dwayne is right; The helmet does have issues. It's too idealized and symmetrical, and small, riding too high off the shoulders. For me, the main thing is the proportions of the body are way off, and size of the chest box, and the way the armor, chest box, belt, and codpiece are spaced. They've made his shoulders too broad, and made the figure too tall. There is way too much space showing between those components, whereas in the film, they are almost touching.

See that huge gap between the belt and the chest box? No way. See all that crinkly leather suit showing on the torso? You shouldnt see that at all. Not in A New Hope. No amount of futzing with the doll will correct that the proportions are fundamentally off.







See? Close together. Almost no crinkly leather suit showing on the torso.







Here's a fan-modified Sideshow figure that gets the look better:


I'll steal an illustration from a member from the Sideshow message board:

Hot Toys successfully achieved this:


But Not this:

[Gorn Captain]

Interesting info, you obviously know your Vader!
You are right, they made him a little too perfect, too tall and streamlined.

I still wouldn't say "no" if I found him under my Christmas tree, though...

Thanks for sharing!

[enyawd72]

^The man knows his Vader. WOW that Sideshow mod looks waaaay better than the Hot Toys.

The components of his suit being close together gives him a thicker, bulkier look. Makes him more intimidating IMO. and, like in your photos, he needs to be a little banged up. Much more realistic.

[Hedji]

I'll let you in on my own collector psychology too. I fully admit, I'd love to own it. Anyone who can afford it should be proud to have it in their collection. Part of my nitpicking is a way to tell myself I don't need to spend $300 on a Darth Vader figure!

[acrovader]

How is the figure 'too tall'? Too tall compared to what? Isn't the figure around 12"? Isn't that the normal format for these types of figures?

[Hedji]

The height is a tad tall, but it'd be more correct to say something is out of proportion.

[rche]

hot toys are cool, but I am super happy with my Sideshow version1 of Darth. It was one of the last SS figures I picked up before I realized I just could not afford that type of collecting with new figures.