Hot Toys Review | Darth Vader (Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Explore the new Hot Toys Darth Vader figure and its special edition packaging. Read our review of the deluxe version and discover its exclusive features.

While we eagerly anticipate the release of the Obi-Wan Kenobi figure from his standalone Star Wars series, let’s take a closer look at the new Hot Toys Darth Vader. There are four versions—the DX and the DX Deluxe Version—each with exclusive features. I will be reviewing the deluxe version.

THE BOX AND ACCESSORIES

Since it’s a DX figure, the box is different. It looks the same on the outside – a black box with a promotional picture of the figure and the Star Wars logo. The figures from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series have a red and grey colored strip with two additional images of the figure on it. But when you remove that part, you get the fancy DX box. Undoubtedly, these are the best Hot Toys boxes. They always have the best art. This one features Obi-Wan fighting Darth Vader and all the Inquisitors seen in the series. Could Hot Toys eventually reveal the Fourth Sister and Fifth Brother figures for the Inquisitors? It’s been two years, and there’s still no news.

Regarding accessories, it’s a DX and a deluxe version, so you get everything! I don’t have any notes here. There are two display bases. The first one is a re-use of the base that came with Iron Man MK-85 (Battle Damaged) except they painted it grey like the colour of the barren moon from the series finale. It’s a fantastic base, and re-using it for Darth Vader works fine. The barren moon was rocky like this. The second base is also a re-use. This one was used for a quarter-scale figure, but it works just as well for a sixth-scale figure. It’s enormous and can stand for a Death Star interior, an Imperial Star Destroyer, or even a Republic Star Destroyer. It doesn’t have a nameplate so that you can use it for any figure. Know that it’s a thick and large base, so you need space to display it. The cherry on the cake for this one is the LED function powered by USB!

HANDS ON!

Then, he has nine hands – two to hold the lightsabers, two to keep the belt boxes, one fist, one Force hand, and three gesture hands. He has his lightsaber; it’s the same one we’ve seen with the previous figure. It uses an excellent silver paint. And this time, it’s the first Darth Vader figure with a USB-powered saber. For this one, no more batteries! As usual, there is a standard blade and an action blade. Her lightsaber split in two is also included if you want to recreate his fight against Reva!

Finally, there is a Darth Vader helmet and a control panel if you want to display the figure in his classic look. That’s the difference between the simple DX and the Deluxe Version: it includes two ways to display Vader.

THE FIGURE

We’ve seen Darth Vader figures before, but this damaged version is magnificent. It will look great in any collection! I got the Deluxe Version because I also want to display him in his classic look, but having it in hand, I think I will display him in his damaged version for quite some time. This figure is based on his look from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, similar to how he looks in Rogue One. It mixes his Revenge of the Sith look and his Rogue One look. Hot Toys has re-used several parts of the RO version for this one. Unfortunately, it uses pleather, but that’s how his outfit looks. So the best I can say is to display him in a neutral pose or ensure you don’t leave him in the same action pose for an extended time. Living in an environment that doesn’t have a high humidity level also helps, but depending on which country you live in, it’s not something you can control.

LIGHTSABER LOVE!

Like the lightsaber and the display base, all the LED light-up parts of the figure are USB-powered. So, this is a game-changer for Darth Vader figures. No more spending half an hour installing and removing all the batteries; you need a USB-C cable, and you can leave the figure with the lights on in your display!

When you display the figure in its damaged look, the cape has a hole, but to get it to look normal, you just have to turn it around, and then you have an undamaged cape. It’s easy to change the helmet and the control panel. You can change looks in under a minute. Hot Toys has made something really easy to use.

THE HEADSCULPT

The broken helmet is truly unique. You can see Hayden Christensen’s face under this. They gave him the correct expression – that’s pure evil right there. The detailing on the helmet itself is also quite impressive! Tae Ho Kang never disappoints! Even though it’s just one eye, there is the moving feature! I don’t think it was needed for this one, but I won’t complain about it!

GALLERY

VERDICT

This is the ultimate Hot Toys Darth Vader figure; you get everything you need with this one and more! The damaged helmet will make your figure stand out in your collection!

Sideshow Collectibles distributes the Hot Toys Darth Vader figure in Europe and the United States! Subscribe to our newsletter at the top of our homepage to stay up-to-date with all the latest Hot Toys reviews from Future of the Force.