DARTH VADER Sith Lord Holograph
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87645
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3048
Includes: Lightsaber, removable cape, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: While scouring the asteroid field for the Millennium Falcon, Darth Vader communicates with the Emperor via a hologram projection pod that transmits a flickering image of the sender. Vader coldly assures his Master that young Skywalker "will join us or die." (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's toy shelves.

Commentary: Back in 1982, it would seem preposterous to even consider Kenner releasing more than one Darth Vader action figure-- it's just a guy in a black suit, right? Well, nearly 13 years into the modern Hasbro/Kenner line, it seems there's really no shortage in ways that the toymaker can redo the character. Battle-damage, removable helmets, movie-specific capes, and more have been trotted out over the years to give us dozens of Darth Vaders-- yet it took until 2007 to give us a clear blue holographic figure. It doesn't have a pose-- or deco-- quite like that seen in The Empire Strikes Back, but the figure is about on par with Hasbro's other blue offerings. Much like an ice sculpture, this Sith Lord is clear blue and has limited articulation-- and for reasons unknown, a lightsaber. Darth Vader is based on a mold first used around 2001, and then again roughly every 27 minutes with a slight deco change. It's a good mold, with a great sculpt and 8 points of articulation. It's just an odd choice given Darth Vader wasn't seen with his lightsaber while appearing as a holograph, nor was he in anything resembling a dynamic pose. The end result of Hasbro's efforts is a striking, bright blue clear figure. Sure, it's kinda neat, but do you really want to drop $7 on a repaint without any actual paint? (Well, I guess so, it's more interesting to look at than another black Darth Vader with a slightly different pose or accessory.)

Collector's Notes: While a reasonably new release, it's already showing signs of overexposure. Numerous stores have pegs filled with these, depending on where you shop, while other figures from the wave are long gone. It seems that despite this being one of the more desirable holographic figures, it wasn't enough to keep fan interest high enough to prevent it from rotting in stores. With this figure's release, the only Sith Lord with an appearance in the movies to not have a full-size holographic figure made of him is Count Dooku. While a little goofy, I still suggest all collectors consider getting this one because the coin is full of awesome.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 670: March 6, 2008