Darth Vader (Star Wars Animated) - Maquettes

Gentle Giant Ltd. changed the face of collecting when they brought characters from the Original Trilogy and created the Star Wars Animated Maquettes line. The line exceeded expectations. Collectors were instantly enamored of the characters Gentle Giant Ltd. chose to bring into the line and couldn’t wait to see how far and wide they would continue to take it. Darth Vader was one of the first characters chosen for the line and it was immediately embraced by collectors everywhere. Intended to complement the highly sought after Clone Wars Maquettes, the Star Wars Animated Maquettes line brought the same artistic slant to Original Trilogy characters and leaves the door open for Prequel Trilogy and Expanded Universe characters too. The Darth Vader Star Wars Animated Maquette brings Star Wars collecting to a whole new interesting plateau and it seems that the offerings are limitless to what Gentle Giant can do. There is great potential in this line. We are hoping Gentle Giant remains steadfast in their approach.

Darth Vader is presented in a completely artistic take on his appearance from The Empire Strikes Back. Upon close inspection, you’ll notice that his inner side robes are underneath his chest armor. This means that he is based on his appearance in the second and third Original Trilogy films. But obviously this is Darth Vader based on a concept designed by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Gentle Giant Ltd. or more simply put, the Expanded Universe. Darth Vader is gorgeously sculpted and has sleek lines that create a caricature of the villain we have grown to love in the Star Wars saga. He is tall and menacing even in animated form, and he comes complete with a removable lightsaber blade off to his right that shows off his threatening demeanor which is surprising for an animated interpretation of him to emote. The Maquette is gorgeously painted. The mixes of flat and glossy black paints are flawless and the tiny accents of color give the piece the necessary transitions that are Darth Vader’s trademark.

Maquettes traditionally differ from statues by being one whole piece that is permanently attached to a standard base. (Editor’s Note: Gentle Giant Ltd. has made exceptions to this standard rule a few times based on the needs of the piece.) The bases on the Star Wars Animated Maquettes line aren’t exactly uniform, but there are familial in the sense that they are a section of a related environment based on a scene somewhere within the Original Trilogy. It’s without question that Darth Vader is standing atop a portion of the Death Star (or a Star Destroyer for that matter). And you’ll probably be surprised how much effort the artists put into the base that holds the animated form of Darth Vader in place. Overall, the Darth Vader Star Wars Animated Maquette doesn’t disappoint,. Hopefully this line engages plenty of collectors. With 7000 pieces, Darth Vader certainly has the reach to access new collectors, but it will be up to Gentle Giant to continue to create new invigorating pieces to maintain collective interest.