Darth Vader - TSC - Basic (SAGA 038)

When Hasbro developed the 2005 ROTS Darth Vader (Special Edition 500th Figure) they probably didn’t realize how useful it would be for future release of Darth Vader. Who are we kidding?! Of course they saw the future possibilities! Based on his appearance in The Empire Strikes Back, Hasbro needed to choose a great base figure for two specific Darth Vader figures from Episode V in The Saga Collection based on two unique scenes in Episode V. Although they brought in the same figure twice, each is different enough from each other thanks to the included accessories and slight differences in tooling. The Darth Vader (SAGA 013) figure simply came with a removable helmet dome, some snow accumulation on his boots and a lightsaber. On the other hand, the Darth Vader (SAGA 038) figure, although the same exact figure, is this time tooled in a way so that the removable helmet dome is glued in place (thank the Maker). What's more, he comes with his signature lightsaber and three utility cases he used to attack Luke Skywalker with during their duel on Bespin. We feel that this particular Darth Vader figure is the better of the two solely for the purpose that the helmet doesn’t come off of his head. The Battle Of Hoth version will drive you insane trying to futz with the helmet in order to keep it in place. (And you won't be successful.)

By now you know how impressed we are by how many accessories come with the figures from The Saga Collection. Darth Vader (SAGA 038) is really no different. Hasbro pulled previously utilized tooling from all over their parts catalogue and culled together one awesome set to complement the figure and even saved one from the "canceled" pile as well. The large storage crate is a repaint of the accessory from 2002's SW [S - P1] Hoth Survival Accessory Set (With Hoth Rebel Soldier). The smaller utility box is a repaint of the accessory that originally came from 2003's SW [S - P2] Obi-Wan Kenobi (Kamino Showdown) Deluxe figure set. And lastly, the conduit spool is a repaint of the accessory that was planned for release in the 2003 Star Wars "Saga" Yavin Hangar Accessory Set TARGET exclusive. We think it's pretty neat to finally get another canceled item into our collections via any method possible. So the conduit spool can be considered an all-new accessory since it has never been available until now. Sometimes it's little things like this that can excite collectors. And it's nice to know that Hasbro is committed to getting out all the tooling they can once it's been designed as not to waste the time and effort put into them. All have been repainted from their original intended colors to looks like the generic debris that Darth Vader bombarded Luke with using the dark side of the Force.

Despite how cool this version of Darth Vader is, we obviously aren’t going to be completely happy until we get a super-articulated version of him. (Editor’s Note: Obviously this came come to pass multiple times since. We have more super-articulated Darth Vader action figures than we know what to do with now.) But like so many other “less than perfect” action figures in The Saga Collection, the accessories totally steal the show and make the purchase more than worthwhile. They're the saving grace with so many figures in this basic figure line. And to be fair, this Darth Vader figure is cool because Hasbro painted some "lightsaber damage" on Vader's right shoulder blade to represent the one and only hit Luke got on him. So, there are some cool traits to this action figure. We always appreciate these screen accurate details translated onto our action figures. These little gestures go a very long way. If you’re into trivia, you may be interested in learning that Darth Vader (SAGA 038) came with the wrong action figure stand. The stand came with a generic “Star Wars” logo instead of the correct “The Empire Strikes Back” logo. But if you collected The Saga Collection, you know that these types of mistakes happened all of the time. Darth Vader is a great purchase for the accessories alone, but if you want to wait for something better, there is indeed better available.