What is the best Darth Vader action figure? Evolution of a toy icon, POTF2 to Dark Times Star Wars

[@scolioreset]

I just found the VC241 Vader on the pegs in Canada and I’m just darn glad I did. I didn’t own a 3”75 inch Vader since 1998-99 so I was a pre-teen who had just found out about Star Wars through LEGO at the time. The one I’d was the Flashback Photo version. I’m just glad kids and adult collectors are now getting better versions of what is, by default, “Mr. Star Wars”. I don’t plan on getting another VC figure since I was way too curious about it and I don’t regret picking it up. Vader has always been one of my favorite characters in any medium. We’ve come so far.

[@jasonspieth5967]

I finally found the "Dark Times" Vader and picked him up. This was my first 3.75 inch figure purchase in a long time. Overall I like it an he has lots of accessories including alternate hands. However he feels "off" like it won't hold up over time. The cod piece and shoulder armor feels like it will rip. The shoulder bells are cut from the shoulder armor and feels like these will tear off. But it is interesting to see these evolve. I expect to see a battle damaged version of this kitbashed soon. Thanks for the video. Vader has been a collecting focus for a while.

[@ProfessorHurt]

For the RoTJ removable helmet Vader I always removed his swivel hand to "mimic" his losing one to Luke in the movie. The weird thing about that particular Vader is his lightsaber faded compared to the other first two Vaders. I always wondered "the why" given I displayed all three always on the shelf. My favorite Vader prior to the latest was the Black Series (RoTS) Vader. He was just so darn articulated (along with coming with two accessories i.e. lightsaber ignited and not). The figure's only flaw was his head with the ball joint never quite stable due to the cloth cape always mocking up the joint. Glad Hasbro fixed the issue after all these years.

[@valmid5069]

Viewers: Man youtube recommendations are boring lately- Kenobi Clips: *Hello There!*

[@AJDPharmD]

The best Darth Vader figure I've found, is the white one that came in a "what if" 2-pack with Leia. It was perfect. I've never found that mold in traditional black, but I keep hoping I'll find it.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

That exists. It is in this video.

[@Jrsw82]

They are coming out with a six inch black series version of that white Vader supposedly by early next year

[@AJDPharmD]

@@nicholasdickens2801 not to be an idiot, but do you know which version it is? I've bought soooo many Darth Vaders.over the years, but I've never found a black version of that white one

[@MonstersOfTheUniverse]

That’s the same as the original trilogy collection aka the first vintage collection type carded figure that came in a clamshell protector case

[@AJDPharmD]

@@MonstersOfTheUniverse I'll have to check it out. Thanks! 👍

[@jones7299]

I never collected Star Wars until they did the new hips now I’m thumbs up all the way

[@Marlo_Doh_Waldo42]

You forgot about the Black series wave 5 Darth Vader, The Vader was known as the best one until to newest one, did you just not have it ?

[@_The_Worst_]

Finding figures in the wild is the way...🤘🏼💯✔️

[@davidanderson4748]

That first removable helmet Vader was such a great figure at the time. Love that figure.

[@cheddarcheese7928]

I tried to do a Vader figure history on my own just to see the nicest Vader’s in my collection but it was to complicated with so many Vader releases..So thanks for this!

[@radartechnicianbob8208]

Can't wait to get Dark Times Vader. Pulse says he should be showing up this week. I'll probably get the battle damaged version if they ever make it since I dig whenever the circuitry etc are revealed.

[@darrendyson8347]

He's pretty dope finally and actual true to size for that size Darth Vader figure. Something to go well having him go against marveluniverse Dr Doom and other figures that says. Now that I have the figure kind of makes me want that emperor Palpatine figure with the lightning fingers I've passed on.

[@DaBigCheeso]

I remember in 99, when I started my first Star Wars figure collection (RIP first collection I sold off years ago) and when I learned there was a Darth Vader with removable helmet, that quickly became my white whale. Sadly, never got one from stores when they were available there, and I was never a fan of paying high markups, even in the early days of the Bay of E. Maybe we'll get a new Vintage with removable helmet one day, since they did that Boba (fingers crossed). I did pre-order the Dark Times Vader after I saw some of the extra accessories and this new articulation is a great bonus!

[@robd1329]

Man..i spent so muchhh time with the 99 potf line.....only to years later sell them all off on ebay for chump change.

[@rishoutfield2043]

What an excellent video. All your years of collecting have led you to this. I will definitely pick him up now, if I ever see him in a store.

[@maxmiller5619]

It's fun to think of how many times most of us probably said in the past "Well it'll never get better than this...." and it got WAY better. For the most part, I try to get the latest best version (or at least what I deem that to be cause opinions will always vary) of a character and sell off or even sometimes give away the prior to my lil cousins, but every once in a while I find myself still holding onto an older version that may not be THE best anymore....but figures started getting so darn good it's worth holding on to.

[@Jordan-nu3mc]

You’re missing the new hope version (30th anniversary #16) that sometimes came with an empty obi wan cloak. The best helmet sculpt to date IMO. It’s also removable.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Fun video! Thank you! How many 3.75" Vaders I own: Roughly 109 How many 3.75" Vaders I would own if I knew where they were going with the updates and variations: 7

[@vernonsanders9696]

1978 Kenner. No discussion, no debate.

[@oliverleeburris9861]

Had a bunch of these over the years but my favorite is my battle damage force unleashed Vader, followed by new hope VC

[@Sci-Fi-Mike]

Awesome video, Scott! Ill have to pick up the newest Vader. He looks great! Will you be doing other character-specific videos?

[@SlashManEXE]

Hugely entertaining concept. Would you do more figure evolution videos? Boba Fett, perhaps?

[@luiszuniga2859]

I'm make a custom using a "Midnight Attack Max Steel" and a McDonald's bubble head Vader. Is THE BEST to me

[@spectorcreative1872]

Bubble head!

[@3.75istheway7]

I have 6 of the rogue one, and 5 of the dark times so far! Along with all the previous Vaders from the otc on.

[@3.75istheway7]

I don’t mess with the power of the force figures! I started collecting in 2012 so I go for episode 1 and beyond, some of the 3rd tier figures I don’t mind getting power of the Jedi figs with the green package

[@kidwajagstang]

If you don’t count Leia, the hardest figure from wave 1 of POTF2 line for me was the Stormtrooper. Took me almost a year to find it! In fact, I got the Sandtrooper figure before the vanilla Stormtrooper. Also, the one POTF2 figure I ACTIVELY was looking for but never found even once was the Vader with removable helmet. I wanted that Vader SOOOO BADLY!

[@Daoloth]

I always thought Vader was kinda cool until he took off his helmet hehe. I don't think I ever noticed he had different outfits really until these POTF or Related Star Wars things. I got some QVC figure of him though Darth Maul is cooler wonder who won that statue? Han Solo was probably my favorite. I think the Secret Luke Darth Vader is coolest one not sure about the later version. That is interesting about the armor don't think I would have realized that right away. I"m not big on him without the mask or showing his face. There are like an endless supply of them. I used to wear this Vader mask as recall him eating popcorn before Empire Strikes Back in movies. That 3 pack with the Anakins was kinda nice. Long way from sliding saber ones ;).

[@cinnamonbun1379]

Do you collect the step back figures when they're from the OT? So like the various 5-POA lines, Retro Collection, and those mulitpacks from a few years back. And what about like the Disney droids? Imo other than the 6 inch, they did the best 4-LOM figure to date (I mostly stick to Black Series, but I started a 4-LOM/Zuckuss collection as a joke and it spiraled out of control, so I now own every 4-LOM/Zuckuss that isn't like a Sideshow or a statue).

[@melvinbagby4221]

Your premise was exactly my premise in collecting Darth Vader figures. Exact same. And, exact same conclusion. The Dark Times Darth Vader is head and shoulders above the rest - and it's a new tool, which was insta-buy for me.

[@joverbey123456789]

I agree this is the ULTIMATE Vader and he is cheaper online than the Rogue one Vader. Thanks for the review of this it makes me want mine even more. You we’re lucky to find him in the wild I had to order online. My Walmart is stuck with 2 dozen Endor Leia’s and the walker pilot. They are never leaving because they never clearance Star Wars.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Crazy

[@Concreteowl]

No photoshop in 1980. The stuck Mark's head under a false floor and put the broken helmet over him. They did make a sculpted head but it looked so bad Mark insisted on using his real head. The false head was used for the explosion so you get a frame or two of it.

[@FFFFPPPP]

The Kenobi suit isn’t Empire. Its a Frankenstein suit of diff characteristics of all the suits more or less plus some of its own. I dont know how accurate the dark times figure is to the onscreen version. I learned that in itsaGundam’s tearing apart of Kenobi video a few weeks back.

[@peterfissa8556]

I have a vader with removable helmet ,soft cape, not 5poa, stamped 2005 on the foot. I dont know if he's vintage collection or saga maybe ??

[@grimaldo99]

You didnt review the Darth Vader from the Galaxy of Adventures line, its not a fancy Vader but its a cool looking one and it can hold the lightsaber with 2 hands.

[@deathmetalrob5563]

Darth Vader Dark Times is awesome.

[@ciscodeer9094]

I bet you Scott has the Entertainment Earth death star briefing room set vader.

[@Kuikkamies]

Y'know, if you're taking footage of your figs, making sure they're in-focus would be an extremely nice thing to have. Would make seeing the talked details easier.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Oh you imply I have a budget!

[@Kuikkamies]

@@spectorcreative1872 Effort is not dependent on budget.

[@cartkart1]

I don’t really collect Star Wars figures, I collect transformers, but I have a handful of Star Wars guys, so I wanted a Darth vader because Darth vader is cool. He is so cool and so posable and very fun to look at! I love him! But I worry the paint on the lines on his lightsaber may rub off overtime Also his cape is kinda fiddly but overall he’s great!

[@mikehext]

I combined the Walgreens one with the head from the first one and made one that gets battle damaged at will

[@spectorcreative1872]

That is the way to do it

[@darrendyson8347]

I got blessed and picked him up in Walmart somebody accidentally put him and Obi-Wan along with other figures in the line under the $10 Kenner stiff figure versions of the line. The lady didn't believe me but went back and saw I was telling the truth so I paid $10 each and she took the tag down and put $13 each or whatever it is. Then I did research and people are saying it's the best Darth Vader figure ever and my second after the early early 2000s versions but I think somebody gave it to me so in reality it's my first only to find out it's the best so far that's pretty dope.

[@SmokeForPants]

What about the Black Series 3.75" Revenge of the Sith version? That was the previous best version, I thought. I had the old Vintage Collection versions and sold them because the Black Series 3.75 version was just plain better in both form and function.

[@paul-gy6yl]

Potf figure pretty cool thanks your content liked and subscribed the force is strong with you 😂😂😂

[@jimgillespie6109]

Quite interesting, but since some of your viewers haven't collected the SW figures as devotedly as you have, this video can be a bit confusing. A list of all the mentioned figures, including the line's official name and year of release, would help viewers keep track of things.

[@glynnbrown6642]

Now I have to go get that new Vader

[@johnmorey720]

Back in the day I thought that the lava reflection Vader from ROTS would be worth big bucks if I saved one in packaging... and then it got smooshed during a move. and was never worth much.

[@jasonchungMD]

Before the Dark Times Vader, the greatest Vader of all time was The Black Series #26. That figure represented the ROTS version of Vader and I know you are an OT purist but try to get your hands on that one. It's awesome. The Dark Times is better but TBS #26 was THE BEST for a long time. Cheers!

[@MTB214]

I have the one where his helmet comes off to see him like the end of return if the Jedi. That has cloth clothing too and good articulation. I have the black series Darth Vader and it has great articulation and cloth clothing too. A part of me thinks he shouldn’t have great articulation in that big black suit.physically he wouldn’t be moving so much to have it.

[@agathavincent9487]

It seems you failed to mention the black series Darth Vader with the rocker ankles. That was a significant improvement between the prequels and then to now. Other than that thanks for the video

[@williamwilkinson6665]

My favorite was the 2004 original trilogy A new hope version with the tucked in caoe...I hate the version with a silver loop around his neck ... I took one of those capes and put on my Zorro figure from 1981 it looks good lol

[@nbriez-c5914]

You turned Vader into an army builder

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Kenner / Hasbro turned him into an army-builder. We just army-built him by circumstance. 😉

[@nbriez-c5914]

@@Beedo_Sookcool Yea thats true lol, at this point I army build almost every character I like, more so cause of my ocd making me believe I need extras for an emergency but what emergency requires a truckload of figures lol

[@radartechnicianbob8208]

Imagine the truckload of mechanical breathing whenever they'd go anywhere. No stealth missions for these guys.

[@justicierodelaliga]

So, why where different costumes for Darth Vader since 1. he´s basically a "robot" so there´s no need for it once Anakin becomes him after the battle with Obi Wan and 2. while, of course, there are Star Wars fans, most people won´t notice.

[@GUARDIANA01]

Many reasons ...1. Armour upgrades, tech replacement, battle damage and adjustments to name a few as he isn't just a "Robot" - he's much more complicated as is his suit/armour. 2. A fair few non Star Wars fans and first timers notice immediately. My 7 year old pointed out the difference between A new hope & Empire straight away . So I guess it depends on the individual as to how interested or how invested in it they are as to what they see 😉🙏. Vader's one of those guys ppl tend to notice .

[@gmarcus4249]

Scott you missed a critical Black Series 3.75 Vader that had near same artic (including rocker ankles but not ball jointed hips), which was far and away the best Vader prior to Dark Times.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Which one!!!!?

[@nbriez-c5914]

Wow I am sooooo dumb at the 5:32 mark I was trying to figure out why Vader had 3 stripes on the crotch of his suit, like I had to pause the video and stare at it before realizing what it actually was

[@3.75istheway7]

Weird I have that 500 figure Vader new In the pack and I never seen a different hand in there

[@pauln6556]

7:06 Did you give us the middle finger while knocking over Vader? :P

[@spectorcreative1872]

I can see how it looks that way

[@SIFIactual]

Yeah I liked that Vader with the Probot in TLJ card (why?)

[@spectorcreative1872]

It is a well done figure, especially for low articulation

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

Specter Creative Binge Day 10, episode 4, overall 75

[@mikehext]

That's like me with Venom figures. DEADPOOL I found the perfect one is Mafex. For Venom every single one I found a flaw. It's like a monkey paw. Maybe hasbro should have me work with them on one. Lol. I hope we get a battle damaged Black Series Darth Vader like in Obiwan or more extreme damage like comics.

[@spectorcreative1872]

See the video I did on why Hasbro actually doesn’t employee collectors!

[@bobastu]

POTF2 is 10 years after POTF. Dark Times Vader is 27 years after POTF2. Dark Times Vader is not an Original Trilogy figure, but an Obi Wan series figure. Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader after Mace was killed. Do you collect Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple Order 66, or Darth Vader on Mustafar before he was turned into a stump by Obi-Wan?

[@fatenabu1]

Also I have a friend who would die to see you have all your toys open

[@Fenrir72]

Bandai or Mafex. For those below 12 inches.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

And well outside of most people's budgets.

[@Fenrir72]

@@Beedo_Sookcool Well this hobby does require you to have a bit of disposable income no?

[@UltimateJaburg53]

Accidental Star Wars figure ASMR.

[@fatenabu1]

i was buying the power of the force toys as well in 95

[@benflay6038]

Easy mine I made Bandai 😁but the empire version black series. bulky muscle vader I was OK with very comic

[@ScumOfTheEarthRollerDerby]

you can make a phone book interesting. I tune it just to make my brain work better

[@spectorcreative1872]

Well I most appreciate that!

[@MonstersOfTheUniverse]

Latest The best Vader. The most accurate helmet Likely an actual unchanged scan when compared to efx helmet

[@spectorcreative1872]

AmaZing the progress

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

Inversion table Vader. 😂

[@sjw2612]

Darth Vader Figures Over The Years Have Become Less and less a action figure, disney era star wars action figures and has become better as of 2022

[@spectorcreative1872]

I’m just glad we got so much beforehand

[@latewizard301]

Dark Times Vader is most likely based on Episode 3 Vader

[@spectorcreative1872]

Well any Vader pre Ep 4 in my mind should be in the ep 4 look

[@tikvision]

Best vader is Any who doesnt sport an oversized ridiculous cloth cloak with a ridiculous silver thread on the neck

[@pauln6556]

Scott, you need to get a camera stand. It is painful to watch a figure being reviewed with one hand. Luckily you don't do many figure reviews.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I need to get a lot of things! But it is on the list

[@Mark_Knight]

Why don't you collect ho toys?

[@spectorcreative1872]

I don’t think I know what a ho toy is

[@Mark_Knight]

@@spectorcreative1872 lol Yeah, my keyboardbuttons sometimes doesn't insert my keystrokes. I get tired from editing my misspellings. It's embarrassing at times. *Hot Toys