1/6 1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 452 - Star Wars: Episode V ESB - Darth Vader

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Dang. I have some Sideshow rewards and was fully prepared to get this guy. Is the general consensus that it’s a flop?

No. The general consensus is that it’s hit and miss depending on what level of screen accuracy you want. It’s an amazing looking Darth Vader. Many here have said it is the best Hot Toys Vader (in their opinion). Many have pointed out numerous inaccuracies. It’s ultimately up to each individual because this figure is not a home run. I’m not sure ANY Darth Vader figure will be though. There’s always something off.
Anyway, I preordered with my rewards points and I’m excited to keep my preorder! I’m going to live with the subtleties because I think he looks great!
 
I’m going to live with the subtleties because I think he looks great!

In hand the subtleties are not as bad as they seem in this thread. They're there but drown in the good parts. Liking this figure more each passing week he's on my shelf.
 
I completely agree. I was anxious when unboxing mine thinking the worst. But he is ESB Vader without a shadow of a doubt.
 
After I get HT ESB Vader, the Royal Guard pair and Emperor with throne, and the new SW Taschen book, my pre-order list stops bluntly. Nothing else for me on the horizon, and that is something unusual since the moment I started collecting ages ago.
 
I Really this Vader and The new hope Vader. Both are well crafted and I am happy to have them. I switched the gloves on a new hope with the Rogue One Vader and that was the only Modification I did. Next figure I am waiting on is the New R2-D2 and hopefully C-3PO is announced soon as well as Bespin Han and Lando. I am pondering the Crait Luke as I always liked the stories after Jedi with him. Not much else yet but I am sure over the next few months something will pique my interest.
 
Got to see this in person the other day as he's on display at the Star Wars Launch Bay store in Hollywood Studios at Disney World. As expected, he does look great in person and better than in pictures. But I still dont like the tusks pointing down as it's the 1st thing I noticed. He also seems a little bulky but that could be in part due to his slightly shorter stature. The base is cool but a little big and he seems kinda cramped on it. While it's cool, I'm not really a fan of diorama bases. I wouldn't even use it as I have an extra Vader stand from the Tarkin 2 pack.

It is a nice Vader, but I still prefer his ANH look, and the eventual ROTJ version will be near identical to this but with more extras like a full reveal mask rather than just the back of his head. I'm glad I chose to get the Deluxe ESB Fett over this as I'm sure the ROTJ version will fill the need for me to have a shiny Vader. I don't need both an ESB & ROTJ Vader.
 
Saw this earlier this week at Midtown comics. Base is super impressive and the tusk issue didn’t seem pronounced on the figure I saw, at least from a foot away (was behind glass).

Overall looked solid, maybe an 8/10, and at a glance, was only at the store for 5 or 10 minutes, possibly better than the ANH or RO versions.
 
Yeah, while I agree on the issues with the helmet sculpt, the ESB helmet pops more than the ANH one ever did for me straight from the box. Heavily modded, the ANH one easily outshines this one, but that's the thing everyone seems to forget - heavily modded.

Side-by-side, unmodded, to me the ESB helmet is the more "Vader" out of the box, especially as the finish/look feels very ESB Vader, whereas the HT ANH Vader to me looked nothing like ANH Vader.

That being said, this fig is a disappointment as - just like ANH CHewy - you'd think that HT would take what is good and carry it forward to V.2 or V.3, while updating/improving what is bad. For me, this one is different in the ways its bad, but has just as much wrong with it as the ANH - the ANH however has the advantage that the problems can be modded out with a lot of work. With this new ESB, several issues you really can't fix.
 
I ordered him and he will be a temporary placeholder until next years 1/4 HT Vader. Who knows, maybe I’ll change my tune and fall in love with it ❤️
 
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I really need to figure out a better lighting setup... I wish I had more free time because this guy is so much fun to work with. The quality and craftsmanship is such a step up from the old Sideshow figures I’m used to (I’m not a big 1/6 collector and I’ve never had a HT figure before). I also wish I could take pictures that make him look as good as he does in person.

I did finally get the belt over the codpiece. I realized the trick was actually pushing the codpiece back into his gut as much as I could and then gently sliding the belt down over the edge of the cod before letting it go. I also think having worked with it for a few weeks now the belt has stretched out just a tiny bit and become a little easier to work with (much like the body suit).

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Next to his predecessor. Major upgrade is an understatement, lol.

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Ok, I received Vader directly from Sideshow this time (remember I showed that the one from Ebay had the chest piece placed wrong) and...

This time it's the belt. Look at this:

20181110_125208.jpg

I am getting beyond frustrated with this. Is it really hard to obtain this guy without a defect (or at least without a strikingly visible one)??? This time he is also missing the "motion" saber blade, too. And this coming directly from the Sideshow website...

Another return... I have now had 2 consecutive HT ESB Vaders, each with a defect.

What are the chances?! Seriously...
 
Ok, I received Vader directly from Sideshow this time (remember I showed that the one from Ebay had the chest piece placed wrong) and...

This time it's the belt. Look at this:

View attachment 432843

I am getting beyond frustrated with this. Is it really hard to obtain this guy without a defect (or at least without a strikingly visible one)???

Another return... I have now had 2 consecutive HT ESB Vaders, each with a defect.

What are the chances?! Seriously...

I haven’t received mine yet, so I’ll ask. Is there velcro behind the buckle? Or does it unclasp in some manner right there?
 
No velcro. 2 circular plastic pieces, which I think can't be removed without breaking something...
 
No velcro. 2 circular plastic pieces, which I think can't be removed without breaking something...
The belt does unplug. I don't think it's a defect. I think the "female" connector just needs a little twist for it to line up properly.

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