Original Review by Chris: 10/13/2014

There were times when Hasbro would freely admit to repaint waves. It was usually when the demand for a particular line exceeded their throughput capacity for new figures or when LFL would toss the line on its ear with a questionable decision.  Hasbro issued admitted “repaint” waves in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.  Repaint waves consist entirely of repacks or repaints of existing figures as the name suggests.  Sometimes there is also some minor retooling involved.  Unfortunately, it seems when the reason for requiring a repaint wave lies elsewhere, Hasbro ignores the issue as is the case with wave 6 of the Black Series, but that’s a subject for another day.

When retail demand exceeded expectations for the 30th Anniversary Collection, Hasbro needed to produce a repaint wave to keep the product on the shelves.  Fans were genuinely asking for a holographic Darth Vader at the time.  This is one time when I agree with one of our members who puts forth the theory that fans are terrible.  I personally don’t think this figure was needed.  Vader was only seen once in holographic form in the cockpit of General Veers’ AT-AT and it was in reduced scale (i.e. not something requiring a full sized figure).  The lack of on-screen support for a Darth Vader hologram is driven home by the fact that the figure doesn’t even feature a picture of the character as a projection on the card back.  Instead it shows the scene where Vader convenes with Emperor Palpatine on the Executor during which Palpatine was the character appearing in holographic form.  Even though I think this figure is unnecessary, Vader merchandise is a license to print money, so I’m sure we’ll see it updated at some point. 

The figure that fans requested be transformed into blue translucence was actually 1999’s Commtech Darth Vader, but as that figure was sourced from Episode IV, Hasbro instead used a figure that was sourced from Episode V/VI.  There are definite differences between the Episode IV and V/VI Darth Vader costumes, so I cannot fault them for this.  Where I can fault them is falling all the way back to 2001 for the source of the figure using 2001’s POTJ Emperor’s Wrath Darth Vader.  By 2007 that figure was fairly dated.  With only an upper arm swivel in addition to the bare minimum six points of swivel articulation from that era, the figure is largely inert and is more suited to action poses as opposed to the more conversational stance a holographic Vader requires.  This action oriented theme is carried forward with the fixed sweeping sculpt of the cape.

Of course, Hasbro insisted on including a holographic light saber for this figure.  While Vader was never shown with his saber ignited as a hologram on film, what you don’t know is that he was quite the narcissist.  In his down time he would broadcast his saber training on the holonet. Often times after demonstrating a series of attacks or defenses, he would say “so that was good” in self congratulatory fashion.  And here you thought the PT was the most damaging thing to the legacy of Vader.  Honestly the best thing about this figure is the card which I admittedly find eye catching, but the figure itself is a lowly 4.

Updated Review by Chris: 01/17/2020

Once again, FANS’ LEGITIMATELY ASKED FOR THIS FIGURE.  A Darth Vader Hologram figure was legitimately being requested by collectors at the time.  This isn’t a case of Hasbro pawning off a cheap and gratuitous repaint on us while snickering behind a wall like a bunch of French Knights who just told King Arthur that the already have a Holy Grail.  This was legitimately being requested.  This is why Hasbro should never listen to you guys.  They should listen to me, however.  Just not you filth. 

Let’s see how many “things I hate” can be packed into one figure.  Bulky proportions?  Check.  Limited articulation?  Check.  An Old Spice hologram figure?  Check.  Preposed legs and feet that never stand in a viable balanced stance?  CHEEE-YECK.  Plastic sinking robes that completely limit the range of motion of the figure.?  Check check check-ity check check.  All I can say is, “Thank God plastic capes are no longer a thing!”  (If you’re reading this in the future, this is a joke.)  I’m taking another point away from this figure because I had to photograph it again.  It’s getting off easy:  3 out of 10.

There are only three reasons to own this figure.  The first two are terrible collector impulses.  The first, and most valid, is that you need the coin.  The second is that you’re the Alexander the Great of carded Vader collectors.  You own carded samples of all the good Vader figures, so tracking this one down is just a new conquest.  It’s like going back and completing all the side missions in a video game after you’ve beaten the primary story.  The final reason is for ironic appreciation, and if you like spending money on terrible things, I will fart on a throw pillow and ship it to you for thirty bucks.  [Editors note:  Keep the throw pillow.  It will save on shipping.]