How on Earth do you evaluate this item?  As a toy?  As a collectible?  As a novelty?  I think we can rule out collectible right off the bat. Based on the price point alone, this was never intended to be a collectible.  If we were to apply Sideshow’s 12” scale pricing structure to this figure and adjust for the the size, we’d need to use scientific notation to express the projected cost.  The open container, which can leave the product vulnerable to scuffs and scrapes during shipping, is another clear indicator that this is not intended as a collectible.  Therefore evaluating this on how well it replicates the costume of Darth Vader is just an exercise in internet windbaggery. 

Is this supposed to be a toy?  How would a kid play with this?  The only kid-centric use would be to place it in the passenger seat of his Power Wheel so he could use the car pool lane on the way to kindergarten.  There is no other toy for it to interact with. The lack of a lit saber eliminates whatever minimal play value this might have.  I don’t think Jakks Pacific eliminated the saber as a cost cutting measure.  At this scale, a lit saber would certainly be dangerous.  The same kids who end up in the emergency room with Cheerios lodged in their nostrils would also likely impale themselves or someone on a lit saber in this scale.  So the mere fact that this is sold in the toy section probably mandates that such a lightsaber is a no-go.  Kids actually prefer smaller scaled toys because they themselves are smaller scale.  The only time this item will be purchased as a toy for a child is by a drunk uncle who unwisely thinks a bigger toy is better. That big is better formula only applies to ships.  Think of it.  When you were a kid the USS Flagg was the holy grail toy, but 12” G.I. Joe figures were just weird.

So that leaves novelty. It’s not the worst thing in the world.  Hasbro has taken stabs at things that are certainly less compelling (* cough customs cough *).  The figure is based on the Episode V and VI representation of Vader.  There is nothing mind blowing about the sculpt, but, at the same time, it’s not glaringly terrible. The highly touted fabric capes certainly punch up the simplistic sculpt. The figure sports 7 points of articulation.  They are all swivel joints at the head, shoulders, wrists and hips.  The range of motion of the head is minimal.  The most ornate aspect of the figure is the chain clasp of the cape.  But not even a mole with glaucoma would confuse this for any sort of high end product. It’s value is just the sheer size of the Vader you get for $30.  I have no idea what I’m going to do with this, but as oddball Star Wars items go, it’s at least worth a look.  Like it’s predecessors in the 31” scale, Batman and Superman, this will likely only be purchased by websites looking to fill content during a slow news stretch.  6 out of 10.

6/10 Bantha Skulls