Darth Vader (Empire Strikes Back) (Star Wars) Custom Action Figure
Custom #:107973
Name:Darth Vader (Empire Strikes Back)
Custom Type:Action Figure
Toy Series:Star Wars
Creator:Deaditor  
Date Added:November 9, 2020
Base Figure:Black series Vader 3.75
Height:4.00 inches
Critiques:Requested!
What is the most iconic and most loved Star Wars film? Empire Strikes Back, therefore the most iconic Darth Vader would be from this movie. After finishing my “A New Hope” Custom of Vader (check it out!) I thought I was done making Vader's but I ended up getting the black series Empire Vader and thinking two things: 1 it has rubbish soft goods (AS USUAL) and 2 the Pauldrons (which have been the rubbish standard for Vader figures since the design was incepted) are the stupid design where the hinge sticks out when you raise the figures arms. Later on I also decided he needed upper leg articulation too. You can see in one photo the bad arm hinge and my modified one above it and the new swivel upper legs in another.

Basically since the original Kenner figure there have been around a hundred different Vader figures so picking and choosing parts this Vader consists of the Black Series #3 Vader for the head, torso and belt, the Death Star interrogation Vader for the cloak and 2 Kama's (skirt part) sewn together and traced from the design of the trenchcoat like robe he has under his belt/ chestguard, the black series Revenge of the Sith Vader neck joint arms and legs, the Pauldrons and below the belt guard from the 500th figure Vader (as they are solid black in colour unlike the single cardback figure with silver paint details), a chest guard from the Legacy Collection Vader (as its more matte gunmetal than shiny)and the lightsaber hilt from the VOTC Vader which had the pummel of a ROTS 2005 Vader saber attached to the top so it could slot into a hole I made in his belt. The hardest parts were the pauldrons as a lot of sanding and dremmeling was required to get the pauldrons hollow and stuck over the joints in the arms and to even get the arms into the torso I hade to use the torso of the black series ROTS vader and slot a whittled down version into a drilled hole in the ESB vader torso. More driling was required to get the neck joint in also and into the helmet but he can look up and down and side to side because of this addition. The Leg swivel at the upper leg is similar to any 6" figure and just required cutting across the legs, sticking a socket in the legs and attatching the plug part of a swivel joint over the upper leg. This addition to the articulation allows for more dynamic poses and allows the figure to sit in his 500th Breathing chamber (These newer Vaders are taller being the correct height and before I added this new swivel he would not fit inside as he couldn't sit).

This was an long exhausting process and after I completed him I set to work recreating the Carbon Freezing Chamber scenes using Hasbro's new set. I would only recommend getting this if you can cheaply (I bought mine without the Stormtrooper exclusive and just use my Han and Luke in disguise to compensate plus my old less detailed ones). Shooting the scenes was a massive undertaking and difficult. I have so much respect for Light Gaffer's and Stop Motion animators because that drove me insane!

I refer to this as the 'Ultimate' Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader. I plan to make use of some spare parts and make alternative heads as well as a removable chain so he can serve double duty as a Return of the Jedi Vader as I can only see that they added a Black Chain to Vader's costume in this film (maybe the button lights are different I haven't checked but they are between 4 and 5 so maybe they are in 6 as well?).

Thanks for having a look, please leave a comment and like!

Pictures
User Comments
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Edgy 3 -
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
awesome work !!!
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Deaditor -
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Thanks!
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