which vader should i get?

[arabian nazgul]

hey guys, how are ya?

well i'm not the type of collector who would have more that one statue or bust of the same character, so i have to make a choice between 1 of the following 3 vaders. so i wanted to ask for your opinions first. plz try to give a reason y to choose the vader you like.

1-gentle giant vader <--i just think his legs are kinda short!!
2-sideshow vader<--- kinda expensive but big and great
3- the new kataboyaka vader<-- lovvve the pose, cheap.

what do u think?

[elwood49]

After seeing the new pics of Vader from Fantacular, I think that the Sideshow version is the best. I'm sure that the many GG fans on this forum would disagree with me, but I think the SS is the one to get if you can afford it. I've got both the exclusive and the non-exclusive on order because I can't decide which one I want. I'm going to see the Mouse Droid in person and then decide if it is worth keeping the exclusive. I'll just sell the one I don't want on Ebay. I'm sure these will be going for big bucks at the time of release due to Ep. 3 hype.

The GG version does look excellent though, and I'm not getting it only because it's in a different scale than the SS version. I don't think you can go wrong with GG or SS.

I would stay away from the Koto, but that's just personal taste. They look too plastic and stylized for my taste. They really remind me of the Unleashed figures.

[arabian nazgul]

i agree with you in terms that the sideshow is the best in terms of likness and scale, but the problem is in the price, i also collect the unleashed, and 300 can get me almost half of the line.

but again the size of the sideshow version is great and gives vader the glory he has.

[elwood49]

If price is an object than get the GG version for about $160 from a dealer or save up $300-$350 for the SS version. Your going to have quite a while to save up.

I don't know if we'll see this piece until 2006. In fact, I really hope that one of the 2 new LOTR steed pieces or Vader slips to 2006. Sauron, the 2 steeds, and Vader are all scheduled for the 4th quarter at the moment! That's a lot of money to pay at one time.

[Gruson]

Sideshow Vader for sure. I am a fan now, since they corrected the helmet. This version is going to be INCREDIBLE! The 1/4 line does not dissapoint.

The GG one looks too short but I guess it's correct, since it is the Ep3 Vader. I do not like it at all. Save your money and buy the Sideshow version. You can still find it at some retail sites.

Koto kits are ok but the quality is lacking.

[Viking28]

My own thoughts on this is I think Sideshow's Vader will be the one to have in your collection.

[Agent23]

Sideshow Darth Vader.

I don't collect too much Star Wars pieces. Mostly, LOTR but the SS Darth Vader is joining my collection with open arms.

:rock

[bigdaddyrob]

I have to check the new vader pix, but I hate to say it... Price vs What your getting ~the new kataboyaka vader

[Viking28]

Rob the Sideshow Vader will be the one to get and be sought after in the future. If it were me I would find a way to get the 1/4 Vader cancel some other orders, sell blood whatever but this is the one your going to want.

[lakeshouse]

I was asking myself the same question about 2 months ago.
But I went and bought myself a Attakus Vader. I was Wowed when I first saw it. It is far the best Vader out there. but If I were to choose one from those 3 choices, I'd get kataboyaka vader. Price is good and will still get a descent Vader. SS Vader need some work, so can't tell for now. If you have him on order, maybe good idea to keep it.
Good luck :dance

[Sideshow Gun]

What is this Kataboyaka everyone keeps mentioning? :dunno
Is this a spelling mistake - the only company I can think of that sounds similar to this is Kotobukiya?

On the original question, i'm definitely going for the SS Vader. 1/4 scale, mixed media - he's gonna... :rock

[Oxbeard]

Yeah, it's Kotobukiya they are talking about. I have some Koto pieces and don't feel you can put these in the same category as SS or GG. The one's I have I picked up for about 50% or more off retail and feel they are definitely worth that price but not full retail.


Of course that narrows it down then to SS or GG. Personally if you could swing it I would recommend SS first and foremost, but if the price is way out of reach GG should be a satisfactory substitute.

[mrichards2002]

Tareq,

I would start with a Kotobukiya Vader since it's in-expensive. Personally, I love the Attakus Vader. The Sideshow Vader is up there on my list as well since I saw it at Toyfair. The Gentle Giant Vader should be a real nice piece considering they did a hell of a job on the Dewback and Chewbacca statue.

Mike
:ted

[wildriverrun1]

What about the Medicome Vader. Medium priced with removable helmet.

Joanna

[Gazmog]

since it is the Ep3 Vader

That's just it, it's not Vader from Ep3, nor from a specific film.

This from GG's site:

The Circle Is Now Complete

Come May 2005, as Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith hits theaters; Darth Vader will be all anyone can talk about. Gentle Giant commemorates the release with a brand new 14-inch statue of the Dark Lord of the Sith. This statue finds itself as the third piece of our 1/6 scale statue line. In creating the ultimate villain, we at Gentle Giant went to great lengths to make this piece the quintessential Vader in everyone’s collection. The Darth Vader statue is not created from one specific movie in the Star Wars saga, rather it is inspired by every incarnation to form the archetype you see today. This statue was created using digital data from ILM, various scans of the costume, and reference photos taken from the Original Trilogy.

This is a nice article to digest:

www.thejawa.com/nuke/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=63&page=2 (http://www.thejawa.com/nuke/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=63&page=2)

[Gruson]

Correct Lakehouse,

As of now, the best Vader out there are the Attakus versions, by far.

They are big and very accurate.

[arabian nazgul]

thx guys for the help, offcourse i agree that the attakus vader is by far the best but just 4get it it, thats why i sold my LOTR collection, i'm buyin a car, even the sideshow one is a bit pricy.

here is what i think,the kataboyak <--i like this name :lol
is by far (in my opinion) has the best vader pose ever, a real fighting pose, looks great. unlike their first one which looked like vader was falling. the problem is like someone here said, it looks like a toy, plastic.

the gentle giant, i can asure you it will look awsome, but i think his legs are shorter than what they should be so i need to see it in person first, i dont doubt the quality of gentle giant, their product are as good as weta products. (i have vader-yoda-bobba busts and they are amazing)

the side show one is in my top list but only if the price falls down a bit, i would like to get one for $275 or so, but nothing more than $300. i love the size, the pose is also smooth (i guess it's when he foght obi wan in a new hope?)

so the final decision should be made when they are released.
:speech

[Gazmog]

http://img138.echo.cx/img138/1553/darthvaderstatuetoyfair19jg.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

:rock :drool

[elwood49]

the side show one is in my top list but only if the price falls down a bit, i would like to get one for $275 or so, but nothing more than $300.

I would be absolutely shocked if you get the SS version for anything less than $300. I think these actually will go up rather than down once they are released. I could easily see them hitting $400-$500 by the time they come out.

Everyone is going to want one of these once the SS 1/4 line begins to hit stores. Add to that the fact that Vader is the one "Must Buy" from the line and also the fact that Ep. 3 revolves around Vader, and you're going to see some high prices for the SS version, IMO. It may even be difficult to get one for $300 right now, since these retail for $350. Stick with GG if you don't want to pay that price.

[RichardW]

Here are some pictures of the Medicom Vader:
www.ultimatetoys.com.my/N...mVader.htm (http://www.ultimatetoys.com.my/New/Star%20Wars/MedicomVader/MedicomVader.htm)
:rock

[Gazmog]

Any martial artist or swordmaster would tell you it's not a good idea to have a wide stance!! :D :p Apart from the legs being too far apart, the detail looks great!

[RodLonghi]

Yes Gaz, this is the best Vader out there. The floating cape look was a genius choice, the legs looks just fine for me, but this is a prototype so the final version may be different.

The SS Vader, is a different kind of product, it has real clothes so it's not exactly a statue, but looks great, I have one on order and still don't know if I'll keep it or not. I want to see the final product.

I had the first Koto Vader but sold it. It's nice, but definitely not the same quality as those mentioned above, looks more like a big action figure. it's made of plastic and you have to fit the body parts together, I would save the money for a better version.

[dstephan]

For me there is no comparison as the SSC Vader is mixed media which I prefer far above just a regular statue. And as I don't have any of the other SW items from other companies, starting a SW collection fresh with SSC product just feels right to me.

[elwood49]

Look at the revised Vader sculpt from Josh's Fantacular pic thread here:

p078.ezboard.com/fsidesho...21&stop=40 (http://p078.ezboard.com/fsideshowfreaksfrm9.showMessageRange?topicID=6389. topic&start=21&stop=40)

The mask now has one silver tusk, the helmet is lower on the brow, the proportions are right, and the lightsaber handle has been changed. SS obviously listened to the fans and changed their Vader for the better.:clap The only thing that I don't like is the left-handed grip, but I need to watch the film again to see if that is accurate. I can't wait for this! Bring on the Grievous announcement tomorrow! (*crosses fingers*)

[arabian nazgul]

interesting, well i'm the type of collector who doesnt put items from different companies together, like i cant put gentle giant with sideshow or weta with neca or so....

i think the gentle giant is a good choice considering their top quality stuff, i saw the chewy statue and the 3cpo and the looked amazing, and from these pictures i'm sure vader will look amazing.

damn it it's hard to resist collecting. i had to sell 3/4 of my lord of the rings collectin, and i dont wanna spend that money on star wars statues..:p i need to buy me a car, and find me a job this summer..

[Gazmog]

The SS Vader, is a different kind of product, it has real clothes so it's not exactly a statue, but looks great, I have one on order and still don't know if I'll keep it or not. I want to see the final product.

Likewise...and this is Vader from Ep4...next'll come the Ep5 and 6 version...then the Ep3 chargrilled variant. :thud We have seen the variations already come forth as exclusives, imagine what they'll do with this guy. You could end up spending almost $1000 on Vader figures alone...and that's before the likes of Boba Fett...and other principal characters. You only have to look at the number of Hasbro figures there are in circulation to know that you'll need a sugardaddy to fund a collection like this. OMG. :\ This will work out more expensive than collecting polystone pieces from LOTR. :lol

[dstephan]

I don't feel like I need to be a Vader completist - maybe this one and then one from Ep. 3 eventually. But I'm hoping they concentrate on the other characters first before revisiting anyone.

[One of Nine]

IMO the attakus Vader 1 is beautiful, but too expensive and the Vader2 statue looks as if he belongs in Fat Joe's " Lean back" video. I don't like the SS vader at all the mixed media just makes it seem like a doll to me, I passed on him. The GG vader to me is awesome even though I think the boots look weird to me, but after having many busts and the Dewback statue I know GG won't dissapoint. I like the new Koyb. Vader but I can't bring myself to pay $100 for a plastic statue.

[Viking28]

the side show one is in my top list but only if the price falls down a bit, i would like to get one for $275 or so, but nothing more than $300.

I really really doubt you will find one for that price when it is released. If you have or will own a Sideshow 1/4 you will know that these are far from just oversize dolls.
I would take a 1/4 over a statue any day and I only own one 1/4 at this time. Having them mix media adds so much more life to them then just a regular statue. And to me I think Sideshow's Star Wars 1/4 will be the highlight of my collection.

[elwood49]

i dont doubt the quality of gentle giant, their product are as good as weta products. (i have vader-yoda-bobba busts and they are amazing)

Here's an idea: sell the Vader bust. It's WAY overpriced right now and goes for over $400. You can then get the SS Vader or the GG Vader. If you get the GG Vader, then you'll have about $250 left in your pocket. The bust is basically the statue cut in half anyway. Why not just sell the bust and get one of the two superior statues + $$$?

If you must have another Vader bust, then GG is coming out with one later this year for about $50. He'll have his lightsaber drawn, and it supposedly looks superior to the current bust.

[Viking28]

I agree with Elwood.

[arabian nazgul]

lol elwood, actually thats what i was exactly thinking about, actually i'm waiting for the movie and then i'll sell vader bust for a good price, hek i might even sell yoda and probably boba fett. i like statues more than busts, and no i dont need a bust and a statue. a good statue is enough.

so i guess i'll go with gentle giant, good price, good size and great quality.

[LOTR Fan]

Gentle Giant is coming my way hopefully soon. :banana :wave

[GrimaSnailTongue]

I like the Kotobukiya vader. I think it has a very dynamic pose compared to the others. I would prefer the SS Vader over them all because of the scale, but the pose is boring as hell. He's been done to death with static poses for too long IMO.

[Viking28]

I think Im going to try to get the GG Vader also does anybody know a trusted dealer who still has them up for pre order?

Thanks

[LOTR Fan]

Got mine from Amok Time. :yay

[Gazmog]

Do you still have concerns? ;)

www.rebelscum.com/gallery/c3/ggs2/image59.asp (http://www.rebelscum.com/gallery/c3/ggs2/image59.asp)

[arabian nazgul]

mmm i loove the idea-pose but is it me or does his arm look shorter than normal. i trust gentle giant would make a perfect statue, like the sandtrooper and the bikerider. but vader seems to have some mistakes in him, his arm and leg are kinda short.