Reviewing Fanhome’s Darth Vader 1:2 Scale Build-Up Subscription Stages 55-59
by Brendan M. Allen
The next five stages in my Star Wars Darth Vader 1:2 Scale Build-Up Subscription from Fanhome* are ready to be assembled. At the end of the last box’s stages, I had completely assembled the left arm, and had the right arm completed to the elbow. These stages will complete that right arm and will answer some questions about the mini Sith Lord’s weapon of choice.
Let’s get into it!
Build Stage 55
This stage’s magazine has a piece on Morgan Elsbeth and a backup on Zuckuss, who was a bounty hunter summoned to the Executor by Darth Vader to hunt down the Millennium Falcon.
The build stage involves assembling the inner joint of the right shoulder. This is a complex joint which allows a range of motion that, while not the full range of human shoulder mobility, can be manipulated to pose Lord Vader in several intimidating positions.
Build Stage 56
Issue 56 of the informational magazines has an article on the Nightbrothers and third part in the articles on Boba Fett. It’s interesting that some of the magazines have articles on relatively unknown lore from the comics and novels, and then some issues have pieces on two massive subjects related to the films, like this one.
While most people who have seen Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace couldn’t tell you that Maul is a Nightbrother, one look at the images within these pages would lead them instantly to that end. The article gives width and breadth to the film audience, while speaking to the fans who have actually read the books and comics and who have seen the animated films and series.
This build stage completes the right shoulder joint, while carefully tucking that wiring harness through a channel.
Build Stage 57
Stage 57’s magazine has a second installment on Grand Inquisitor and a piece on Arihnda Pryce. This is another case where I admit I really don’t know these characters, but as I stated before, the novels, comics, animated films, and series do a great job filling in the gaps in Star Wars lore. The essays are excellent reading, and they answer some questions I’ve had for a while about the films themselves.
Stage 57’s build leaves the right arm complete, having installed the upper arm with the wiring harness routed through it. This arrangement provides power to the upcoming lightsaber hand, while protecting the wiring from accidental damage.
Build Stage 58
This stage’s feature articles are on Second Sister and Valen Rudor.
The assembly stage requires screwing together two parts of Vader’s alternate hand. This hand, unlike the hand we’ve already assembled, is made of hard formed rubber or plastic. The previous hand is highly poseable, and comes with a glove made of simulated leather. This hand is molded. It’s heavy and solid, to match the upcoming assembly of the right hand, which is also molded. Holding and powering the lightsaber requires structural integrity that just isn’t achievable with the poseable hand.
Build Stage 59
Stage 59’s magazine opens with a piece on “Dark Side Creatures,” which are apparently the most hellish abominations to be found in the known galaxy. Nightmare fuel, these beasts. The backup is on Aresko and Grint.
This build stage is one of those that falls between stages. It contains the upper part of that power glove I mentioned in the last stage. It will remain in its pouch until I get to the next batch of build stages, where it will meet the lower part of the glove and the lightsaber handle that will be permanently fixed to it.
For the “result” image on the last page of this stage, Fanhome humorously showed me why there are two sets of hands. I laughed out loud. Darth is giving us finger guns with the poseable hands, to show the poseability of said hands. I did notice the left hand in the “lightsaber” photo is not the hard rubber fixed hand, but rather the poseable hand in the simulated leather glove. You do have that option, if you aren’t a stickler for matching hands.
*Fanhome sends me this subscription free of charge for the purpose of review.
