Sideshow Collectibles Darth Maul - Duel on Naboo exclusive

I was pretty pissed when I saw the asking price for the new Sideshow Darth Maul, particularly when it comes with next to nothing! In summary, I think the figure itself is OK, but for the price it should come with far more!

Click the link below to watch my full video review up on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel.

For $240, the contents are pretty barebones, with just a few hands and the double bladed lightsaber. I got the exclusive version, which gives the extra severed lightsaber. So the folks unlucky enough to get the regular version will get even less for the same price!

It baffles me why they could not even include a cloak or an alternate snarling head sculpt for this price. I think Sideshow really had a great opportunity to make this perhaps the definitive Darth Maul figure, but have definitely fallen short on that mark.

The biggest improvement is of course the head sculpt. I think overall it is a pretty good likeness, and the paint app is decent. The tattoos are cleanly done, although the head sculpt itself has some seam marks that appear worse on some than others. Luckily the seams on mine on the side of the head aren't too noticeable.

The eyes are also nicely done, with realistic glassiness and the orange and yellow tinge around the iris. The horns are also sharp and have a good paint app to them. So if there's only one thing worth upgrading for, it's definitely the head sculpt.

The costume itself is also nicely done, with good materials and tailoring. All the pleats have thin wires along the edges so you can get some pretty good flowing poses out of the costume. It's a shame that the underlying body is still a bit too loose in the joints. This is a problem with the base Sideshow bodies that they seem incapable, or unwilling, to fix! The Hot Toys bodies feel much sturdier in comparison.

It's also a shame that with decent overall articulation, the boots do not feature any real ankle pivot or rocking ability! The top of the boot and the foot area are actually separate pieces held together by the main strap piece along the front. But despite this, there is very limited movement, so getting his feel flat on the ground in wide leg poses is impossible. I think they could have, and should have, done much better in this area.

In the end, I think the figure does display very well. But for the price, they should've included much more to justify that, or at least price the figure much lower. Prequel fans will love this, but I'd recommend waiting for a sale price or use a discount code.

Play Arts Kai variant Star Wars Darth Maul

Here's my full video review of the new Play Arts Kai Darth Maul. Not as good as the previous releases, but still a solid figure overall.

Together with the others, they look pretty damn awesome!!

Click the link below to head on over to Big Bad Toy Store and pick this up for yourself! :)

Play Arts Kai Darth Maul at BBTS

Play Arts Kai Stormtrooper

Here's my full review of the Play Arts Kai Stormtrooper figure. It's probably my favourite out of the three that they've released so far! Click through below to the review, and head on down for some photos too :)

The overall aesthetic of this Stormtrooper is just bad ass! He actually looks like he means business and is a warrior to be reckoned with!

I found the articulation to be better than Boba Fett, with an easier range of motion especially in the torso. The white gloss paint app throughout the armour also looks amazing.

Love the weapons and their interesting take on the classic standard blaster and long rifle. Instantly recognisable, but different enough to fit in well with this variant style.

My only nitpick would be that I think the Stormtrooper is probably slightly too tall. I would've preferred the height of the trooper and Boba to be reversed. But regardless, these variant figures look amazing together. The Japanese companies are really taking Star Wars figures to another level this year! Highly recommended! :)