Darth Vader

Darth Vader is a human in Star Wars.

"Does Darth Vader have to choke a bitch?" is always a rhetorical question.

Darth Vader was once a man named Anakin Skywalker who converted to the dark side. He is possessed of great power, cunning, and speed. Once he called Obi-Wan Kenobi "master" although the exact nature of that relationship (could such a powerful being have once been a Jedi's slave?) and how it ended remain a mystery. He's been a member of the Jedi himself, and has been called "the most gifted pilot in the galaxy". He flies a variety of ships, at some point even an odd spherical "Death Star", all of which can transform into a humanoid robot designed in his own image. Despite all the imposing weapons at his disposal, he is a very powerful man, one of the most powerful masters of the Force, in his own right, known to fight Cybertronians on foot.

He is presumably related to the similarly named Luke Skywalker in some way.

Fiction

Star Wars Transformers

As a Jedi, Anakin Skywalker fought on the side of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. With his unrivalled piloting skills, control of the Force and a variety of transforming Jedi Starfighters to choose from, he cleared some of the most challenging missions available without breaking a sweat. At some point, Anakin ended up on Teth and found the Twilight, a freighter ship which he modified into another transforming mech. Using a Y-wing, he later freed a number of hostages captured by Cad Bane on Coruscant, then did battle with the bounty hunter.

Shortly after being converted from his previous beliefs to the Sith faction, Darth Vader is given the task of crushing all resistance to the Emperor across the galaxy. Piloting his new, heavily modified Sith Starfighter and wielding dark power, he morphs his spacecraft into an imposing combat robot.

Later, as a sinister Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader is on a mission to crush the Rebels and bring young Luke Skywalker before the Emperor. Vader combs the galaxy for Skywalker in his TIE Advanced Fighter, another spacecraft that can morph into a humanoid robot, destroying all Rebel ships, pirate fleets, and asteroids that get in his way.

Using his advanced TIE mecha once more, Vader participates in a shattering starship battle with his former master. Unable to best his opponent in giant robot combat Darth Vader is forced to fall back on his ship's vehicle mode's missile defenses. Giving us a true sense of their power, we learn that like Primus and Unicron before them, the conflict between these two powerful force users is enough to rock an entire galaxy.

Darth Vader is also in command of the transforming Death Star battle station, which he uses in the battle against the Rebel Alliance.

Dreamwave Transformers/G.I. Joe comics

Upon seeing Barbecue in his heat-resistant equipment, Shipwreck wondered when G.I. Joe had recruited Darth Vader. Targets of Opportunity

Toys

Attacktix

Damn kids, GET OFF the LAWN!

• Intergalactic Showdown (Multi-pack, 2006)

Darth Vader comes in a set with Luke Skywalker, an AT-RT non-humanoid piloted robot with driver, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Omega Sentinel.

Darth Vader also has four other Attacktix figures not sold in Transformers packaging, designated "Starter Set", "Series 1", "Series 2", and "Series 3". The Starter Set figure reveals him to be the same person as Anakin Skywalker!

Star Wars Transformers

What kind of egomaniac has the robots he pilots made to look just like him?

• Darth Vader TIE Advanced (2006)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers/missiles, 2 solar panels/shield & cape, Darth Vader figure

Darth Vader's first mecha transforms into a TIE Advanced Starfighter, featuring twin spring-loaded missile launchers. These missiles become "lightsaber" melee weapons for the robot mode. One of the vehicle mode's solar panel arrays forms a "cape" for the robot mode, the other a large deflector shield. Like all Star Wars Transformers toys, it comes with a tiny mini-figure of its pilot that fits into the ship's cockpit.

• More information on Darth Vader at TFU.info

"Spoilers? This ship doesn't have—ohhhh, that kind of spoilers."

• Anakin Skywalker Jedi Starfighter (2006)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers/missiles, Anakin Skywalker figure

A redeco and retooling of the Obi-Wan Jedi Starfighter, Anakin's mech transforms into an Eta-2 Actis interceptor with twin spring-loaded "lightsaber" missile launchers, and flip-up S-foils.

This mold was also retooled to make a new Vader ship as well as Mace Windu's craft.

• More information on Anakin Skywalker at TFU.info

Help! I've gone black and I can't go back!

• Darth Vader Sith Starfighter (2006)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers/missiles, Darth Vader figure

Another incarnation of the Eta-2 mold, this one has been retooled and redecoed into Anakin's new persona as Darth Vader. It retains all of the same gimmicks as previous versions of the mold. The head is different from all other Vader Transformer molds, having a more stylized robotic look as opposed to the direct translation of the TIE Advanced mold. This ship features an inbuilt R4-K5 droid in place of the previous R2-D2.

• More information on Darth Vader at TFU.info

Great, now the "vs. Unicron" debates will never end.

• Darth Vader/Death Star (2007)
  • Accessories: Gun, missile, lightsaber, cape, 3 TIE Fighters, 3 Stormtrooper figures, Darth Vader figure

The imposing, sole Supreme-class figure of the Star Wars Transformers toyline, this gigantic Darth Vader mech transforms into the planet-destroying Death Star. Featuring excellent Articulation, it has ratchet joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, with swivel joints taking up the remaining few. In both modes, it has a spring loaded missile launcher that fires a small, translucent green projectile. It also features lights and sounds, with several clips taken from the movie. In robot mode, it has a seriously gigantic light saber. Taped inside the package is a cloth cape which can be attached to the back of the figure in robot mode (be careful not to throw it away). He's also one hell of a Shellformer, with all of his various Death Star chunks hanging off his body.

Darth Vader and his bitches—er, that is, Stormtroopers.

Like all figures in the Star Wars Transformers line, it comes with a pilot figure of the character the toy depicts. Additionally, it comes with three more figures, all of which are generic Stormtroopers. Three TIE Fighters are also included, which also have a Mech Mode. Oddly, the instructions and description on the box refer to them as Mini-Cons. In both modes, panels on the back open to reveal storage compartments for the pilots and TIE Fighters, while in Mech mode there are several smaller compartments on the legs and shoulders for the pilots.

The instructions give no suggestion as to where to put the lightsaber in vehicle mode, though there is plenty of empty space inside. Additionally, the compartments on either side of the back seem at first barely large enough to accommodate more than one TIE at a time without disassembling the solar arrays, but it is actually possible to fit two of them as a whole in one case with some intelligent positioning.

• More information on Darth Vader at TFU.info

Come on, why doesn't he transform into his own lightsaber to have someone else swing him around?

• Galactic Showdown (2007)

A redeco of the TIE Advanced Fighter in a light Imperial gray (as opposed to his original dark blue), this version of Vader was released in a Wal-Mart Exclusive two-pack with a redeco of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Jedi Starfighter. The set did not change either mold, and both came with their original pilot mini-figures. The set saw poor distribution, and was primarily seen in west coast stores. The set was only available in Super Wal-mart locations.

Crossovers

• Jedi Starfighter to Anakin Skywalker (2008)
  • Accessories: 2 hyperdrive ring parts, 2 hyperdrive engines/missile launchers, 2 lightsabers/missiles

A retool of the Saesee Tiin Delta-7 interceptor mold into a Delta-7B (the difference being that the astromech droid is in the center of the craft instead of on the left wing) and featuring a new head. Anakin once again comes with two lightsabers/missiles, this time fired from the thrusters on the starfighter's hyperdrive ring. Unlike the toys released under the Star Wars Transformers banner, this toy does not come with a tiny pilot figure.

This version of the mold was retooled with new heads to make Ahsoka Tano and Kit Fisto's Jedi Starfighters, while the original Saesee Tiin version was also used to make Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Koon.

• Darth Vader to TIE Advanced X1 Starfighter (2009/2010)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers/missiles, 2 solar panels/shield & cape

A repackaging of the very first transforming Darth Vader toy. While the toy is identical to the previous release, the mini-figure accessory was removed for this release.

This toy was first made available under the Crossovers banner in 2009 in white and blue packaging, and later in the summer of 2010 in black and blue packaging.

And so the Lionbreast fell in love with the lamb.

• Anakin Skywalker to The Twilight (2010)
  • Accessories: Missile launcher, lightsaber/missile, small blaster

This Anakin toy transforms from a robot with asymmetrical arms to the equally asymmetrical starship known as the Twilight. He comes with R2-D2, who converts into the large engine pod on the left side of the starship. The figure's lightsaber doubles as a missile, which can be fired from a handheld launcher in robot mode, or from the starship's rooftop gun. The blaster at the end of the folding bottom wing can be used by Anakin as a handgun.

Having been designed explicitly for the Star Wars Crossovers line, this mold does not feature an opening cockpit to fit a mini-figure, unlike many previous designs which were either carryovers or re-used from the Star Wars Transformers toyline.

• Anakin Skywalker to Y-wing Bomber (2010)
  • Accessories: Vehicle nose/gun, missile, lightsaber, 2x blaster pistols

Anakin is a retool of the Y-wing Pilot toy with a new head and chestplate, transforming into a white and yellow Y-wing bomber. The nose of the craft can fire a two-pronged missile, and detaches to become a handheld gun in robot mode. The figure also carries a lightsaber and two small blaster pistols that fit into holster's on Anakin's hips. Early stock photos didn't show Anakin's lightsaber, leading to the belief that the toy lacked one, but the weapon was present when the toy was eventually released. As the Y-wing mold wasn't designed with a lightsaber in mind, it has nowhere to store in vehicle mode.

• More information on Y-Wing Anakin Skywalker at TFU.info

• Anakin Skywalker to Jedi Starfighter (2010)
  • Accessories: Lightsaber

This Anakin toy is the same as his 2008 Jedi Starfighter toy, except it has fewer accessories. Like the 2010 Obi-Wan Kenobi toy, Anakin doesn't come with his hyperdrive ring and has only one lightsaber. Unlike Obi-Wan, he retains the same head mold, hand molds and paint layout as the original toy.

• Anakin Skywalker to Jedi Starfighter (2011)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers

Part of the first wave of a smaller, simpler class (similar to the Cyberverse Commander class) of Crossovers toys, this new Anakin mold again transforms into an Eta-2 Actis interceptor. Interestingly, the instructions neglect to mention that the figure has storage for its lightsabers. The sabers can clip on within 2 clips underneath the legs, which form the front sections of the ship. He features a panel on his chest (one that is similar to the ones found on class III Darth Vader/Anakin's turbine cannons) which flips up to act as a handle for class III figures to hold him in ship mode as a weapon (though it ends up just looking like he's just holding a starfighter).

This mold was retooled into Obi-Wan Kenobi.

My Sith counterpart is nearby...

• Darth Vader to Star Destroyer (2011)
  • Accessories: 2 blue lightsabers, red lightsaber, 2 missiles, 2 hull halves

This large toy has two robot modes and two vehicle modes, representing both of the character's distinct personas as Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker. He transforms into both an Imperial Star Destroyer and a "Jedi Cruiser" (actually a Republic Attack Cruiser) and features firing missiles and electronic lights and sounds.

I have altered the toy. Pray I do not alter it further.

• Darth Vader to Sith Starfighter (2011)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers

A retool of the smaller and simpler Jedi Starfighter mold with a new head, Darth Vader transforms into a Sith Starfighter for the second time. He retains the handle flip on his chest.

• Anakin Skywalker to Jedi Starfighter (2012)
  • Accessories: 2 lightsabers

A retool of the smaller size class Obi-Wan Kenobi toy, Anakin transforms into a Delta-7B again. He features a simplified transformation and two blue lightsabers. The two lightsabers can be stored in small brackets within the rear flaps of his vehicle mode, however the blades of the sabers stick out straight forward to look like laser fire. He still retains the handle in his chest, just like the previous versions of the mold.

This mold was also used to make Saesee Tiin.

• Anakin Skywalker to Y-wing Fighter (2012)
  • Accessories: Lightsaber

A retool of the smaller size class Y-wing Pilot toy, Anakin transforms into a Y-wing. He comes with a lightsaber instead of the original toy's rifle. He features a panel on his underside (one that is similar to the ones found on class III Darth Vader/Anakin's turbine cannons) which flips up to act as a handle for class III figures to hold him in ship mode as a weapon (though it ends up just looking like he's just holding a starfighter).

Notes

• The Darth Vader/Death Star Transformer was at one point going to be based around the incomplete second Death Star shown in Return of the Jedi and had a similarly incomplete robot mode with one shattered eye. This was eschewed in favor of using the complete Death Star and robot mode. It is otherwise identical to the concept art.

External links

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