I missed out on Darth Maul the first time around back in 2013 . So thanks to Hasbro for these reissues in this series known as the Archive . I purchased this figure of Darth Maul at a local Game Stop for $ 22. 99 .
I like how the back of the packaging is giving reference to the original figure , letting everyone know that this current Maul figure is indeed a reissue . The dialogue under his name states " The evil Sith apprentice Darth Maul engages in a fierce light saber duel with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi ".
As you can see Maul comes with the exact same accessories as his original release . Two light sabers that connect together to form the double bladed saber , binoculars and the extra head . Notice that the extra head is hidden until you open the packaging , unlike the original packaging where it could already be seen . Unless you view this current Maul figure in the packaging from the sides, other than that the extra head is somewhat hidden .
In the famous words of the Gomer Pyle character - " Surprise , surprise, surprise ". I myself did not see the extra head until I opened up the packaging .
I really like this Darth Maul figure and think that he is very cool looking and fun to have in the collection . The multiple display options are quite a few. Do you want to display him with or without the hood ? With one light saber or both ? With a light saber in each hand or combine the light sabers to form the double bladed weapon ? Do you want him to hold the double blade with one hand or two ? I love the multiple display options with this guy . I also love how shiny his boots , belt and gloves are . As a matter of fact , his boots look as if they have been doused in black shoe polish . I love how the different shades of black stand out in his outfit .
Unfortunately the cloak and hood are attached to the default head . Plus the added weight of the plastic sort of makes him a little top heavy . I prefer displaying Maul without the cloak and with the extra head because of those reasons . The hood and cloak probably should of been made of cloth instead of plastic .
If you are a figure customizer you may can figure out a way to remove Maul's head from the cloak , and put the cloak onto another figure . Good luck in trying .
Up close mug shot of Maul without the hood . One of the scariest looking villains in the Star Wars franchise . Well at least he is from a distance . Once you get up close to him those human looking eyes kind of make him less scary in my opinion .
Maul with his binoculars .
As you can see Darth Maul is one of the shorter Star Wars characters . The figure is barely six inches tall .
As you can see in the two pics above , Maul can easily hold both light sabers put together either with two hands or one hand .
FINAL THOUGHTS
( 1 ) ARTICULATION LIMITS - Although downward head movement is hindered just a little you can still make Maul look downward by bending his hidden ab crunch .
( 2 ) STANDING ABILITY - trying to get Maul to stand without falling is a challenge . However once you position him in the proper stance he stands nicely . A trick I use is that I may bend his knees slightly along with pushing his left foot back just a little to get him to stand properly .
( 3 ) WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS FIGURE ? - The luxury of having one of the best Star Wars villains in the collection . I love the different shades of black in his outfit and the shine of the gloves , boots and belt . It's fun posing him with his double bladed light saber , or with both sabers in each hand . The multiple display options are great !!!
( 4 ) WHAT I LIKE LEAST ABOUT THIS FIGURE ? - No dislikes .
( 5 ) WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE THE FIGURE ? - Make it easier for him to stand and the handles on the light sabers could have been made of a harder plastic to keep them from bending . Also the hood / cloak should have been made out of cloth and not plastic .
( 6 ) GRADING SCALE - Despite my few complaints I still give this figure a Perfect 10 !!! Because the gripes can be fixed .
( 7 ) FINAL ANALYSIS - I wish other toy companies would follow in Hasbro's footsteps with the Archive strategy . A perfect way to get a hold of old figures you've missed out on in the past without resorting to the internet , visiting places such as E-bay and Amazon , etc . Not only is it a luxury to obtain a reissued figure you've missed out on before , but the reissues are also cheaper than the original figures , thus saving you money .
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