Hot Toys Power of the Dark Side Continues with Artisan Edition Luke Skywalker from Dark Empire, Darth Maul, and More

The Power of the Dark Side event continues as Hot Toys revealed even more new sixth scale collectibles today, including an updated Darth Maul and their first ever Artisan Edition Luke Skywalker, based on his appearance in Dark Horse's Dark Empire.



Before I get into the reveals, if you're just here to find out when Artisan Luke goes on sale you can currently sign up for notifications at Sideshow and the figure will go up for pre-order tomorrow, May 3, at 1PM PT. From past experience, don't wait for them to email you to say he's available. Make sure you are on the figure page in advance of the sale time to get into the queue when he goes live. The figure is limited to 3,500 pieces across all markets so may the Force be with you.



Before we get to Luke, Hot Toys started today's reveals with another exclusive. The Gold Chrome version of the Clone Trooper.



I know a lot of fans are mixed on these types of figures, and they honestly aren't for me, but I do feel they are the perfect type of figure for a limited edition event exclusive as they're cool for those who want one but they're not an essential character that most fans are going to feel they are missing if they can't get them (looking at you 0-0-0!).

Honestly, the gold makes this look like some kind of internal Lucasfilm award, which I guess makes it cooler than the standard chrome one to me.



Next up was the Shadow Trooper. Like the recent Stormtrooper released, this one comes with a Death Star Environment set so you can really start to build out a backdrop if you're getting both figures.

I know this is basically a repaint but it does look pretty cool. Strange that it's under the Movie Masterpiece banner rather than comics or video games though, since - and please correct me in the comments if I'm wrong - Shadow Troopers didn't appear in the films.



Following the troopers was one figure that a lot of fans had been hoping to see get an update - Darth Maul. Just in time for The Phantom Menace's 25th anniversary the fearsome Sith Lord is back with 2 updated face sculpts, both of which look fantastic, and offered in two versions. Darth Maul will be available alone or with his Sith Speeder.

This is one of those figures where I had no plans to buy Darth Maul but seeing the shelf presence of this figure I may just be buying Darth Maul. The new face sculpts are fantastic and the dynamic poses you can create with the two sculpts, both with movable eyes, means this figure will look absolutely stunning however you display him.



Like Revan and Starkiller, Maul (both versions) comes in three editions. A standard release, a time limited edition with a collectible coin via Hot Toys' official distributors, and Power of the Dark Side event exclusive with a red coin only available to those who order as the event in Hong Kong.



Once again saving the best for last, Hot Toys finished today's reveals with the Dark Empire version of Luke Skywalker.







This figure had been rumored a bit since the original reveals last week but I don't think anyone expected it to also be Hot Toys first Artisan Edition of Luke Skywalker with rooted woolen hair! The Artisan Edition is limited to just 3,500 pieces and, as mentioned at the top of this article, goes up for pre-order tomorrow. For those who miss out on the Artisan Edition, or who prefer sculpted to rooted hair, a standard edition will also be available.

It's really nice to see Hot Toys diving into the Legends canon. First with Revan and Starkiller, now with Luke. I really hope that they continue this alongside the current canon. And, having seen Dark Empire Luke, I am very excited by the prospect of an Artisan Edition A New Hope or Return of the Jedi Luke in the future because I think this version looks great. His hair is a big bigger here but I remember it being drawn bigger in some the comics as well, so it seems accurate to me. And whilst I'd personally like Luke to look a little older, reflecting that this is a decade after A New Hope, again the comics and covers of the Legends material kept the original trilogy heroes looking largely as they did in the films even decades later, so this is accurate to that.



All of these figures will be available for pre-order tomorrow from Sideshow and other retailers. Artisan Edition Luke Skywalker (Dark Empire) and Clone Trooper (Gold Chrome Version) are Sideshow exclusive within the US. Whilst Darth Maul (with and without Sith Speeder) and the standard edition of Luke will be available at other retailers, the editions with the collectible coin are also Sideshow exclusive within the US. Links and galleries for all are below.



Clone Trooper (Gold Chrome Edition) - Pre-Order opens May 3 at 9AM (PT)



Shadow Trooper with Death Star Environment Set



Darth Maul with Sith Speeder



Darth Maul



Luke Skywalker (Dark Empire)



Artisan Edition Luke Skywalker (Dark Empire) - Pre-Order opens May 3 at 1PM (PT)



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