Star Wars: The Black Series #02 Darth Vader (Return of the Jedi) Action Figure (2014 Hasbro)

Few releases carry as much weight in the Star Wars Black Series lineage as figure #02 — the Darth Vader that launched Hasbro's 6-inch premium format at mass retail in 2013–2014. As one of the very first characters announced for the line, this Return of the Jedi-themed release set the standard for screen-accurate sculpting and premium articulation at the 6-inch scale, and the collector community has used it as the baseline against which every subsequent Black Series Vader is still measured. Owning the origin point of that decade-long conversation is, for many collectors, the real draw here.

This vintage example presents in its original first-run black box, featuring the distinctive teal dot-stripe accent panel and the embossed Vader helmet character-icon medallion in the upper-right window corner. The cardback carries the Return of the Jedi narrative blurb and Vader's iconic unmasking quote, grounding the figure firmly in that climactic moment. Standout features of this release include the removable helmet — exposing a sculpted Anakin Skywalker head beneath — and a soft-goods cape that drapes naturally at display. The red lightsaber is present in the tray. The box shows honest vintage shelf wear consistent with an early-run 2014 retail piece; the window and tray remain intact and the figure is complete.

For collectors building a chronological Black Series display or documenting the evolution of the Vader sub-line, this first-generation #02 is an essential acquisition. It represents the moment Hasbro committed to the 6-inch premium format for Star Wars and proved the concept at retail — making it as much a piece of collecting history as it is an impressive, articulated figure in its own right.