VC Top 25 in 2025: Number 3

 Down to the next to last stretch. For tomorrow I'm changing the order up. At the top of tomorrow's review will be my top 2 choices, preceded by my rundown from 25 to 3. Then, I'll break down all the votes for the ranked figures, followed by the list rundown from 25 to 3, and then adding the final 2 figures. Only 1 vote separated the 2nd place figure from 1st place. One vote. 

MY 3rd RANKED FIGURE: 

VC 241 DARTH VADER (DARK TIMES)

Photo from BanthaSkull 

WHY I LIKE THIS FIGURE:

The old Darth Vader VC sculpts weren't great. VC 93 had been the best one, as he was the only Vader who could hold his lightsaber in his right hand. This figure knocked it out of the park! And it led me to discover that Jason from the BanthaSkull comments section had a YouTube channel: MAKMCSWF! I subscribed to his channel then, and you should too, if you haven't already. When I got him, I played with it for a good hour or so after taking photos of the card. I had fun playing around with the extra hands, putting him in some acrobatic poses, just having plain, good old fun! Which is what you should have with an action figure: fun! 

WHY HE'S RANKED 3rd: 

For all of what's listed above. For me, he's a great ROTS Vader, until Hasbro makes a definitive version from the end of the film. He's been used as the buck for 2 other Vader's as well. Getting a definitive ESB and Rebels versions of Vader are on my lists, and possibly going on my way too early 2026 March Madness Tournament list. Simply put: I love this figure! But there are 2 more I like better. 

COLLECTOR'S CHOICE 3rd RANKED FIGURE: 

VC 132 SAELT MARAE (AKA YAKFACE)

Phot from actionfigure411 

WHY I THINK COLLECTORS LIKE THIS FIGURE: 

The original Kenner Yakface was a super rare figure in the United States. He's mostly available on foreign cards, tri-logo, all that fancy stuff. His modern debut in POTF2 was the first time Yakface was easily found in the US. Then years later, he finally arrives in the Vintage Collection. But for the 1st time ever, he's on a ROTJ card. His Kenner figure was on a POTF card, which came with a collectors coin. For the Sail Barge HasLab, Hasbro offered this figure as part of the tiers on that POTF card, complete with a reprinted coin. As a figure, he's excellent. But this is one time where I believe getting him on a film card, and being able to acquire him somewhat easily, makes him a logical top 3 choice. 

WHY HE'S RANKED 3rd: 

He won a 3 way coin toss. I'll explain in full detail how I went about the coin tosses to break ties. But the 3rd-5th ranked figures had the same number of votes. Again, I'll break that all down Sunday morning. As a figure off the card, he's incredible! Excellent sculpting, paint apps and good articulation for the 2018-19 standards which is when he came out. But is there more to this figure? It's quite possible as he was my top choice when I did my original all time VC Top 25. But the collectors liked 2 figures more than this one. 

Thanks for reading! The big wrap up is tomorrow morning, and I will do my best to post it as early as possible.