It all started way back in February at Toy Fair...we were heading to meet with Diamond Select Toys for our sister site Cool Toy Review, to get all the latest info on their exciting toy lines for 2008. But as we walked down the hallway to their showrooms, I noticed there were several Star Wars posters along the wall. Which would normally have gone unnoticed, except I knew that DST doesn't make Star Wars toys, so why all the posters? I was just about to ask this question, when we were brought into the showroom at the end of the hallway, which revealed the answer....Diamond Select Toys IS making Star Wars toys!

Once we picked up our jaws from the floor, we got all the details on what they had in mind for this new license, starting with what is now known as the Ultimate Quarter Scale line of figures.

Take the scale of the Premium Format Figures from Sideshow Collectibles, add in articulation from Marvel Legends, and mix it with cool accessories and cloth outfits...and you'll get an idea of what these figures are all about. Now add in a sound chip with dialogue and sound effects from the movie, and you've got a great new line for collectors!

Ultimate Quarter Scale - A New Kind Of Collectible
With that description, it's certainly a lot to live up to...and Diamond Select Toys does not disappoint. The first figure in the line is the fearsome Sith Lord from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace...Darth Maul, which is now added to our Photo Archive (some of the photos are included in this review, but there are a lot more to see).

There have certainly been a lot of Darth Maul toys over the years, but none quite like this. Mixing the best elements of high-end collector's items with the playability of the best kids' toy, Darth Maul can be posed in various ways, recreating most of the scenes from the movie while including a great cloth outfit.

Starting off with Darth Maul is a very interesting choice here. Easily one of the most popular characters from the Prequel Trilogy, the demand for items capturing the fearsome Sith Lord is always a huge hit with fans worldwide. And there's just something really cool about the villains...

The Accessories
So, what do you get with this figure? A lot, actually. Measuring just over a whopping 19" tall, this figure is destined to become the centerpiece for toy collectors. The super-articulated body also allows for a variety of action-packed poses, so there's a lot of potential here for future displays and make-believe adventures.

The accessories included are the electrobinoculars and Maul's signature double-bladed lightsaber. The lightsaber is actually two separate hilts that are held together by magnets hidden inside them, with blades that are easily removable. In addition, there's an alternate left hand that points towards the Jedi.

The cloth robe is a nice mix of different fabrics, with built-in clasps to keep it on. But if you want to take it off (and you'll want to, trust me), it's easy to do, revealing the familiar dueling costume underneath. The articulation allows for some great poses, and there's a handy display stand to make sure the figure doesn't fall over.

Warnings
And fall over it will, because this figure is HEAVY! While you'll want to position him with a wide stance for action poses, the weight of the figure requires him to need the stand. You CAN get the figure to stand without it, but since the ankles are articulated, they tend to shift a bit, allowing the figure to fall.

Another thing to watch out for....the lightsaber hilts have a small black circular end to them, which is meant to cover the magnets inside. The hilt fits into the hand, but only by snapping it through the fingertips. However, it's not a super-tight grip, so you'll need to work at it a bit to get him to hold it without falling limp to one side. When you want to remove the weapon from his hand, be sure to pull it through the fingertips again and not out through the grip. It seems like it should pull through easily, but the black end of the hilt will break off if you're not careful. Nothing a little superglue can't fix, but still...

And speaking of things falling off, the gloves and boots are solid pieces that are removable from the body. This is to remove the costume, but also if you want to switch the left hands. However, on this particular figure, the right hand tends to fall off, and in fact it was loose in the box when it arrived.

On a similar note, sharp-eyed viewers may notice something strange in the gallery. The left boot on this figure came apart at the ankle when I tried to position it. While this was easily fixed, I initially put it on backwards, and did not notice it until later.

The Sound
So far, I've talked about the super-articulation, cloth outfit, and the accessories. But what really makes this figure unique is the addition of a sound chip built right into the body! Darth Maul has three lines of movie dialogue (he's the strong, silent type) and a lightsaber sound effect. This is activated by pressing the button in his stomach, and the speaker is right above it. Initially, there's only one line that plays ("Yes, my master") but by flipping a switch on the side, there's a whole lot more. Two "AA" batteries are required, and they are already included inside the figure. The addition of the sound chip really makes for a cool toy, giving fans a great value for the price.

The Packaging
At first glance, the box is pretty much what we've seen this year for pretty much all things Star Wars: white-and-blue graphics, a Clone Trooper helmet, starburst insert. The window box has a great "Try Me" hole in it to test the sound effects out. But there's something very special added to the side of the box: an original painting by Dave Dorman! Since Dave is one of my favorite artists (and a super nice guy to talk to at conventions), this was a wonderful touch, as I recognized his work right away.


Q&A Session
As new line of Star Wars collectible toys, the Ultimate Quarter Scale line is a great jumping-on point for fans. But what's next and how deep will Diamond Select go with this? I had a chance to talk to Diamond about this, so read on to find out the scoop!


Rebelscum: I'm very impressed with Darth Maul, the first figure in the Ultimate Quarter Scale line. It's a nice entry point for fans old and new, and there's a lot of potential for this line. Can you tell us what other characters you have plans for, and when they'll be available?

Diamond Select: We're glad you like the line so far. Here's a rundown of what we can tell you so far.

Release order & projected ship dates:
1. Darth Maul - 12/10/08
2. Hoth Han Solo - 02/11/09
3. Episode IV Obi-Wan Kenobi - 02/25/09
4. Mace Windu - April 2009
5. Anakin Skywalker - May 2009

Announced/discussed but not yet 100% approved and final:
1. Jedi Luke
2. Emperor Palpatine
3. Darth Sidious
4. Episode III Obi-Wan Kenobi


Rebelscum:That's quite a variety of characters there. A nice selection from the films.

Diamond Select: We're trying to combine characters from both the original and the prequel movies AND release multiple costume versions when it's appropriate (you won't see five versions of Lando).


Rebelscum: Any plans for armored characters like Darth Vader, Boba Fett, or troops (Clone Troopers or Stormtroopers, take your pick)?

Diamond Select: We absolutely know that fans want these armored characters as soon as possible and we are currently working out the logistics necessary to make that happen. We'll have more news on armored characters to share once Toy Fair 09 rolls around.


Rebelscum: Diamond Select Toys creates a lot of different licensed toy lines: How much of your resources are dedicated to this line when you're developing each Ultimate Quarter Scale figure?

Diamond Select: We've got teams of no less than 6 people actively working on each figure and the support from Lucasfilm has been phenomenal when it comes to providing reference and really nailing down those tiny details.

Rebelscum: The packaging has a wonderful new addition to it, can you tell us more about that?

Diamond Select: We've commissioned original Dave Dorman art for the packaging of each figure and they'll line up to create a really amazing mural, so don't throw away those boxes!


Rebelscum: Star Wars fans love to keep up with the latest details, even the behind-the-scenes stuff during development is fun to follow. Where can we follow the progress on this line?

Diamond Select:Fans should keep in mind that any initial images shown at shows are early mock-up samples and do not reflect the final product. Look for official in-progress images on the DST/AA sites (www.diamondselecttoys.com and www.artasylum.com).

Availability
Normally, Diamond Select Toys offer their products to the direct market, meaning they would only be available at comic book stores or specialty stores like FYE in the malls. But the good news is that this line is coming to Toys "R" Us for a retail price of $79.99. This is an affordable way for collectors who want to add a larger item to their collection, without having to pay the extra costs for materials. And when you think of it in today's dollars, it really isn't much more than what Gentle Giant's mini-busts started out as ($45 each) when they debuted back in 2002. Plus, you can actually PLAY with this toy, and not just put it on a shelf or in a display case.