Review: Star Wars Black Series Darth Maul from The Phantom Menace, Galaxy Collection Wave 19
- Mephitsu
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
“At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.”
Darth Maul was one of the four figures that launched the Star Wars Black Series back in 2013, and while he has had a number of figures released since, these have been from the Clone Wars era onward. It wasn’t until 2024 that Hasbro revisited the original Episode I Darth Maul with a brand new tooled figure that would get three different releases across the year. Following the SDCC 2024 pack in with the Sith Speeder, and the Gamestop & Fan Channel Exclusive ‘Duel of Fates’ pack alongside Qui-Gonn and Obi-Wan, the third of these releases was the simple Galaxy Collection general release part of Wave 19 of the Galaxy Collection alongside figures from Andor, Ahsoka, and The Mandalorian.
The single release of Maul was number 05 in the Phantom Menace Galaxy Collection and utilised the established rich yellow colouring on the text and artwork. Maul’s illustrated side panel connects to the prior TPM release of the Destroyer Droid, and will connect to the 2025 Sebulba release. This artwork shows Maul in the Theed Generator Room with his ignited lightsaber behind him. This same background is translated into the deep yellow card back for the figure, with the full image used again on the back of the box alongside the background text, which is surprisingly specific about one of Maul’s key scenes in The Phantom Menace and not the normal brief background info.
The new Darth Maul is retooled in full and has no carryover parts evident from that older 2013 release. The body is cast entirely in black with no decor to speak of, although the deep definition of the sculpted robes does create some variation in the look through shadow and light. The lower robes, from the sash belt downward, are a softer plastic sleeve in two layers that allow some flexibility around the legs. In the SDCC version, the lower robes were replaced with soft goods to allow Darth Maul the ability to ride the Sith Speeder. The upper robes have a similar sleeve around the base of the torso, but that appears to have no defined purpose other than ease of assembly and possible re-use of parts in the future.
The headsculpt is a new version of Ray Park’s likeness in full makeup and uses the phot printing technology to create a crisp set of red and black markings as well as Maul’s yellow Sith eyes with the horns painted in bone white. The sculpt captures Maul’s ‘snarl’ really well and gives the figure some real character.
Compared to the other 2024 releases, and apart from the soft goods skirt variation, the other main difference is that the single Galaxy Collection release is not provided with the soft goods outer robes, nor does it get the wrist control device or macrobinoculars from the SDCC version. While I understand this from a cost perspective, it does render this Maul pretty limited in appeal, especially for anyone who has invested in one or both exclusive releases. Perhaps the General release needed its own point of difference to enhance the desirability, although that really could have only been an alternative head if we are badging this as the ‘Final Duel’ Maul from the Theed Generator complex.
The accessory we do get is Darth Maul’s dual saber, a two-piece hilt that connects centrally to make the dual-blade piece. This hilt is inclusive of a peg on one half that connects to a socket on Maul’s belt, allowing it to be slung. The fit here is not secure because the shape of the upper robes presents a physical blocker to the lightsaber fitting fully into the socket, with further issues presented by the shape of the skirt, as this also wants to push the longer hilt away from the belt and therefore off the figure. The compromise is to try and position the full hilt into the slit in the skirt, although in this position the upper tunic doesn’t allow the peg to be engaged other than a few mm again leaving he hilt to fall off far too easily.
The saber blades are red translucent pieces and slot securely into either side of the hilt where they can be used as a full dual-blade saber, as a single-blade saber off the longer hilt, or as individual sabers mimicking the point that Darth Maul’s weapon is cut in two. The hilt fits snugly into either hand, and the new Maul body has sufficient articulation to support plenty of action stances with any of the blade configurations.
Darth Maul’s articulation is 21 points in total, all of which are pinless. The legs are held in check by the skirt, but are easier to pose and more stable than the older release. The arms are extensive in their movement, thanks to the butterfly shoulders in particular. The elbows also feature a reasonable level of bend past 90 degrees, considering they are single joints. The extra two joints above the normal 19 are extra joints in the glove-cut where a rotation is included, although that is more from assembly than adding any wider range of movement.
The central body movement lacks mobility in the ball joint waist. While Maul can lean backward quite some distance, the lean forward is limited. The neck, in contrast, is a triumph with unencumbered dual joints that work to add further expression to Maul with the ability to tilt his head as well as moving the neck in and out in relation to the body as he glares at an opponent.
As an upgrade to the 2013 version, this base release of Darth Maul ticks boxes in terms of looks and articulation. It is, however, lacking in additional parts, and to do a cloaked Maul, you still have to buy one of the two more expensive exclusive sets. The older figure had two heads, cloak, lightsaber, and macrobinoculars. And while things have changed significantly since that first release and the context of the Black Series having switched to more limited accessories, the figure suffers from the ability to only fulfil one of Maul’s looks from The Phantom Menace. It was also released after the other, more expensive exclusive sets, leaving it surplus to requirements for some collectors. Its saving grace is perhaps the packaging as a selling point for those collecting a boxed Galaxy Collection series.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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