Arguably one of the coolest characters to come out of the Prequel trilogy, Mace Windu is a welcome addition to the Black Series. As the Hasbro team continue their prequel focus, we have a Mace Windu Jedi figure to add to our displays alongside the Battle Droids, Padme and General Grievous. Released in wave 20, 2019, Mace is number 82 in the 3rd phase releases.
Packaging 3/5
Mace sits in the standard packaging, with quite a sterile image of him illustrated in the bottom right corner. While it is not a bad likeness of Samuel L. Jackson, it lacks the intensity of Mace - something around the eyes and brow is not quite right. He is number 82 in the line, as per the bold red side spine. Round the back we get the same glum looking illustration of Mace Windu along with a short background piece about the character.
"A grim Jedi Master with an amethyst-bladed lightsaber, Mace Windu was the champion of the Jedi Order, with little tolerance for the failings of the Senate, the arguments of politicians, or the opinions of rebellious Jedi."
The figure slides out in an inner tray, and while there are no ties as such - his sleeves and robe are tucked through slits in the plastic. Be careful when pulling him out that the robes are not damaged. His lightsaber accessory sits to the side of the figure.
Paint & Sculpt 3/5
The figure likeness uses the face print technology and delivers a good representation of a prequel era 1999-2005 Samuel L. Jackson - we have to remember that as he was a lot younger than we see him now in the Marvel movies. Unlike the packaging illustration, the sculpt has captured that intensive look and the brow area.
The Jedi robes are quite simple and not reused as far as I can see from any of the previous Jedi figures - Mace has his own build and proportions. The inner robes are all sculpted with the lower skirt a rubbery material to allow the legs to move. They are all painted in single colours, with no washes or effects. The tunic is perhaps a shade or two lighter than what we see on screen.
Everything round the front of the figure is neat and detailed including studs and clasps on the belt picked out in silver. As you move round the side there is less attention to detail with quite a bit of paint bleed and unpainted parts on the same belt that was done so well at the front.
The outer robes are soft goods - something Hasbro are sticking with for the Black Series. Like more recent releases the material is much better at 6 inch scale and does flow and sit a little better. The hood is still a big issue as it sits up too much and doesn't work at all when pulled up over the head. Mace arguably looks better when the robes are ditched and we get his Geonosis arena look.
Accessories 3/5
Mace has a single accessory - his lightsaber. This is a new hilt sculpt and for something so small carries a fair put of painted and sculpted detail. The blade, a translucent purple, can be clicked in and out of the hilt so you can choose to have Mace wield his saber ignited or not. The saber hilt fits into either hand. Unlike other Jedi figures, there is no place to stash the saber hilt when not held - it doesn't plug into or hang on the belt
Articulation 4/5
Mace Windu rocks up with the standard 18 points of articulation. The arms are a little restricted by way of the shoulder robes that extend out some way and block upward movement. But this is offset a little with the new butterfly shoulder joints. The skirt section, while flexible also blocks some leg poses.
Head : ball joint pivot head
Body : torso ball joint
Arms : ball joint shoulders, butterfly shoulder joint, single joint rotating elbows, pivot wrists
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivels, double joint knees, ankle rockers
As a Jedi I'd have loved to get Mace into a two handed weapon poses - as we see when he faces down Jango Fett. With single jointed elbows and huge ballooning sleeves this is just about possible, but doesn't look to great.
Mace stands OK most of the time, but the ratchets and shape of his ankle rocker does make this a bit frustrating and his feet are blocked by the shape of the boots and it often causes him to lean back on his heels and then fall over.
Summary
Mace Windu is a solid addition to the Black Series and the prequel era figures. Everything is delivered well, but the figure boasts nothing truly spectacular with basic paint job, basic articulation and another frustrating soft goods robe that doesn't quite sit how you want it to.
I score the Star Wars Black Series Mace Windu an above average 3 out of 5.
