Concept Vader: The Unrealized Dream of What Could Have Been

Ralph McQuarrie was a conceptual design artist who had worked for Boeing Aircraft and was hired by George Lucas to create a series of paintings for Star Wars. Among one of the creations was the main villain Darth Vader.

The Vader that was first created in 2D drawings was very different than the one that audiences saw on screen. This is of course due to realities such as artist interpretation, the complication of fitting sculpted moulds upon an actors face and other problems too numerous to mention.

Darth Vader helmet Variations.

In the first draft of Lucas' script, Vader was conceived as a general who boards the Tantive IV through a gaping hole and called for him to have some sort of self contained space suit.

The suit remained creating one of the most iconic characters in film history.

Ralph McQuarrie Concept Vader from the McQuarrie Signature Series.

To commemorate this Hasbro released the McQuarrie Concept Vader in 2007.

Weapons and Accessories:
Lightsaber
Blaster
Cloth Cape
Alternate Mask
Collector Coin

Lunging for the kill.	Dodging blaster fire.
Right side detail.	Exposing his blaster holster.

Posing with the blaster.

Frankly I've always found the McQuarrie version of Vader to be far more menacing than his on-screen counterpart.

Vader Alternate head sculpt.

Star Wars Infinities Comic Pack Darth Vader.

Star Wars Infinities was a series of Titles released by Dark Horse that explored stories of "what if" motifs about what might have happened to the characters if events had not happened as we knew them.

Although this is NOT a McQuarrie design it still borrows many elements from it and was clearly inspired by his early drawings.

Preparing for battle	Anakin revealed.
With helmet removed and exposed chest.	The two Vaders.

One of the unique things about this design is the solid plastic cape, giving the figure a sort of "Batman" look and the removable chest piece.

What could have been.