Emperor Palpatine, Ep VI - RotJ (KST021)

Released last September, sculpted by Angel Terol, this is the SW' series counterpart to my old Marvel fave, Dr. Doom. While similar, the shortcomings are nowhere near as dramatic--or depressing, and the casting quality of the white metal pieces is vastly improved.

This is a mixed-media kit: the figure itself is cast in white metal (9 pieces), while the throne is cast in 7 PUR resin pieces. While the casting of the resin pieces had definitely improved, it strikes me that this was more due to the engineering of the throne, the quality of the resin, and the absence of any "medium sharing" between the two major sub-components (figure and throne), than any effort on the part of the caster. In fact, the backpad of the throne is conspicuous by being cast in the buff-coloured resin, and this is the worst piece in the kit(!): it will [have to] be resculpted.

Assembly of the throne is fairly straightforward, though I strongly suggest to break out the blu-tack and/or clay, and dry-fit thoroughly! The fit is anything but precise, but the throne's angularity is very forgiving, and filling and dressing the joins should proceed easily. The worst aspect of the throne, aside from the backpad, will be the canopy. The back of the throne will require a slight reduction for the canopy to fit: this was not even addressed in the boxart sample!


I suggest availing yourself of the readily available on-line graphic references.

I would deem this a transition figure for KM. It had not attained state-of-the-art production standards, but the improvements evinced are significant and notably obvious. I can certainly live with them...