From Darth to Washington, action stars have shrunk

Thanks to the proliferation of film, comic-book and cartoon characters, companies are bombarding consumers with an incredible selection of action figures. With tongue in cheek, let’s take a peek at some of the specimens worthy of a place in…

Zad’s Toy Vault

Darth Vader Transformer

Hasbro takes one of its most popular toy lines for the past 20 years and combines it with the adventures of the Skywalker clan with the release of Star Wars Transformers.

Six-inch-tall, mechanized versions of filmmaker George Lucas’ well-known heroes and villains give children a chance to enjoy two levels of action as each toy converts from a vehicle into a robotic entity.

The initial line includes Obi-Wan Kenobi, who becomes a Jedi Starfighter; General Grievous, who is transformed into his Wheel Bike; Luke Skywalker, who becomes his X-wing fighter; and Anakin Skywalker’s alter ego, who turns into a deadly fighter.

Figure profile: As a sinister Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader is on a mission to crush the rebellion and bring young Luke Skywalker before the Emperor. Using the power of the dark side, Vader changes into his Advanced TIE fighter mode and combs the galaxy for Skywalker, destroying all rebel ships, pirate fleets and asteroids that get in his way.

Accessories: In about a 10-step process, owners can transform a space fighter into a figure. Clever designs have Vader’s robot head pull up from the cockpit as one wing converts into his cape and the other into a shield. (Yes, I know Vader never used a shield, but it makes for more play possibilities.)

The toy also comes with a 1½-inch version of Darth with three points of articulation so he can bend and get crammed into the cockpit. A pair of light sabers with translucent red beams round out the extras and act as shooting missiles when loaded into the vehicle’s launchers, or they can be wielded by Vader in his mechanical form.

Price: $12.99

Read all about it: Dark Horse offers the monthly Empire comic-book series, which covers events around the time Vader was chasing Luke Skywalker around the galaxy. The “Star Wars: Empire, Volume 1” ($12.95) trade paperback compiles the first four issues of the monthly book and finds the Lord of the Sith at his most deadly as he avoids an assassination attempt and confronts a gang of bounty hunters.

Words to buy by: It was a pleasure to be able to quickly convert the figure into a vehicle and back. The figures in Hasbro’s regular Transformer line usually are not as compliant. Youngsters will love the ease of use and the combination of multifunctional weaponry and Star Wars themes. They also will jump to stores next month, when Boba Fett, Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker make Transformer appearances.

George Washington

Sideshow Collectibles helps celebrate Presidents Day this month by producing 2,500 12-inch-tall representations of the Revolutionary War general who became America’s first commander in chief.

As part of the Fife and Drum Collection, he stands beside Sideshow’s period-accurate figures — which include a Continental soldier from the Delaware regiment and a Redcoat from the 6th Regiment of Foot — to deliver an educational experience as well as a collectible for the owner.

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