"Infinities" was an interesting direction for Dark Horse, providing "what if" stories about the Star Wars universe. One of the most popular issues was Empire Strikes Back #4, in which Leia becomes a Jedi under Yoda'stutelage on Dagobah, and Vader suffers a humiliating psychic attack by the ancient Jedi Master. The two figures included in the Comic Pack #9 are Princess Leia as Jedi trainee and Darth Vader as he appears within his owntortured psyche.

The Star Wars Comic Packs all come in the same packaging, on a tall card. The figures are displayed next to each other, with inserts bearing their names on the sides. The comic book is clearly visible behind them. Theback of the card has an image from the comic book and a photo of the figures. There is a description of the included issue, as well as photos of the other Comic Packs in the new line (A'Sharad Hett & Dark Woman, Luke Skywalker & Mara Jade). The Comic Pack packages are classy and distinctive, easily recognizable in the action figure isle.

After the death of Luke Skywalker, his twin sister Leia travels to Dagobah to train as a Jedi with Yoda. There she awakens her abilities and "graduates" by completing her lightsaber and helping defeat Darth Vader. Leia wears an outfit suitable for physical training, consisting of pants,shirt, robe, belt, and boots. Her hair, no longer in the iconic buns, is tied behind her head and hangs down her back.

Leia's long-sleeved shirt is white with lots of sculpted creases and folds. The short blue robe over it is blue and textured with a pebbly finish. Leia's pale blue "pants" are also creased, while her puffy gray boots have blue bands. The figure's face is well sculpted, and the hair looks natural. The figure is small, appropriate for representing the 5'1" Carrie Fisher. Her upper body and neck are sculpted at a slight right-leaning angle, which really adds to the action poses.

Princess Leia is articulated with ball-jointed neck, ball-jointed shoulders, swivel elbows, wrists, waist, hips, ball-jointed knees, and ball-jointed ankles. This articulation scheme is excellent, and allows the figure to achieve many exciting poses. In particular, Leia can holdher lightsaber with one or both hands, and though her legs are limited in range due to her skirt they can be posed in several ways thanks to all of the lower leg movement.

Leia has one accessory, her newly completed lightsaber. The saber is a cylinder with three sections, silver with black accents. At the base is an exaggerated (and non-functioning) "clip." The blue blade of the lightsaber is removable. Both of Leia's fists are open to hold the saber.

When Yoda enters Vader's mind, he encounters the Dark Lord of the Sith as he envisions himself. The overall look is the same, with scary black armor, cape, and helmet. The details are a little different, though, and in the course of his psychic attack Vader receives several injuries thatfurther re-define this version of the iconic character.

At first glance, Vader looks the same as he always does. On closer inspection, the details become apparent. In a lot of ways this version is sleek, with lots of vertical lines and "V" shaped designs. The armor is black with gray details, including a central banded chest piece instead of collar armor, forearm armor pieces, vertically banded leg armor, and a] large cod-piece. Hanging from Vader's neck is a large Batman-like cape with a multitude of pointed ends. Most striking is the helmet, a stylizedre-imagining of the classic. The helmet is taller, with smaller eye holes and a long mouth guard/ventilator.

Vader's armor has a great amount of sculpted lines and sections, all neat and crisp. The standard belly control panel and belt pieces are all there, with colored buttons and knobs. There is also battle damage in a slash that runs across the front of Vader's left shoulder and chest. The chest piece is removable, showing off Vader's inner circuitry in silver and black.

Vader has the following articulation: neck, shoulders, ball-jointed elbows, wrists, waist, hips, and ball-jointed ankles. While this isn't a huge amount of articulation for a modern Vader figure, the arms can achieve a good range of poses, and the sculpt and accessories make up for the lower level of articulation.

Vader has one accessory and three removable pieces. He is armed with a standard red-bladed Vader lightsaber. Remove the broken chest piece to reveal inner circuitry. Even better, remove the stylized helmet to reveal a young and un-scarred Anakin complete with a full head of hair! Finally, Vader's solid plastic cape can be pulled over his un-helmeted head.

On their own, each of these figures is excellent. Leia has a great likeness, sculpt, and articulation. Vader is awesome, a stylized version of the classic villain with good articulation, excellent sculpt, and good accessories. Add to this the included comic book and you've got a hell of a good deal at $9.99, all available in toy stores now!

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Review and Photos by Scott Rubin