For me as a collector this is the most frustrating of all the characters to try and collect, being the completest I try to be, Lego have surely created a nightmare here. Considering there are only two "body" versions to date, the headpiece has changed several time and whilst I use eBay to find my figs, a good percentage of sellers don't show the head.

Complete with scarred face under it's brilliantly detailed helmet. No wonder this has probably appeared in so many sets, but what the hey, it's Darth!!!

 

 

DARTH VADER I   CODE: sw004 SET/S: 3340, 7150, 7152, 7200, 10123

This is what appears to be a rarer version of the one above, you'll note in the inset (when expanded) that whilst the face remains the same the head tone is lighter.

 

DARTH VADER II   CODE: sw004a SET/S: 7262

This is quite rare and has the light-up sabre fixed into place. Also check the head has the double sided scars on the head like the one below but without eyebrows.

The cape on this seems rather tatty, the fabric is thicker and less plastic like the normal capes. I've had a good look at some others for sale and they mostly appear to be in the same state.

DARTH VADER III   CODE: sw117 SET/S: 7263

Exactly the same as above, you find that this has scarring both sides of the face.

 

DARTH VADER IV   CODE: sw123 SET/S: 7264, 6211

Again from the Inspection set, the head this time appears with eyebrows.

DARTH VADER V   CODE: sw214 SET/S: 7264

From the Death Star play set, here we're treated to a new torso design and a scarred head, there's hints of red in it. Over all a great progression in design for this fig.

 

 

DARTH VADER VI   CODE: sw232 SET/S: 10188, 8017

A variant for the above, both have the same features but this has eyebrows. I've also noticed this has a more solid gray colour to the torso design, whilst the previous version has a more metallic silver finish to the pattern.

 

DARTH VADER VII   CODE: sw109 SET/S: 10188

Can't find much information about this one. The torso is exactly the same as the one above, same gray pattern colour. The face is different though, it has the dotted white pupils.

 

DARTH VADER VIII   CODE: sw277 SET/S: ?