April 07, 2010
Review & Photos by Chris Spice (Darth Spice)
Graphical Work by David Syczylo (Boba Binks)

INTRODUCTION:
The latest Premium Format offering from Sideshow Collectibles is the ever sinister Count Dooku. It is pretty interesting how Dooku is the least disfigured of the Sith Lord, he is no doubt pretty ordinary looking. In fact you might easily mistake him for a Jedi, since his robes appear to be more of a darker brown vs. the traditional black. With a smooth, flowing cape and a very distinct, unique lightsaber, the eloquent Count Dooku appears to be one of the more classier looking of the Sith Lords. The second you look at this figure, it is really hard not to envision the end of Episode II. Who could forget seeing the life-long dream of Yoda in combat with a lightsaber? They did quite an amazing job of capturing a look of pure hatred and disgust, and very much like Christopher Lee.

There is quite a bit of upside to this figure, as with any of the Premium Format figures. There is one very noticeable difference in the size of the base. They sure have learned their lesson after Han Solo (ANH), and some of the over-sized bases of the past. It is pretty small like Princess Leia (ANH) and the Tusken Raider. It is good that companies are starting to realize the shelf space and room for any collector comes at a premium these days. Another great thing and something to watch out for in the plastic strip in the batteries, make sure to have your connection before you go slamming the lightsaber into the right hand. They really should include some type of tips / instructions. I had problems with my Obi-Wan Kenobi, so I was hoping the return to the lit up saber would have the improved design like we saw in the quarter scale Darth Maul.

When the very first photos surfaced online, many thought Count Dooku had an eerie resemblance to super-collector Steven Sansweet. After further inspection I'm relieved they seemed to get the stunning facial sculpt looking more like Christopher Lee. There is some really nice detail in not just the skin tone, but the hair as well. The outfit is really accented with the wire cape that is sewn into the liner of the sides. The outfit is perfectly tailored but I wonder if the belt is done as well as it could have been, if there is anything under whelming aspect it could be the detail in the leather pouches. You really don't get a close up look at at in the films. There are many other great details I didn't mention in the cape, the wire is also complimented with a great clasp and chain. There is quite a bit of detail in the clasps, you can see the detail even at a distance. There is also some really great stitch work on the seams in the shoulders. So if they missed a bit with the belt, they made up for it in the cape. In fact the only thing I can spot that I'm really unsure if I like is the size of the left hand. The fingers seem to be a smidgen too long, but the pose is on time as you can do some variations with the wire. 

There were some other minor details I had to question when I opened this figure. Interesting enough, I put him next to General Grievous and now I'm questioning how bad the scale might be off on the General. Count Dooku is taller, which we all know isn't right. I understand his knees are bent and Dooku is standing straight up, but they seem to be a bit off when put next to each other. A detail I'm sure Sideshow didn't foresee when they started this line. If they made Grievous to exact scale he probably would have been another hundred dollars, so I guess it's okay in that respect! There was also a significant amount of dust that was on my figure. It was as if he just got done slamming a pile of rocks on Geonosis in preparation for an abrupt departure. Needless to say, it did clean up quite well and there is no doubt in my mind you'll enjoy Count Dooku. Or as the Dark Lord himself would say, "this is only the beginning!"

SPECIFICATIONS:
Star Wars Premium Format Figures (Item No. 300012)
Retail price is $299.99
Edition Size of Count Dooku is 750!

PHOTOS