[andy_k_250]

One of the things about the Darth Vader suit in the OT was the universal themes - the loyalist soldiers on the blockade runner wore a helmet flared similar to vaders over-helm, the Death Star gunners, the Navy troopers, then the TIE pilots and AT-AT drivers wore something akin to Vader's underhelm, while the AT-ST drivers wore a flared helmet again. I kind of assumed it was a universal Imperial theme (even the stormtrooper helmets bear considerable resemblance to Vader's underhelm) except for the snowtroopers and the Imperial Guard who had their own separate design theme - also, since the Rebels used the flared helmets, I assumed it was based of a common republican theme that had been adopted and altered by both the Rebellion and the Empire.
Instead, we see that Vader's gear was personalised around him based on designs Sidious may have knocked up recently.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what I always noticed, too. I always thought Vader's helm was just the deluxe combo of everything else.

[Despondent]

I'd like the Annie combo, please. Fries. Extra cheese.

hold the relish.

"would you like that biggie-sized?"

(pop fly)

[LiocModnar]

I'd just like to know what the reasoning is behind putting Vader's "control panel" on his chest. The official site notes he has a few I/O ports for monitoring vital signs but it doesn't make any mention of the buttons. I keep imagining Palpatine had a blender integrated into the rebuild for easy access to homogenised Anakin. I also love the theory about mood indicators. Why hasn't anybody gone up and pressed one? It might have been the last thing they'd have done but it would be worth it. Then again, you could probably get away with a force push and force run.