Darth Vader and his storm troopers from the 501st Legion visit ComiCon

By Kenneth Pastushyn

Darth Vader and a few of his own Imperial stormtroopers were backstage at Caesar’s Windsor during

ComiCon for a meet and greet from Sept. 29-30th.

 

It was all part of the 501st Legion Star Wars Experience where visitors could blast-a-trooper (with a toy)

just like Luke Skywalker or Han Solo and the proceeds would go to the  Make-A-Wish Foundation of

Southwestern Ontario.

 

The 501st Legion, nicknamed Vader’s Fist, officially began in 1997 and is the world’s largest Star Wars

Imperial costuming organization with over 10,000 troops in over 50 countries. While not a registered

charity, the 501st does raise money for charitable organizations like Ronald McDonald House and the

McMaster University Children’s Hospital.

 

“Every cent that goes to us is donated to Make-A-Wish or the particular charity we are raising money

for,” said Chris Bell, 43, from Woodstock, Ont. He is the treasurer of the Southwest Ontario squad of the

501st’s Canadian garrison. “It’s all volunteer and we come when we can because we made a choice to be

here.”

 

The rationale for the 501st is that you are already dressing up as your favourite Star Wars costumed

character from the Dark Side for fun, so why not do it for charity? That’s why there were recruiting

pamphlets spread out all over the table at the blast-a-trooper booth.

 

“I’m gonna be applying for an Imperial officer,” said Sean Davis, 28, from London, Ont., and a volunteer

with the Southwest Ontario squad who is hoping to be a member of the 501st very soon. “The Imperial

officer’s uniform is one of the easiest ones to make.”

 

Members of the 501st must make their own costumes. There is an online application process. The Legion

Membership Officer who will be in contact with your local Garrison Liason Membership officer to make

sure that your uniform is “screen accurate” from the Star Wars movies according to Costume Reference

Library standards.

 

“The Imperial officer is also the most affordable and once you are getting into the Imperial

stormtroopers you’re running into a lot of money,” said Dan Sloman, 49, from New Hamburg, Ont., who  

was one of the troopers being blasted at ComiCon. “Next to Vader, the Imperial stormtroopers are the

second most iconic.”

 

Most applicants spend approximately $1,500 for a “screen accurate” stormtroopers uniform. For more

information visit the whitearmor.net web site.