Hulk is a beast of an action figure in six-inch scale. Most of the Hulk figures stand at seven inches, sometimes less and sometimes more. In the Marvel Legends Fin Fang Foom wave there was Hulk, Hulk, and more Hulk. End Hulk and Mcfarlane Grey Hulk (or rare green version) are on the smaller end of Hulk figures. They are good figures but did not make the list, nor did the First Appearance Marvel Legends Hulk from Toy Biz. While I like First Appearance figure and think that they should always be on any list, I wasn’t able to include the grey or green version.
What makes a Hulk get on this list? There are a number of factors that I looked at. The first is, of course, does the figure look like Hulk? Is the representation so easy to see and identify as Hulk? Sure, big green and purple pants are easy identifiers, but I’m looking for the face, that look that brings out the Herb Trimpe or Sal Buscema or Mike Mignola or even John Byrne look and feel. Those are some defining artists for me that made Hulk, Hulk.
The other factor that makes a Hulk get onto this list is play factor, and by that I mean articulation. Going back to the Marvel Legends Hulks from the Fin Fang Foom wave mentioned before, they are good with really good articulation. But they don’t have enough pow in them to make this list. That isn’t to say that all the figures on this list are perfect. War Hulk and his variants all have those single-jointed knees that are always slightly bent, but they make up for that deficiency in other areas, for example some of the best ball-jointed hips; the balls fit perfectly into the crotch and seemlessly flow into the thigh. Probably the best ball joint execution on a Hulk figure today.
Without further ado! On to the list!
5. War Hulk – Hulk Classics Series 2, 2003
I have a love hate relationship with this figure. The figure looks like it was sculpted by three different people. The thighs and shins don’t match the sculpt of the rest of the figure. Sure sure sure he is wearing shiny pants, but even then the sculpting looks like it was done by two different people, makes it a mess. And that face-sculpt or hair or something is a mess. BUT! This is probably the single best-looking and best-working Hulk body out there. The overall scale and proportions, the joints, how they work and the texturing on the body all work. They work. And it is a good-looking figure. Throw some cloth pants on him and swap out that head and he’s aces. In fact, he’s so aces that he’s been reused twice, Planet Hulk and World War Hulk.
4. Hulk – Marvel Legends Series 1, 2002
This was the first Hulk to come in a Marvel Legends or Hulk Classics wave. And while this figure is far far far from perfect, there is a lot of good in it. The head-sculpt is excellent. It really is one of the better head-sculpts to make the list. And the articulation is almost there. The rubber hands and then jointed hands — almost. The lack of a bicep swivel and ball-jointed hips really kill this figure. So much potential, specially with the sculpt. The sculpt is fantastic. From the front this figure still holds up against any Hulk figure out there. You can see the love that went into making this figure. While not perfect, this figure deserves a place on the list as it was the first Hulk in a Marvel Legends / Classics line.
3. Super Poseable Savage Hulk – Hulk Classics Series 1, 2003
This Hulk was almost a greatest Hulk ever. The sheer bulk and size made this a fantastic figure. But the head sculpt and the hip joints hold it back. The head sculpt doesn’t really scream “Hulk.” There is a very vanilla aspect to it and it’s a small head in proportion to the body. And the hips employ the hippy-hinge system that just fails in every way. I don’t have anything good to say about it. In every way War Hulk excels in this department, this figure fails, which is really too bad! This hulk has everything else going for it, even with the vanilla head-sculpt. It is huge! Is has double-jointed knees, hinged ankles and rocker ankles, etc. etc. etc. It is one of the better Hulk figures. He even has sculpted pants.
2. Gamma Punch Hulk – Hulk Classics Series 2, 2003
This is a great Hulk figure. And, in fact, many people mention this as the best Hulk figure. I almost agree. From an articulation view, it is perfect. It has everything that you want in a Hulk figure, everything like double knees and swivels in the right places! In fact, it is so good that it is too good. The only joint that might not work 100% is the ab joint, and somehow that is forgivable. Additionally, the sculpt is pretty damn good. This is a huge figure with veins popping out in the right places and muscles placed correctly. Even the head-sculpt has a bit of the Herb Trimpe look to it. Plus, he comes with Bruce Banner! This figure really does deserve the top spot, but there is one Hulk that trumps this one.
1. Hulk (vs. Leader) – Marvel Legends 2-Packs Series 1, 2006
Quite possibly the best Hulk figure to date, if for no other reason than it looks like Sal Buscema’s art leaped out of a 1970s coming directly onto my desk. This is the Hulk that I grew up with as a kid. There is no question about it. The articulation is pretty spot on, but the ankles are overengineered and there is no ab joint, but holy crap! Just about everything else is perfect on this Hulk. Even the variant (screaming) head sculpt is amazing. Currently this Hulk sits in my Avengers display as THE Hulk!
You can still find some of these on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=marvel+legends+hulk&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amarvel+legends+hulk
As always, you can continue the discussion on the Fwoosh forums: https://thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=61501
I have the mcguiness hulk. My favorite
I gotta agree, the legends two pack leader Hulk is my favorite as well
I don’t have the Avengers movie Hulk figure yet. It is on my list, and I like it what I’ve seen of it. He’ll probably end up on a list before the end of the year, but a movie list.
I do agree we need a new “comic” based Hulk, all the articulation available and swappable hands! A set of fists and an open set that can grab or slap.
Yeah, he could use better ankles, and double jointed knees while we’re at it.
I’m starting to think we could use a new Hulk that combines the best of all the other figures. The Sal Buscema style sculpt, with double fists, double knee joints, ab crunch, and rocker ankles.
BTW, what did you think of the 6-inch Avengers Movie Hulk? I thought that one looked pretty cool (except for the color), but I never actually saw one at retail, so I never had a chance to pick it up. It wasn’t mentioned anywhere in your article, so I take it that you weren’t all that impressed with it.
For pure play value I agree it is an awesome figure and it is part of my current Avengers that my sons and I play with. But it isn’t one that sits in my display.
Just needs rocker ankles!
I think the McGuinness Hulk is the bomb myself. It pretty much hits on all the points of what I want in a Hulk. Some people say it’s a bit too cartoony, but that’s actually something of a plus for me. After all, comics are a cartoonist’s medium. (Or at least they used to be). When that Hulk first came out, I actually had two of them, but I sold off all of my extras from that whole 2-pack series early on. If I’d known then how much they’d be going for these days I would have held onto them.
Keeping both McGuinness Hulks and FA Hulks was tough. And I debated them quite a bit, but I felt they were more top 10 and not Top 5.
Nice. I love “Top 5” or “Top 10” style articles. I would have probably left Super Poseable Savage Hulk off the list though, and included the 2-pack McGuinness Hulk, or even 1st Appearance Hulk instead. I think the Savage Hulk is too similar to Gamma Punch, and I feel you don’t really need both.
My Top 3 would have been:
1. McGuinness (2-pack) Hulk, because of his excellent articulation and most importantly his DOUBLE FISTS!!! I mean after all, how can “Hulk smash!” without fists?
2. Face-Off Hulk, for a long time this was my favorite Hulk, for all the reasons you mentioned above. However, I was always disappointed by his lack of at least one fist hand, or even a hand that could sort of make a fist. If the designers had given him that one vitally important feature, he’d probably still be my favorite. (For some reason they chose to give him a “bitch slap” hand instead).
3. 1st Appearance Hulk (green), because he’s a great silver-age Hulk, he has very decent articulation, and he’s based on the artwork of JACK KIRBY! He’s also a must have to complete any 1st Appearance Avengers display.
No doubt, but that is another article!
Yeah I always go back to it.
Thought about it long and hard, but with the over sized noggin I skipped him. Same with McGuinness, tough call on them. Might o a separate write up.
Smart Hulk and the McGuinness Hulks were possibilities. As well as FA Hulk.
Glad to see ML Series One Hulk made the list — that figure is much nicer than people give it credit for.
What, no First Appearance Hulk, green variant?
yeah if Face-off hulk had ab crunch and fists I’d never worry about buying another hulk figure again!!
kinda shocked Smart Hulk wasnty on the list, he’s still my Number 1 Favorite Hulk figure!!!
i loved all these toybiz hulks, they really did Hulk some pre-recession justice!!! THANK GOD FOR TOYBIZ!!!
Fists! fistsfistsfists