HULK SMASH! That is it. Really, that is all. The only thing that really needs to be said about this new Marvel Legends Hulk figure is, “HULK SMASH!” because this is greatest Hulk figure we have ever gotten. Sure, I am going to ramble on a bit more about this set, but this is the Dr. Robert Bruce Banner figure we have been waiting for our entire lives.
Holy smokes, but I love the Marvel Legends 80th Anniversary collection more and more with each new set I acquire. I am working a bit backwards with this, though, as this was actually one of first sets I got because I was at Comic Con, I saw it, admittedly have ZERO self-control, and bought it. But somehow, in the hubbub of the show and travel, I completely forgot to feature this, and I when I realized that, I knew I would never be able to live with myself because this set is glorious. Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor all got sexy new upgrades with this 80th imprint, and even though I love ALL of them so very, very much, Hulk here ties Thor as the best of the best. This release also further culls my Toy Biz collection as the old Face-Off two pack Hulk still stood his ground on the shelf, but he is already just a faded memory.
A lot has been said about this set, and mostly about Hulk, which makes sense, because this is a seminal piece. I could on and on, but really the three main things that make this figure for me are the portrait, the range of movement, and the color. Sure, actually having FISTS is a huge deal to me as well, and the build of the figure is what we have been needing, AND the removable ripped shirt is made of a brilliantly soft plastic, but the three things I listed really make this dude.
I know, it is simple to say that a Hulk with green skin and purple pants gets the job done, but that is not the case at all. See, Hulk is GAMMA GREEN, and after al this time, we finally have a Hulk Legend that is that color. Even my (formerly) beloved Face-Off Hulk was the wrong color if I am being honest, and this lighter shade of green matches much closer to what I have always seen the Hulk as (when he is busy not being grey) in the comics, so again, it is a simple detail that has been overlooked up to this point, but I am glad this one makes right on that.
Also, I love the mug on this dude. It is so angry and “HULK SMASH” that it feels like it walked right off of a panel. Like the color, there is nothing inherently complicated about this, just that it is done well, and the gnashed teeth and angry brow makes it clear that you would not like this dude when he is angry. The sculpting on the head is so nice, and as far as I can tell, all of the details carried though production well as I don’t see any degradation from what was shown at Toy Fair, and what we ultimately for a figure.
The big thing though, is how well this guy moves. I don’t care how good you look, if you are in Marvel Legends, you better be able to strike a million-and-a-half wonderful poses. It is historically true that larger figures never seem to move as well as their more average-sized ML counterparts, but this figure bucks that trend in spades. There is great range of movement in the arms so he can use those fantastic fists well, and the butterfly joints in the shoulders REALLY help sell those punching poses. Sure, they might not work quite as well as a with someone with a less broad chest, but for as big and bulky as this figure is, he moves, dare I say… gracefully. In a horribly destructive way, of course.
While Hulk is my true crush of this set, let’s not forget that it does celebrate The Incredible Hulk #181, and that book is most memorable, not for the titular character, but for the introduction of the now-ubiquitous Wolverine. Heralded as first and best superhero from the Great White North (Canada, eh), no one probably knew just how insanely popular this hairy loner would be, and he picked a hell of a dude to kick up dirt with in his debut appearance.
This figure captures his look from that debut appearance, and for the most part, it is the familiar “tiger stripe” motif. I will say that I LOVE this Wolverine body, and I will take just about any version of him on this base I can get (it is better to go in with that attitude anyway because we ARE going to get a million ML Wolverines), so while the first appearance looks isn’t one of my favorites, this figure REALLY pops. The yellow is wonderfully comic panel bright, and the more sky blue looks great, too. I would GLADLY get another iconic Wolverine (the one from the Apocalypse BAF series) with this palette, so go ahead, Hasbro, serve him up.
What really differentiates this Wolverine though, are the different shaped shoulder pads, and more importantly, the mask. The debut mask and cowl were less about high head fins and more about whiskers, you know? I mean, not actual whiskers, but a motif that was pretty short-lived. I don’t know, I appreciate it for its history, and it is a very well made figure, but likely not one that will fit into my iconic ML display. He will go well with this countless Wolvie brothers, though. Oh, and of course, you get a set of hand with full claws and one where they are retracted.
What a great set. I mean, I have been waiting for this Hulk my entire life, and he was well worth it. I am most certainly in the market for more version of Hulk on this base, and while I have the SDCC version, too, it looks like we will be getting a Grey Hulk in this fashion as well. Let’s see Mr. Fixit next, okay? Do NOT pass this set up, GO GET IT NOW.
