Marvel Select is no stranger when it comes to Hulk figures, and they have just released their latest with the Savage Hulk, which will be exclusive to the Disney Store and Marvel.com. Requested by the Disney Store, this version should go nicely with the already released classic Captain America and Thor. No doubt about it, this is the Hulk from the ’60s, which shows our beloved Jade Giant in a much simpler time, long before there was a different-colored Hulk on every street corner and armor became fashionable.
Packaging is the same ol’, same ol’. It showcases the figure well, has some nice graphics and a well-written biography on the back.
Let’s start by saying it — this Hulk is big. Really big. Coming in over 9 inches tall and over 5 inches from shoulder to shoulder, this is one of Marvel Select’s largest offerings in terms of sheer mass — even surpassing the unstoppable Juggernaut. The sculpt brings us back to those early Hulk and Tales to Astonish issues, when the Hulk was a bit more Neanderthal/Frankenstein and bit less GQ and shredded — as we’ve seen with the more recent Marvel Select Silvestri figures.
Overall, I’m very happy with what they’ve done here, and it’s the bulky-but-smooth Hulk appearance that I personally prefer. As with most MS Hulk figures (Avengers film version aside), the sculptor went a little overboard in the leg department. The large, bulbous thighs and oddly wrinkled pants just look off. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but a lighter touch would have helped it aesthetically. The only other issue I had was with the feet. The splayed toes just look silly and definitely detract from the otherwise awesomeness of this sculpt.
I’m forced to rely on online purchases for all of my Marvel Select figures, so picking out the best paint application is a luxury I don’t have. Sadly, I’m guessing I didn’t get the best of the bunch with this guy. This is not one of MS’s best examples of paintwork and is nowhere near on the same level as, say, the Winter Soldier or modern Thor. In fact, this is one of their most poorly painted figures in recent times. Even the similarly sized Juggernaut has paints apps that are light-years ahead of Hulk here. They’ve once again gone with the heavy wash and dry-brushing over the clothes, which I had thought they had gotten away from as it’s a bit unfinished looking. The eyebrows are painted on, and not done particularly well. The worst aspects of the paint are the cuts — which are pretty bad, particularly on the tattered shirt and hairline. I probably wouldn’t even have noticed these things had this been a 6-inch figure, but given the size of this guy, every little flaw is amplified. At this price point, I really do expect better.
But let’s end on a positive note! I LOVE the shade of green that they’ve used. It’s perfect for this time period and reminds me a lot of those oddball Hulk toys from the ’70s. It’s also smooth and well done and doesn’t have any of the problems I had with the pants and shirt.
This figure is listed as having 16 points of articulation, which is pretty standard for their larger figures. It’s important to remember that Marvel Select doesn’t release larger “deluxe” figures at a higher price point the way companies like NECA or DC Collectibles do. This toy will cost the same as Spider-Man, despite the enormous sizes difference. Obviously, some sacrifices have to be made. Hulk has a ball-jointed head, pin-and-disc shoulders, bicep swivels, single-pinned elbows and knees (knees also swivel), pinned ankles, cut wrists and waist, and I’m guessing some sort of ball at the hips (similar to their Thing figure). As with their other oversized figures, the joints are all tight but very limited when it comes to posing. You aren’t going to get a whole lot of range of motion even with what’s there. It’s nothing that came as a surprise, so I’m good with it.
With shipping, this Hulk figure came to around $31, which is pretty pricey for an action figure. But as my when wife said when snatching him out of my hand — you get your money’s worth in plastic alone. Paint problems aside, this is one beast of a figure and I’m glad I own it. It’s definitely one of those figures that grows on you the more you play with it. While the Savage Hulk may not be for everyone, it’s still one collectible that fans of the classics or the Hulk won’t want to pass up.
Thanks for reading!