HULK HISTORY: Created in 1962 from the minds of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Hulk is the alter ego of Bruce Banner, renowned scientist extraordinaire. As most know, once he hits that certain heart beat-per-minute, he turns green and can destroy nearly anything in his path. He is often the resolution to most conflicts or the conflict itself.
AVENGER'S HULK
FIRST GLANCE: Based on the likeness of Mark Ruffalo in the 2012 Avengers film, we are given another offering of Hulk in Select form. As with most oversized characters, "Ruffl-Hulk" definitely fills out the Marvel Select packaging. Known for their astounding attention to detail, Gentle Giant handled the sculpting, as with all DST movie figures. With no accessories, Avengers' Hulk is all by itself in the packaging.
,(L) 2015 Age of Ultron Hulk, (R) 2012 Avenger's Hulk
PROS: It is tough to complain about a fan favorite. When a figure is sculpted well and has equal points of articulation with decent range, it's often like printing money, when it comes to characters with as large of a fan base that the Hulk has. Likeness is a highlight on this figure. Sculpting on the hair is very detailed and paint on the face is very well applied. Again, for a big character, the articulation is probably the most noteworthy.
CONS: Unfortunately, with fan favorites, you're never short of the aficionados that can tell you about every inconsistency with any character. Although, you don't need to be an enthusiast to realize the overall paint job on this figure is pretty basic. The green skin and brown pants shine almost like armor instead of battle hardened skin. Also, with all of the points of articulation along with the efforts to reduce the overall weight, it compromises the integrity of the joints themselves. Joints feel like they're going to break, especially when you attempt to move the legs laterally.
ARTICULATION:
Head moves 360° with decent vertical movement
Ball shoulders with bicep swivel
Single direction elbows
360° wrists
Torso Swivel
Legs move laterally and forwards very well
Thigh swivel
Single knees
Roller ankles
RECOMMENDATION: Avengers' Hulk has consistently been slightly overpriced once they were sold out at retail price. Since the release of the AOU trailer, prices have gone up to about $60 on the secondary market. However, once word spread more and more about the release of the slightly different AOU Hulk, prices did go down and only completists were hunting him then. Whether this is the definitive Hulk, again with fan favorites, it's debatable. As far as movie figure interpretations, it probably just comes down to whether you like the ripped pants look or the hot pants Hulk look.
FIRST GLANCE: With little overall size changes being made, our second cinematic reinterpretation of Hulk offers very change from the predecessor. Gentle Giant again copy/pastes most of the dimensions with the exception of the better sculpted muscle mass on the thighs. There also seem to be more finishing touches that complete this figure than on the previous version.
(L) 2012 Avenger's Hulk, (R) 2015 Age of Ultron Hulk
PROS: First, color is what pops the most. This figure does not have the green luster that the first movie Hulk had and it works. The subdued, muted green paint seems a lot more accurate. The painted chest hair and arm hair is one of those finishing touches that really works.
CONS: On the AOU, a.k.a. Hot Pants Hulk, it seems all due diligence was not given. Red and gray stripes on the pants don't line up properly and look sloppy. The gray line that starts on the lower leg and goes around the back just ends. I didn't pay much attention to that in the movie, but I'm sure it didn't just abruptly end. Finally, the open peg-holes don't make much sense considering the first movie Hulk did not feature this. It would be more plausible if the holes were there and the legs felt different, but they still feel just as nerve-racking when you move them, like they're going to break.
ARTICULATION: Same as Avengers' Hulk
RECOMMENDATION: Despite the striking similarities to the first go-around or whether you're a completist or the regular goer, I would recommend acquiring this figure. Or at least make a decision on whether you're going to sell the old one. In a perfect world, I think most would've preferred the skin/hair color of the recent Hulk with the ripped pants on the first one. On the subject of this being the definitive Hulk, it all comes down to preference. Try to get it at retail before, like all movie figures, it goes up.
UNLEASHED HULK
HISTORY: Based on the artwork of Jason Aaron and Marc Silvestri in 2011, The Incredible Hulk was essentially rebooted from Greg Pak's run. With a new start, comes a new figure. We're given a figure based on the long awaited internal struggle, Banner vs. Hulk. Also within the same story arc, we're given a figure based on the more grizzled Barbarian Hulk reviewed in the latter portion of this article.
(L) Barbarian Hulk, (R) Unleashed Hulk
FIRST GLANCE: When it comes to Hulk figures, Diamond Select doesn't cut any corners in overall size and bulk. In this case, sculpting veteran Jean St. Jean was tapped to bring this figure from lines on paper into plastic.
PROS: Unlike many Marvel Select figures, even from a distance, the sculpt is what catches the eye first. All of the intricate detailing on the pants and the veins definitely do the character justice. Detailing and sculpt on the back muscles are an unexpected surprise. Colors are probably applied better than any other Hulk figure to date as well. Despite the size, articulation is decent.
CONS: There really aren't any honestly. One could gripe about the leg articulation, especially at the knees, but even still, it isn't terrible. Also, many are in favor for a torso twist, but with the amazing sculpt, I'm not sure if it's completely warranted.
(L) Unleashed Hulk, (R) Barbarian Hulk
ARTICULATION:
Head does a full 360° with little vertical movement
Ball shoulders, no bicep swivel
Single direction elbows
360° wrists
360° waist
Ball legs with built-in swivel
Ball knees with built-in swivel
Single direction knees
RECOMMENDATION: As a Disney Exclusive, sometimes an extra effort is needed to make the acquisition. Fortunately, this version has been reissued a handful of times and isn't as marked up on the secondary market. Don't expect to pay more than $40 if you're not ordering it from Disney directly. If you can get to a Disney Store or they'll ship to you, they're $25 and won't go up from there. Whether this is the definitive Hulk, in my opinion, it might be the best comic Hulk figure.
FIRST GLANCE: Like the Unleashed Hulk, this is nearly the same sculpt with a few changes. First, the color is a bit brighter, you can't ignore the long hair and facial hair, all of the war torn rags as well as the removable skull necklace. Other than that, even the vein placements are identical. However, Diamond Select did enough to really differentiate between the two molds. Something I wish they could still do instead of measly battle damaged versions.
PROS: This figure is essentially all about the extras, what few extras there are. I think many fans really like the bearded look and his look as he was depicted throughout the comic is very accurate. Even though it isn't the prototypical Hulk, it is a great rendition of a contemporary favorite.
CONS: Perhaps the paint isn't as colorful as it is on the Unleashed Hulk, but that may be because of the waist cloth and necklace already provide a nice schematic contrast. Can't really think of much else.
ARTICULATION: Same as Unleashed Hulk
RECOMMENDATION: It isn't uncommon to still find this figure at retail through the secondary market and probably a few local comic shops. Although, it does often sell for its retail price loose. Personally, it's my favorite Hulk and although what I say isn't exactly Marvel gospel, you can't deny it's an awesome looking piece. This is by far not the definitive Hulk, but as any great figure based on such a unique look, it's quite easy to justify making the pick up.
Marvel Select action figures are brought to you by Diamond Select Toys.