Hulk Mini-Mates (2012)

Professor Hulk and Thor MiniMates

Some of the better Avengers stuff is making its way into the stores.  What a great time for Marvel, huh?  Avengers is on its way to becoming one of the top three money makers ever – maybe even taking the #1 slot (it still has a LONG way to go to beat it – but who know?  I believe it deserves it!).  There is two sets of Mini-Mates out right now – first up: Hulk and Iron Man.

Hulk and Iron Man MiniMates

This set has the uglier of the Hulks and Iron Man looks… how should I put this?  He looks… meh.  Does the helmet come off?  I don’t have an open version of this… yet – but it looks like the helmet would come off – especially since it comes with extra hair (with non-green ears) – and when they do that they have to make the helmet just a bit too large and clunky looking.

“Huh?”

Now, the expression on the Hulk’s face almost ruins this whole set.  Is he curious?  What is that face?  Confused?  Did he just walk in on Cap changing out of his costume?  Other than the expression the figure is pretty much the same as all of the other Mini-Mates.  Grade for this set: C+

Professor Hulk – a little more image conscious

The other set is Hulk and Thor – of course this is no ordinary Hulk – they gave us another version of the Professor Hulk!  I know some Hulk fans are not as big of a fan of this personality – but I am glad we got a new version without the brown jumpsuit!  Thor, of course, looks pretty bad ass, and comes with an extra “clean shaven” head.  This is the better of the two sets – if you can only get one – get this.  Grade: B-

Avengers Grab Zags (2012)

Grab Zags Avengers Set

Wow – Avengers is ON FIRE!  It certainly deserves all the accolades because it is a hilarious and violent popcorn movie – perfect way to start off the Summer movie season!  Another great way to celebrate this momentous occasion for Marvel is to go out and pick up some Avengers merchandise!

The Avengers Hulk is a more Olive color… and with those ugly tan pants

I showed off a Grab Zags Hulk before – the one that comes in the blind package – but this time they have the Avengers themed figures!  Even better, the figures are easy to feel out in the package as the other items are a skateboard and a disc launcher of sorts.  When I bought a few figures I quickly realized that each box comes with one complete Avengers set!  I liked them so much I bought the rest of the figures so I could have them all.

I love the “glowing” hammer – makes it even better!

Amazingly, the FIRST figure I got was… THE HULK!  That’s right, I was able to snag the Hulk on my first try!  I liked the other figures I opened (Nick Fury and Cap) and realized that there were only 5 figures left in the box – and I had bought three – and there was only 8 in the whole set… so I put two and two together, not only that but I kind of wanted the Thor figure, and collected the rest!  I like these things a lot – the unique Manga feel to them makes them worth picking up!

Lego Hulk (2012)

Lego Hulk

Here is a new item on the stands – the LEGO Hulk!  One of the smartest moves on LEGOs part was starting to seek out licenses of popular franchises – such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, even Cars – DC LEGO sets have been on the shelves for a while now – it’s good to see Marvel finally getting into the action too!

These figures are interesting – for the most part I like them – I thought they’d be a bit bigger.  I am thankful they decided to put blue pants on (my preference would have been purple of course) rather than the tan pants that have dominated the Hulk toys thus far.

Lego Hulk Smash!

Hulk’s Helicarrier Breakout Lego Set (2012)

Helicarrier Set

If there is one company I will always support – it is LEGO – yes, the sets have gotten astronomically high but the way I look at it – they are worth every penny.  LEGOs never go out of style – they never lose their appeal – they never go bad – and amazingly, they are getting better with age!

Hulk, Hawkeye, Loki and Thor come in this set!

Yes, LEGO knows what they are doing when it comes to creating a superior product!  We can rejoice too – because they are FINALLY releasing Marvel LEGO sets now!  As I was building this set I realized how smart Lego is in making all these sets.  Not only are they well put together with brilliant little tricks to make them easy to play with – but they are pretty impossible to pilfer.

We finally get a LEGO Hulk guy! And he's HUGE!

See, the Hulk figure may come in a seperate bag – but you can’t connect his arms with a couple of little connector pieces!  Brilliant way to lessen the chances of theivery!  Thor’s body is in seperate bags – as well as Loki and Hawkeye’s appendages.  Thor’s hammer proved to be the toughest to find – but it was in there!

"Lose something, Hippie?"

I had a blast putting this together – I think the last time I put a set together was when they first started to release Star Wars sets and I built the Milenium Falcoln.  As cool as that ship was – this set is cooler!  Why?  Because, when you press the lever in the back of Hawkeye’s jet – the top pops off – like he was ejecting out!  Not to mention the Helicarrier part has all sorts of little pieces to move and snap off – like Loki’s holding chamber – it’s just a very well thought out and put together set!

Hawkeye's Ride

I have nothing but respect for the LEGO company – and seeing as this is the first set I have bought in close to a decade and STILL have glowing reviews – that says a lot!  I can’t say enough positive things about this - except go get this set today!  It absolutely rocks!

Avengers Hulk Bobblehead (2012)

Avengers Hulk Bobble Head

I have no idea why it surprised me so that I found a whole set of Avengers Bobble heads – has this trend not run its course yet?  People still buy these things?  Oh – wait… I did, so I guess the answer is yes to that question.  Yes, people still buy bobble heads.

A Comparison Shot

I was worried when I first saw this sitting on the Newbury Comics shelf that it was the same bobble head we were given a few years back.  But alas – I purchased it anyways – and was pleasantly surprised when I found that it has a new paint job AND a new body mold!

New Body Mold

So, I can’t give this a resounding “hell yeah!” that you should pick this up – but I was happy to find this sitting on the shelves.  As always, this bobble head will be sitting in the box – as I have no desire to see his head do not one bob.

Who is picking this one up?

Mini-Mates Marvel vs Capcom – Hulk vs Mike Haggar (2011)

Hulk vs... some Capcom guy...

If this is a video game I am unsure of it – I stopped playing video games a long time ago.  Trust me, that’s not a knock or anything – I just don’t think I could find time to fit in video games.  I still have a Gamecube, if that means anything.  The last game I was enthralled with was Metroid Prime.

Bowl haircut anyone? Yes, please!

So, I have no knowledge of who Mike Haggar is – and if he fought the Hulk in any capacity.  I do know that the Mini-Mate is a re-paint of the WWH figure – just different coloring.  That’s not really a bad thing – but I would have been more excited to see an original head mold.  When are we going to get a House of M Hulk Mini-mate?  Still, it’s nice to see the Hulk’s not being ignored or replaced when it comes to action figures!

70's style porn 'stache? Ewww... no thanks

Gamma Green Smash Fists (2012)

The New Hulk Hands... sadly...

Yes, so far most of the Avengers Hulk items have been pretty disappointing – BUT – I figured that there was no way to screw up Hulk fists!  I mean, even the fists that came out in 2008 – although inferior to the 2003 fists – were still pretty good.  With 2012 you’d think that we’d get something amazing… instead we get no wrists, smaller hands and - adding insult to injury – they make no noise.

The look good... but are way too small... and way too quiet

You read that right – they make NO HULK NOISES!  Why?!?!?  What the hell is up with that?  That’s the best part of the original two Hulk fists releases!  You hit someone and they growled!  They smashed!  These do nothing of the sort.  Is Hasbro even trying here?  Comeon!  Well, at least we have the Lego set to look forward to!

Hulk Fist! And it's little brother?

Hulk Balls! (2012)

One Hulk Ball... so lonely...

I am not sure what to say other than I bought some Hulk balls!  These little balls are based on the bubble head toys we were given last year – except now?  They are squishy and you can throw them at people!

Twins!

And why not?  Who wouldn’t like a few Hulk balls flying at their face?  I could easily put both Hulk balls in my mouth – they are that small!  It’s easy to carry the Hulk balls where ever you want to go – and let me tell you – nothing says cool like having a set of Hulk balls!

Separated at birth!

Is that enough double entendre?  No?  One more?  Okay… Now that I have a set of Hulk balls I want to go play with them!  There that should do it!

New Hulk Squinkies (2011)

Smart Hulk Squinkie

There are a couple new Hulk Squinkies out – and amazingly I have yet to pay for one of these things!  They are somewhat adorable and squishy… what other reasons could you possible need to own them?

Superhero Squad Hulk

So yeah – there is a Merged Hulk and a Superhero Squad Hulk – the only thing is to get them you have to buy a whole set of Marvel Squinkies – which cost like, 10 bucks – and I don’t even know how many you get in the package.  But like I said – if people want to keep giving these to me I am VERY happy to take them!

The Whole Gang!

Hulk Heroclix Sets (2012)

Fast Forces Hulk Heroclix

These sets just came out – and as you know I am NOT into Heroclix – but damn, if these sets aren’t just like crack for Hulk lovers!  I only bought the large 6 pack and then a long box that comes with 5 – but even with those two purchases I now have most of the Hulk universe!  With the 6-pack you receive not only the Hulk – but Thunderbolt Ross, Betty, the Abomination, the Leader and a Hulk buster.  Here’s a shot of the Hulk:

Hulk Heroclix

And with Banner:

Two sides of a coin!

In the other 5-pack I was lucky enough to snag a Rick Jones, Grey Hulk, Punisher (waitaminute!  WHAT?), Lyra and a Bruce Banner!  So I was pretty happy.  Now I can act out all those romantic scenes from the movies – and even create a few of my own from the “uncut” version of the film that’s in my head.  I mean – WHAT?  Who does that?

Rick Jones and Fixit!

Anyways, I have seen that the sets also include some characters from Planet Hulk – which is cool – some AIM soldiers (bleh) – some Hulked Out Heroes (BLEH!) but I’ve also seen a whole set of Hulks – like House of M Hulk, Cosmic Hulk, Red, War Hulk and more!  While I most likely will not be picking any of these others up – it’s certainly cool that these were made!

Closer shot of the 6 pack.

First Appearance Iron Man and Hulk MiniMates (2011)

Hulk and Iron Man Minimates

NEW Hulk MiniMate!  This time around the Hulk has sort of a confused – maybe a constipated – or one of those “I’m not guilty” kind of smiles.  I like that this Hulk also comes with a change-O-hair accessory – and messy hair at that!  So now you can display the Hulk in “going out” mode – and “the morning after”.  Note that this Hulk is paired Iron Man – first appearance Iron Man – although they never met until Iron Man had his suit all golden… it doesn’t matter – this is Loeb’s Marvel now!  Continuity matters not!

Hulk

Tokidoki Hulk Charm (2011)

Tokidoki Hulk Charm - love the belt!

Alright, here’s a couple of great stories for you!  These new Marvel charms came out and the Hulk is obviously included.  They are released in solid boxes so you cannot see what character is inside – a practice I somewhat hate but is pretty ingenious in getting people to buy more than they originally intend to.  Well, I wasn’t falling for it and decided to skip this little Hulk piece.  As I walked up to the register the man saw me looking at the Tokidoki boxes and said that he and a bunch of friends bought a whole slew of them and love them.  He then picked up his set of keys and showed me the charm he opened and - wouldn’t you know it – it was the Hulk!  I said “That’s the only one I would be interested in.”  He told me he would give me his Hulk – all I had to do was purchase another one to replace it.  Well, that was not only a generous offer but enough to get me to buy a piece I had written off.  By the way, the one I purchased for him was Rogue.

Hulk Charm #2!!!!

THEN, I was in a little comic shop last week and the owner had just gotten a whole shipment of these charms in.  He was talking them up and I said I already had the one I wanted – the Hulk.  He said he felt like a gambling man and told me if I could pick out another Hulk that I could have it for free – if I picked out any other character I would have to pay for it.  I was in a good mood and decided to play along.  I picked up each box – shook it – weighed each in my hand and the selected a box.  I was not confident at all that it had the Hulk inside – but, as it turns out… :

Two Hulks for the price of one Rogue! Woo Hoo!

So now I have two of these little guys – don’t worry – they are friends and get along famously!

Hulk Jets (2003)

Hulk Jet 1

The Positive: What can you say about 2003?  There was so much Hulk stuff I could spend the rest of my life searching and probably never find it all!  Luckily, with the traveling I do for my job, I see A LOT of comic shops.  I bought these back in 2009 at Bedrock Comics in Framingham – and I was psyched when I found them!  I don’t have many Hulk planes or jets in the collections – so these filled a void.

Hulk Jet 2

The Negative: What can I say about 2003?  There is a ton of crap to avoid!  Maisto put out some cheap cars and jets (of which I have a TON of!).  Now, should you seek this stuff out?  Only if you are a nut like me!  Otherwise, leave it on the shelf – or where ever you find them now – and buy a Snickers!  Grade: C+ 

Red Hulk Key Chain (2010)

Red Hulk Key chain

A simple piece here – but this is a re-paint of the green Hulk key chain that was released a while back – part of the MU line.  The unfortunate part of this collectible is that it is in a multi pack with 6 or 7 other characters.  I was lucky enough to have a friend who purchased one of these and gave me the Red Hulk.  I think he meant it as a cruel joke – but if I saw this in the store first I would have totally bought it.

Hulkbuster and Gamma Hulk Mini-Mates (2010)

Hulkbuster and Gamma Hulk Minimates

Gamma Hulk in his natural habitat!

I am pretty sure the minimates are my new favorite Marvel line.  They are tiny, adorable and 2 come in a pack so they are never lonely!  It’s the perfect thing ever!  Granted, I was surprised when they matched up the WWH with Mr. Fantastic, I mean, those two aren’t friends!  They will just bicker and agure until the end of time!  It’s just mean to pair these two up!  Same with this match up!  I mean IM designed this suit JUST to beat the Hulk up!

Transparent Hulk! The one we've been waiting for! Wait, what?

This little guy is awesome!

Didn’t we have a Gamma Glow Hulk?  I know we did!  And a better one at that!  This Hulk you can hardly see his tiny little face!  But it is pretty awesome that IM helmet raises to see te regular IM helmet underneath!

Here are the two Gamma Hulks!

Woo Hoo! Helmet Up!