Hulk/Avengers Mini-Muggs

Hulk Mini Mugg

For some reason – maybe I just wasn’t paying attention – but I thought we were getting full sized Muggs again.  So I was a little disappointed when I saw what we were actually getting.  That being said – I had to change my perspective and review what we have rather than what I thought I was getting!  So:

Both Releases

The Positive: I know these muggs aren’t exactly known for their sculpts because they all come from the same mold (that’s part of their charm, IMO) so these little guys have to be based solely on their paint-ups.  One of the best things is to see that they didn’t double dip.  Each little fig has a new design!

Mini Mugg - smaller than a Mighty Mugg

For a second I thought that the Hulk that came in the Hulk/Abomination 2-pack  was the same as the Hulk that came in the Avengers 5-pack – but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is a new paint up as well.  They gave the new Hulk angry eyes rather than the wide open “What did I just eat?” eyes.

Similarly, the singular Hulk has sort of a classic, Kirby feel to it.  The troglodyte, inquisitive look on his face screams silver-age to me.  The olive color isn’t exactly my favorite – but it looks good on this little guy.

"Honey! The kids are acting up again!"

Abomination has a decent design as well – believe it or not they did paint on ears – he looks very Killer Croc-ish - but without adding to the sculpt there wasn’t much they could do to avoid that.  I am psyched about these 2-packs because it gives us an enemy for the Hulk – something the original Muggs never gave us.

Hulk has that sort of "I crapped my pants" look...

The Negative: It seems like I have been complaining over and over about the prices of things these days.. and… well, this won’t be any different.  While the singles are $6.99 the two packs are $15.99.  The math doesn’t add up there – if one is $7 shouldn’t 2 be $14?  I think the singles should be $4.99 IMO – but I can accept the $6.99 price but the two packs?  That’s harder to swallow.

Like his ears are pinned back against his head!

Nevermind the price for a second, I like these new additions to the Muggs collection – the smaller size makes them cuter – I just really wish they were able to add ears onto the Abomination rather than just painting them on.  Painting them on doesn’t really help distinguishing the Abom from some other monsters – and it gives me a strange unfortunate deju-vu feeling from the ear-less Abomination from the 2008 movie.

Conclusion: If you don’t mind being fleeced on the price – which obviously I did not – then these are definite pick ups!  Grade: B+

Marvel Select Abomination (2010)

Abomination in the package

Imagine meeting this guy in a dark alley?

Abomination!

Only a face a Mother can love!

Alright, I’m taking a break from all the cards for a bit so that I can review some of the other Hulk stuff!  I know some of you are probably psyched about this – but I started the card reviews and darn it -  am going to finish them!  But first on to this figure!  Can I ask – why is it Marvel can’t get an Abomination figure right?  I mean, don’t get me wrong, this figure is as close to perfect as you can get – less the feet.

Incredibly Sculpted - but not the Abomination's feet!

Alright!  There!  I said it!  This figure is amazing – and with the wrong feet!  What happened Marvel?  Abomination has two toes – two freakishly huge toes!  So, what the hell happened?  These feet are – as Sean said – “Big Monster Feet!” and they do look good – but they are not Abomination feet.

Wow! What a figure!

He Means Business!

But this sucker is huge!  And heavy!  You could throw this at someone and be brought up on murder charges because it’s THAT heavy!  Heavier than the Hulk that came out earlier – but just as big!  The texture of the skin is rough and wild – and the face is evil and scary!  One thing – I wish you could make the head look up a little.  But as it stands when you have him set up – it looks as though he’s looking down.

What a rumble it will be!

This is absolutely the perfect companion to the Marvel Select Hulk that came out.  All in all – great figure – just wish they didn’t mess those damn feet up!  I know Marvel Select is an expensive line – but with the prices that some of those MU figures go for these figures are actually quite the deal!  I’ve heard Juggernaut is on the horizon for this line!  I can’t wait!

Who can stop the Juggernaut? Wait... What?

The Incredible Hulk #54 Pg. 18 (2003)

The Incredible Hulk #54 - Page #18

So, my new quest of trying to collect at least one page from EVERY Hulk artist is really going well – although, I hate to say it, I was just outbid for another Purves page that I wanted.  I put in a bid that I thought was more than I actually wanted to pay – and still got outbid!  WTF?  Some collector’s out there are only doing the hobby a disservice when they keep paying outrageous prices for things.  But let’s get back to a page I actually DID get – and it’s from one of the artists that I adore – Mike Deodato Jr. – and the page is phenomenal!

Hulk... very angry!

Deodato has graced the pages of the Hulk in two eras – once, while PD was on the book and the Hulk was separated from Banner – but then he changed his style – refined his art and became one of the most impressive artists to ever grace the Hulk title!  I was psyched to find this page on ebay – and for such a reasonable price! 

Good-Bye Abomination!

This is the page where the Abomination asks the Hulk if he ever thought about how Betty felt while she was dying – and as you can tell – the Hulk did not take that very well!  I love the 3 panels that show the Hulk going from sad – to angry – to angrier!  and then the bottom of the page serves up quite the sight of the Hulk slamming his fists into the Abomination so hard – it sends Emil flying!  Awesome!

The original - and the published page...

Here is one of the rare occasions that they show the Hulk’s eyes red.  Sometimes, when the Hulk gets angry enough – his eyes seem to go blood red!  The original page doesn’t show that of course – but what it does show is the amazing detail that Deodato adds to his art!

One last time... the emoting of Hulk!

Abomination & Thor Superhero Squad (2010)

Abomination and Thor SHS

Abomination in Package

I just picked this up yesterday!  I was pretty psyched to snag this because I wasn’t even aware it was out yet!  I have been waiting for a classic Abomination SHS figure since the FIRST Hulk came out.  We now have something like 7 different Hulks – one Leader, a Zzaxx – but no Abomination to speak of… until NOW!  I love how big he is *that’s what she said* and think that this figure certainly is in scale with the whole line.  To pair the Abomination with Thor is pretty perfect – since it reminds me of one of my favorite Thor covers ever:

Thor #178 - The Abomination takes on a God!

 I hope they make another version with Abomination broken face – that would rock!  I don’t actually think it will happen – but how awesome would that be?  But what would be better – Abomination with the broken face when they fought in TIH #25 or Abomination with the melted face from when Hulk threw acid on him in TIH #364?  I want the broken face – cause I enjoyed that issue a whole lot more!

Hulk vs one of his best enemies!

Another day another Hulk

The Leader and the Abomination... oh the horror!

Hulk Mini-Comics

Hulk Hostess Mini Comic

3 out of the 4 comics!

A bit ago someone, I believe it was 465, asked me if I had the Hulk Mini-Comic from Hostess – and I didn’t think I did.  I should have known better than that!  I went back and checked out my collection – turns out I have all but ONE of them!  There were four in the series – and I’m missing issue #4. 

Fox and Friends Hulk vs Abomination!

I do have a few others including the Fox Kids Video mini-comic with Hulk vs the Abomination released in 1997.  Also, there is one with Hulk vs the Leader that was released by Bubble Yum in 1981.  Each of these have new – stand alone stories – that are quite enjoyable.  I wish I had the final Hostess comic – not only to have it but to know how the story ends… if someone knows maybe you can shed some light on it…

Bubble Yum Hulk vs Leader mini comic

A Week of Abomination – Solo Avengers: Hawkeye #12

Not to say too much here except – Hawkeye is in so much trouble!

A Week of the Abomination – TIH Annual #15

Alright, while I work on the reviews for the comics came out today – I give you one of the baddest covers to rock a Hulk annual! The Hulk and Abomination have had some killer fights over the years – and I know he’s dead right now, shot by the Red Hulk, but I hope this isn’t for long – because you can’t replace the history of these two – the blow for blow fights and years of hatred. It just can’t be replaced with a red version of our favorite Jade Giant.

But yeah – reviews are on the way – I will hopefully get them posted by today…

A Week of the Abomination – Marvel Super Heroes Summer Special: X-Men

This issue – from way back in 1991 – has an image of Abomination that reminds me a lot of the Bowen bust.  But let’s face it – the X-Men have a hard enough time taking down the Hulk – the Abomination is a perfect villain for the X-Men.  Isn’t Speedball another name for crack?  I could be wrong about that – who knows – but I thought I heard that somewhere…

A Week of Abomination – Incredible Hulk Annual #20

You know what’s so great about the Abomination?  That he’s not totally evil – and that is what makes a great villain – they may do evil things – but they can explain it in a way that makes it… almost okay… ALMOST.  In this annual – which the Hulk doesn’t really appear in – except in flashbacks and make believe stories – we see the Abomination in a different light – we get to see the world through his eyes – how he feels that he’s the cursed hero…

Marvel’s Handful of Heroes (2009) – Part 2 – The Hulk Foes!

Abomination, Thing and Armageddon

A few of the Hulk villains were also made into these little plastic figures!  Check it out!  Most notably the Abomination is in there – I only got the sparkly (or cosmic) Abomination right now – but there’s also Absorbing Man, Rhino, and Iron Clad.

Iron Man, Absorbing Man, Rhino, Iron Clad

They’ve made some heroes – that are also some of Hulk’s foes – like the Thing, Hulkbuster Iron Man, and Wolverine.  There’s also a unique choice – a Hulk villain from out of nowhere – Armageddon.  Remember him?  If not go get issues #413 - #416 to refresh your memory.

The Silver Surfer #12 (1970) – The Review

The Silver Surfer #12

Last week I had fun showcasing a week’s worth of art that I hadn’t shown – believe it or not there’s still a few more pieces – but this week I decided to showcase a few of the rarer comics I have have that feature the Hulk, or – in this case –  the Hulk’s supporting cast.  I also have done a whole lot of work gathering information for the COMICS page – check it out – I have been compiling a check list for all who have asked and am on my way.  It’s far from being finished – but it’s certainly off to a good start!

Anyways, Stan “The Man” Lee wrote this issue – and it’s such a great one!  It’s a basic story but it starts with a group of Wizards and Warlocks that are all upset at how the outside world treats them.  They hate the fact that people think they are a joke so they plan on showing the world just what they can do.  Surfer meanwhile, is pining over his lost love, and while he attempts to try and break the force field he hits it so hard he knocks himself unconscious.  He hurtles toward the earth with a cluster of asteroids and lands right where the head warlock is heading home.  The warlock takes the knocked-out Surfer to his house and when the Surfer regains consciousness the warlock once again knocks him out with a spiked tea.  (The Surfer likes tea?  I wonder what kind… was he like “Is is English Grey?  I love English Grey!”

Did the Abomination really think he could win?

The group of Warlocks and Witches decide to raise a demon of some sort to defeat the Surfer.  They think that if they show the world that they have beaten the Silver Surfer then the world will take them more seriously.  Unfortunately the monster they raise is the Abomination, releasing him from “The Stranger’s” imprisonment.  He immediately tells them that he doesn’t work for anyone – and to prove it he beats the heck out of the head Warlock and kills him.  The Surfer arrives and refuses to fight a fight that is not his but he does bring the warlock back to life.  The Ab0mination, meanwhile, is destroying the nearby town.  When the Surfer sees this he goes to fight, but is weakened from using his powers to revive the dead warlock and as he swoops in Abomination hits him hard and knocks him off his board with one hit.

Abomination rejoices and celebrates a little early because as Surfer regains his bearings he comes back strong.  He literally takes the Abomination down in a few panels.  In fact the Surfer doesn’t just want to win – he wants to stop the rage – so he uses the Power Cosmic and suppresses the Abominations rage.  He returns him to the Warlock and his group – all of them stunned to see the Silver Surfer victorious.

Fantasy Masterpieces #12

This is such a classic match up.  Shows why the Surfer is such a great character when written correctly.  This whole issue is just a whole lot of fun.  This is Silver Surfer #12 – but also a cheaper route is to find Fantasy Masterpieces #12 where this story is reprinted.  Grade: A-

Bowen Designs Abomination Statue (2009)

Abomination Statue

Welcome March!  It’s freakin’ snowing!  Anyways, it must be so difficult there days to sculpt  a classic character and make everyone happy with the outcome.  This is the pressures that BD faces every time they announce a new Full Statue coming out.  So many amazing artists out there have done excellent versions of each character that every fan wants to see specific details in their sculpts.  With the Hulk – some fans want the ripped seething merged Hulk – and others are always looking for a classic 70′s style Buscema Hulk.  Trying to please everyone must be really aggravating some days…

Abomination - Full Shot

Bad-Ass Profile

But Bowen has hit the ball out of the park so many times with his statues that he has quickly become my favorite sculptor working out there today.  His company seems to strive in delivering a product that even the most die-hard fan will appreciate.  This, his latest Hulk universe release, is one of the most amazing triumphs to date.  While the new Hulk sculpts coming out are looking good this version of Hulk’s #1 villain (and that pains me to say being a huge Leader fan) is far and away one of the best things I’ve seen!  Take a look at what an incredible job Bowen did at capturing every classic detail on this character.  It’s a huge leap forward from the bust he did a years back.  While that bust had mixed reviews of looking too much like an under water creature – this statue has had NO complaints from even the harshest critic.

This piggy ate roast beef - and this little piggy is wondering where the rest of the piggies went...

Abomination doesn’t just pair up well with the 2007 Hulk FS – but also the 2003 FS – and believe me I have plenty of pics to showcase the greatness that is this new addition to my collection.  A lot of statues have that static pose, that (for the lack of a better term) grandiose homo-erotic pose, that don’t ”work” with other statues when displaying them.  But now we have sculptors working to make their sculpts work well together.  We saw it with the Action Wolverine and Hulk pics – and now we have these:

2009 vs 2003

The smack down begins...

I have to give a quick shout-out to my friend Corry and Ben, the owner of Zapp Comics in New Jersey, who have always been able to provide me with anything I ask for.  The shop is certainly one of the best places to get anything comic related.  Check it out if you’re in the area!  Thanks Corry – as always – you’re a good friend!

Hulk's ready to punish!

 I know Sideshow has announced the release of their PF Abomination.  I can tell you with all certainty that I will NOT be picking that up – because, let’s face it, Bowen’s is far superior – and the Thing is a better companion for the SS Hulk.  Let me know if any of you out there have picked this up – and what you think!  It’s totally worth every penny!

Two against one!

Tables are turned!

TRU Exclusive Hulk Mini-Mates (2008)

TRU Exclusive Mini-Mates

Well, well, it is an “exclusive” I guess.  But it’s just the package.  But the package has little windows!  Windows!  So, the figures can look out or we can look in – either way – it’s YAY!   We can see the figures!  If you want to call this a variant, go ahead, no one’s going to stop you – but all it is is a different package.  They did pair the Hulk and the Abomination in one package.  In the regular packages they paired Abomination with Blonsky and the Hulk with Banner.  So here, the figures are at the very least together.  Still cool though.

Abomination Lead Figurine (2008)

Abomination Lead Figure

It was just a matter of time before they made the Abomination – with the Hulk, the grey Hulk and the Leader all present it’s only fitting that they released the Abomination here in the States before the year is through.  I say here in the States because these figurines, all painted in lead paint – yes it’s harmful – but only if you digest it, so keep these out of your mouths, are actually made and released overseas.  Only specialty comic shops carry these, so you most likely won’t find them in any major chain stores. 

Profile - Side View

They are obviously taking a little more interest into making bases for these figures – I like bases with a little more pizazz – I like figures that tell a bit of a story rather than just standing there.  As you can tell comparing the Hulk’s standard black base to the Abomination’s rocky rubble base.  Abomination holding the steel pipe ready to knock the be-jesus out of someone is a perfect pose.  The Leader was posed in his classic pose but the Abomination doesn’t have what we can call a “classic” pose – so just showing aggression is as good as any. 

The Abomination Collectible Booklet

Side 1 of the Poster

Side 2 of the Poster

The great thing about the little collectible booklet that comes with these figures are the time lines of their story in the comics.  You can follow their every move – like, for example, I wasn’t aware that immediately following his debut in comics he went to Thor’s comic and then right back to Hulk’s.  The later 80′s and 90′s had Abomination popping in and out of a bunch of comic heroes.  West Coast Avengers, Hawkeye, Spiderman, Namor, X-Man, X-Men – and then of course came the Betty saga.  I wonder if Peter David meant for the Abomination to kill Betty?  I wonder if he laid the groundwork for such a memorable moment in Hulk history.

UPDATE: I emailed PD and he in fact confirmed that he always intended for the Abomination to be the one who killed Betty.  Kudos to Peter David for emailing back fans with such silly questions…

The Face-off

Look Out Hulk! Behind You!

Blonsky and Abomination Mini-Mates (2008)

Abomination & Blonsky Mini Mates

Blonsky and Abomination 2-pack

This is the best Mini-Mates set for one reason – it comes with accessories!  Everything can be made better with accessories!  I love the little Blonsky.  He and his unshaven little face comes with night vision goggles and a gun.  Abomination actually looks pretty good too – amazingly.  I think this version grew on me just a bit – but I’m still jonesing for the classic Abomination. 

The detail they pu into these little guys are sweet!  Look at Abomination’s little toe nails!  Can anyone explain why these sets come with extra little feet?  I’m not really sure what they are for.  Anyways, Abomination’s back bones that are shooting out of his skin are doing the same on this toy.  Art Asylum has always done a nice job with this line – Mini Mates have become huge for a good reason – they are some of the coolest little toys ever!

Shoot him Blonsky! Shoot him... errr - you!

Do not turn your back on me!