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I have to say – the Hulk has been many shades og green in the comic – and that blames lies with Marvel only. I think they should pick one color green and stick with it. But no one can deny that the majority of the time the Hulk has a lighter, almost yellow/green. That being said – The 2007 Bowen had a fantastic shade of green that I loved! Until… the 2010 Hulk was released. Bowen colored this new Retro Hulk slightly darker – and it fit the bill perfectly! For me it is the 2010 Bowen that takes the cake! Which is nice – seeing as that’s the one that won the poll too!
Alright guys – I will post my thoughts on last week’s poll a little later – as well as the review fo TIHs 616 – but first! A No-Prize opportunity! This one might be tricky… unless you just cheat and look it up on the Internet of course… How many Bruce / Hulk mini-mates are there in the pic above AND name them!
And for an extra bonus: Name all of the Hulk related characters in the pic above? Need to see a larger version? Click on the pic.
I know some of you won’t consider this “rare” but I had a heck of a time finding it! In fact, to date I have only ever seen one – and that’s the one I am showing off here. I consider myself very lucky to get it – I picked it up at a Newbury Comics – I think the one in Boston. Like I said, it’s the only one I’ve ever seen. Of course I have seen the other characters in this set all over the place! There is 2 Spidermans, a Wolverine, an Iron Man and then the Hulk.
Nice Abs!
I’ve seen these things in every store including TRU and the comic shops I visit – but none of them had the Hulk. It was so frustrating. Now, I’m not sure if these are short packed or just very popular, either way – if you see one grab it! The ones on ebay are about $12 – which is a lot to pay – but it’s still worth picking up if you can snag it in the store!
This insanley cool piece is a prototype of a Hulk figure that was supposed to come out in the 1996 era of Hulk toys. You can pump his head and then press the buttons on his back and each button controls a different part. This sweet-ass piece also comes with a little nerf gun – the Hulk can shoot his way out any jam! Wait a cotton pickin’ minute – the Hulk doesn’t need a gun!
Love the Look of this Hulk face!
One of the best parts about this prototype toy is the Hulk Head mold. But you can take the head and pump it up and down – then press one of the 4 buttons on his back to either flex his muscles, raise his arms, or shoot the gun. Steve from the best website ever tried to get a hold of Toy Biz and ask them about this piece for me. As of yet though – we haven’t heard anything.
The 4 buttons on Hulk's back
Prototypes are an interesting collectibles, mainly because they are one of the rarest things you can collect. I’m only interested in unreleased prototypes. A little while back person emailed me asking if I had interest in buying some prototypes. He showed me 2 unreleased piece including a Wolverine vs Hulk diorama and an animated Hulk figure (both made my mouth drool!). He also showed me the prototypes of the Hulk Icon figures and a few Hulk prototype movie figures. He said he was willing to sell some pieces.
The Pump is in the Hulk's neckET Phone Home!
I asked about prices and he said sent me back prices like $600 for the Hulk Icon prototype… each. I can’t see paying that much for figures that I already have – they are just made out of different material = and most of the time they are put together a little worse since they aren’t meant for release – just to showcase the figure to the Marvel big-wigs! He then ended the email by saying he wasn’t looking to sell the unreleased pieces…
The Rare Hulk Prototype!
That’s where things ended with this seller – since that’s what I wanted – and the ONLY thing I wanted. So, when I saw this piece on ebay (alright, Steve, from the best website, told me about the auction) I had to bid – the price was right and I scooped up an amazingly rare Hulk piece!
I know this doesn’t really go along with my Ultra-Rare month – but people have asked so… I’ve found the rest of these Hulk figues – and all of the variants. I am psyched Marvel released these – because we have so many freakin’ Hulks! Hulk’s they would never make action figures out of! Dark Hulk? Awesome! I am not so sure a Wave 3 will be released, and even if it is I am not sure what other Hulks they could possible put out. There is a Grey Hulk, Mr Fixit, 1st Hulk… I’d be up for a Doc Samson, a Valkyrie, Speedfreak and Aquon! Or maybe a Wendigo figure… I am still psyched they released the Bi-Beast!
HOH #2
Now, the variants you are looking for – in the villains – is clear orange, clear orange with glitter and solid orange. The Maestro, Hulk as War, World War Hulk 2 and Dark Hulk are colored solid green, solid black and solid black with glitter. The Smart Hulk, Mindless Hulk, Hulk and All Ages Hulk are solid green, clear green and clear green with glitter.
The Whole Shebang!
Is there anyone else collecting these? I know people I have talked to are having a hard time finding them – but I was wondering if anyone who visits the blog collects these as well – and how is the search going? A special thank you to Gammapup who sent me some of these Hulk figures – that was totally freakin’ cool of you bro!
I have to ask here – this is something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while – my sister was down in the Hulk Room the other day and commented on the fact that almost every Hulk statue out there is a different color green. I looked and agreed and thought it was a bit funny. So – here’s the question – which statue do you think has the best color green for the Hulk?
Bowen 2007:
Koto:
Hard Hero:
Diamond Select:
Bowen 2010:
SS Dio:
Vote Below! I will tell you my thoughts next week after I people have had a chance to vote.
Hulk KitSide View 1 - Hulk intimidating the mailbox!
I don’t go gaga over a lot of Hulk kits – but there are a few that I like. I remember when this came out and Pankey over at the SF contacted me about it – but I just couldn’t pay what he was asking… but that was mainly due to the shipping over seas. This kit is perfect to display higher – as the figure itself leans forward – but it’s also the kind of kit you want to see all of it!
Close Up 1Hulk looking down! When you see this look it's time to stop pissing him off!
So, you may ask, how did I ge such a kit if not from the one who produced it? Well, ebay of course! I’m telling you – I know a lot of people are down on ebay recently but I am psyched it’s still around. There is no other place on the net that will offer more and give you such an array of prices on pieces. There are people on there trying to sell action figures from the 90s, calling them vintage, and asking a premium price – but then you will also find the people on ebay who are just listing things for extra cash and people trying to get rid of stuff. That’s where you’ll find the deals! And remember my #1 rule: Be Patient!
The Foot Shot!
The anatomy of this kit is interesting. The Hulk has SO MANY bulging muscles I have to admit when I first looked it over in pictures I thought it looked a bit silly. In person though, it looks pretty damn sweet! Do you remember the ending of Gremlins? Where Spike’s back started to bubble and little Gremlins were going to pop out? It does remind me a bit of that – but I still think the kit is worth every penny spent on it!
Turned the other wayYou've seen the end of Gremlins, right?
I have a quest – one that I may never achieve, but I am a patient person, so I’ve got that on my side. My quest is to collect at least one piece of art from EVERY Hulk artist. Now, I would like to try to collect an original page from every Hulk artist – but I would be happy with just any art – as long as the Hulk is in it. For example, I don’t have a page from Hulk: Gray by Tim Sale – but I do have a fantastic commission from him that absolutely rocks in every way possible! So, if I never get an actual page, I’ll be happy with the art I have.
Don't. Look. Behind. YOU!!!!!!
Here’s the thing though… I LOVE original pages! Darrick Robertson is an amazing artist who had this page on ebay for a while. I labored over whether to get it or not – I would have liked more Hulk on it – but the large image in the middle solidified my position and I bought it. His wife, who is the one selling the art on ebay, asked if I wanted it signed as well… and I said yes.
And... the Sig!
See, I have a definite position about autographs. Signing an original piece of art (by the artist) is a must but, for me, signing a published comic – especially a really old issue or a #1 issue – is like vandalizing a comic. You know how some people feel like a date stamp is a defect? Well, that’s how I feel about signatures. They are defacing a comic. That isn’t to say I don’t HAVE Hulk issues signed – I know, I am an enigma, I hate signatures yet I do have signed comics. That gives me an idea – I should do a “Week of Signed Comics” for you all… Anyways – I will be back tomorrow.
Kicking off the Ultra-Rare month – this Mego figure! If you look at te Mego Museum website there are quite a few different backing cards the figures came on. One of the more rare cards is this one called the Palitoy card. This is a lot better than the regular Mego card – I mean, just look at it! How freakin’ fantastic is this! There is even a better transformation illustration on the back! While you often see the 1979 carded figure – this is the one to pick up – it may be slightly pricier but it’s worth it!
Back of the card!
This unpunched carded figure is now is a case, displayed proudly with the other Mego figures I have. There is a figure just like this one on ebay right now – if you want to go for it – you totally should! One of my favorite things about vintage items is how great they look. Of course the figure is still the same – but that’s the great thing about the mint in package or mint on card figures. They have a totally different look! A more impressive look. I am hoping to one day have the super rare Mego card but for now I am happy with what I have.
Not sure if this auction is worth it or not – click on the pic and make up your own mind – but the upcoming November will be my Ultra Rare month! I have some really sweet Hulk pieces to show off and I’ve chosen November to do it! So – I think I will be posting Mon-Thurs. At least that’s the plan. If you’ve followed this blog long enough then you realize I just kind of do what I want – but I am going to try to stick to this schedule! Who wants to make bets I can’t even make it through November? Alright – Happy Hulkyween! Here’s a shot of my daughter in her home made Wonder Woman costume:
Enigma Force #2 is out and the Avengers #6 with the older Hulk. I haven’t even looked through these yet – so I can’t tell you if they are a good read – but I did also find…
Avengers #6
This! Hulks just on the cover – but it’s a great illustration… so pick it up!
I have been seeing the new Hulk/Valkyrie 2-packs on ebay – so I am going nuts trying to find it around here… so far – nothing! Anyways, I actually am posting the review for the comic on the day I bought it! Kudos to me! So, the Marvel Heroes have put their faith in the Hulk to take care of his long lost son not that the Hulk has given them much of a choice right now…
Hulks = Monsters
They give the Hulk as much info as they have – which is virtually nothing that the Hulk didn’t know already – except that they do see an image of Hiro. Steve tells the Hulk to make sure he takes care of the situation and if that means “smashing” that means “smashing”. Hulk doesn’t want to think about that scenario – in fact, it angers him. He turns to his new family – his team of “Hulks” – and tells them that Hiro is also a Hulk but Skaar interjects. He says the real problem is that Hiro IS a monster. Hiro is full of hate. Hulk silences Skaar and tells everyone to get out.
With an hour till touchdown Skaar takes Betty and Korg with him into the shadowforge. He tells them that he is separating them from the “humans”. Betty argues that she is in fact a human – and even Korg agrees that Betty would do what needs to be done is need be. That’s why she’s with them. The Hulk stares at the image of Hiro and a Banner simulator comes to tell the Hulk it’s time to let him out. Hulk doesn’t want to – but finally agrees. Banner gave everyone their assignments for when they reach K’ai.
Knocking would be a whole lot more polite Jen...
First up: To destroy all of the ships leading the planet. As the Hulks do that they realize there are people in the ships – Bruce thought that they were empty. He was wrong. After that they regroup – K’ai is still heading toward Earth. Bruce sends Betty and She Hulk after the power source – he sends Skaar, Korg and Rick to the other side of K’ai where there is a volcanic area – he wants Skaar to use the old power to send K’ai off trajectory and save the Earth. Skaar refuses to go – he wants to go with Bruce to meet up with Hiro.
Bruce sends Skaar with Korg and Rick anyways – much to the chagrin of Skaar. Betty and She Hulk find the power source – only, it’s pretty scary. Bruce lands on K’ai and is met with hostile, armed natives. Bruce takes them out only to have the children attack. Bruce fights back but Hiro comes with his old power and destroys the children. Bruce is face to face with Hiro… Bruce tells him that he is Hiro’s father. Hiro isn’t so sure – and then Bruce Hulks out.
Father and Son... who's going the throw the first punch?
So – the battle is coming – and I am excited about it. Not as much as I thought I would be. Maybe it’s the artwork – I’m not all that jazzed about Bary Kitson’s stuff. The Hulk family so far is still interesting – but I am already waiting to see the Hulk back to his solo adventures. The pacing of this story isn’t as quick as I would like it to be but I am still waiting to see how this pans out. Grade: B
The back up story is about the Red She Hulk first meeting up with the Punisher. Not too shabby. There is no variant for this issue. 😦
It’s funny – when these were in the stores I couldn’t find hide or hair (or is it “hide or hare”?) of them. Almost all of the Marvel Heroes had thier own walkie talkie and all I wanted were the Hulk ones, but like I said, I couldn’t find them anywhere! So, this past Summer, i was frequenting any Yard Sales I saw and sure enough I saw a sign for a yard sale that said “Comics + More” so of course I stopped in. The comics were kind of bare – just full of mid 90’s Captain Americas and Spiderman – but there was a whole table full of toys. The kid at the table saw my shirt – yes, I was wearing a Hulk shirt, – he said he had a Hulk toy. He took these walkie talkies out and I saw a sheet of Hulk stickers. “How much?” I asked.
“I don’t know… $3 to $5?
I said to him “$3 TO $5! You mean I got to pick?” After I finished joking with him I gave him $5 and walked away with my loot! I’m glad I finally found these – had them for months now and I haven’t checked if they work yet… man, I hope they work!
Ratchet's Hulk Collection 