40th Anniversary Bust (2003)

 

I don’t know how you can even call this thing a bust!  It’s absolutely huge!  It’s 8″ high and 9″ wide – and Heavy!  Weighing in at around 10 pounds Hulk sits on a pile of books – picking out his favorite to read – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  There is a green version of this bust – but I opted for the grey because I think it looks so much better. 

The green Hulk is holding the book upside- down (because the green Hulk couldn’t read).  It’s little details like that that truly make a piece special.  While the green version was limited to just 1,963 (Commemorating the year the Hulk debuted – although he debuted in ’62) the grey version is limited to 400 commemorating… I don’t know what.

This piece was released at the same time that The Leader statue that I posted earlier was.  The Leader statue doesn’t compare – it isn’t nearly as great as this one is.  This Hulk piece goes in the top 3 statues/busts I own.  Released by Dynamic Forces.

Metal Puzzle Keychain (2007)

My Mother-in-law picked this up for me for Christmas.  What a sweet woman she is.  She told me she wasn’t sure if I had it or not (I did not) and she almost didn’t pick it up for me.  Then she thought that if I did have it I could always use a second one that I’d open and use.  She was totally right – I would’ve done that.  This keychain, released by Fantasma Magic, has a neat little trick puzzle with it in the form of a metal ring that you take off.  The best thing about this though, has to be the sculpt of this keychain.  Hulk in full jumping action never looked better – jacked up and ready to destroy!

Incredible Hulk #6 (1963)

Just look at that cover!  I know, the comic is in terrible shape, but it’s freakin’ Incredible Hulk #6!  At a time when artists and writers didn’t even put their names on the cover!  Little did they know then that they would become legends.  Kirby’s style created the look and excitement to almost every flagship character for Marvel.  Stan Lee wrote stories that could grip the minds of young children all over the country.  And let’s not forget Steve Ditko (who penciled this issue) who was essential in bringing Kirby’s pencil’s to the forefront.  Is the language a little hokey now?  Sure, but who cares!  The Incredible Hulk character was already 14 when I was born and had already lived through cancellation, re-coloring, and reclaiming his own title again! 

 Every issue of the original first 6 had a new exciting change to the Hulk persona.  In this issue, you meet the Metal Master and  you also see the Teen Brigade which teen Rick Jones founded, and Bruce Banner and Betty Ross’ tumultuous relationship has it’s first big hurdle – Thunderbolt Ross finding out! 

Any Hulk fan should try to get any of the first 6 issues.  They are as important as they are works of art and amazing to see in person.  My copies aren’t the best – but it is all I can afford right now and I’m just excited to get any of them at all!  And the older they get the more expensive they will be.  These are rare, and I don’t mean “rare” like retailers mean it today, saying something’s rare just to try to sell a book, I mean, these books didn’t have a big initial printing in the first place so getting any copy now is hard – unless you have the cash.

Hulk Maquette (2007)

 

This is the largest Maquette that Diamond Select has released – and even though that is true – it’s one of the smaller Hulk statues released this year standing a quaint 9 inches tall.  Scuplted by Gabriel Marquez, the face looks a whole lot better in person, although why does it seem like he’s auditioning for a Crest commercial? 

This piece is limited to 3,000 and mine is 628.  The Marvel Select Hulk coming out in March is designed after this Hulk – and I know some people are bummed that yet another Hulk figure is coming out on the Marvel Select line – but I say – the more Hulks the better.  

Figure Factory (Grey Version) (2005)

I finally got around to getting this figure – and although it was accompanied my one of the very rare BAD experiences I’ve had on ebay – I’m really glad I got it.  It’s the same as the green version – except for the new head sculpt (which I love when they do that).  The new head looks a lot more characteristically correct for the big grey lummox.  Just plain perfect.  I like the green highlights in his hair and his big green lip too.

Wait – what is that displayed behind him?  I bet some of you know… will post it soon.

Hulk Pog (2006)

I’m sorry, but, does anyone even collect pogs anymore?  No?  I didn’t think so.  That’s why I was so shocked when my wife came home Friday, before Christmas and presented me with an early present – this Hulk pog!  And, although very cool, I was taken back by the fact that pogs still exist and that this one is made of really heavy metal.

Have a Hulky Christmas!

Hulk got coal in stocking this year – at least Hulk thought it was coal, it looked like coal – either it was coal or Santa is a very sick guy.  I guess the whole “Destroy the world” thing landed Hulk on naughty list.  Whatever.  See you in the new year.  When “Real” Hulk beats that fake Red Hulk to a pulp!

Hard Hero Hulk Statue (2007)

 

My wife got home today carrying a huge box inside.  She knew I was waiting for this statue to arrive and she asked me if this was a Christmas present.  I said “To myself, yes!” and as I was about to grab the box from her she said “Then you can’t have until Christmas.”  The events that unfolded after her statement are a bit unclear as I flew into a wild uncontrollable rage and tackled her and wrestled the statue out of her grip.

Take a look at this amazing statue.  I took as many cool pictures as I could of this piece.  I think Hard Hero is shaping up to be a force in the statue department.  If you haven’t seen any of there other pieces take a look at the Angel statue here – and seeing it in person is much more impressive – just like this piece here.  I would like for the pictures to do the talking but they can’t even begin to describe the detail and beauty of this 15 inch behemoth!  If you have this piece comsider yourself lucky.  There is a grey version that is limited to only 200 pieces (personally, I think that this sculpt doesn’t fit with the Grey Hulk) and an Artist proof statue limited to just 100 – but even the regualr statue is limited to only 1000 – and mine is #961.

Famous Battles Cards (1992)

 

These cards display some of Hulk’s more famous battles – such as Hulk vs. The Leader (my personal favorite) and Hulk vs. Himself.  Hulk vs. X-Factor – wait?  X-Factor?  Is X-Factor still around?  Was this really a famous battle?  Whatever… That’s even more skeptical than the last card FF vs. Secret Defenders.  Yeah, real secret, cause no one told me about it.

Hand Held Hulk Game (2007)

As I was grocery shopping this week I came across this in the toy isle.  You can imagine that the rest of the shopping was done by my wife as I played this game, because batteries WERE included!  How cool is that?  Is it even cooler that the handles of the game are little Hulk hands?   Rhetorical question but I will answer it anyways! – Yes!

Ummm… Part 5

Little bald Hulk wants a lollipop.  And he talks in pictures.  Weird.  And he’s wearing pink bicycling shorts.  Even weirder.

My Trip to Chris’ Comics 12/19/07

I was in Marshfield today so of course I stopped by Chris’ Comics.  Unfortunately, the new arrivals were not in – but I did manage to pick up some excellent back issues (a few from the excellent Herb Trimpe) including #165 that is displayed at the top.  Herb Trimpe had a great style that made the Hulk comics not only fun but exciting to read.  I am well on my way to owning the entire Hulk run – I will post my library someday – but the issues I got today were:

#163 (Herb Trimpe)
#165 (Herb Trimpe)
#169 (Herb Trimpe)
#175 (Herb Trimpe)
#179 (Herb Trimpe)
#183 (Herb Trimpe)
#184 (Herb Trimpe)
#220
#222

  

Hulk Topper and Hulk Sticker (2005)

This is displayed in my car.  I like the little head, I think the manufacturer did a good job with the scuplt.  You can seperate the Hulk head from the base and switch in other heroes.  That way you can put the base anywhere but not commit to one favorite hero to display.  The stickers are from a halloween show I was doing, the school was handing these out and I snatched a Hulk one up quickly, squealing with delight!

Marvel Cards (1990)

I think these are from 1990, a year earlier than the other cards I just posted.  Cards of note in this series are the one with Hulk and Spider-man – if you can’t see what it says – Spider-man says “Hulk, are you really the strongest one there is?”  and Hulk replies “Yes, and also best looking.”  Cocky Bastard.  Another card of note is the Most Valuable Comic card displaying Hulk #181.  It has remained a hot comic for a while even though Wolverine is such a complete tool. 

Teaser Movie Poster (2003)

 

I have this original movie poster – but the one that they used for the movie itself looks exactly the same.  It’s such a shame too – I know they were trying to keep the Hulk’s look a secret until the movie came out – but this image was just terrible. 

The poster looks like it’s saying “Talk to Hulk’s hand, cause Hulk’s face ain’t listening!”

I hate when he does that.