Review of Red Hulk - Marvel Legends action figure

Introduction

Want to know what's more popular than toilet paper right now? Red Hulk! This Target exclusive just started shipping, and collectors are hanging out at their local stores waiting for him to hit the shelf.

For those not into the comics, particularly the comics of the last decade or so, the Red Hulk is not THE Hulk. He's a dude (Banner's father in-law to be exact) who is given the ability to transform into the 'rulk' by A.I.M. to better battle the original Hulk.

This guy will run you $30 at the store, and is popping up in greater numbers as we speak.

Packaging - ***1/2
The large window box is made from heavier cardboard than usual, a smart move since this figure is larger and heavier than the average Marvel Legend. It shows him off well, and there's some flames printed on the backer and box. You see, when this Hulk gets mad, he gets hot, and the madder he gets, the hotter he gets. The heat can reach a point where flames create an aura around him. While they didn't include any flames - more on that in the Accessories section - they did use the concept with the box art.

It's all quite collector friendly too, something this line has over most other mass market toys.

Sculpting - ****
You get one head here, sculpted in a snarling, angry, dynamic pose. The wide moth and curled lip look great, and the heavy wrinkling around the brow and bridge adds to the extreme nature of the expression.

Even the hair is more detailed than we normally see with a Marvel Legends figure, and while this figure is bigger than most overall - coming in at about 8 1/2" - the head isn't all that much bigger. It's some really nice work, and is a big factor in the attraction of this particular Hulk.

The body has a nice bulk and weight to it, and the heavy musculature is well designed. The varied texture on the sculpted pants adds some realism, and the overall design is well executed.

Paint - ***1/2
While the majority of the body is simply cast in color, it's a very consistent, even red overall. There's not too many details from the neck down, but the fingernails and toenails are a nice touch.

It's the face where most of the paint work occurs. The eyes look terrific, and the interior of the mouth and shiny black hair are well done.  The teeth are just a little gloppy, but it's a minor nit on on an otherwise solid mass market paint job.

Articulation - ****
There are a couple issues here, but they were so minor compared to the overall quality of the articulation that I let them go.

My only real issue is with the neck, where there isn't quite as much tilt and lean, particularly backward, as I'd like. With the great crunching forward and backward movement in the chest, having a neck that could properly line up the head in every pose would be great. This one isn't quite there.

Still, the rest of the articulation is outstanding. I mentioned the crunch joint, but the cut waist, rotating hinge hips, cut thighs, double pin knees, and rotating hinge ankles with plenty of rocker movement round out some terrific lower body articulation.  The arms have rotating hinge shoulders, cut biceps, rotating hinge elbows, and rotating hinge wrists as well.  The elbows are a little restricted by the sculpt, but the thick musculature tends to do that.

The shoulders also sport the interior hinge chest joint. This allows them to move inward to bring the hands closer together in front of the chst, and outward, to bring the shoulders closer together in back. This is particularly useful for this character, who likes to scream with his arms in these poses.

Accessories - **1/2
Here's where this guy comes up short, unfortunately. He has one extra right and left hand, which means he has one set of fists and one set of open, grasping hands. They swapped easily, and stayed on while I was posing him, but that's really light for any Marvel Legends figure.  A second portrait would have been nice, or some flame effects.

Fun Factor - ****
This is a very, very fun Hulk. Lots of solid articulation and a great portrait give you a ton of battling options on the shelf. Even better, get this guy for your favorite young Marvel fan, and they'll have a ton of fun playing with him.

Value - **
The average Marvel Legends figure is around $20, closer to $18 at a number of retailers. This guy is $30. While I get the increased size does add some cost, it's hard to justify another 10 - 12 bucks, even as an exclusive. You won't feel ripped off by any means, but he's just shy of my average **1/2 value score.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing!

Overall - ***1/2
The big Hulk fans won't be able to pass this guy up, and the casual fans are likely to get sucked in by the overall quality as well. As a character, the Hulk seems to always get the best action figures, and this one ranks up there with the nicest releases we've seen for him. A couple more accessories, and he'd be an easy four star figure.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ****
Accessories - **1/2
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
This guy is a Target exclusive, showing up right now at stores near you for $40. Or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other recent Marvel Legends reviews include Cosmic Ghost Rider, and the Fantastic Four wave with Human Torch, The Thing, Super Skrull, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, She-Hulk and Doctor Doom.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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