Let's Share: The Berkley Blog: Action Figure Friday

April 25, 2008

Action Figure Friday - Hulkbuster Iron Man

Okay, what *is* this?

That was my initial reaction when this figure was set down in front of me to review. My second thought: this is ridiculous! My third thought: is this some version of Juggernaut? [That's a little shout out the nerdier readers out there except you probably think that I'm crazy for suggesting such a thing to begin with. So really, that reference wasn't necessary at all.]

This is Hulkbuster Iron Man. So, yeah, I get it. You should be big to take on The Hulk. But really - do you have to be? I'm going to have to check with Ryan but it seems like a crafty and creative foe could just as easily take down the Hulk with speed and/or trickery a la Jack and the Beanstalk and about 3000 other fantastic stories. I don't know for sure but I do know that this figure is a little hard to handle - save for one special feature that I will get to in a second. And yes, I fully admit that I don't know the backstory of this figure and there could be very logical reasons for why he is like he is. But I'm just going to approach it like I'm here to review the figure, not the story.

What is up with this airplane he is flying on? Or is it a hooverboard? Because if so, I much prefer the Marty McFly crafted style.

I don't like how the scale of it is confusing. I can't tell if the entire figure is supposed to be bigger than an airplane or if the platform is just strangely puffy. It also reminds me a little of the Playskool Star Wars toys. Something about the sizing and design just seems really inconsistant.

A lot of his joints are pretty hard to bend. For instance, even though I see a hinge in his elbow I can't make his arms straight and I think I'd have to sleep on the couch for a week if I pulled too hard and broke it so he will forever remain of bended arm. The bended arm certainly does lend itself to the high-five again, though. Maybe he and T Hawk should be basketball watching buddies.

The special feature I like is the pop up head shield to reveal operator Tony Stark hidden in the controls of the suit. I like this for three reasons. A) It makes me laugh to pop open the head and see a mustachioed so-and-so inside; B) I like secret compartments in general; and C) It really reminds me of Ryan's drawing "Big Sur-prise" and that drawing always makes me laugh.