Here we have the Hulkbuster in-hand. First thing I want to mention is that the design itself is taken from the Extremis arc, which means it has similar design traits associated with that specific suit, like the arc reactor shape and the torso. The sculpted details, in fact, are always appreciative in a more modern armor such as this, especially with the larger scale figure that we have going on here. I absolutely love how the pistons on the shoulders, elbows, and ankles are gunmetal in paint, which is mostly similar for the hips that are appropriately separate in color from the red on the waist and thighs. I also like that we have a general balance of red and gold, while details like the elbow joints retaining some sculpted details and the shoulder pads being separate pieces from the rest of the arms are design choices I can always appreciate. I also like that the arc reactor has a fade effect to make it look as if it's glowing. That being said, do you notice how the gold looks on the forearm and shoulder plates versus the rest of the figure? In another case, metallic parts are painted or molded in a color, resulting in a bizarre mashup with inconsistency for the deco. The red is entirely molded in that color, which could be argued to be fine as is, but for a figure you're paying $50 for, this toy should have as much paint as humanely possible. But hey, maybe Hasbro would use new tooling and one accessory less than the Maximum Hulk figure to get a more premium version of this figure at nearly double the price! All I''m saying is that the figure's sculptwork is awesome, but the deco sucks.
The head sculpt is at least able to have that golden paint, and the white for the eyes, as well as the gunmetal for the chin and cheek vents, are appreciable. I just wish we got more of this. And going back to the red, even if it wasn't metallic, at least the gold being consistently metallic would be fine. I like that we have some "eyeliner" for the eye slits, though it could be better aligned. The figure's articulation is generally good for a bulky figure this tall, with neck rotation and a slight bop back and forth, shoulder rotation, outward arm movement, bicep rotation, single-jointed elbows, wrist rotation, inward wrist curling, a diaphragm joint so heavy on its spring that it feels like it's going to break when rotated, a waist swivel that was initially tight out of the box, hips on heavy-duty ball joint-type systems, thigh rotation, surprisingly double-jointed knees, and ankles that can hinge as well as pivot. Even with the bulk, this figure can still pose very well.
The armor plates on the torso can be removed to reveal some inner detailing for the Hulkbuster armor, from the hollow arc reactor to the circuitry that has a small bit of paintwork, yet it feels so incomplete that it feels barely any different from the panels proper if it weren't for the intricate surface area. I also wish the Repulsor Blasts on the palms were painted, since you would think they would have been touched up for anyone who'd want to do a blasting pose. To his credit, the alternate Tony Stark head compliments the inner detailing cast in gunmetal, which does add some needed color break-up, yet is otherwise the only area that has that sort of separation from the mostly red upper body. Also, I have to say that those panels are far too annoying to keep locked in place. You have to hold onto both sides of the torso whenever you pose the figure at the arms or torso, since the plates can easily be dislodged. Makes me feel that maybe some extra pegs would have helped a bit.
For a size comparison, here he is with the Extremis armor as well as the Incredible Hulk from the 20th anniversary wave of Marvel Legends. To its credit, the figure complements both the suit it was meant to go with (or not if you remember the comic cover the packaging used), and having the Hulk be a smaller figure does give the Hulkbuster some bang for your buck, and the size of it makes the price somewhat justifiable. Though the gold inconsistencies speak volumes when the smaller Legends Iron Man had a more consistent shade of gold throughout (even if the red wasn't that metallic at all).
Overall, I want to say that this is the best Hulkbuster we've gotten in comic form, especially with how much I always wanted one that was more refined than the old Toy Biz version. I did want to get the Marvel Select version, but I never got around to buying one whenever other stuff popped up. I wanted to get this at a sale, but it wasn't until I got it at a convention that I spent a little less than the asking price. Around $50 was slightly better than $60+, and it's still easier to stomach than paying for either Maximum Profit figures Hasbro churned out. The sculpt looks great, the articulation is good for a bulky design, and the accessories are appreciative. That being said, the torso plates detaching easily gets annoying, the lack of metallic deco is a slap in the face given the inconsistency between the golds AND the Select having a wholly metallic deco, and the lack of paint apps for the palms and the inner panels takes points away for a figure this expensive.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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