Diamond Select Toys released their Marvel Select Thor: Ragnarok Gladiator Hulk Figure this week, and fans looking to purchase one might have some difficulty obtaining one, as this figure is one of the definitive versions ever released of the character. Gladiator Hulk is based on his appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, and fans learn what Thor and Hulk were up to as neither character appeared in Captain America: Civil War. At least Marvel kept true to the comic storyline “Civil War,” which was published from 2006-2007, as neither character appeared in story as well. Gladiator Hulk first appeared in the Marvel Comics storyline “Planet Hulk,” which was also published between 2006-2007. In the comics, the Hulk was banished by the Illuminati (Black Bolt, Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, and Reed Richards), he ends up on Planet Sakaar, where is he forced to fight in an arena. While we’re hopeful to see a comic based version of this character, fans can at least own the movie based version with superior deco and detail, as expected in the Marvel Select line.
A Diamond Select Toys release! They’re friends from work! Send your Marvel Select collection to the distant reaches of the galaxy with these two new 7-inch scale action figures based on the new Marvel Studios film, Thor: Ragnarok! Depicting Thor and the Hulk in their gladiator gear (Sold separately), each figure features 16 points of articulation and includes weapons seen in the film. Each figure comes packaged in the famous Select action figure packaging, with side panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant!
Availability: January 2018
Gladiator Hulk stands at roughly 10 1/2″ tall with the helmeted head sculpt, and features a massive and bulky figure sculpt that is the definitive version of this character to-date. Gladiator Hulk is sculpted as he appeared in Thor: Ragnarok, which is the Marvel cinema version of Planet Hulk from the comics, and tells the story of Hulk’s rise to champion of the arena. The armor is inspired of Ancient Rome, and includes a harness for his chest, left shoulder guard, armor for his left arm and forearms. The armor several different textures depending on the surface. The armor on his left arm and forearm has rustic deco painted on the surface, with looks very nicely done. The wrists are wrapped in different style of bandages, and the right side is purple, and the left side is blue. The shoulder guard is painted in grey, with a black wash over it. The front part of this shoulder guard is painted in a shiny blue, with black wash over it. The lion cloth features some great details sculpted on, and is painted in brown and dark purple, which matches the forearms, right wrist and chest harness. It is held in place by a strap, with a belt buckle. The figure also includes sandals, which are painted in brown and purple straps.
Gladiator Hulk has two head sculpts, one that is helmeted, and one without the helmet. The helmeted head sculpt has a silver helmet, with a wash over it, tattoos on the right side, with red and white designs on top. The facial expression for this sculpt looks to be blank stare, as if Hulk is measuring his opponent for the fight. His skin is painted in green, with a wash over it, and the right side has tattoos that also cover the harness. The un-helmeted head sculpt includes his black hair, with a green wash over it, and the facial expression is the same. The hair includes a texture, and each piece of hair is individually sculpted. The tattoos also appear on the right side of the face.
For a size comparison, here is the Marvel Select Gladiator Hulk, compared to Hasbro’s Marvel Legends Build-A-Figure Gladiator Hulk from last year. The Marvel Select version is bigger and bulkier, and much more menacing looking. The detail and deco is also superior, with all of the sculpted textures on the armor, paint wash, and patterns in the armor, the Marvel Select figure is a better representation of the character. Hasbro’s is good, and we like the removable helmet feature on this figure, but DST’s release is a few steps beyond it in terms of detail and deco. Not to mention the height difference.
The figure is fully articulated, which includes a ball jointed neck, ball jointed chest, ball hinged shoulders, swivel biceps, hinged elbows, swivel-hinged wrists, swivel-hinged hips, swivel thighs, double hinged knees, and swivel-hinged ankles.
Included with Hulk is his gladiator hammer and axe. The rustic paint is there, but not as sprayed on as Hasbro’s offering. These accessories are light weight, hollow, and mostly painted in silver, with the rustic deco around the edges. The handles are also easier to fit into their hands,
Overall, Marvel fans will love this figure, and he is a great representation of his film appearance, and is also one of the best Marvel Select figures released in the past year. Finding one may prove to be difficult, but luckily, you may be able to find one today, as he will be in comic shops or an online retailer now.
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