This ultra nasty version of the Hulk is brought to you by Bowen designs. The Statue has great design, detail and life. The problem is that you have to be an expert to know the backstory but it’s worth having in your collection.
In case you don’t know this version of the Hulk don’t worry a lot of people don’t. This is a future version of Hulk, approximately 100 years in the future. He first appeared in 1992’s Future Imperfect series and then again in 1998. This Hulk has lived on a radioactive planet for years absorbing energy and strength with the brains of Bruce Banner. Let’s just say, it isn’t a good combination.
Bowen Designs has gone Hulk the last few months with the release of 4 Hulk statues, retro green Hulk, retro gray Hulk, Maestro Hulk and Planet Hulk. A lot of times Bowen and other manufacturers will make 2 different color statues with very small changes. This time all four are unique. Even the retro green version and the retro gray version which look similar are significantly different. The grey hulk has a really nice desert base complete with cactus and a skull. He has different pants, face and a tattered shirt on his shoulders. For those people who enjoyed the gray Hulk era this is a must have. Think about it, a full size Randy Bowen statue of a great comic book character and produced at such a low rate (800 pieces)
The green version of the Retro Green Hulk by Bowen is the one I really want to talk about though. The production is low at 1400 pieces but not ridiculously low like the grey Hulk. There are all kinds of Hulk fans some like the more monster-ish looking hulk, with a distorted face or features. I prefer a more “realistic” Hulk with features and a face that is to scale. Somehow that make a Gamma Radiation Giant sized Green man more believable. This statue by Bowen Designs captures that Hulk with an intensity in his face. Angry, flexed muscled beast ready to rip something apart.
When the second Hulk movie came out in 2008 Kotobukiya released some statues related to that movie. The Incredible Hulk statue was numbered to 3000 pieces and the Abomination statue was numbered to 1300 pieces. They made a Hulk Bust that basically shows the Hulk flexing. (showing off the cannons)
It’s my experience that whenever you make a statue or bust based on a movie, the statue isn’t judged on it’s merits but that of the movie. If the movie sucks then people will automatically think the statue sucks. It’s not really fair but that’s the way it is. In case you didn’t see the movie here’s a clip of the fight scene.
Back to the Kotobukiya Hulk Statue, there are tons of great details with this statue. Hulk’s feet embedded in the asphalt, the Hummer underbelly, the veins and muscle on Hulk. Then there’s the feeling found in this statue, enough rage to rip a Hummer apart. Overall I think it’s a really good statue. Incredible Hulk Kotobukiya Pricing
I read the Planet Hulk series by Pak and loved it so when Sideshow announced a Planet Hulk Diorama, giddiness began. As they started leaking out pictures I was ready to own one. They took the cover of Hulk #95 and created an amazing diorama based on artwork by Ladronn. It features the Incredible Hulk versus Silver Surfer or to use the terms from Planet Hulk, Green Scar vs. Silver Savage. The interior artwork wasn’t done by Ladronn it was done by Aaron Lopresti. If you didn’t read the series you need to do that first it’s a great story. There are a few completely unbelievable parts but for the most part you can sink into the story and enjoy it. Back to this statue, this diorama comes in 2 pieces so that you can arrange it slightly different than intended. The Sideshow exclusive version comes with a removable helmet for the Hulk, which is cool. When you compare this statue with Bowen’s Planet Hulk Statue there are some differences. Bowen’s Hulk statue is taller and features less action, Sideshow’s has Silver Surfer and is action packed. It’s tough to go wrong on either really.
Most die hard Hulk fans have already made the decision to own this statue or not. But just in case, I noticed that Sideshow was having a sale on the last few exclusives in their stock so now is a good time to pick one up. Currently they are 254.99 if you use this link below.
It’s surprising how many different Hulk Statues there are out there. Bowen Designs has made many Hulk statues. Koto, Sideshow, Diamond Select, etc, etc Over the years Hulk has really changed, added incarnations, been recreated, changed colors, changed personalities, changed intellect. Very few comic book characters have undergone such dramatic changes, that’s one of the reasons why he is so interesting. Then there’s the battle between Bruce Banner’s uncontrollable nature and his calm exterior. Hulk is one, if not THE most interesting comic book character.
