The collection of any self-respecting Marvel fan would be woefully incomplete without memorabilia immortalizing and miniaturizing The Incredible Hulk. The muscle-bound monster and his tattered purple shorts have burned themselves into the brains of comic readers and moviegoers the world over, making the market for Hulk collectibles a profitable one. Why? Because icons sell. Since he first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962), the Incredible Hulk has remained one of comics' most recognizable characters. A founding member of the Avengers and a powerhouse who has participated in many team-ups and beatdowns, Bruce Banner has secured his place beside legends like Peter Parker, Tony Stark, Thor, and so many others.
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Now, with Bruce Banner set to appear in November's Thor: Ragnarok, manufacturers, and retailers like Sideshow Collectibles, Bowen Designs, and XM Studios (all featured in the coming pages) have begun teasing new Hulk collectibles that will have any collector foaming at the mouth. Why wouldn't they? The character's likeness in statue form is guaranteed cash. To celebrate the Hulk and his value, we've put together a list of must-have, must-see, or must-desire Hulk collectibles. We aren't directly responsible for the draining of your savings account or paycheck, but we sure did facilitate it. Enjoy your new stuff!
15 THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETRO GRAY STATUE BY BOWEN DESIGNS
Randy Bowen makes incredible collectibles. A master of his craft, the guy brings such life, such value to each piece that it's nearly impossible not to love what he creates. Hardcore collectors know his name, and they won't forget it anytime soon. He's been on our radar for years, and even we haven't seen a piece as beautiful and eye-catching as the one glimpsed above. It's difficult to believe that he started as a garage kit creator.
As a carefully crafted masterwork, the piece has few equals. Bowen has designed and sculpted everything from Jeff Smith's Smiley Bone (from the acclaimed Bone epic) to Marvel characters such as Thor, Iron Patriot, and more. The company's website no longer exists, making statues like this one even more difficult to acquire. Marvel at the craftsmanship. Revel in the expertise.
Price: $399.99
14 KING HULK PREMIUM FORMAT FIGURE BY SIDESHOW
Kings are inherently intimidating, so you can imagine the awe we felt when we stumbled upon Sideshow's jaw-dropping King Hulk Premium Format Figure. Anything the company releases generally sells like hot cakes on a cold morning, but this takes the cake (sorry) as one of the purveyor's most inspired works.
King Hulk featured in Marvel's popular World War Hulk from 2007 and has since become one of the most fearsome iterations of the character to date. The story finds Hulk tricked by the Illuminati and a Nick Fury imposter, a betrayal that leads him on a quest for vengeance. "World War Hulk" is about to reenter fans' minds with the big green guy's upcoming appearance in the aforementioned Thor: Ragnarok, so we think this will be a hot property.
Price: $1499.99
13 GRAY INCREDIBLE HULK PREMIUM FORMAT FIGURE BY SIDESHOW
Here's another Gray Hulk statue, this time put out by Sideshow. Unlike the Bowen Designs piece, this statue loses the ripped orange vest and takes a more aggressive stance. Pretty cool. While many consider modern Hulk to be “their” Hulk, the character didn't go green until the second issue. He wasn't gray in his first outing with the Avengers, and few, if any, modern depictions showcase his original coloring.
Despite the brevity of his gray appearance, this version of the Hulk still deserves attention and affection. It's obvious that there's still a great deal of interest on collectors' part, hence the abundance of gray Hulk statues currently floating around the web. This statue is almost impossible to find, and we feel Sideshow really needs to release a second run, even if their newer offerings hold more relevance.
Price: $499.99
12 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON HULK ARTFX+ STATUE BY KOTOBUKIYA
This one falls on the cheaper side, which is good because our wallets were starting to scream in protest. Kotobukiya produces many statues of similar quality and price, so if you're looking for something a bit more reasonable then you can finally stop searching high and low for an affordable collectible. We found it for you.
Inspired by Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron, this movie-accurate piece captures the savagery and torment that characterize Mark Ruffalo's take on the character. We haven't seen him since his fateful departure in the aforementioned film, but with his return in Thor: Ragnarok looming, it's nice to revisit his character where we last left him. You can buy this at any major retailer. Plenty of them exist, so don't worry about racing the clock here.
Price: $69.99
11 THOR: RAGNAROK HULK GALLERY STATUE BY DIAMOND SELECT
As the cheapest piece on the list, the Thor: Ragnarok Hulk Gallery Statue by Diamond Select Toys boasts a darker paint job and a slightly more relaxed look. His mouth isn't open in a full-throated scream, but it certainly looks like he's prepping for one. At 12 inches, he's not the tallest or most impressive of the lot, but he captures the essence of the character and functions as a must-have for collectors hoping to jump on the Thor/Hulk train this November.
This Hulk made this list not because of his low price or unique positioning, but because of the minimalistic approach the designers took. He's wearing and carrying some heavy gear, but there's a charm to his look we can't place. He's more action figure than statue, but that doesn't detract from his value. It will hit stores in January 2018.
Price: $49.99
10 HULK AND WOLVERINE MAQUETTE BY SIDESHOW
Wolverine and the Hulk have been fighting since the former first appeared in the '70s. This beautifully-sculpted recreation of a classic confrontation may be our favorite because it encapsulates the relationship between the two in the simplest way. Pricing on this one is surprising given how many people received credit for its creation. Sideshow's web site lists 11 people, and that doesn't include their design and development team. It stands at 23'' tall.
The piece revisits the first confrontation between the near-invincible mutant and the unquestionably invincible Hulk, commemorating a meeting that would shape the Marvel landscape for decades. It's a must-own for the hardcore collector. Two editions are available: the exclusive and the collector's edition. The exclusive edition is no longer available, but you can snag the collector's version for that absurdly reasonable price.
Price: $649.99
9 HULK BY KANG GOON AND TJ CHA FOR DEVIL PLANET
This piece isn't for sale yet, but damn does it stand out. Designed by South Korean artist Kang Minjung (Kang Goon) and sculpted by Tj Cha, this gorgeously blocky sculpture stands tall as the most unique statue on this list. It's a shame that no release or price has been announced. We know it's cruel to include gorgeous pieces that you can't buy, but we couldn't resist. It's too great of a piece to be left out.
Oh, and it's worth mentioning that the classic Hulk is paired with an identically-styled Red Hulk (and there's a Gray Hulk too). There haven't been any updates since January 2016, so it's likely the pair hit snags during production and it could be delayed. Keep your eyes peeled for any/all updates that may be posted!
Price: Unavailable
8 INCREDIBLE HULK CLASSIC COMIC COVER BY MASTER REPLICAS
This Master Replica recreation of the Hulk's first appearance is only available used, but the meticulous attention to detail and accuracy solidify it as one of the most incredible pieces of Hulk memorabilia ever made available. It's an older release, so expect some wear and tear on the packaging but it would still be worth the effort.
Despite the dings and dents on the display box, the piece still ranks as one of the most impressive works we found. It's pricey but well worth it, as it brings the classic comic to life in a beautifully rendered collectible. There's not a ton of information about its manufacturing history, which at first struck us as sketchy but now just reaffirms our belief that this piece is a special one.
Price: $899
7 MARVEL CLASSIC AVENGERS HULK BY KOTOBUKIYA
The texture really sells this one. It looks pleasing to touch, and the facial expression is wonderfully detailed. This is the classic Hulk that fans of both the comics and all his recent appearances in the MCU can get behind. Depicted tearing out of his trademark purple shorts, this menacing Hulk harkens back to the days when he was part of the founding heroes that formed Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers, to combat Loki on that faithful day.
Manufactured by Kotobukiya, Marvel's Classic Avengers Hulk is as eye-catching as it is masterfully done taking older comic fans back to the days of the classic Hulk comics, and would make any collector scream with unbridled joy and longing. Okay, maybe not. Still, it's a sweet find worth the shelf space it will take up.
Price: $499.99
6 PLANET HULK STATUE BY BOWEN DESIGNS
Bowen Designs strikes again with a piece that's stunning, frightening, and awe-inspiring all at once. Straight from the pages of "Planet Hulk", this statue represents the best of the company's work as the Green Goliath looks just as frightening here as he did when he was drawn on the page. A Hulk decked out in armor and armed with club and shield is a Hulk worth winning over, even if he doesn't look like he's ready to be won over by anyone.
Only someone truly dedicated to their fandom should be looking at adding this piece to their collection. Priced at a staggering $2,884.24, this item will only be found in the home of the most passionate Marvel collector and truly dedicated Hulk fan. That's a good thing, but it'll be appreciated there.
Price: $2,884.24
5 RED HULK POLYSTONE STATUE BY SIDESHOW
Oh, boy. Here comes General Thaddeus Ross in his fearsome Red Hulk form, ready to do battle and smash hapless enemies to bits. While not the traditional Hulk that your parents (or your grandparents) grew up with, the Red Hulk has carved a special place in the hearts of Hulk fans and in the Marvel Universe as a whole.
Yet another beauty from the fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles, this statue features more line work than many of the other pieces featured here. Even more impressively, the piece stands on a base of what looks like splintered concrete; who knows how long that took to put together. This particular piece can be found on eCrater.com, where it will run you $around $1300. Not a bad price for lifelong bragging rights.
Price: $1,299.99
4 MARVEL RED HULK STATUE BY BOWEN DESIGNS
Randy Bowen's artistic take on Red Hulk is a fun one. We've noticed a trend in Bowen's designs and preferences: he prefers to depict Hulk as one who's readying himself for battle rather than one who's currently doing battle. This whole look is a nice departure from the dime-a-dozen pieces trying to “wow” us with spectacular action and much fewer details.
Shown here with a devious smile and ready (only ready) to wreck someone, this design calls back more to the art from the comics and, in some oddly comforting way, is a much more inviting look for the normally-green-but-now-red goliath. This sculpture allows Bowen and co-designer Troy McDevitt to focus on who the character is rather than what the character is doing.
Price: $1099.98
3 PLANET HULK 1/4 SCALE STATUE BY XM STUDIOS
Limited to only 999 pieces, this super sweet, super black-and-white statue takes “awesome” to lofty new heights. Perched on the head of a slain alien monster, the Hulk stands triumphant as power emanates from his stocky frame and his assortment of head-cleaving weapons. This is the dominating and smashing King Hulk that fans came to love during the "Planet Hulk" storyline and you can thank XM Studios for this one.
If you're drooling over this statue like we are, you're going to have to wait a bit longer because the Planet Hulk/King Hulk Statue comes with an estimated shipping date of October 2017. That may seem like ages for the impatient collector, but it's looking like it'll absolutely be worth it.
Price: $1300 ($500 deposit required)
2 HULK PORCELAIN STATUE BY HARD HERO
eBay can be a treasure trove if you know where to look and know what you're looking for, and we absolutely knew where to look and what we wanted in this rare Hulk statue. For $300, this incredible statue can be yours. This one oozes “classic,” and is all the more endearing for it. It's hard to place a style on this one, but that's a big part of its appeal. It's its own thing, with its own look, its own vibe, its own aesthetic.
Hard Hero has produced dozens of high-quality statues, which tells us that any eBay seller isn't just some dude who makes unlicensed collectibles in a dirty basement. Some may find this Hulk roughly, even sloppily, sculpted, but we enjoyed the retro look and unconventional approach taken by the sculptors.
Price: $300
1 HULK MAQUETTE BY SIDESHOW
Years back, Sideshow released this magnificent statue as part of their Avengers collection. Fans of Joss Whedon's groundbreaking superhero ensemble film will salivate at the very sight of this ridiculously beautiful item. In honor of Mark Ruffalo's inspired performance, the sculptors took what we'll now call a “Bowen approach” to the look and feel of the piece, favoring “relative quiet before the storm” Hulk over “HULK SMASH” Hulk.
It's almost introspective, if the Hulk could even be introspective. We like this one for its simplicity and majesty, but also for the depiction of the Hulk and the state that he's in. Sadly, the piece is sold out on Sideshow's web site, but it's certainly available from third-party sellers. It's definitely worth at least a look or ten.
Price: $649.99
Are there any other Hulk statues you wish you could grab? Let us know in the comments section!