.

The packaging is the now-usual Marvel Minimates box as seen in waves 4 and 5. It features the Marvel Universe logo along the side of the box, instead of the Incredible Hulk logo which earlier Hulk-specific packs had. The packaging also has the faces on the side of the boxes.

The figures are packed in a bubble tray, and have no twist-ties holding them in. Instead, a second clear tray piece fits over the top and then locks in, meaning that these figures are held in well and can be seen from each side.

The first figure in this set is the Leader, who, like Bruce Banner, was caught in a gamma explosion. The Leader developed incredible intelligence rather than super-strength and became one of the Hulk’s enemies.

The most eye-catching thing about the Leader is, of course, his huge head. This has been recreated very well in Minimate form. I was surprised to discover that the head was one piece, as I had assumed that it would be a standard Minimate head block with a huge forehead piece attached. This head piece is therefore a lot bigger than the normal Minimate heads, and the hairpiece isn’t removable. This is a shame, because it would have been fun to put some of the Marvel Minimate hairpieces on an oversized head. Regardless, the head piece works well, and the expression is a good one, showing his sneering contempt.

Unfortunately, the other thing that strikes you about this figure is how badly it’s been painted. The prominent orange and yellow makes the figure stand out, but it looks as though the yellow has been slapped on. This figure also has the common black line detailing (which separates the gloves from the arms, for example) and this highlights where the paint has been applied badly. Trouble spots are the top of the boots and gloves, which are very uneven, and the belt, which has been given an extra spot of yellow which looks very out of place given the line detailing. The Leader comes with no accessories.

Overall, the Leader is a Minimate that tries hard to be different but has a few flaws holding him back.

MMC Score – 5 out of 10

The second figure in the set is another version of the Hulk. We have had both a Green Hulk and a Grey Hulk, so what can AA do to make this a new variant? Make him out of translucent green plastic, baby! Gamma Hulk really is just the original Green Hulk cast in clear plastic (similar to Twilight Frodo in the Lord of the Rings Minimates line). The hairpiece, and the expression on his face matches the original rather than the angrier-looking Grey Hulk.

Due to the translucenticity (is that a word? It is now!) of the Gamma Hulk, there is very little painted detail. However Gamma Hulk has the same muscular detailing on the body as the other Hulks, and it still looks good. Also like the other Hulk Minimates, Gamma Hulk comes with no accessories but it’s hard to think of any they could have added.

Overall, this will be a Minimate you either love or hate. There will be no middle ground. Me? I love him, and he gets the highest score out of all the Hulks released so far. Maybe I’m a sucker for translucent plastic, I don’t know, but there’s just something that screams “FUN!!!” about this figure. 

Review and pictures by Danny Mills

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