Gladiator Hulk

Marvel fans around the globe are already anticipating the third installment of the movie Thor. Entitled Thor Ragnarok, the trailer boasts of a newly-dressed cast, which to brick fans mean a whole set of collectible Marvel characters in new elements.

The movie is set to adapt the plot line of Planet Hulk, where Hulk crash landed to Sakaar when his allies banished him from earth; coincidentally, Thor was held captive in Sakaar without his mighty hammer Mjolnir, and has to face his "friend from work" head on.

Undoubtedly, Hulk's gladiator form is an exciting twist for brick fanatics. Being used to Hulk's bigfig in various colors (Red Hulk, Gray Hulk, Yellow Hulk, etc.) and in various pants, the character suffered from inflexibility and commonness. In this new form, all is not lost; it seems that creators have stretched their imagination in replicating the movie version of Hulk. Although the bigfig used the old mold, the left arm mold and face-torso printing are good signs of investment.

(L) Hulk from Planet Hulk 2010 movie and (R) Hulk bigfig from Thor Ragnarok

Product
Brand/Model: Xinh 654
Condition: Bought without box in a clear plastic bag

Character
Name: Hulk (version from Thor Ragnarok movie)
Comics: Marvel
Affiliation: Avengers (banished)
Superpowers: superhuman physical ability, berserker strength, agility, healing
Paraphernalia: hammer

(L) bird's-eye view
(R) overhead shot

Hulk bigfig consists of 28 pieces – 1 head, 1 torso, 2 arms, 2 hands, 1 standard baseplate, 1 helmet, 1 panache, 16 hammer parts, 1 head connector, and 2 arm connectors.

I'll give you an arm!

Gladiator Hulk bigfig features a bad ass left arm. The brown, layered form replicates the leather feel of the animated version, while the blue layers in the shoulder area are supposed to match the theme of the much-awaited film. Take this arm and give it a red and silver look, then you will get a bad ass Colossus bigfig arm.

(L) side view of the helmet
(R, T) front view
(R, B) back view

The common Roman helmet adapted for this bigfig looks so Gundam-y and Alphonse-y (the latter from Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood) to me, which is cool. It could be the head to shoulder attachment, without too much room for neck, that gave this illusion.

(L) weapon in upright position and facing front
(C) upright and lateral position
(R) inverted

Harley Quinn would actually love this lamp post-looking hammer. Its beauty lies in the slanted sides of the hammer, where a brick with three connectors holds the elements together.

(L) torso with tattoos of digital or alien writings and printings of  straps connecting the armor elements
(R) baldy Hulk's face with similar tattoos and angry face

Hulk bigfig's printings in the torso and face are thematically-aligned with Thor Ragnarok. No arm printings, no alternate face, no printings on pants, and no printings in the back.

Get ready to rumble!

In three to five years, this bigfig might get extinct, so do yourself a favor and get a set. It's definitely a must-have! ;)

Beauty and the Beast

With its worldwide release nearing, Disney's classic animated film made into live action, Beauty and the Beast, is expected to draw audiences in all classes around the globe.

Listening to Ariana Grande and John Legend's version of the classic song of the same title, popularized by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, over and over, gave me a little of the thrill feels.

When I went to purchase knockoff hauls of new Batman minifigures from SGL Toys in Greenhills, I got my hands on the light blue, nerdy-looking and at the same time badass, Mr Freeze minifigure. Inspired by his clear glass, dome-shaped headpiece, I built a Beauty and the Beast iconic piece.

Ta-da! The rose in the glass jar.

Tale as old as time

Using an intentionally blurred sunset backdrop and official movie logo, I gathered some knockoff pieces from different brands and sets to build the brick scene.

(1) The white arch pieces and clock face are from Wange - Spasskaya Tower of Russia

(2) The beige base of the glass jar and brown cylinder are from Harley Quinn minifigure mallet
(3) The jar's stem is from the hilt of the sword from one of the Shengyuan Ninjago minigures
(4) The flower stem is a gold thorn from Kreo Liftoff minifigure
(5) The red rose is from one of the accessories from Friends minifigure of Shengyuan
(6) The glass is, as mentioned, from the latest minifigure of Mr Freeze

Until then, fellow bricksters! 

Posthuman God

Dubbed as the Most Supreme Being of DC Comics, I present to you, Doctor Manhattan, named after the Manhattan Project. A nuclear physicist, who after being deconstructed, his reanimation made him teeming with superpowers. A character created by one of the most celebrated graphic novelist, Alan Moore.

Product
Brand/Model: Xinh 388
Condition: Bought without box, but sealed in a clear plastic bag
Price: ~0.75 USD

Character
Name: Dr Jon Osterman
AKA: Doctor Manhattan
Comics: DC Comics
Affiliation: Watchmen
Superpowers: Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Dimensional travel, Precognition, No need for air, water, food or sleep

Going Nuclear!

The blue man consisted of 11 pieces – 1 head, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 1 torso, 2 arms, 3 hands, and 1 basic baseplate with 4 studs.

Deconstructed Doc Manhattan

The torso is straight forward, much like the character in comic version – just outlines of chest and abdomen.

Blue Mannequin

The head is printed with the eerie white eyes, black eyeliners and dark blue shadows. The iconic bull’s eye mark looks like a third eye. Fans would be disappointed to find a perfect mark where the outer circle should have a dot at the top center. Nonetheless, the head represents Doctor Manhattan.

Don’t stare!

No dual printing in the head and the back torso has simple lines.

Who that?!

The legs have no printing and the connector is plain black, to represent Doctor Manhattan’s creepy beach guy look.

Blue Legs in a Black Trunks

No side arms printing, as well. Overall, an unremarkable minifigure. Nothing special.

Let’s go to the beach!

There is no known official minifigure of Doctor Manhattan to date, so for fans of Watchmen, the Xinh knockoff is a must have.

All Men in Blue (L-R) Electro, Doctor Manhattan, Mr Freeze, and Archangel

Doctor Manhattan Contemplating In Mars

Spider-Man Noir

One of the best finds from my Greenhills haul, Spider-Man Noir is fun to shoot with,  not to mention that the design can be used for any western or cowboy scene set up. In fact, it is reminiscent of Westworld's Hector character, owing to the leather vest and black ensemble.

Every Hero Has a Code.

Web Slinging by Moonlight

Product
Brand/Model: Xinh 217
Condition: Bought without box, but sealed in a clear plastic bag
Price: ~0.75 USD

 Character
Name: Peter Parker of Earth-90214
AKA: The Spider-Man Noir
Editorial: Eyes Without a Face
Comics: Marvel
Affiliations: Amazing Arachnids, Spider-Army
Superpowers: organic webbing, spider sense, superhuman agility

The bag contained 14 parts - 1 head, 1 hat, 2 arms, 1 torso, 3 hands, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 1 cape, 1 pistol, and 1 baseplate. The baseplate has 4 studs.

Dissected Spider-Man Noir

The legs are printed with black-gray color scheme, detailing the pinstripe pants. The toes have extra prints which either create the look of steel toe shoes or that Noir's wearing boots.

Pinstripe Pants

Nothing special with the back of the legs,  no prints.

Basic Black

Noir's torso prints detail a double-breasted leather vest; the brick is not leathery itself -  well,  at least the illusion of cowboy leather is there.

Buttons Up! 

The back torso printing carries the iconic eight-legged logo in white. It covers the whole back torso which I think can be inter-changed to the front for a touch of creativity in shooting scenes (just cover the back with a cape).

Spider-Man,  Spider-Man

Noir's head has the iconic slanted white eyes,  which imbibe the goggles he wear in the comics. The gray printing in the mouth area passes for the shadowy outlines of the mask, while the thin gray printed lines at the top of the head detail the leather stitches.

Dude,  where's my gun?... and arms!? 

The printing on the back of the head details the leather stitches, similar to the front printing.

Stitches

The assembled Spider-Man Noir minifigure looks bad ass. The fedora hat (the texture is of course, ABS plastic!) and black felt cape complete the awesome look.

Noir Portrait

Draw of the Pistols at 12 Noon

There is no official minifigure release of Spider-Man Noir but the video game has its version. 

Video Game version

I'd say that Xinh knockoff version looks spiffier than the game version, which is also close to the comics version. 

Comics version 

If you're into knockoffs, go and get one. It's a  nice addition to Spiderverse collection. 

Spider-Man Noir Saving the City

You Imposter in Red and Blue! 

Until the next post!  😊

Happy Haul-y Day!

There is a spot I visited for my knockoff haul this weekend, a tip from a fellow blogger (downtheblocks)  - Angelomarcus in Greenhills, San Juan.  The place is heaven for cheapskate collectors!

I bought the minifigs by Xinh and Pogo, and a 12-piece set by Dargo, which the seller insisted them to be a real good buy. Sadly, they don't have Professor X,  Cable and Enchantress anymore; but the white Statue of Liberty lady and bicycles are quite interesting.

I wish I get the time to shoot and post each minifig.

Until the next post.

Haul-ogram for the King

Photo Test - The Flash (err...  not the camera flash)