There were some paint issues on my Hercules which is a shame because there isn’t much paint. Most of the work is done with the appropriately-colored plastic, leaving the face details the crucial area. It’s hard to see in the pics, but the beard on my Herc is fairly sloppy. He’s one of the figures I want to take the paints too should I ever have a free decade. Below the neck, the few paint apps are sharply done.
Hercules gets one accessory, his classic cudgel. It’s the one he should’ve come with and I’m glad he has it. It’s a well-done piece and fits great in either hand. The only thing I don’t like is the “leather” loop hanging from the grip. I never like those, but this one is a little extra frustrating – it’s big enough that it would look great hanging from Herc’s belt, but the belt isn’t removable. Doh. Still the sculpt is solid and the paintwork clean, so I’m happy.
Overall, Hercules is easily one of the best MU figures to come out last year. Heck, he might be one of the best figures in the entire line. His original sculpt suits him perfectly and I love seeing him in his 80s duds. The real gem though is the articulation. I love when the big boys can move. Too often, bulk translates into limited articulation in any scale. What I really enjoy about MU though is how much love they’ve given Thor when ML hasn’t. That line completed its Wrecking Crew. It’s got a Frost Giant. A Radioactive Man not stuck in developmental limbo. Clor. Enchantress. A frickin’ classic Loki! And now a great Hercules to hang out with Thor. MU just needs to give me a Zarrko, Grey Gargoyle, & Mr. Hyde and I’ll be one happy MU collector. Oh, and get Executioner & Valkyrie out of limbo. And that orange Foom. And a Ego the Living Planet wouldn’t hurt. Did I mention I love classic Thor?
For all our Marvel Reviews, check out our Review Index.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
I love that last picture.
Great! I was worried it was too obscure a reference, like all of Family Guy. 😛 LOL
No way, BBATB is cherished by a great many DC fans. I still wish we’d have received a DCUC Aquaman in his BBATB style to hang out with my Legacy Golden Age Batman.
I would’ve bought it. But I also really wanted DCUC Justice Lord Supes.
Nope, I could actually hear John DiMaggio in my head when I read that.
(I’m a voice acting nerd.)
I have really mixed feelings about ML because I really loved my Marvel Legends, and most that I’ve acquired aren’t nearly as nice as this Hercules. However, they seem to be willing to mine more classic looks than the new Marvel Legends will, and there’s no insulting build-a-figure gimmick urging me to buy stuff I don’t want in order to get stuff I do. Still, replacing my ML collection with something that takes up less space is a little tempting.
BAFs can be evil! I’m looking at you Mandroid.
#TeamBeard!! 😉
Herc is one of the fun characters still around, like Shulkie and, yes, even Deadpool, but the crucial element is he doesn’t break the fourth wall like those two. I got into Marvel when he was a regular in the 80s, so he’s always been one of “my” mainstay Avengers.
Mine seems to have a bit light/thin paint on the head, as well, and it doesn’t help that the belt keeps riding up, revealing his speedo crotch. Trimming the skirt off the ML reveals a smaller crotch, too. LOL
(I think ActorJez turned an Ult.Spidey/Peter hoodie into a “diaper” to bulk it up? wait, no, Jez did his before Hasbro took over, didn’t he?)
I don’t have that many MU, so I was not aware his torso was new for this figure. However, I seem to recall that Herc’s bracers were full wrist straps, not half-straps as seen here or on several MOTU forearms.
Not a fan of those boot sculpt, either. I know I tried a couple customs from JAKKS WWF/E figures before the ML came out, and repainting the solid wrestling boots looked better, but the proper style of sandal-type boots is hard to recreate for someone who just does mostly repaints and part swappage.
I’m also still annoyed that Hasbro couldn’t give him this harness as an added pack-in for the ML figure, and removable kilt/skirting (what IS the proper name for a Greek kilt?), so we could make this look. I know it was a popular custom for many when it was released.
(I know some used rubber bands, but I could never get them to hold paint, and knew they would crumble in a few years, anyway.)
So who would you like to see play Hercules in a MCU movie?
-Galifianakis has the beard, humor, and Greek heritage, but getting Peaches into fighting shape will take a year. or two.
-Tyler Labine (X-Files, Reaper) has been discussed, and he has slimmed down from his usual fat stoner dude appearance sometime between Super Clyde (the Ron Weasley pilot with Sir Stephen Fry) and Best Man Down, and seems to have a couple more movies and another series in the works?
-random WWE wrestler? Paul Wight? maybe if he grows his hair back on top. nah, Show is too tall, but maybe he could be Executioner?
I owned a few Marvel Universe figures last year and Hercules was one of them. Out of all of them Hercules was definitely the best sculpted and most fun to pose. I still prefer 6″ scale figures but the Marvel Universe version is superior to the Legends version in almost everyway.
Nice nod to TB&TB there at the end.:D
This turned out to be an amazing figure. For most fans, it’s their best remembered version of Hercules given how well the 80’s Stern/Buscema/Palmer run has aged over the years. It’s got me wanting characters like Captain Marvel, Starfox, and Doctor Druid now to round out that era’s roster. 🙂
yup!
and did Black Knight get a proper 80s figure? I know the ML version left a lot to be desired, but I could have sworn they did a BK from that era in MU?
Yep the MU one is classic 60’s/70’s/80’s, cape and armor and all.
A very nice figure with great sculpting and poseability, which captures Herc’s fun-lovin’ personality well.
Also an absolutely vital part of a “classic” Avengers lineup, along with Black Knight who just came out. Now we’re just missing Mantis and we’ll have had every Avenger from the start up until the Shooter era in MU.
Well.
Other than Rick Jones, of course.
Unless we count A-Bomb.
Which i’m pretty sure we’re trying not to.
Anyway, great review and great pics as usual, that last one is amazing. 😀
I kept seeing him but don’t recall if ever bought him. I did have the MLs one and yes this lilbHerc blows it outta the water. I still see him hanging around but have to find out if didn’t buy him already. I know have a couple annuals with Herc in them. One big 4 parter that has the FF and Avengers teaming up to battle a group in the end. I know Herc and Thor were at a bar and slamming back a few in one part.
I really love my Hercules, and between him and my Amazing Spidey Friends set, they keep my MU shelf from being dismantled.
MU can be pretty good when Hasbro actually puts in a little effort. It’s too bad they insist on using so many of the inferior bucks they produced.