Review: 76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda
Posted by CapnRex101,76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda introduces another Hulkbuster, joining several previous renditions from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The glaring frequency of Hulkbuster models remains frustrating, although the new design looks fantastic!
Other minifigure-scale Hulkbusters have been produced before their respective films, whereas this example takes evident advantage of the available reference material. The curved shaping of the chest appears particularly successful in official images and the details are excellent, but there are certain faults I had not foreseen.
Summary
76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda, 385 pieces.
£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 11.7p/13.0c/13.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Notwithstanding some articulation issues, this is the best Hulkbuster to date
- Remarkably accurate design
- Impressive detail
- Good for display
- Very limited ankle articulation
- Minifigure cannot be fully enclosed
- Expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
With the Hulk unwilling to emerge, Bruce Banner pilots the mighty Hulkbuster during the Battle of Wakanda. This minifigure includes a new torso to recreate his clothing from Avengers: Infinity War, while his double-sided head is exclusive too. One side displays a confident smile, while the other shows Bruce's internal struggle with the Hulk, with veins bulging around his green eyes!
Okoye recently appeared in 76214 Black Panther: War on the Water and her minifigure remains almost unaltered here, including an identical head and torso. The intricate tattoo decorating the back of the head looks nice and continues onto the front, although the inevitable gaps around the sides are awkward. The torso appears perfect though, with accurate reddish brown and metallic gold designs.
Unlike the previous depiction of Okoye, this minifigure sports pearl gold shoulder armour. This element was originally developed for NINJAGO, but also suits the leader of the Dora Milaje quite well. As ever, Okoye is equipped with her spear, while Bruce has no need of handheld weapons when controlling the Hulkbuster.
The heroes are swamped by ferocious Outriders during the Battle of Wakanda. These aliens were first portrayed as minifigures in 2018 and they have not been updated since, which is perhaps surprising given the regular changes to the comparable LEGO Chitauri. However, there was little need for changes because these two minifigures look fantastic.
The combination of black and metallic gold flesh closely resembles the onscreen villains and I like the Outriders' dark red mouths, in particular. Moreover, their distinctive teeth look superb and I appreciate the uniformity between these minifigures and those in previous sets, which is testament to the quality of the figures from 2018. The aliens' claws and extra arms are welcome too, again matching their prior appearances.
The Completed Model
When the latest rendition of the Hulkbuster was announced, the accuracy of its chest attracted immediate praise. In fact, the proportions of the whole model are excellent, capturing the mech's bulky shape more faithfully than ever. Furthermore, the Hulkbuster measures 15cm in height, so is not dramatically oversized beside minifigures and feels ideal for play.
However, the above image demonstrates an unexpected issue with the design. The static knee joints are common, but the ankles are more restricted than I had hoped, so cannot rock forward very far to accommodate the bent knees. The mech therefore stands with its feet planted in front of the body, which looks odd. Fortunately, the toes are adjustable and offer alternatives, but the example shown below is not entirely stable.
While problematic for neutral posing, the unique construction of the legs provides an opportunity for interesting stances, not possible with most LEGO mechs. The toes are particularly vital and I was pleasantly surprised by how easily the model balances on the toes alone, once the legs are sufficiently separated to create a wide base.
There are numerous differences between the Hulkbuster Mark II and its predecessor, the most notable being the second edition's more streamlined torso. Two large sections of the chest are accordingly angled, with dark red 3x6x1 windscreen elements forming the shoulders and 2x3 curved wedge slopes continuing the shape towards the arc reactor.
An opalescent trans-light blue 1x1 round tile represents the arc reactor perfectly, while stickers provide further detail. A total of 14 stickers are included, which is more than I would like, but they are certainly effective. Surprisingly, there is no stickered console inside the cockpit. Even so, the interior is nicely finished and lifting the head gives easy access.
The interior looks good, but placing Bruce Banner inside and lowering the head reveals another disappointing issue. The pilot's hands can only be positioned pointing forwards and thus remain clearly visible beneath the dome. While the problem seems quickly resolvable, the structure of the chest actually leaves little space inside, hence the unfortunate arm position.
Thankfully, the arms of the Hulkbuster present no such problems. Despite relatively substantial shoulder armour, the joints underneath offer a good range of motion and are well-hidden, while the elbows include simple hinges. Like the knees, the arms cannot be straightened fully, but that corresponds with the onscreen Hulkbuster and their angled pose looks great.
Opalescent trans-light blue elements form additional arc reactors and repulsors across the back of the figure, with an accurate light bluish grey band framing the reactor. The earlier Hulkbuster inspired by Infinity War, in 76104 The Hulkbuster Smash-Up, lacked grey and silver accents, so introducing them here represents a particular improvement over the prior model from 2018.
As mentioned already, the legs are probably this figure's weakest area. Their articulation is fairly restricted and the width of the hips looks ungainly from certain angles, although the latter issue affects most LEGO mechs because of the need for articulated joints. Otherwise, I think the dark red and pearl gold detailing across the legs looks fantastic, while the knees make brilliant use of dark bluish grey robot arms as actuators.
The bigger tiles on the sides of both legs are effective as well. These could have disrupted the complex detail elsewhere on the Hulkbuster, but are carefully integrated and create the required impression of rounded armour. Additionally, the feet are adorned with pearl dark grey ingots and 1x1 round plates with hollow studs, balancing the tiles placed above.
Overall
When originally rumoured, there was seemingly little desire for another Hulkbuster among older teenage and adult LEGO fans. However, the outstanding quality of 76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda is undeniable and has definitely changed my mind! While earlier models have recreated the general outline of the cinematic Hulkbusters, this version pays careful attention to accuracy, particularly around the chest.
The ankle articulation is ineffective for neutral posing, but does not hinder more dynamic poses like that shown here. Bruce Banner's hands remaining visible is more disappointing and I think the price of £44.99, $49.99 or €49.99 feels expensive too. Nevertheless, this is undoubtedly my favourite minifigure-scale Hulkbuster and will become a worthy purchase, once discounted.
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36 comments on this article
@CapnRex101 said:
"Very limited ankle articulation"
Much more articulation here than some Hulkbusters (mentioning no names...)
"feels expensive too"
Much less expensive than... etc. etc.
Thanks for the great review! Small correction, @CapnRex101 - those are tattoos on the back of Okoye's head, not short hair.
It's pleasantly surprising to get such a great-looking Hulkbuster set after the massive disappointment of 76210. The design on this one is outstanding from a display perspective but I'm disappointed in the minifigure's hands obstructing the helmet from closing!
I think this set needed a little something extra to be worth the $50 price. The shoulder pads are a great addition to Okoye and Bruce's new face print is awesome, but Okoye still needs leg printing and we should've gotten a member of the Black Order here. Cull Obsidian would've been a perfect opponent for the Hulkbuster. You could recreate their battle from Infinity War and he would match the updated Ebony Maw from the Sanctum!
Much better than the big one.
Does the minifigure fit inside the cockpit of the mech with their arms rotated to the back?
Why do I feel as if this Hulkbuster skipped leg day?
Thanks for the review CapnRex101 looks like a good model and definitely looks better than the big one and the 2018 one but probably won't be getting this one considering I have the 2018 one and the war machine one and I don't need another one. and the price is a drawback. I spent 60 dollars on both of mine combined. I don't want to be spending 60 dollars on one.
I do like this set overall as they nailed the Hulkbuster armor pretty well. And it's great to have an updated Bruce Banner minifigure but it should be closer to $35-40 as-is. For $50 I'd like to see about more parts/pieces or even minifigures of Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive added.
Can't wait to get this... when it releases... and time passes... seasons change... distractions occur... snow melts... birds chirp... sales happen.
If he had knees, that'd be the bees knees.
imo big disappointment, one of the most promising set comes with so many flaws. The only hope for this set is modding it.
@Metalizer7734 said:
"imo big disappointment, one of the most promising set comes with so many flaws. The only hope for this set is modding it."
If only it was made out of some easily modified material that allowed for customisation.
Oh well..
Definitely the Hulkbuster for me!
I know it's accurate to the scene, but I can't help but find it a bit ironic that the arguably best Hulkbuster we've gotten... Doesn't come with Iron Man.
I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?
@Kalhiki said:
"I know it's accurate to the scene, but I can't help but find it a bit ironic that the arguably best Hulkbuster we've gotten... Doesn't come with Iron Man."
This would be a great set to get Infinity War Tony Stark, because that Bricktober pack is way too much.
@gunther_schnitzel said:
"I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?"
This isn’t from the black panther films, it’s based on infinity war. Also, wouldn’t make sense for Bruce banner to beat up himself, right? ;)
I don't know, it just feel so completely ... superfluous?
Like, we already had a "Hulkbuster smashing Outriders from the events of 'Infinity War'" set, and honestly, that one was perfectly fine was a set (and looker better IMHO). Did we really need another one?
Is this how Star Wars fans feel?
@Zordboy said:
"I don't know, it just feel so completely ... superfluous?
Like, we already had a "Hulkbuster smashing Outriders from the events of 'Infinity War'" set, and honestly, that one was perfectly fine was a set (and looker better IMHO). Did we really need another one?
Is this how Star Wars fans feel?"
In a word, yes.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @Zordboy said:
"I don't know, it just feel so completely ... superfluous?
Like, we already had a "Hulkbuster smashing Outriders from the events of 'Infinity War'" set, and honestly, that one was perfectly fine was a set (and looker better IMHO). Did we really need another one?
Is this how Star Wars fans feel?"
In a word, yes."
Always.
Oops, wrong movie.
If this were forty dollars, I'd be tempted, even though I already have 76104. That Bruce Banner minifig is awesome, and I wouldn't mind having a couple more Outriders. Will Bruce fit if you raise his hands above his head so that they don't rest there?
@StyleCounselor: No, they'd be the HB's knees.
@BulbaNerd4000: He used to beat himself up all the time, although that was more figurative.
@GoldenNinja3000 said:
"Thanks for the great review! Small correction, @CapnRex101 - those are tattoos on the back of Okoye's head, not short hair.
It's pleasantly surprising to get such a great-looking Hulkbuster set after the massive disappointment of 76210. The design on this one is outstanding from a display perspective but I'm disappointed in the minifigure's hands obstructing the helmet from closing!
I think this set needed a little something extra to be worth the $50 price. The shoulder pads are a great addition to Okoye and Bruce's new face print is awesome, but Okoye still needs leg printing and we should've gotten a member of the Black Order here. Cull Obsidian would've been a perfect opponent for the Hulkbuster. You could recreate their battle from Infinity War and he would match the updated Ebony Maw from the Sanctum!"
Another Cull Obsidian would have been nice. I still find it disappointing that they changed his name. It was hilarious that the big brute of Thanos’ honor guard was named Black Dwarf.
Definitely picking this one up! I'm probably in the minority here, but this will be my first Hulkbuster!
Great minifigs, great detail, not-so-great cockpit, but I will make sure to modify the set to try and fix the problem
75337 AT-TE still remains without a review unforunately, and 21331 Sonic the hedgehog - Green hill zone just sits there, forgotten and reviewless. We're getting so many early reviews for 2023 sets that it feels as though these sets won't get a proper review...
Regarding the minifigure arms being visible, I'd seen someone on social media mention that if you put the hinges on the rear of the helmet the other way around, it sits further forward and does a better job of obscuring Bruce within the Hulkbuster.
Says a lot about inflation of LEGO prices that when this Hulkbuster from this movie was depicted as a set five years ago with about the same number of pieces, it cost $20 less and also included a side build. This new one is a much better-looking model though
Yeah, another Hulkbuster, just what we all asked for - not.
Easy pass.
@BulbaNerd4000 said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
"I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?"
This isn’t from the black panther films, it’s based on infinity war. Also, wouldn’t make sense for Bruce banner to beat up himself, right? ;)
"
I thought Stark / Ironman was inside the Hulkbuster?
So far, I've skipped over every Hulkbuster set without a second thought, they've never managed to get the proportions anywhere near good enough.
But I'm actually quite tempted by this new one, it really seems to be very accurate.
@gunther_schnitzel said:
" @BulbaNerd4000 said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
"I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?"
This isn’t from the black panther films, it’s based on infinity war. Also, wouldn’t make sense for Bruce banner to beat up himself, right? ;)
"
I thought Stark / Ironman was inside the Hulkbuster?"
Not during the Battle of Wakanda.
@gunther_schnitzel said:
" @BulbaNerd4000 said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
"I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?"
This isn’t from the black panther films, it’s based on infinity war. Also, wouldn’t make sense for Bruce banner to beat up himself, right? ;)
"
I thought Stark / Ironman was inside the Hulkbuster?"
During the battle of wakanda Bruce was unable to transform into the hulk. To make up for it, and to aid in battle, he wore the hulk buster armor
@zeah209 said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
" @BulbaNerd4000 said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
"I haven’t seen either of the Black Panther films, but should a Hulkbuster set not come with a Hulk to bust?"
This isn’t from the black panther films, it’s based on infinity war. Also, wouldn’t make sense for Bruce banner to beat up himself, right? ;)
"
I thought Stark / Ironman was inside the Hulkbuster?"
During the battle of wakanda Bruce was unable to transform into the hulk. To make up for it, and to aid in battle, he wore the hulk buster armor"
Wow, sounds like a a ‘jump the shark’ moment.
I wish Lego would give us some other members of the Dora Milaje in some of these sets instead of always using Okoye. Set looks impressive though if you haven't already got a Hulkbuster or two
Got to be a way to disguise Banner's hands from peeking out.
Maybe, can the helmet be moved forward one stud?
I'll probably try to mod in knees if I get it, but am currently unsure.
.
@legoDad42 said:
"Got to be a way to disguise Banner's hands from peeking out.
Maybe, can the helmet be moved forward one stud?"
Connecting the droid arms holding the helmet piece the other way around would let the helmet be positioned slightly more forward when closed.
@GrizBe said:
" @legoDad42 said:
"Got to be a way to disguise Banner's hands from peeking out.
Maybe, can the helmet be moved forward one stud?"
Connecting the droid arms holding the helmet piece the other way around would let the helmet be positioned slightly more forward when closed."
Ah, thank you @GrizBe. That could work. I'll try it when I get the kit. Thx for the tip!
I'ma make another "better than the $500+ Hulkbuster" comment and none of you can stop me.
Having built this, if you put the droid arms the other way around, and put Banner's arms up (as if he's adjusting controls inside the dome), then he's invisible inside the mech.
It's an awesome mech - big upgrade over Hulkbuster vs AIM Agent, in only a couple of years.